“Before then, however, we need to sort out the city. It’s structurally unsuited to the changes that need to happen. It’s nearly all mansions, because the Ashaki were mostly self-sufficient. Though each mansion could house many ex-slaves, they’ll want their own homes eventually. We also want to gather people with the same kinds of expertise to work together. That all means lots of buildings will have to be demolished and new ones constructed.”
“That will take years.”
She nodded. “In the meantime, we need to establish good relations with the Allied Lands. Savara is worried that other lands will hear of the upheaval here and try to take advantage of it. Maybe not by invading. The stones will hopefully deter anyone from trying that. But there are other ways, through trade and politics, to hobble a new and recovering country.”
Lorkin held his breath. This was the mission the former queen had sent him on. It was what he was best suited to. He knew how both Traitors and the Allied Lands worked.
“Savara has decided to send me to Kyralia to continue exploring trade options and the possibility of an alliance.”
He stared at her as confusion was followed by disappointment and then dismay.
“You don’t mean...?”
“Yes.” Tyvara smiled. “We’re going to Kyralia. You’ll be my guide and assistant.”
He sighed. Well, it wasn’t what I was expecting, but it’s good enough I suppose.
“Ah, Lorkin.” She reached out to touch his cheek. “You would never have been chosen for that role. You haven’t been a Traitor long enough to negotiate on behalf of Traitors.”
“And I’m a man.”
She nodded. “That, too.”
“You do realise that no other land thinks like that. Everything you believe men aren’t suited to, everyone else believes women aren’t suited to.”
“I know. They are going to have to get used to us as much as we have to get used to them.” Then she laughed. “Besides, if I’m ever going to be queen, as Savara intends, then I can’t be seen to follow some man around. Least of all a Kyralian.”
His stomach flipped over. “You’re... you’re planning to be queen?”
“Savara is planning for me to be queen.” She shrugged. “I’m not sure I want to be. But a lot can change. If it does happen, it won’t happen for a long, long time, I hope. I’m hoping she will live as long as Zarala. Being queen is a lot of responsibility, and there’s a lot I want to do first. Like have some children.” She tilted her head slightly. “Does that sound like a life you might want to live?”
His head spun with the possibilities. This is all just a bit too incredible. I just want to be with Tyvara. And... yes, children would be great eventually. He looked at her, and felt his heart warm yet again.
“It sounds wonderful. Well, except maybe the bit about us being in charge of a whole country. But I suppose if the Traitors can bear the idea of a Kyralian as their king... sure, I’ll put up with that if it means I get to spend my life with you.”
She rolled her eyes. “You won’t be king. We don’t have kings.”
“Not even through marriage?”
“Not even then. Were you really hoping to be king?”
“Of course not. I can think of nothing worse.” He grinned. “Though it does seem unfair. I bet the queen’s husband still has to work incredibly hard, with no hope of retirement, talk to annoying people and attend boring ceremonies and events, and listen to his wife complain about how hard life is while having to obey her every whim – and look after her children while she’s off doing queenly things. All while getting no credit for it.” Which was probably what the Kyralian queen had to endure, he realised.
Tyvara shrugged. “None of them have complained before.”
Lorkin snorted. “You Traitors aren’t as equal as you claim you are. But, as you said, a lot can change.”
She poked him in the ribs again, hard. “Not that much. Now let’s get this bed back together and get some sleep. Tomorrow we have a lot of work to do.”
Epilogue
“You were dreaming about Cery again, weren’t you?”
Sonea looked up at Regin. He held a steaming cup of raka out to her. She pushed herself into a sitting position on the bed and took it. The flavour of good Sachakan raka filled her senses and she felt the last threads of the dream loosen their hold.
“I miss him.” She sighed and wiped her eyes. Knowing that she would never see Cery again was like discovering something vital inside her had been stolen. “Even though I didn’t see him that often before his family died. I wish I could have done something.” She saw him open his mouth and shook her head. “No, you don’t have to remind me. It wasn’t my fault. Things may not have gone differently if I’d been here...”
“... and you couldn’t have been in two places at once,” Regin finished. “At least, it’s not something the Guild has worked out how to do yet.”
“I suspect the tasks of finding a cure for roet and discovering how to make stones without the need of gemstone-producing caves are more urgent.” She sipped the raka, then looked towards the window screens. “What time is it? The sun’s only just rising, from the looks of it. Why did you get up?”
“A message arrived. The king has summoned the Higher Magicians to the palace.”
She swung her legs down to the floor and stood up. “When?”
“Not so soon that I haven’t time for this.” He drew her close and kissed her.
“Hmm.” She slipped her arms around him as he began to pull away again. “Time enough for anything more?”
“Not now. The king did me a favour. I shouldn’t repay him by making you late.” He pushed her towards the clothes cupboard, then got back into the bed.
Sonea dressed quickly, and gulped a few more mouthfuls of raka before slipping out of Regin’s rooms. Moving in with him had been her way of stopping the rumours that she and Regin were lovers. It wasn’t a rumour any more when it was an obvious fact. She was sure Lilia was enjoying having rooms all to herself. Anyi visited now and then with Jonna’s help, disguised as a servant. The Guild had finally removed the problem of the underground tunnels by having them filled in. Though she checked on Lilia regularly and monitored her progress, it was more out of concern that Lilia wasn’t completely recovered from everything that had happened to her.
After all, she killed someone with black magic. That isn’t as easy to live with as most would think, even when your victim was a bad person.
A door opened further down the corridor. Recognising Lady Indria, Lord Telano’s replacement, Sonea waited for the woman to catch up.
“Any idea what this is about?” Indria asked.
“Not yet.” Sonea smiled. “How are you settling in to your new role?”
Indria shrugged. “It’s both harder and easier than I expected. I’ve been teaching for years, so I understand teachers’ complaints and needs. But there are so many records I didn’t have to deal with before.”
Sonea chuckled. “Yes. The only advice I can give is that you get yourself an assistant or three.”
“I will.” As they stepped out of the Magicians’ Quarters, Indria glanced around. “It doesn’t help that Telano left everything in such a mess,” she added in a low voice. “I guess he stopped caring. Have you got any closer to finding a cure for roet?”
Sonea shook her head. “No.”
Indria sighed. “These things take time. How are the hospices?”
“Full of addicts in withdrawal. Some responding to Healing, some not. Thankfully, those magicians resistant to roet have automatically healed, so we only have to deal with the forty or so who can’t.”