Inkga rolls my chair into a meeting room with a window. Though I can see guards standing outside, I’m grateful for the view. Without it, it’s like being in Daros’s room of torture.
Eldim and Julina are in the room. It’s the first I’ve seen of her since she was injured, but this isn’t the time to talk because others are here.
Nash was supposed to join us since he’s feeling better after days of resting, but he didn’t show up. Is he avoiding me? I wish I could see him, but I focus on the couple that is here. A weight lifts from my chest, and I give them a genuine smile.
They curtsy and bow.
Kapeni, the woman who taught me to read, has the biggest grin on her face. It dims as she looks at my chair, but returns when she meets my gaze. “We’re pleased to join you here, Queen Ryn.”
“We’re friends. Please call me Ryn.”
“I might not be able to do that, but I’ll try.”
“Coplo, how are you? How was the journey?” I ask.
“Truth be told, it was long. My old bones aren’t used to such trips.” He is older than I thought; there’s gray in his hair and wrinkles at the corner of his eyes. Kapeni is the same, but her appearance seems as it did in my youth. When I met them on my journey, I was so excited to see her again. I didn’t pay attention to their appearance.
They both wear fine clothes. She has her gray hair pulled back into a bun, at the nape of her neck. Her smile makes me want to smile back. He’s gruffer, not grinning as much as she does, but when he does, it lights up his face—even those gray eyes of his.
“I’m sorry it wasn’t easier on you,” I say. “I’m grateful you’ll be staying a while. Hopefully that’ll give you time to recover from your journey.”
“Only to be worn out again. But that’s not what we came here to talk about. I’ve had my man of business draw up all the papers needed to sell you the mine.”
“I’ve looked them over, as has the rest of the council.” I snuck them in between practicing magic and dealing with Daros. “We are all in favor of the contract, and I’m ready to sign it today.”
“Good.”
A servant comes forward and offers Coplo a quill. He scratches his name on both contracts before returning it to the servant. The servant then takes the papers and places them under my hand. He dips the quill in ink and closes my fingers around it. As I sign, I realize it’s easier than before. It gives me hope for the future, that I may gain some of my strength back. My name is even legible. I sign the second copy, and it’s as clear as the first.
Kapeni claps. “I’m thrilled that the mine will be put to such good use. We worried so much over it, since we don’t have children to pass it down to.”
“I’m grateful we could purchase it from you,” I say. “I’m hoping it will help a lot of people.”
The servant hands Coplo his copy of the contract and takes the other away to be stored with official government papers.
“Now, tell me more about yourself,” I say. “I want to know it all. I’ve missed out on so much.”
They glance at each other, and something passes between them—the type of communication only possible between people in love.
“The truth is,” Kapeni says, “we wanted to come to Indell, now that the mine is sold. It may take some work to sell the house, but we can do it. Then we can come back to the place I grew up in. Although, I’m not certain. I heard you pardoned Daros?”
I don’t want to have to explain this again, though she deserves to know. “I did.”
She nods, a faraway look in her eyes. “I won’t pretend to understand your reasoning, but I would like to know that you and others are safe from him.”
“Including you and your husband.”
“Yes.”
But I have nothing to give them. I shoo the servants out of the room. Everyone leaves, except for Eldim and Julina. This will be news to her, but Eldim understands what’s going on. I hope she takes it well. Then again, she’s probably heard the rumors. “We are doing what we can with him. I can’t guarantee anything, but we’ve got him closely guarded.”
“And you think that’s enough?” Coplo asks. “You have to understand my concern for my wife. If I bring her back here, I don’t want anything to happen to her.”
“I do understand. While I’d like to assure you that you’ll both be one hundred percent safe, I can’t. No one can. The most I can offer is that we’re doing our best. That, and Daros may not even remember her, since many years have passed.”
Kapeni nods. “I suppose that will do for now. Do you expect the situation to last?”
“Honestly, I don’t know.”
“Very well.” She hesitates.
“What is it?” What is she’s not willing to say?
“I don’t know if I should ask.”
“This is me, remember? I used to tell you everything, even though it's been some years. It’s time you did the same.”
She pauses before saying, “When we last saw you, everything was fine. What happened that put you in this chair with wheels?”
I was worried she was going to ask something like that. “I was poisoned.” I hope they don’t ask by who.
“That’s awful. Who would do such a thing?”
Knife it all. “It was Daros.”
She gasps. “And you still pardoned him?”
“The circumstances are not ideal, but I’m doing the best I can with what I have.”
She’s quiet for so long. She must be disgusted with me.
I say, “He’s not the same man he was. Not that I’m excusing his behavior, but he’s… worn. He’s lost most of what he had before, including many of his material possessions and much of his physical stature. His mind isn’t as sharp as it once was. This doesn’t excuse anything, but it does make me feel a little better about keeping him around for what I need.”
“You don’t have to explain yourself to me. I was thinking how hard this must be on you.”
I clench my jaw, willing my emotions away before they get the better of me.
“I have to know,” she says. “Is he working as an assassin for you?”
I burst out laughing. “Daggers, no.” If only it was that easy. I’d hire a different assassin and be done with him. “Our arrangement is more complicated than that.”
“You don’t have to tell me about it, dear.” She leans over and goes to pat my hand. Her husband grabs her arm and gently pulls her back, and she gets a knowing look on her face. “I want you to be safe.”
“I’m doing what I can. It’s not as easy as it was when I had full control over my body.” The admission stings.
“Maybe it’s not about how much control you have over your body, but what you do with your mind that will make the difference.”
That’s a happy thought, except for the fact that Androlla is taking over my mind. Not that I can tell Kapeni that. I don’t want her to think I’m insane.
I glance at the clock. “I’m afraid I have a meeting to attend. You’re welcome to stay at the palace as long as you’d like, even while selling your house and finding a new one. Whatever is best for you. I’m happy to have you here.”
“Thank you,” Coplo says. “Your generosity is something we’re grateful for.”
“Yes, dear. We hope we can visit again soon.” Kapeni gives me a big smile, and I’m taken back to when she used to teach me how to read, the few times I was let outside. Happy moments. She was the only mother figure I had in my life until Shillian came around, and look how that turned out.
I shove away the thought. “I’ll visit as soon as I can. It means a lot to me that you’re here.”
“We’re happy to be here, dear.” As a servant wheels me away, I wish I could stay with them.