DUALITY /#Wattys 2021

Chapter 52

A long, dimly lit corridor led to Chi. Ridley followed behind her mother, the Princess, and three guards. In her own arms she held Sannah, with the baby bag dangling from an elbow.

Two massive double doors slid open to reveal the Queen, on a huge screen at the front of a situation room bathed in low amber light. Chi's tall form cut a shadow into her image as he stood at the foot of the screen. 

The three guards stepped aside, and Ridley heard them march down the corridor to wait at the door. In the center of the room, several Mannazian government aides typed at computer consoles around a heavy, round steel table. A long mirror took up most of the left wall, making the space feel cavernous.

A sharp face. Ridley had thought that every time she ever saw the Confederate Queen on television, and she thought it again now. Queen Eira II was all angles, from her arched brows to her prominent cheekbones and jaw, to the point of her chin. She had a strong-featured face, even a pretty face, but for the angled brows that gave her such a severe look.

Her narrow shoulders squared in perfect horsewoman's posture, and her long hair dangled down her back to the narrow waist of her skirt. Accusing eyes peered down at her errant husband, who stood in front of the screen.

Chi turned as they came into the room, his gaze fastening on Alana, who entered first with the baby Princess.

"Here she is, Rory," said Chi. "As you can see, she's doing quite well. It's not the first time I've taken care of a little girl."

The Queen's gaze shifted behind Alana and the baby, and Ridley felt the spark of unwelcome recognition as the Queen looked directly at her.

"What is this person doing here? This is the woman who helped you kidnap our granddaughter! I saw it on the security cameras."

"No, you did not," said Chi, "because I disabled the security cameras before I left. What you're telling me is the Guild shot footage from their craft, and that's how you recognize her. So, clearly, you must be working with Devane as we speak."

"What do you expect me to do? He let me know last night we had an intruder in the Palace, and to be wary. The rogue King kidnaps the heir to the throne? The Guild graciously offered their assistance. I have just as graciously accepted."

Ridley slipped the diaper bag to the floor, balancing Sannah in her arms, then walked around the table to the screen. "How did the Guild know to attack us?"

"The Guild was informed you were inside the Palace grounds, and since you are the criminal responsible for a very costly raid last month, they informed me. I gave the Guild permission to overfly the Palace grounds. When they observed the kidnapping, they decided to intervene on their own. While I don't approve of their methods, I'm grateful for their support."

Chi turned; his blue eyes met Ridley's. The angle of his brows told her he wasn't pleased she had intruded. She thought immediately of Devane's cold touch in her mind, last night in Chi's suite, and when he raised his brows at her, she knew he remembered that, too.

"What are you doing with this criminal, Chi? How can you let her anywhere near our granddaughter?"

"She saved  our granddaughter." Chi acknowledged that to Ridley with his eyes, and turned back to the screen. "I don't know what the Guild was thinking, but they nearly killed us." 

He pointed to Ridley. "She is a patriot of the highest order, and I trust her with my life. She has her finger on the pulse of what our people need from you—" Chi turned around and took a step forward— "and we should be listening to the Neighbors and others like her, not persecuting them."