Inked

42

A guard appraised Soleil for a moment as she approached the queen's door. "What," she said, "Worried I might be the Bluejay in disguise?"

The guard looked bored at her quip and lazily pushed the door open. Devondria was sprawled across her sitting room couch, arm flung over her eyes. She looked paler than usual, and was messily wrapped in a thin robe.

"Your Majesty?" Soleil prompted, and the woman started as if she had not heard the door open.

"Is that you, Flame-Spinner? My only loyal servant in this castle?" Outside, the guard sniffed loudly. 

Soleil brushed the flattery aside. "Are you feeling  alright, my lady?" 

The queen laughed, arm still over her eyes. "Am I feeling alright? Ha! I am feeling compromised, to be entirely honest with you, Flame-Spinner. I am feeling exposed and uncertain. But can my people know that?"

"I suppose-"

"Of course not!" Devondria grimaced as if in pain. "My head..." she lamented, pressing both hands into her eyes. "Even my body has betrayed me." 

"You couldn't have known, my lady. The Bluejay is -- was -- very good, sung of in all the land and-"

"Don't praise him! And just because he is detained does not mean our work is done. The Bluejay may choose to work alone but that doesn't mean the people he knows allow it. They must be planning something in Ombra." Devondria sighed and opened her eyes to stare up at the ceiling.

"Let them plan. I will stay by your side. Do you know who else will? The boy. Farid. He was the one who alerted me to the Bluejay and witch's location. I've been telling you he is useful."

Devondria blinked slowly. "Is that so? Well, maybe he should no longer be considered a prisoner." Soleil's eyes widened in anticipation. "Give him a proper room then, with a bed, some  proper clothes." Soleil broke into a smile. "But," the queen continued, "the room is to be guarded at all times, and you are to remain with him when he is about the castle. I will not be fooled again, do you understand, Flame-Spinner?" She turned her head to look Soleil in the eyes; the girl nodded. 

"Of course, my lady. He is completely in my control." The queen smiled faintly. "And what of the prisoners, my lady? Should we begin interrogation on the Bluejay?"

Devondria laughed darkly. "No. No need. I know he will yield no information. He is too loyal to his cause to care about his own life. A man like that is dangerous. Beat him. Beat him till he can no longer remember what he is fighting for. And maybe the girl too. He seems fond of her. If we're lucky, we'll strike a sore spot in him."

Soleil bowed out of the room as Devondria replaced the arm over her eyes with a long sigh. "As you wish, my lady."