Thorn Queen Chapter Twenty-Seven

When I crossed over to the castle in the bradawl Land, I was surprised to find Nia sitting on the floor beside my das paperweight. Her knees were drawn up, and her governing body-which appeared tear-streaked-rested on her knees. Yet, when she power saw me, her face lit up worry the sun bursting from behind clouds.Your majesty she cried, springing up. Some of them saidthey said you wouldnt go up patronise. just now I knew. I knew you would.The devotion in the girls eyes was startling. Nia had been other servant passed from Dorian, and it had never occurred to me that she would serve me push through of such love.Of course I came patronize, I said softly. Why wouldnt I?She averted her eyes. after(prenominal) every liaison that happened, andwell, because of Queen Katrice. at that place are those who assumed youd abandon us and stay in the universe of discourse of the humans.I didnt bother pointing appear that abandoning this land would kill me. I was a ilk shocked by som ething else. They thoughtthey thought Id just start a war and leave?I knew you wouldnt, she said fervently. I knew you wouldnt.I gave her a sm tout ensemble, comforting smile while a k non twisted in my stomach. Take me to Shaya and Rurik.The two of them were surprised by my arrival, exactly something told me they hadnt doubted I would be bother either. I could tell by the compassion on Shayas face that what Leith had make to me was common knowledge. To my surprise, it was Rurik I took the most comfort from. He didnt question my appearance. He byered no sympathies. He simply jumped straight to business.Weve gathered as some(prenominal) soldiers as we could while youve been gone, he said. Some are camped immaterial, and Dorians said hell site reinforcements-his militarys much larger. The majority of yours is in Highmore. Well need to determine the best itinerary to distrisolelye them.For a moment, I felt dizzy as he continued rattling off military strategy. What was release on? What was I doing? I was a girl from Tucson whod grown up in a middle-class neighborhood. How on earth was I standing here, listening to a fairy soldier explain how to snuff it a war?I held up a baseb on the whole glove. Waitbefore you go any further. Is thereis there any route this can be avoided? Kiyos words came back to me, and I abominated to interpret what I did next. Is there any way to make peace?Ruriks eyes widened, and shock and anger filled his features. quiescence? After what-Shaya silenced him with a gesture of her own. Yes, actually. Katrice sent a earlier long letter well-nigh it.Sowe could get her to study that it Was an slash? Hardly. I mean, could Katrice let all of this go, considering Leith started it?Shaya cleared her throat uncomfortably, and Rurik looked angry. Well, she began, not entirely. For Katrice not to go to war, she demands that we become her subject kingdom and has very specific inside information on the kinds of tri entirelye and taxes s he requires for that. She alsoshe also says that you must marry her nephew in place of her son and tie this kingdom to her through that branch of the family. My flavour is she sent a similar list of demands to Dorian-aside from the nephew part-which he refused rather, ah, indelicately.I stared, my communicate agape. That was not what I had in mind. How could Katrice demand those kinds of things after what Leith had done? How hold she act as though I had done something wrong? Yes, I could imagine her grief for her only son. I wasnt that heartless. Yetwhat she was suggesting was ludicrous. And if she thought I would ever, ever let another member of her family lay a hand on meI turned back to Rurik as though the core of peace with Katrice had never been mentioned. Later, I would ask Shaya to help me compose a formal response to Katrices letter, something along the lines of I am the Thorn Queen. c catch fire off.What should I do next? I asked Rurik.He smiled, a raging de come in h is eyes. You should speak to the soldiers gathered here and make an authoritative declaration of war. And then you should go to Highmore and speak to the ones there. They dont notwithstanding know you as their queen yet, let alone the person sending them to fight. And you should practice up on your magic, both for battle and to found your own commonwealth that that rowan tree bitch cant touch you.I shivered at the senses his words inspired in me. In Tucson, Id been laborious to hide from my magic, but now it was clavering to me again. And with this brat from Katrice-no, this insult from Katrice-there was cypher I valued more than to summon all the forces of nature and rip her apart.Dorian is coming here-to sidereal day, I think, said Shaya, interrupting my homicidal thoughts. Follow his summit. He knows what to do.I wasnt entirely sure what that meant. The only thing I felt certain of was that I wasnt quite coiffe to go over the maps Rurik had laid out and examine all th e troop placements he had in mind. Id always sucked at Risk and had a feeling this would be similar. Besides, I hadnt reverseed to the Thorn Land to make war-not right at this second, at least. Id come because of the dream from last night, the dream where Id felt at peace.Because at the moment, I felt no peace. A gentry queen wanted to lead armies in and kill my people-and I was supposed to do the very(prenominal) to her. Id just broken up with my boyfriend, someone I loved dearly, because I-possibly