A Queen of Thieves & Chaos (Fate & Flame, #3)

“Oh, dreadful.” She steals a glance over her shoulder at the guards, to make sure they’re not listening, but drops her voice to a whisper anyway. “She insisted I make the exact same dress as the one I made for Princess Romeria to wear on tournament day. Oh, you should’ve seen her, Gracen. Her Highness was …” Dagny’s words fade, her clasped hands pressed against her ample chest. Then she sighs. “So, I made the exact same one, and brought it to Lady Saoirse, and she started screaming that I’m dim-witted, that she can’t wear the exact same dress as what Her Highness wore! So now I have to add some things and take away some other things and hope she doesn’t have me executed on her first day as queen. As it was, I thought I was gonna catch on fire the way she glared at me.” She shudders for effect.

“I know that look.” It’s the same one she leveled me with in the library, when she accused me of being Princess Romeria’s spy. “But the wedding’s almost here, Dagny.”

“Don’t I know it! The Silver Mage just came back to port, and I can’t even check if there’s some new bolts come in because we’re not allowed outside these walls. King’s orders! Suppose I could use some of the stock I picked up when Odier came for the fair. I just hate to waste any of that fine material on Lady Saoirse when it was meant for the princess.”

There’s never been any doubt in my mind that Dagny is still a fan of Princess Romeria, despite all the rumors and accusations. Maybe that’s part of the reason I like her so much.

“Oh! And then you know what she told me? While I was pinning the hem?” Her eyes widen. “She said the king is moving Presenting Day up to this Hudem.”

“This one coming up?”

She nods. “And youngins will be sold.”

“What?” I gasp.

“It’s true. She said the king’ll be announcing it at next assembly.”

He never mentioned that last night. “How young?”

“She didn’t say an age. She said ‘children.’ I suppose given this terrible poison, they’re trying to protect what they can. Still, it seems terrible, to be rippin’ wee ones from their mother’s arms.” She shakes her head. “Dagnar just came of age. He was gonna be gone next Hudem, anyway, but I thought I’d have a few more months with him.”

“Can’t he join the castle staff?”

Her brow furrows. “Like I said, my boy’s a mule and about as smart as one. The royal family seems to prefer daintier and refined tributaries, usually female.” She shrugs. “But, with all that’s been going on, maybe they won’t be so picky. Princess Annika might like him?”

I just assumed my kids would be taken in by the castle when the time came, but perhaps that was foolish thinking.

Why didn’t Atticus mention anything about this last night?

Because he knew it would distress me, likely.

“But enough of that nonsense. How ’bout this one on you?” She holds up a simple gray wool dress. “Will it fit?”

“I think so, but …” My hands are caked with flour and lard, or I’d hold it up against myself. “You’re the seamstress. You tell me.”

“I think it’ll fit ya just right. And here, I scrounged up these for that scrawny boy of yours, now that it’s getting cold.” She shuffles through the clothing tucked under her arm, holding up a pair of brown breeches and a wool tunic, followed by a yellow smock. “And this is for your little angel.”

“She’ll love it. Thank you, Dagny.”

“Oh, it’s no trouble.” She waves me off. “If I can get my hands on some fabric, I’ll sew something nicer for ya next time.”

The kitchen door swings open, and Corrin plows through, her eyes finding me. “Where is that boy?”

“In the cellar, sorting potatoes.”

“He most certainly is not! I was just in the cellar, waiting for him.”

“He went down after first meal!” I should have known not to trust him to make it there. “I don’t have time to hunt for him.”

Corrin casts a furtive glance at the guards before lifting her chin to pass them. “What’s goin’ on in here?”

“Dagny brought me some new clothes.”

Corrin saunters over to inspect them. “Anything extra sewn into them that I should know about?” Her eyes widen knowingly as she begins folding Lilou’s dress.

“Well, best I get back to my work.” Dagny sets the other pieces down on the table and, with a smile at Suri, she marches away.

“What was that about?” It’s not the first time Corrin has made a snipe to Dagny sewing things into things.

“Nothing to worry you with. But whatever she gets herself caught up in, don’t you get involved.” Corrin sets Lilou’s dress down and collects mine to fold. “Dagny’s full of gossip and empty of sense.”

Speaking of gossip … “She told me she heard they’re moving up Presenting Day to this Hudem and auctioning off children. Lady Saoirse confirmed it.”

Corrin’s hands falter before she continues, creating a tidy stack of folded clothes. “I suppose it’ll be what it’ll be.”

“But what does that mean?” I peer down at my sleeping baby, a fresh wave of panic surging. “Are they going to take my children from me? Will Mika be auctioned off?”

“Never you mind that. We’ll make sure to warn anyone who so much as bats an eye at him how much trouble he causes.”

“Missing a child?” a male voice calls out. Kazimir lingers by the kitchen’s entrance.

Finding the king’s friend at my door last night was a surprise, but it turned out to be a welcome one. “Yes. Would you know where he is?”

He waggles a finger, beckoning me. “You are going to love this.”

“Oh, child, what have you gotten yourself into now?” With a heavy sigh, I scrub the pastry off my fingers in a bucket of soapy water and trail him out.



“Tell me he didn’t discover that cedar labyrinth.” Ahead, the cobblestone paths disappear into a magnificent array of trees, manicured hedges, and flower gardens. I’ve never seen the royal gardens myself before, but Sabrina said a person could easily get lost in its enormity.

Kazimir chuckles. “If he had, I doubt we would have found him for days. This way.” He leads me to the right, toward the sounds of metal swords clanging. “We were working through our morning routine in the sparring square when we discovered a spectator, hiding in the bush. A guard nearly put an arrow through him.”

I gasp.

“Don’t worry, he is unharmed. The king stopped it before it could happen.”

My heart was already racing with fear for my son. Mention of Atticus has it racing for another reason. He sent me off to another sleepless night, my mind turning his words over, looking for meaning within them.

I would rather Saoirse think you are just the baker.

What am I if not the baker? I ask myself this now, though I know the answer. At least I know what he’s intending.

Is the king still here? I wasn’t expecting to see him this morning, and I don’t need a mirror to know I’m a mess. I comb my fingers through the loose strands of my hair to try to calm it. “I hope you gave Mika a little scare. Otherwise, I can’t promise you won’t find him in the bushes again, now that he knows where the soldiers practice.” He’s always been fascinated with swordplay.

“He’s promised His Highness he’ll sit on the wall next time when he wishes to watch.” Kazimir gestures to the square.

My heart skips a beat at the sight.

Atticus is down on one knee in front of Mika, guiding his fist around a wooden sword to teach him how to hold it properly. “There. Like that. Ready?” He stands and takes a step back, wielding his own wooden sword. He’s in a tunic and breeches, though the air is chilly. “You need to be able to move. Match my stance.”

Mika’s brow furrows as he studies Atticus’s boots intently, before shifting his feet to match.