The Traitor

reemerged, she wore a different gown, shapely yet conservative. A dress she knew accentuated her youthful beauty and represented Diu style, perfect for the occasion with the unsuspecting Kai. In the pocket of her dress, the refreshed vial pressed against her hip. The long walk to the opposite end of the palace took longer than she wanted. She needed this done, one last move to finish the game.
Ahead of her, she watched the guard change outside Kai’s room. Then Kendra entered, carrying a large tray of food and wine. Taking advantage of the open door, Nola strolled in behind the maid.
“Thank you, Kendra.” Nola waved her hand in dismissal. “Leave us.”
Kendra set the tray on the table and departed. Nola watched Kai eye the tray and the open wine bottle. She knew he did not trust her, but she needed him to play his part. His attitude around her verged on the side of arrogance, and that made her angry. But she kept her composure, took a seat, and offered a pleasant smile.
Kai crossed the room to join her at the table. “You said you wanted to talk, but I have a few questions first. Must I remain confined to my chamber? Why am I a prisoner in my own home?”
Nola poured two glasses of wine. She offered Kai a cup and took a sip from her own. She noticed Kai did not drink. She added food to a plate and offered it to him. He accepted but did not eat. Filling her plate, she continued to ignore his question. “The council believes you are not to be trusted; there are those who speculate about your return. Captain Beekman informs me he had to force you to return.”
A grumble emanated from Kai’s stomach, revealing his hunger, but he refused to eat anything. “It did not happen that way,” he insisted.
The fireplace cast angry shadows across the room, matching Nola’s mood. As she watched the flames dance and the embers disappear up the chimney, she continued to manipulate the truth. She had Kai trapped in more ways than one. Beekman had painted a picture, and Nola simply altered it to suit her needs. There was little he could do, and they both knew it.
“The way I heard it, your Kempery-man, Dresnor, I believe, had to insist you travel with Captain Beekman.” She wiped her mouth and dropped her napkin back into her lap. “Speaking of your men, I have it on good authority that all have requested reassignment. Well, all but one—Captain Drew Henley, resigned his position. Everyone seems to be distancing themselves from you. There are even rumors that the baker’s daughter was in tears upon her reunion with her parents. I hear she feared she would never see them again. Has she also abandoned you? She has not come to the palace asking to see you even once.”
The queen delivered each comment like a punch to the gut, hoping to incite Kai, but he held his tongue. Nola leaned back in her seat and continued to let her words swirl around the room. “My dear, we all make mistakes in our youth, but you are a prince; you cannot afford mistakes. The kingdom no longer trusts you. You fought against Diu men to protect Katori outsiders.”
“They are not outsiders!” Kai snapped back. “And I did not fight any Diu soldiers, only Milnosian men.”
She could see the anger build in his eyes; this made her happy. “Dear Kai,” Nola leaned forward, “they are the same. The Milnos men traveled under my authority to save a Diu Prince, and in turn, you attacked them, killed some of them. It was all I could do to calm Regent Maxwell after the treatment General Zhao received at your hand.”
Kai pounded his fist. Her plan to flush him out had worked better than she could have hoped.
“The man ordered the slaughter of men, women, and children if they refused to be taken prisoner!” Kai shouted. “I could not stand by while this happened in my kingdom.”
Guards stormed the room; swords drawn, they approached Kai.
“Your Majesty, we heard yelling and banging,” one man insisted.
Nola patted the air. “I am fine. The prince is passionate, that is all. Leave us.” She motioned to the door, and the men complied. Even without applying any effort, Kai was playing the part she hoped—aggressive and unpredictable. This outburst would add to her plan.
Her mischievous grin bounced between them, and Kai let out a shallow sigh. “My apologies, Queen Nola.” She could tell he said the words but did not mean them.
She relaxed back into her seat. “Accepted.”
A long pause lingered until Kai spoke. “You are correct; I am passionate about my people, all the citizens within Diu borders. The Katori people have lived there in the foothills for generations.”
“With Iver unwell, the Diu citizens look to me to protect them.” Nola refilled her glass. “If Iver—well, when Iver dies—they need to know the country will be in good hands. I cannot in good faith suggest you become our next king. The heir apparent or not, without the council or the city behind you, I am afraid you have no power.”
She let the words circle his head, and she watched the doubt bubble in his expression. When he pushed back from his uneaten plate, she feared he would open the door and order her out. Instead, he offered a polite bow and gestured to the balcony. “Forgive me, Nola, I need some air.”
Alone in the room, Nola emptied the entire contents of the sinder root vial into her cup; she needed to be sure Kai’s mind would bend to her will. With her cup replenished, she stepped outside into the winter air. He stood hunched over with his hands grasping the stone railing. Her first thought was to push him over the rail and let him plummet to