Renegades (Hotbloods #3)

“It’s not the hair that’s upsetting you, though, is it, Your Highness?” I pressed, emboldened. “We could sit here and pretend everything is okay, but the truth is, I heard something was wrong and wanted to check on you. I don’t like to hear of anyone being sad, least of all a woman as fierce and strong as you.”

Queen Brisha looked as though she were about to cry again, her eyes glittering, her hand clutching at a handkerchief that lay out on the vanity surface. And then, to my surprise, she seemed to rally, her gaze fixed on mine through the mirror. “Riley, do you believe love to be a force stronger than any species in the universe? Do you think it might be the one unifying thing that ties us all together—a supernatural wonder that nobody can explain?” she asked, her face almost childlike in its uncertainty.

I sat in silence for a moment, not knowing what to say to something like that. Queen Brisha definitely wasn’t the person I thought I’d ever have a discussion like this with, either. To me, love had always seemed like some intangible, powerful thing, just out of my grasp. Even with Navan, there was no certainty of our love. I could look down and see the flashing light of the climpet I wore above my heart, but did that explain the connection between us? No, that was something else entirely—something that no gemstone could ever represent or encompass.

“I think love is inexplicable. It makes no sense, and yet it can be the sincerest thing in the world,” I replied, trying to feel out an answer. “It makes fools and heroes of us all, Your Highness.”

She smiled. “I like that… It makes fools and heroes of us all,” she repeated.

“It’s just a silly thought that came to me, Your Highness, though I think it’s probably true,” I said, trying really hard not to look at her ridiculous hairstyle. In this scenario, love had definitely made a fool out of her.

“It is very true.” Queen Brisha struggled to brush out the backcombed knots in her hair. “Tell me, Riley, how would you go about seeking love, if you desired someone? How did you and Navan end up together? Your romance is so heartwarming. One can see how extraordinary it is, simply from the way you look at one another. If I found somebody who made me feel like that, do you think the same could happen? Do you think love could blossom?” Her expression was both anxious and earnest.

“I think love can only blossom if it’s reciprocated, Your Highness,” I replied, knowing she was speaking about Bashrik. She was clearly besotted with him, but it would do her no good. She needed to move on before it crossed the line into a true, worrisome obsession.

She frowned. “And if I wasn’t sure of their feelings?”

“Your Highness, if somebody loves you the way you deserve to be loved, then they will let you know,” I explained kindly. “If you’re not sure, chances are there is nothing there to seek out. Don’t settle for mediocre, Your Highness. Find someone you can be extraordinary with,” I encouraged, hoping she caught my drift. The last thing I wanted her doing was slipping Bashrik another love potion.

“That’s it!” she cried, a grin spreading across her face. “I need to make my love known! How else can he be sure of my affections, if I keep it to myself like this?”

“Wait, Your Highness, that’s not—” I tried to cut in, but she was on a roll.

Giggling in delight, she turned to me and grasped my face in her hands. “Thank you, Riley! This is the most wondrous advice you could have given me. With the seasons about to change, it’s the perfect time. I’ll announce a national holiday and open up the gardens to everyone I know. Oh, and I’ll invite the public along too, and insist upon street parties and a carnival to celebrate. There, I will reveal my feelings to my beloved. Then, he can’t possibly fail to realize what I’m trying to say. I see it now, where I have failed. Of course, he would never think that I loved him, given our positions. Oh, Riley, how can I ever thank you?” she squealed, planting a kiss on my forehead.

“Really, Your Highness, I wasn’t—” I tried to insist, but she had stopped listening to me a long time ago. Her thoughts were entirely on the garden party and how she might woo poor Bashrik.

“Perhaps I could even propose marriage?” she muttered to herself, tapping her chin thoughtfully. “Tell me, Riley, do you know if Bashrik is in love with anyone else? You seem to spend a great deal of time with him, so if anyone is going to know, it’ll be you,” she reasoned, looking me dead in the eyes.

I opened my mouth to speak, but nothing came out. The queen had left me speechless. I didn’t know what had brought on this infatuation she had with Bashrik so quickly, but all I could think was, what had I done? Angie liked Bashrik, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Bashrik was secretly harboring feelings for her, too. If I let the queen do this, then that fledgling romance was doomed. Bashrik’s happiness was probably doomed, too. And yet, no matter how much I wanted to dissuade the queen from making any kind of advance toward Bashrik, I couldn’t help thinking that it might just be the opportunity we were looking for. If she opened up the gardens for a party and invited everyone she knew, then Yorrek would be on that list. He was one of her best alchemists, and he certainly wouldn’t be able to ignore an invitation from the queen, regardless of his fears. I already knew how sensitive Queen Brisha could be about that kind of slight, after the debacle with the wing serum.

Angie, Bashrik, please forgive me, I begged silently. This might be the only way we can get our hands on Yorrek.

“I don’t think he’s shown any interest in anyone, Your Highness,” I replied, the half-truth coming out stiffly. Bashrik hadn’t made his interest known, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t interested in Angie. I had a sixth sense about those kinds of things.

“Oh, thank Rask for that!” Queen Brisha cried. “I think my heart would have broken if you’d told me he liked someone else.”

I tried not to grimace, comforting myself with the knowledge that it was all part of a bigger picture. “Would you be inviting all nearby members of the queendom to attend, Your Highness, or would it just be the elite, who live in the city?”

“Oh, everyone! I would have all my most treasured individuals there. I think the people could do with cheering up, after that battle with my sister,” she said with a bright smile.

“The alchemists, for sure, Your Highness,” I chimed in subtly. “They are very downcast after the wreckage of their lab.”

She laughed delightedly. “You have an excellent mind, dear Riley! I would not have thought of it if you had not been here to suggest it. Of course, the carnival shall be in celebration of the new laboratory, and the work of the alchemists!”

It was all falling into place, slotting together like pieces of a puzzle. Queen Brisha was too wrapped up in her love for Bashrik to realize she was being manipulated. And, while I felt bad about playing with her feelings, there was more at stake than a broken heart… or two. My planet was counting on me, and I wouldn’t let them down, even if it meant breaking a few regal eggs.





Chapter Twelve