The Orphan Queen (28 page)

I'd
just
made it in time for the celebration. I slept through the night and most of the morning, but it wasn't enough. When Melanie woke me to prepare for the ball, dancing was the last thing I wanted to do, but declining such an invitation would have been a terrible insult—likely, we'd have been shunned from palace society.

In anticipation of my return, Melanie had ordered a pair of gowns made for us. Hers was a pale pink creation with pink sapphires sewn into the neckline and high waist. She looked beautiful in it; she'd look beautiful in anything.

The gown she'd chosen for me glimmered when the maid
brought it out. Silver silk rippled and shone in the firelight, like scales, while diamonds and silver embroidery graced the bodice in a flowing, intricate pattern. They weren't random patterns, though. When I looked closer, I caught ospreys taking flight, swords and daggers dangling from their talons.

I lifted an eyebrow at Melanie. “You ordered this?”

She peered at the gown. “Not exactly that. I ordered ospreys. Well . . . it's all too stylized to see at a glance, at least. No one will notice.”

“I hope not. It's a little odd for a duchess of Liadia to wear ospreys. Lions would have been more appropriate.” Nevertheless, I put on the gown, strangely relieved to wear something so fine again. “I wonder what His Majesty thought when he saw the bill for these gowns.”

“He probably thought about marrying you to someone very quickly. Then someone else can provide for your expensive tastes.”

I smoothed the silk and wool over my ribs, down my hips, then sat for the maid to conceal the yellowing bruise on my cheek. She didn't comment on it, of course. As far as she knew, I'd been ill; my gaunt appearance only added to the illusion.

Melanie pulled a tiny strand of my hair, freeing it to curl down from the elaborate coils and braids. “Perfect.”

What she meant was that the tendril of hair would distract from any bruise that showed through the cosmetics.

“Mel,” I whispered when the maid stepped away. “We weren't on the best of terms before I left. . . .”

She shook her head. “We are now, though. I've had a lot of time to think, and to miss you, and to see the Ospreys how you
must. It's over between Patrick and me.”

I held my fingers just over my bruised cheek. “Does he know?”

“Not yet. But he probably suspects.” She dropped her eyes.

I wanted to ask if she still loved him, but the maid returned with a small dinner and the promise of a generous buffet in the grand ballroom later. Shortly after the clock chimed the hour, a footman came to escort us. Light spilled through the wide double doors, and music twinkled in a delicate melody.

The herald took our names, guided us to our positions, and then announced us. “Duchess of Liadia, Lady Julianna Whitman, and her companion, Lady Melanie Cole.”

I stepped into the immense ballroom and was dazzled by the lights. Melanie touched my elbow to steady me.

Iron dragons twisted around the grand chandelier that hung above. Mirrors and faceted gemstones glittered in the light of the gas lamps, throwing rainbows across the room. Candles sat on every surface and in sconces along the walls. There was even an illuminated dragon statue, with a candle set into its lower jaw. The beast stared a challenge into the large crowd assembling on the dance floor.

A few faces turned up at our announcement, and I caught the king's frail smile from a high-backed throne at the far end of the room. He gestured for us to approach.

The throne area was a crowded place. Princes Herman and Colin stood beside their brother and the queen, chests all puffed out as they surveyed the ballroom.

I hoped Herman wouldn't recognize me from West Pass Watch.

On the other side of the throne, Crown Prince Tobiah, Lady Meredith, and Lieutenant Rayner stood tall. The prince wore a jet-black tailcoat and trousers with deep blue stripes down the sides, and his cousin displayed his formal Indigo Order uniform, medals pinned on his chest and a sword hung at his waist. While the prince hardly seemed to notice my approach, his bodyguard flashed a smile and minuscule nod.

“My lady.” King Terrell reached for my hand as I curtsied. “I'm so glad you've recovered. I was quite worried when I learned of your illness.”

“I'm much better, Your Majesty.” I forced my voice even. “And I wouldn't have missed your birthday celebration for anything.”

The king smiled again. “I believe you've met my wife, Queen Francesca, House of the Sun.”

