QueensQuest by Suz deMello Page B

to marry you, he wouldn’t want me
around.”
    “He feared your anger if we left without you. He did not
wish to provoke you.”
    A slow smile, one that was not entirely pleasant, spread
across Storne’s face. “He’s a very intelligent man.”
    “Should I be afraid of you?”
    “No.”
    “What if I refuse your suit?”
    He looked untroubled by the possibility. “Two reasonable
people can always work something out.”
    I wondered what he really wanted. “What something might that
be?”
    He shrugged. “Politically and economically, the usual. A
mutually advantageous division of the EastMarch. Reasonable tolls on the trade
routes between Dark and Light through Shadow. Fair prices for Shadowland goods
that we need for our survival.”
    “Were our lands married, these would cease to be issues,” I
said with some wariness. The non-allocation of the Marches to either side was
not negotiable.
    “True. But our spies tell us that the Children of Light will
go to tremendous lengths to prevent the union of Darkness and Shadow. I am sure
you have already concluded that we would control two-thirds of Janus and all of
its most useful lands. There is little in the desert of interest.”
    “That remains to be discovered.” I frowned. “Kaldir has said
nothing of this.”
    “Did you think he would be obvious?”
    “Of course not, but I pride myself on my reading of
character.” Rising, I paced. “Perhaps that is why he wanted you to accompany us
on our Royal Progress to his lands. You would be in his power.”
    Storne rose to join me at the window. “As would you.”
    I glanced at his face, still serene and untroubled.
“Everyone has a plot,” I said.
    He nodded. “Everyone has their separate plots and plans,
separate intentions.” He took my shoulders. “Let’s ensure that our plots and
plans don’t conflict. Agreed?”
    I thought of Storne’s reputation, Kaldir’s fear and Geoman’s
opinion, which I prized. “Agreed.”
    * * * * *
    Morning meeting with the Ten Ministers was dominated by
discussion of the impending Royal Progress. I appointed Lady Mercourie to
oversee the arrangements and travel with us. I also told her to work closely
with Lord Parlous regarding security. I selected Geoman, Caducia and Kloutt as
a triumvirate to manage matters in my absence, but told Mercourie to send word
throughout my kingdom that I would be holding Open Court in my southern keep
for several days while the Progress visited. I made sure that the Ten
understood that I was queen and I ruled wherever I happened to be.
    I told Frayn he would accompany us, believing in the old
Terran proverb, keep your friends close and your enemies closer. I knew
he would not resist a direct command. Plus, I wagered that Frayn still
cherished hopes that he would ascend the Throne by my side. I fueled his
mistaken belief with subtle flirtatious glances, for I feared his reaction when
I did, finally, choose. I did not trust him to calmly acquiesce to my marriage
to another, for he had schemed to win my approval and the Throne for too long.
Leaving his father behind split my rivals, and I trusted Geoman and Caducia to
foil any plots Kloutt might hatch in my absence.
    The discussion distracted the Ten from inquiring about my
reaction to Storne, which was what I had planned. I did not know what to tell
them. I was too deeply attracted to Storne to trust my judgment. My intuition
told me that he was trustworthy, but I could be wrong. My instincts told me
that he would rule wisely, but again I could be wrong.
    Though proof of his seed’s potency was essential, what of
his sons? Would he favor them over any progeny we might produce? If we were not
fortunate enough to have children, would he attempt to insert one of his sons
onto Shadow’s Golden Throne when that position rightfully should go to Kloutt
or Frayn?
    That evening, the object of my worries entered my chambers
while Maia was still shaving me before dinner. Naked, I lay on the golden
velvet