Page 113 of Scourged
She shifted in her seat.Be a queen.
“I called this meeting to discuss what’s next. I don’t intend to sit here, cloistered in my palace, for the pirates to regroup and return to our shores or for the Royals to decide they want me back.”
Brows furrowed and hands clenched into fists. Someone grumbled, a noise like a stifled growl.
She could’ve sworn shadows brushed her skin.
Drumming her fingers on the table, she continued, “Does anyone know why, exactly, the Kizar pirates attacked in the first place??”
A young commander, dressed in the white of the Royal Infantry, sat forward.
“The Infantry’s network of spies has heard nothing, Your Majesty. We never heard they were coming until they appeared in the Bay, and their disappearance has been just as mysterious.”
Mariah frowned. “I didn’t know the Royal Infantry had a spy network.”
The commander grinned. “Not many do. If they did, it would be a pretty shitty spy network.” There were low chuckles around the room at that, and even Mariah grinned. The commander shifted, his face turning serious. “I am Commander Luan, Your Majesty. My troops are at your disposal.”
Mariah nodded, her smile widening. “Thank you, Commander Luan.” She turned back to the rest of the gathered captains and commanders. “So … if we don’t have information on the pirates, then what of the Royals? I don’t intend to allow them to capture a queen and get away with it.”
Rumbles of agreement came from her court, and an actual snarl may have slipped from between Rylla’s teeth. They fell silent when an older Infantry commander sat forward, his armor clinking.
“My queen,” he began, gruff voice scratching against her skin. “I fear I may bear an unpopular opinion, but I owe it to the kingdom to speak.”
Mariah’s spine stiffened. Across the table, shadows danced.
“The Royals are fixtures in Onita,” the older commander continued. “Their families are old, and their power runs deep. Too much of the country relies upon them—for food, for employment, for safety. We have already seen the issues they can cause with the latest merchant disputes, as I’m sure your ladies know all too well. If you propose to deal with them by uprooting them, then we could face disastrous upheaval.”
Silence fell over the conference room. Wisely, no one from her court dared to speak, their eyes darting between her and the aged commander with wariness and apprehension.
Coolness slid across Mariah’s skin as she continued to drum a steady beat on the wood. She laid her hand flat and met the commander’s gaze.
“Bullshit.” Her tone was icy. Magic danced between the fingers of the hand splayed on the table, silver and gold licking across her skin.
Opposite her, shadows did the same.
The commander paled beneath his beard, his brown eyes widening. “I meant no offense, Your Majesty; I only mean to offer counsel?—”
“I know you mean no offense, Commander. But I’m telling you that your counsel is bullshit.” Her magic filled her, and she reveled in the strength it offered as a part of her remembered what it was like to be a queen.
“I’ve spoken to my ladies. Those disputes with the merchants were caused by the Kizar presence in the Bay, not because of the Royals’ interference. This country does not need the Royals to survive. The dependency we have on them is a crutch. Our people are stronger than the Royals—and you—give them credit for.” Mariah lifted her chin. “I don’t intend to allow Onitan citizens to be crushed beneath the weight of that aristocracy any longer. Our people will find their strength and their voice, and we as a nation will become better for it.”
The commander snapped his mouth closed as he sat back down. Defeat and anger warred in his expression, but he didn’t push the matter further.
Mariah supposed soldiers—even commanders—knew how to take orders and when to stop.
Her attention snagged on the man across from her. Andrian had relaxed in his chair, his shadows still dancing subtly around his shoulders. The barest, faintest touch of a grin tugged at his lips, and when she met his stare, her chest tightened at the pride dancing in his tanzanite eyes.
She almost jolted when she felt that same prideinside, tugging on a brilliantly woven bond.
How thefuckhad he learned how to do that?
Mariah wrenched her gaze away, turning to her court.
“If we can’t decide what to do about the Royals quite yet, then perhaps you all can help me with something a bit more … personal.”
Everyone sat up, instantly attentive.
“When I was … in Khento, I had a very interesting conversation with our beloved High Priestess Ksee.”