I curtsied again. “Of course, Your Majesty. I've had the honor, and I'm glad to have it again.”

The queen sat tall and lean, like her son and nephew, with pointed features and a sharp look in her eyes. But she smiled and dipped her head.

“And you've met my brother Prince Colin Pierce, I believe. He is Overlord of Aecor Territory.”

It took every drop of my self-control not to clench my jaw and fists as I curtsied. Overlord of
my
kingdom.

“And my youngest brother, Prince Herman Pierce, Lord of West Pass Watch.”

This time, I made sure to keep my posture open and feminine, but if the prince recognized me, he gave no indication. People saw what they expected to see.

We moved on to greet Tobiah and Meredith, and the latter offered a warm smile.

She was resplendent in her peacock blue gown. Gold-embroidered unicorns paraded across a band of silk around her ribs in an exquisite display of her wealth, and her seamstress's skill. Sapphires and other gemstones glittered as she curtsied and offered a warm smile. “We're both so happy you've recovered, Julianna.”

There was an odd note in her voice. Suspicion? Amusement? She and Chey had both sent lots of flowers and well-wishes. More than made sense, considering our short acquaintance.

“Thank you.” I pushed a little, to study her reaction. “I'm so looking forward to spending more time with you and Lady Chey in the solar. I've missed our talks.”

Her expression was nothing but politeness.

Tobiah cast an uninterested glance and turned to murmur something to James. The lieutenant grinned, first at his prince, then at me.

Meredith and I exchanged a few more pleasantries, and then Melanie and I were dismissed.

Several more lords and ladies and prominent merchants wealthy enough to keep the king's attention were announced, and the ballroom grew stiflingly hot.

Melanie leaned toward me, her voice low. “Meredith seemed delighted to see you.”

“An act, I'm sure. She's probably annoyed that when I join her in the solar, she and her ladies will have to stop gossiping about me. I wonder what they say. Did you go while I was ill?”

“I'm not important enough to go without you. But we could
bribe some of the guards to repeat conversations. No one ever notices them, let alone important ladies.” She wore a pleasant smile as she gazed around the room. “Oh, the prince is watching you.”

I glanced over my shoulder, catching the prince's eye before he leaned toward James again.

“Careful, there.” Melanie gave a low chuckle. “Meredith seems nice, but if she thinks you're interested in him, I bet she'll find a way to remove your head.”

I nodded with exaggerated seriousness. “She's fiercely good with a needle. I wouldn't want to anger her.”

Melanie grinned.

We mingled with the other guests until the music began, then took our partners in the lines of dancers. I still didn't feel as confident in my dancing as I'd have liked, but this time I knew more of the steps and kept up with my partner, a count from another region of the kingdom.

He rambled on about his control of sheep farmers and wheat mills, and I responded where appropriate, but my mind kept wandering. A tree, maybe, or a rooftop. Somewhere dark and dangerous. In my mind, my partner was a boy in all black, and our music was the clashing of blades. Our dance was leaping and cutting and pulling the other back to their feet.

After the first dance ended, Tobiah helped his mother and father stand and the room fell quiet.

“Thank you all for joining me tonight.” Terrell's voice wasn't quite feeble, but he was certainly struggling to make himself heard. Several people in the back of the room shifted forward, and others began repeating his speech for those who couldn't
hear. “There are so many people to be grateful to: firstly, my wife, Francesca, and my son, Tobiah. I wish I could say they are my life, but as a king, that hasn't always been true. There have been so many times when my wife and son have come second, or third, or worse. Nevertheless, they've stood by me, and now my son prepares for his marriage and eventual reign as king. As a father—and as a king—I couldn't be prouder.”

Francesca and Tobiah gave Terrell warm smiles, and the audience clapped politely. The applause didn't last long; the king continued, and everyone had to strain to hear again, if they were interested at all.

I spent the remainder of his speech observing the guests. There were many I didn't recognize. Perhaps I'd be able to pry James from Tobiah's side and receive a bit more of his gossip.

