Chapter 200

“What do you mean, Mother? I did precisely what I said I would do. I asked you in advance.”

“No, no you did not. You never once mentioned Rooming Eli or cutting Pierce!”

“Of course I did, Mother. Just now. I will admit I was a little surprised at your reaction. But, then I thought, perhaps it is because you understand that it is inevitable that I would choose Eli eventually that you went ahead and approved after he shot so well today. And he did win the jousting tournament. I’m certain that must’ve swayed you toward him in some way since you are so fond of strong men who can handle themselves on horseback.” Kit felt as if she were rambling in a way, but she hoped her words were lending to her mother’s confusion.

Rona was inhaling so deeply through her nose, her nostrils flared with each breath, and Kit thought she looked more like one of the competitors’ horses during the joust than the well-groomed filly she would’ve otherwise resembled. “What of Pierce?”

“Pierce?” Kit tried to sound surprised to hear her mother question that decision, though, of course, she was not. “You know how I feel about him. I understand he is one of your favorites Mother, but this is my Choosing, as you know. When I mentioned a moment ago it was time to release him, you didn’t argue.”

“You didn’t mention it!” The queen was seething, her voice low, but the anger there nonetheless.

“Of course she did,” Junno chimed in, shouting over Kit’s shoulder. “Even I heard her, and I am behind her.”

“Mother, this does not concern you!” The queen shouted loud enough that everyone heard her, even over the din of the music. “If she had mentioned him, I would’ve taken note. I would’ve said absolutely not!”

“But how could you do that?” Nill questioned behind Rona. “Certainly, you wouldn’t want to interfere with a Choosing.”

The queen turned and shot daggers at the councilwoman, but Nill didn’t back down. Her disposition didn’t waver as she absorbed the queen’s wrath.

Thankful that her grandmother and aunt had been willing to intervene on her behalf, Kit allowed herself to calm down a moment before she dropped her head and summoned any tears that might be willing to fall. Truly, all she had to do was imagine the horrible conditions she’d witnessed while in the village, and she found herself with raindrop like tears cascading down her cheeks. “I’m so very sorry to have upset you, Mother. If only I had known you would be so angry at my choices, I would’ve chosen differently. I thought we were at a point where you trusted my judgment, and now I’ve failed you.” She dropped her head to her hands and began to sob. Though she didn’t expect her emotions to gain sympathy with the queen, who detested crying women, she prayed that her mother would at least give up trying to reason with her and assume by Kit’s reaction that she must’ve actually misunderstood what the princess had told her.

“Oh, good heavens!” Rona declared, throwing her hands up as Kit got ahold of herself. “Stop your bellyaching, child! What’s done is done! However, you should know that Pierce’s family is quite powerful, and I do intend to offer him a position on the staff now that he is no longer part of your Choosing. He may leave tonight as is required by the rules of the Choosing, but you should expect to see him back shortly. As for Eliason Goedwig, heaven keep him. I’m certain he’ll find a mortal enemy before much longer who will not put up with his insipid ways as I have done.”

Kit stared at her mother for a moment as the queen signaled she was through. “Whatever do you mean, Mother?” she asked, but Rona’s cape came flying around, nearly hitting Kit in the face, and she leaned away, certain her mother would not explain her threat. The queen and her entourage left, including Junno, who squeezed Kit’s shoulder as she went by. The princess was hopeful that her grandmother would do her best to settle her own daughter down, but even Junno’s magical abilities might not be enough to stop the queen in her present state.

The trumpeters waited until the queen was gone before playing the tones that indicated the princess and her ladies may leave. Kit didn’t rise, though. She continued to stare at the dishes in front of her that had yet to be cleared, wondering if she’d made the wrong decision. She was certain she’d hear about it soon enough.

Once the Representatives were dismissed, there was flurry across the room, and Kit followed with her eyes as Pierce stormed from the room. Iame and Colart took their time saying goodbye to the others. While neither approached the princess, they did wave in her general direction, and she lifted her hand in reply, wishing she could think of something cheerful to say to them but having nothing in mind.

