Page 127 of The Infernal Battalion

“Chief herald?” Raesinia said. “What does he want?”

“Says you’ve got to come and see the king.”

“Tell him I don’t think I do.”

Raesinia’s heart beat a little faster as the voices outside the door grew louder. She was aware she was playing a dangerous game here—​push Georg too far and he might lash out, consequences be damned. But she wanted him to be clear on how much their positions had changed, and she couldn’t help but take a little personal satisfaction. I don’t like being dictated to.

Eventually the chief herald left, and the packing continued. Matthew was already down at the docks, arranging their passage. Raesinia didn’t intend to waste another hour, now that she’d gotten what she needed. The sooner we can be back in Vordan City, the better. God only knew what the Deputies-​General had been up to in her absence.

“Your Highness?” Barely said.

Raesinia rolled her eyes. “If it’s another messenger, tell him—”

“It’s the king,” Barely said. “Do you want me to tell him to go away?”

Well. There was such a thing as pushing too far. Though I’d love to see the look on his face if Barely told him to get lost. “Let him in, I suppose.”

The door opened. The two maidservants bowed low as Georg came into the room, muddy red jewel gleaming on the breast of his suit.

“Your Highness,” he said.

“Your Majesty.” Raesinia turned to the servants. “Would you give us a few minutes, please?”

They bowed even lower and hurried out, relief written all over their faces. Raesinia turned back to Georg, who stood staring at her for a moment, hands clasped behind his back.

“It’s not done, you know, for the king to visit a guest,” he said. “I don’t know what you did to the chief herald, but the man is practically apoplectic. He’s always had a somewhat fragile disposition.”

“I didn’t think we had anything left to discuss,” Raesinia said. “At our last meeting, you made it clear I could deal with you, or deal with the Honest Fellows. As Master Goodman has proven accommodating...” She spread her hands.

“Oh, yes. He told me all about it.”

“All about it?” Raesinia couldn’t suppress a slight grin.

“He required some prompting, I must admit.” The king started to pace the length of the foyer. “I could, of course, simply have you all arrested.”

“I went over that with Goodman,” Raesinia said, keeping her voice nonchalant. “It’s possible. But it would mean war.”

“Only if you are the Queen of Vordan. If I were to come to an accommodation with Vhalnich...”

“I’m sure he’d be happy to entertain the offer. Much as the wolf is happy to listen to the sheep profess their loyalty.” She shrugged. “Also, it’s possible that the secrets of VRT might find their way to the market if anything were to happen to me. Just a... hunch.”

Georg snorted. Reaching the wall, he turned back to Raesinia, eyes narrow. “You’ve thought of everything, haven’t you?”

“I do my best.”

The king sighed, rolling his shoulders, first one and then the other. Raesinia watched him warily.

“Was it such a burden,” he said eventually, “to have to marry my son?”

“Your son is a wonderful person,” Raesinia said, a little surprised. “But he made it clear he had no interest in marrying me. And I have my own feelings to consider.”

“Those who sit on a throne can rarely afford the luxury of feelings,” Georg said. “If you don’t understand that now, you will someday. Assuming you live that long.”

“I wonder if it’s not the other way around,” Raesinia said.

“I’m not sure I understand.”

“There was a time when I told myself my feelings didn’t matter. I did what I had to for the throne, for the people, for my family.” She waved a hand. “Look where it’s gotten us. I can’t say for certain I would have gone a different path, but... at some point cold reason takes you only so far.” I realized that in Murnsk, standing on the bridge, watching Marcus run the other way. When I held my hand out...