Inkga is pinning my hair up for the day. We ate breakfast together, discussing her new clothing designs, which I’m excited to see. It’s funny how comfortable I’ve become with her around. The only other person I’m like this with is Nash, and that’s entirely different.
Either way, I don’t feel the need to constantly watch her. If she ever schemes to kill me, it’ll be far too easy. Though I doubt it. There was a spider in my bedroom the other day, and she couldn’t bring herself to smash it.
“There,” she says. “All ready for the day. What plans do you have?”
“I don’t have much scheduled today. I’ll probably find lots to keep me busy.” I turn to face her. “I have to be honest—this place is wonderful, but I’m getting tired of it.”
“You could always go on a tour of the country.” She sets my brush on the vanity.
“Could I really?” Nash mentioned something like that, but I didn’t think much about it, like I should have.
“Queens sometimes do such a thing. The nation would enjoy seeing you, and you seem like the type of queen who’d enjoy visiting other cities and meeting your countrymen.”
“That sounds much better than meeting after meeting.”
“I’m sure there will still be meetings, only more spread out.”
And they won’t include the likes of Timit. Plus, if I go around the country, Daros won’t be there unless he follows me around. He always preferred to stay in the city. “Who do I need to speak with to make this happen?”
She grins. “I’d be happy to get things moving for you. When do you want to go?”
“As soon as arrangements can be made. Let’s get Jem to help. She was probably trained on just such a thing.”
“I’ll get her and alert Nash to your intentions.”
She hurries out. I check to make certain I have all my daggers and that my poison pouch is around my neck, and then I make my way to my usual seat in the sitting room.
I want to take Nash with me. I hope he wants to go. Maybe I should leave him in charge, but he’s not himself. I’ll take Inkga, and I should take Shillian and Carver. Anyone else who wants to go and can be ready in time will be welcome.
I continue to go over a list of security plans and people who should come in my head until Jem and Inkga return a few minutes later. I tell them my thoughts.
Jem laughs. “You are eager to see the countryside.” When I give her a flat expression, she adds, “Your Majesty.”
“I thought we were past that.” I sigh. Too many of my thoughts have apparently been written on my face. “Truth is, I am eager.”
“Good. We can work with that. We should be able to go in a day or two, but we’ll have to travel slowly at first.”
“Why?”
“So there’s time for the towns to be alerted to your arrival. The first thing we’ll do is make a schedule of where you’re going when, and Kada will let them know we’re coming. Arrangements will be made. There will be some form of a party or celebration in at least a few of the towns.”
“That’s unnecessary.”
Her mouth tightens. “You may think so, but the people do not.”
“Very well.” I don’t want to cause them more trouble, but I did enjoy dancing with them before spotting Daros in the crowd. Was he there, or did my fears make him up? “Very well.”
“Good. The country will be eager to see their queen, though considering certain recent events and the fact that Daros in still on the loose, Jaku will presumably not wish you to go. I’m sure we can convince him, if you take enough guards.”
“As many as he sees fit. I don’t want the palace unguarded, though.”
She nods. “He’ll know.”
I suppose I need to leave someone in charge while I’m gone. “I’d like you to see to things while I’m away.”
“Me?” She puts a hand to her chest, eyebrows slightly raised.
“You know the country well, and the laws even better. What’s more, you know more about protocol than I ever will. Will you accept this assignment?”
She gives a small curtsy. “I’d be delighted, Your Majesty.”
All this Your Highness, my lady, and Your Majesty will most likely increase again as I go around those who don’t know how much it bothers me. Oh well. It’s becoming more of a background noise.
“And you will come with me, Inkga, if you so desire.”
“It would be an honor.” She also curtsies but doesn’t add an honorific, much to my delight. “We’ll have to look at your wardrobe, to see what will be fitting for travel and what will be good to meet the people in.”
“Pants for traveling, please. You can pick whatever you think is best as long as I can still have my daggers.”
Inkga smiles. “Sounds good.”
“I’ll make arrangements,” Jem says.
“Send Jaku to me,” I reply. “I want to tell him myself.”
