The Queen of Lies by Michael J. Bode Read Free Book Online Page B

unfortunate, but the Assembly feels confident that the Dominance has once again overreached itself and is willing to let this conflict play itself out. I won’t keep you any longer. I’m certain you’ll want to get back to Weatherly and deal with your situation with Duke Rothburn. Give him my regards.”
    “No!” Jessa stood abruptly.
    The Invocari at the back of the library raised their hands with palms outstretched. Satryn flinched and readied her own hands in response, pointing to each of them. Muriel’s eyes widened like pale green saucers, but the old woman remained outwardly calm.
    Jessa smiled. “My mother speaks for the empress, but I speak for the people of Amhaven. Our nation has suffered from generations of exploitation by the Dominance and neglect from the Protectorate. Only when a Stormlord is poised to take the crown does the Assembly bother to funnel money, and they do so to start an insurgency. I can’t let these talks fail.”
    “Entertaining this proposal is a humiliation, Jessa.” Satryn rested her hands on her lap. “The countess only presses us because she thinks she can. Let this war rage and see how the Assembly feels when Thrycea commits the full fury of the Red Army to its bordering nation.”
    “You forget that my blood is Silverbrook as well as Stormlord,” Jessa said. “These people are my father’s kin, and it is you who offers insult.”
    Satryn threw her hands in the air and swallowed her words. “ My daughter didn’t inherit the fiery temperament of a Stormlord, which in this situation may prove beneficial. If this Torin is of noble birth, I’m sure the empress can be swayed to offer her blessing. Provided of course that there are reasonable concessions.”
    Muriel returned her gaze with flinty eyes. “The offer is marriage and consideration of a treaty. I hardly think you’re in a position to ask for more.”
    Satryn smiled. “Perhaps Rivern and the Protectorate are well funded enough to afford the services of the Patreans. But the mercenaries, supplies, and warmaster aren’t a trivial expense for any nation. If some of that coin went to reestablishing Torin’s rightful position, which was lost through no fault of his own, then he’d be the equal of any of the other suitable prospects, would he not?”
    Muriel sat back down. “A dowry…for a husband ? That’s highly unusual.”
    “An investment.”
    “I’ll need to discuss it with the usury board.” Muriel said. “They might be convinced, if the numbers align.”
    “Jessa’s happiness and security are my only concerns. For her sake I’ll work with you on this.”
    Muriel sighed. “Then we’re in agreement. Tomorrow I’ll arrange a formal introduction between Torin and Jessa. If he finds her as agreeable as I do, we should be on our way to forging a new alliance.”
    “Have we not already agreed to the match?” Jessa asked plaintively.
    “Arranged marriages may be the rule of law in the border nations, but we haven’t officially had one for centuries,” Muriel explained. “I’ve done my best to persuade Torin, but there’s nothing to be done if he doesn’t agree to it. He’s ambivalent about the prospect, but…in fairness, the portrait you sent does not do you justice, cousin.”
    “Mother painted it,” Jessa stated.
    “I’m sure Jessa will do everything in her power to bring him around,” Satryn said. Her ruby necklace was pulsing hot from the electricity on her skin.
    “Let’s hope so,” Muriel agreed. “A lot rides on the potential affections of our young lovers to be.”

S EVEN
The Long Way Down
M ADDOX
    T HE H IGH W IZARDS can lift a whole city into the air to protest an ancient import tax; you’d think they could come up with a better way to transport ingots than having a bunch of guys load them into retrofitted flying sailboats. But that’s Archean efficiency for you: “We could do everything with magic if we wanted to, but then we’d be depriving people of their