“Some. Patrick worked hard to keep everyone as separate as possible. I knew the people he kept close and the small group I led. No one else. It was an army of hundreds of tiny divisions, none permitted to interact with others.”
That sounded like Patrick. He didn’t care about unity—not at that scale, and not with plans as big and elaborate as his, with so many variables and contingencies. He’d always been paranoid; even with the Ospreys, he’d concealed the identities of his contacts in Aecor. He’d done his best to keep us isolated in the old palace.
“We’re searching for the people we know. We are. But most are in hiding, and this is an old city with a lot of forgotten places. Our limited numbers won’t make the search any easier.”
“We must find them.”
“We will. But it won’t happen overnight.” She pointed down. “Look.”
Fires still blazed, but the crowd had thinned. There were fewer red jackets than moments before. Had James even had time to begin stopping the riot? My angle to see into the courtyard wasn’t great, but it looked as though James’s people were just now moving for the rampart.
Melanie shook her head. “He told them to incite a riot, then back off.”
The fact that he was in the dungeon didn’t make a difference. He’d have left orders that no one would disobey.
“He didn’t tell me,” she said. “He didn’t trust me.”
“He knew when I returned, you’d side with me.”
We watched as James’s teams sorted through the innocent people below, searching for the Red Militia that was long gone.
“I’ll find the Red Militia for you,” Melanie said as the crescent moon lifted into the sky. “You have my word.”
The next day, I pushed through more of Paige’s unending lists.
“When do queens sleep?” I yawned, but according to Melanie, James, and Paige, all sitting lounging about my parlor, the day was far from over. Danie scurried about the bedroom, laying out a nightgown and lighting candles.
“Never, as far as I can tell.” Melanie leaned back and propped her heels on my desk. “If it makes you feel better, the rest of us don’t get to sleep much, either.”
“Boots off the desk,” I said, keeping my voice low. “I saw Danie scrubbing and polishing it this afternoon. I’ve never seen someone so serious about polish.”
Melanie heaved a sigh and sat normally. Perfect timing, because a moment later, Danie emerged from my bedroom and whisper-asked if I needed anything else.
“That’s all. Good night, Danie.” I put on the same warm smile I’d have worn as Lady Julianna.
The maid curtsied and hurried from my chambers.
“That is certainly not fleeing.” Melanie grinned at James, then me. “We have a bet going.”
“That she runs to escape my room?” I had a flash of memory of my Skyvale Palace maid, who never stayed longer than absolutely necessary.
“Yes.” James shrugged from his spot near the fireplace. “If you can get her to flee soon, I have plans for my winnings.”
“James thinks it’s inevitable,” Melanie said. “I think Danie has incentive to stay right where she is. It means she works in the same building as Sergeant Wallace.”
“They’re together?” I hadn’t seen them with each other, but I’d been here only a couple of days.
“Oh no.” Melanie waved a hand. “She’s far too shy to speak to him. But I think she’ll stick around so she can continue admiring him from afar.”
“Meanwhile,” James said, “I’m convinced of your ability to frighten even the most determined of maids.”
I scowled. “I don’t know whether to be flattered or insulted.”
“Choose both.” He winked.
“Oh for the love of every saint. Make an effort to be nice to the staff,” Paige said, writing another item on one of her thousand lists. “I’ll continue introducing you to everyone, but they need more than that. They need to love you, too, like they couldn’t love Patrick.”
That thought sobered me. How could I make a kingdom of angry, frightened people love me? “I’ll do my best.”
“No more betting, either.” Paige shot glares at Melanie and James before she slid a paper toward me. “Now, about uniforms for the Queen’s Guard.”
Yes, after three long hours of interviews, I had a Queen’s Guard. “Uniforms? Why is this my job?”
“Because you have to look at them every day.” Paige smirked and tapped the page. “The treasury is one thing Prince Colin was careful to keep healthy. We can spare money for uniforms, especially since you refuse to hire more than just nine people.”
“It’s a lucky number.” And it was the minimum number of guards James would permit.
“Uniforms will promote a sense of unity. We’ll have a badge or pin commissioned, too. Rosanne Wallace would be a good choice for a seamstress—”
Outside, the screaming started.
“Indigo must go!”
I lurched up and stumbled toward the balcony.
“Wil, wait!” But James wasn’t fast enough.
I threw open the balcony doors and stepped outside.