She nods and leaves the room.
“Thank you for agreeing to go with me,” I tell Inkga.
“Truthfully, it is an honor. I’m so excited, Ryn. Most of my life has been spent in this palace, and I have never been outside of Indell. I’d love to see more than just this place. Meet new people. Make new friends.”
“You will.” And with any luck, so will I.
We discuss different cities for a while, when a servant knocks at the door and introduces Jaku. My Head of Guard strides in the room, gives a bow, and waits with one hand resting on the hilt of his sword.
“Thank you for coming. I am going to be traveling the country. I would like you to arrange as many men you feel are necessary to make that happen, while still keeping the palace guarded.”
His expression remains hard. “Forgive me, Your Majesty, but I believe the safest course of action would be to remain here at the palace.”
I give him a level stare. “Let’s be honest.”
“Of course.”
“How many attacks have happened while I’m here at the palace?”
“The exact number is hard to guess,” he says.
“Because it’s high?”
“Yes,” he grumbles.
“And you think it will be higher outside these walls?”
“It already has been. Almost every time you go out, you are attacked.”
True. Not a comforting fact. “But we won’t be staying in the city. Don’t you think it’d be different in other towns?”
His lips form a thin line.
“Don’t you?” I prod.
“It’s difficult to say. They could have better access to you than they do inside these walls.”
“But…”
He sighs. “But other towns may not be as hostile to you, according to my sources.”
“You keep track of how other towns feel about me?”
“I do. My job is to protect you from all threats. I need to know about the entire country to do that.”
Interesting. “It would be safe for me to go, then.”
“I said not as hostile. They haven’t had direct reports of you like the people in Indell have. They don’t know about issues until after they’re fixed, and they usually get news of the fix with it. There’s still some animosity toward you. The Kurah may be a problem, and Daros may follow you, thinking he can get you in a less guarded place.”
Oh, joy. “I’ve had to fight for my life in this very palace. I think it’s safe to assume things will be dangerous wherever I go. With your guards at my side, I’m certain I’ll be fine.”
“I’m not certain, which is why I’m hesitant,” he says. “But I can see you’re set on going, so I’ll have to make sure you have enough protection.”
“Thank you.” I keep myself from grinning like a fool.
I’ll send word to Carver and Shillian to see if they’re interested in joining me. Now the only one I need to talk to is Nash. What if he refuses to come? He needs to join us because that’s where all the guards will be. I want him safe from Daros’s clutches.
“I’d be happy to join you,” Nash says.
That was easier than I expected. “Good.”
“When do we leave?’
“As soon as arrangements can be made.”
He relaxes back into his seat. “Who will be coming with us?”
“Inkga, guards, Shillian, Carver, and anyone else who wishes to come.”
He sighs.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
“Something is. Tell me.”
He gives me a weak smile. “I’d like to spend some time alone with you. There are always others about.”
Which means I can’t pay much attention to him. The thought warms my cheeks and has me wanting to move closer. “You have me alone now.”
His gaze sends a blaze of fire through me. “And I intend to make full use of it, like I should have been doing all along.”
He leans in closer. My heart flutters. We’re going to kiss.
I haven’t felt his lips against mine in too long a time.
His breath is warm against my lips. Sweet. He is focused on me, no hint of fear clouding his eyes. I have waited for this to happen since he came back to me. There may be greater hope than I thought.
I can almost feel his kiss when there’s a knock on the door.
We bolt apart, heaving for air.
Nash takes a moment to look me over before answering the door. A servant says, “Shillian and Carver Nilmac, Your Majesty.”
The announced two come in, gushing about the trip. I want to shove them both outside, slam the door, and get back to our kiss. Why did they have to come now?
Shillian says, “I’m so grateful you invited us to tour the countryside with you. I’ve spent most of my life in Indell. It will be wonderful to see other areas for a change.”
She continues spouting off, but I have a hard time focusing. I'm only aware of him—Nash. The warmth that so abruptly left. The almost-kiss between us. That’s what I want—his lips against mine.
And if anyone knew, Nash would be dead.