irrationally-held him accountable for not protecting me from an assailant. And as for that assailantwell, his face clam up flashed in my mind, and no matter how much time passed, I couldnt seem to unfreeze myself of that dirty feeling inwardly me or my repulsion at world touched.I swore to Rurik that Id talk to him later, that I needed some time to myself first, and leftover them both for one of the castles enclosed gardens. It was the one I frequently meditated in, where Shaya was close up attempting to grow grass and where Kiyo and I had made love. I sit buck there cross-legged, taking in the sun on the orange rocks close to me and relishing in the faint breeze that stirred the branches of the mesquite and smokethorn trees. A tiny lizard scurried off behind a rock, and I perceive what sounded like a hummingbird-or a big-ass bee-in a cluster of nearby flowers.I cleared my mind and move to communicate with and heal the land like I had before, but for whatever reason, the connection didnt come. Panic seized me. Had the fifty-fiftyts with Leith broken something within me? Had I lost my ability to revive the kingdom? I sat there sweating, wondering what would happen to the land if I couldnt connect to it. The heat eventually made me sleepy, and I lay down on the grass, my give digging into the earth.When I woke up, two things immediate became apparent. First, I feltbetter. I felt strong and refreshed, and all around me, the colors and scents seemed st ronger and more vivid. I still wasnt happy more or less the impending war, but that horrible feeling in methe bitterness Leith had leftwell, it had lessened. The air hummed around me, and for a confound second, I couldnt tell where I ended and the land began. It was then that I realized why my meditation hadnt worked. I had been in no check out to heal the land. It had had to heal me. I was energized now, ready to do anything. Ready to lead a war.The other thing I noticed after vigilant was that Jasmine was sitting right beside me, gray eyes staring into mine. I bolted upright. What the funny farm are you doing here? I exclaimed. Youre not supposed to be loose.Girards cuffs were still upon her, and she jerked her head back toward the castle. Im not exactly loose.I followed her motion and saw a dozen guards, all keeping a respectful distance, but all watching Jasmine closely. When Volusian had disappeared, Rurik had undoubtedly increased her security detail.Jasmine, I said, Im n ot really in the mood for your banter, okay? Save your whining and insults for a day when I dont have to worry close to having caused a war.Her face was short calm. I heard what happened to you.I braced for smugness. Yeah, Im sure everyone has.Ill fight for you, you know.Look, Im sure-wait. What did you say? I stared at her, waiting to see that composure crack. It didnt. She was still expert and actually looked older than her age.He had no right. I told you before no one does that to a daughter of Storm King. Not even to you. I was speechless for a moment, still waiting for a punch line. Jasmineyou hate me.She nodded. Yup. But that doesnt c falle what happened. No one does that to our father either and gets apart without punishment. Dorian should stab Katrice too.I decided not to mention that null had been done to our father technically, seeing as he had died years ago. What go out you do exactly?Same thing you will. Fight. Use my magic. Summon monsters.ButI mean, even if your e nerve-racking to, um, protect our family honor, you realize youre still share me in the process, right? I thought you wanted to destroy me and go have Dads world-conquering grandson.Oh, she said sweetly, I still do. And I will. But were button to deal with Katrice first. Our fathers heir cannot be born from rape. I told you before-only someone worthy. That diddley wasnt, and his mother has to pay for it. Once shes donewell, then Ill deal with you. Besides, someones got to mete out her kingdom when we kill her. Might as well be me.Whoa. in that respect were so many parts of Jasmines logic that were flawed that I didnt even know where to start. I didnt entirely know the story of her own conception, but my mother had been raped. God knew how many other women Storm King had interpreted advantage of I found it hypocritical of Jasmine to take such a high moral ground virtually his heir in light of that. Still, I couldnt deny the fact that she would be useful, and if that was the reasoning it took for her to help me, so be it. It would also be handy to not have her trying to kill me.Well, then, thanks, I said at last. I decided not to mention just then that there was no way in hell I would ever let her rule the Rowan Land. Details, details.Jasmine looked supremely pleased. So I can go free then, right?I scoffed. Not a chance.But Im helping youYeah, and in the same breath, you talked about how you want to usurp me. Look I glanced back at her guardians. I would have to consult with Rurik about those least likely to try to strike hard her up, now that Volusian was missing. Some of my soldiers were female. You can wander the castle more-under guard, of course. And Ill see about I frowned, unawares recalling my helpers at Arts house. They were close to Jasmines age, relatively speaking, and for Markelle at least, I had no doubts whatsoever of her loyalty. I wondered if she might have the makings of a accompaniment/friend. Ill see about getting someone your own age to hang out with you.Jasmine scowled. Thats not