The speeches went on. Tobiah and his mother each spoke, droning about how much they loved and appreciated Terrell, what a great king he was, and how hard he worked to serve the people of the Indigo Kingdom.

The crowd grew restless and, from across the room, I caught James's eye. He quirked a smile and subtly scratched his ear with his smallest finger. At the rude implication, I hid a chuckle under a fake cough. The bodyguard's smile widened.

Melanie elbowed me. “Stop it.”

I signaled for James to dance with me once the speeches were over. His eyebrows lifted, but he nodded.

From beside his father, Prince Tobiah frowned in my direction.

At last the speeches were finished and the music began. I tried to catch James's eye again as dancers began pairing off,
but Tobiah had him cornered. Melanie had already accepted someone's invitation to dance, so I wandered alone toward the terrace. The glass doors were closed against the night chill, and it was too bright inside to see anything outside, but I pretended I was studying the stars, while really watching the reflections of dancers behind me.

“Your Highness. My lord,” I said as they appeared on either side of me. Tobiah offered a glass of wine, which I accepted. “Thank you.”

“I must caution you about venturing outside,” said the prince. “It's cold, and you've been ill.”

“But Lady Julianna was wise enough to bring a shawl and gloves. We won't keep her long.” James pushed open one of the large doors, and a gust of wind made all the candles flicker, but we were all three outside a moment later.

The terrace faced west, toward the wraithland. The odd scoop of the Midvale Ridge stood silhouetted in the night sky.

I walked ahead of the boys, past the glass tables and cushioned chairs, hardly realizing I was moving. I held my shawl closed with one hand, and rested my wineglass on the twisted iron railing.

What had I
done
in that desolate place? I couldn't have brought the wraith to life; my magic didn't work like that. The life it gave objects wasn't true life. It was just . . . temporary animation. A temporary compulsion for otherwise inanimate objects to do my bidding.

But I couldn't deny that something had happened, and it was different. Dangerous. The wraith knew my name.

“Do you think of it often, my lady?” James asked.

“Too often.” I turned my back to the wraithland. The boys stood side by side, identical in their postures, and so similar in features that they might be mistaken for brothers. They were silhouetted by the brilliant lights shining through the terrace doors, through which I could see the sway and swell of dancers in glittery gowns and perfect black tailcoats. Around the door, mirrors hung on every opaque surface, reflecting starlight.

Out of habit, I shifted out of the way of the mirrors. The boys were already standing where they wouldn't reflect.

“Is there something you wished to discuss?” I sipped my wine, hoping the alcohol would warm me.

“Go ahead, James.” The prince broke his stance to move toward the railing behind me.

Having him where I couldn't see him made me wary. I adjusted my position so the prince filled the corner of my vision while I focused on James. “My lord?”

James's shoulders dropped. “I feel it's only fair to warn you. There's been some concern regarding your residency documents.”

My heart stumbled. “Excuse me?”

The lieutenant nodded. “It seems a warehouse in Greenstone was recently robbed. The only items taken were ink and a few pieces of paper—paper with the Liadian watermark.”

I caught a glimpse of Melanie dancing inside. Her gown swirled, and the black lengths of her hair gleamed in the illumination. “Someone believes our documents are forged?” My voice was hoarse.

“No.” James shifted his weight. “Well, not yet. The police will search the warehouse for clues, while our records-keepers
and secretaries make further inquiries into your past. They'll also begin verifying your documentation against others. I'm sure there's nothing to worry about, but I wouldn't want anyone to catch you off guard.”

As if I hadn't been caught off guard already. My documents were flawless; I'd gone over them and added the final details myself. But who would have known about the warehouse in Greenstone?

Black Knife.

Unease and disappointment tightened in my stomach. “Thank you.” I cleared my throat and sipped my wine. “What prompted this inquiry, if I may ask?”

James began. “Lady Ch—”

Tobiah cut him off with a lifted hand. He'd been staring westward so thoroughly I hadn't realized he'd even been aware of the conversation. “I'm afraid we're not at liberty to say. Regardless of the outcome, you'll hear your accuser's concerns when this is all over. For now, it's probably best to keep the peace.”