Other Representatives congratulated Danyen and Eli on their Roomings, though she could tell Eli was on his way to speak to her as soon as he could break free. His expression was not nearly the same as Danyen’s. The man from Farlington looked overjoyed; the one from Eastbury looked as if Kit had just signed his death certificate. Perhaps she had....

The chair next to her shifted and she realized Cassius was pulling it out. He sat next to her, took her hand, and said, “That was bold.”

For the first time in several minutes, Kit lifted her eyes completely from the table and stared into his green ones. “Was it?”

“I should say so. She will retaliate. It may take her a few days to decide how. Or perhaps she already has a plan in mind. Either way, we should be ready.”

“I hoped I had been tricky enough to make her think I’d actually asked and that she’d approved the decisions, on both counts. You think not?”

“I think it doesn’t matter. Even if she would’ve approved them to save face, it wouldn’t be enough to keep her from seeking vengeance.” He didn’t seem angry, only cautious. She could see the wheels in his head turning as he puzzled over how they should proceed.

Eli managed to free himself now, and his disposition was written all over his face. Unlike his colleague from Warchester Keep, he was angry. He stood in front of her with his hands on his hips for a moment before asking, “What happened to running things by me?”

It was a fair question, though she’d never exactly agreed to asking him before she acted, only admitted it was a good idea. “I knew what you’d say.”

“And for good reason.”

“Perhaps you should leave. Go, hide out somewhere until this is over with. I didn’t mean to put you in danger.”

“I know you didn’t, Kit. But what’s done is done, and I will not run from her.”

“You’ll need your own guard detail.” Cassius laughed as he spoke, and Kit appreciated the fact that he was trying to make light of the situation, but what he said wasn’t wrong.

“Would that work?”

“I’m afraid it wouldn’t matter, Kit. Unless you’re willing to go to war in the castle the moment she decides to end me and her guards launch against yours.”

“Of course I am. I won’t let her hurt you again.”

She could see the color rise in his cheeks as he was reminded of what had happened last time, and she was certain it made him feel less of a man when she phrased it that way. Men may not have a lot of power in Yewforia, but they still hated to look weak. Nevertheless, she couldn’t let him think she would allow her mother to harm even one hair on his head if she could prevent it.

“Let’s just take it one step at a time,” Cassius advised as Danyen, Jate, and Landon came over. Reeve was hanging back, but she knew he was also curious about the discussion. Drake, who hadn’t been Roomed yet but would likely be Kit’s last choice once she was ready to send the others home, was also listening from a few yards away. “For now, we should pretend as if we are not suspecting anything. Do you think she shall do anything this evening, Eli?”

“Potentially,” he nodded.

“Then we shall keep our guard up. Perhaps Eli should stay with you tonight instead of Jate.”

“No, I won’t take that away from him again,” Eli said, shaking his head.

Jate entered the conversation. “If it will prevent you from being harmed, I will make the sacrifice.”

“I have much work to complete this evening,” Eli said, dismissing the offer. Kit wondered if that work was a direct result of her declaration. “I’ll be fine.”

“Are you certain?” Kit couldn’t bear to think that she’d put him in danger again, but in retrospect, she knew when she’d spoken it was a possibility.

“Yes, I’m certain. Try not to worry, Princess.” He made a small smile, and she knew that meant he was still upset but didn’t want to make her anxious. Of course, she would worry. How could she do anything but worry?

Deciding it was time to get on with her evening, particularly since her mother’s ears were everywhere in this part of the castle, Kit rose and headed back toward her chamber, surrounded by all of the remaining Representatives, which currently numbered twelve, her three ladies, and four of her most trusted guards. Kit knew there were others who walked along with them in spirit, numbers and faces unknown to her, those who would do what they could to help her persist in her calling. In her stomach, Kit recognized that the time for revealing who those people were, and for revolution, was just around the bend.