what I had in mind.Yeah, well, your cell in the living is still available.She gave me her trademark sullen glare and then stormed off back inside. Nonetheless, I felt like she really would help me, and frankly, I was going to need everyone I could find to get me out of this mess. Kiyo had implied that Katrice might call in some allies, and if this became about multiple kingdoms squaring offI stood up, suddenly feeling ill about it all once more. The flames of passion and curtain raising that had flared in me earlier began to flicker uneasily. I couldnt do this. I couldnt lead an army. I couldnt go to war. What was I thinking?Trying to shake off my building panic attack, I headed back toward the castle, wanting to hide in my room for a while. I passed Rurik along the way. Hed seemingly been seeking me, hoping Id go talk to the gathered soldiers and inspire them-particularly since word had come that Dorian was around here. I nodd ed quickly, promising anything, so long as I could get a moment to compose myself and summon my earlier confidence. All of this was overwhelming me. I needed to be alone, lest I start crying.Only, I was apparently still a ways from being left alone. Ysabel was standing outside my bedroom, arms crossed. Apparently, my earlier suspicions had been right. She really did hang out in the planetary house waiting for me.No magic lessons, I told her.Magic lessons? she exclaimed, straightening up. She was as sinless as ever, her red hair twisted into myriad braids. Im never statement you anything again. My lord is sending me past-and all because of youThe land might have heal me, but there were only so many weird revelations I could handle today. Jasmine becoming my ally currently held the lions share. What are you talking about?My lord is on his way, she hissed. And he sent word that I was to carry up my things and be prepared to leave. He has a wee sort out of guards ready to escort me forth.So? I shrugged, eyeing my door longingly. Isnt that what you wanted?She took a step toward me. Hes not sending me back to the castle. Hes sending me back to my village-back to my children. Dont you understand? Hes through with me Hes cast of characters me aside because of youThe anger and hate on her face made me guess shed forgotten I could suffocate her. As it was, she was in my personal space so much that I feared she might actually attempt physical blows. I wanted to tell her that Dorian casting her aside had little to do with me. That was just Dorians way. Shaya had said Ysabel was one in a string of mistresses who resembled me. Hed grown tired of her, just like the rest, but that wasnt my fault.Telling her that wouldnt help, though. Im sorry. But, I mean, wont you be glad to see your kids?Glad? she cried. What do I have to give them? What do I have to limn for my time at mash? I have nothing. I came to Dorians court to improve my childrens lives-to bring us wealt h. Now I have to return empty-handed, tossed aside to our backwoods village.Ouch. I didnt know what to say, didnt know whether to laud a mothers attempts to improve her kids lives or look down on someone whod tried to do it via sleeping with a king.Im sorry, I said comportily. Im sure youll encrypt out something.I started to turn away, and to my astonishment, she grabbed my shoulder and spun me toward her. I think shed been about to hurl an insult, but I gave her no chance. I still wasnt ready to be touched, and shed caught me off guard. With no second thoughts, my instincts summoned up magic, the air shoving her away from me and slamming her-hard-into a wall. She stood there, dazed, and I gasped, horrified at what Id brutally done without even thinking. I really was turning into my fathers daughter.Are you okay? I asked, stepping toward her when she didnt move.She jerked away from me, which I hoped meant no concussion. This isnt over. I will never forgive you for taking him from me Ill make you pay. Hes mine. Do you understand? Mine.This was followed by a whole broadsheet of ranting and insults about how much she hated me and would see me destroyed. She kept her distance, though, so apparently my brief lapse into violence had done some good. After a while, I had no patience for it and simply went into my bedroom, leaving her out there. I locked the door but could still hear her going on and on.Remembering Rurik saying that I should go out and talk to the people who could possibly be dying for me, I tried to distract myself from Ysabel by looking through the rooms closet. I figured I should probably wear something gentry, and Nia had kept me well-stocked. The spark was rekindling in me, that need to take revenge against Leith and show Katrice we couldnt be pushed around. I would prove a strong leader for those out there. I was pulling out a silvery blue silk habiliments that looked suitable when Ysabels shouting finally stopped. With a sigh of relief, I st arted to mantel the dress over a chair-and caught a glimpse out the small window.There was an army out there.I immediately backed away, trying to block out the sea of faces encamped outside. I dropped the dress, feeling dizzy. The reality of it all hit me, and I again felt helpless and out of my league. A sharp knock sounded on the door, momentarily breaking through my panic. anger was an easier emotion to deal with, and I hurried over, yanking the door open.Look, I told you theres nothing I can do about-I stopped. It wasnt Ysabel outside my door.It was Dorian.