The Queen's Price

FORTY-NINE

“I’m asking for a favor on behalf of our Queen,” the High Lord said.

Butler felt short of breath as hope filled his chest. “You’ve seen her?”

“Not yet, but this can’t wait for the Lady to heal enough for the kindred to allow visitors.”

“Do you know where she is?”

“No. But I can think of one or two places in Kaeleer where I would hide someone if I wanted to make sure that no one could survive reaching her.”

Given that the kindred were the ones who had managed to save the Lady, he figured she was in a place inhospitable to humans. An assignment would keep him occupied until news came that she was someplace where she could receive visitors. “What would you like me to do?”

“Wilhelmina Benedict is moving to Tuathal and setting up her own household. She’s going to need help settling in.”

“Wilhelmina Benedict.” Butler almost spat the name. “You want me to help Wilhelmina Benedict?”

“I know, Butler. I know.”

Did the High Lord know why this assignment would be so difficult? Better for everyone if he refused.

Saetan slowly let out a breath. “If Wilhelmina is settled in a new life and doesn’t need protection or help, then Jaenelle can let her sister go and she can focus on rebuilding her own life.”

Assuming she can heal well enough to have a life. Butler didn’t say it, but he figured everyone in the Dark Court was thinking it.

“How long?” he asked. He wouldn’t take an open-ended assignment. He wouldn’t do that. Not if it meant staying around Wilhelmina Benedict.

“Six months,” Saetan replied. “A year at the most.”

“I’ll do what I can.” For Jaenelle’s sake.

“Thank you.”

As soon as the High Lord left, Butler began packing, sorting through what he would need and what he would store at the Hall. He traveled so much on assignments for the Queens in the Dark Court that he didn’t have a permanent residence beyond this suite of rooms at the Hall. Someday he would have a home. When he was ready.

He’d look at this assignment as a chance to spend time in Scelt. Jaenelle had a fondness for the village of Maghre, and he hadn’t been back in years. Easy enough to ride the Winds and go to the village on his days off.

At least he could look forward to something over the next few months.

“I’m Prince Butler. I’ve been assigned to be your companion for a few months while you set up your household in Tuathal. I have the impression that you’ve had little experience in hiring staff or handling the day-to-day decisions that your butler and housekeeper will require from you.”

Wilhelmina Benedict stared at him. “Who assigned you?”

“The High Lord.”

“What if I don’t want you with me? What if I don’t want someone reporting to him about everything I do?” Her voice had taken on a hysterical edge.

Butler shrugged. “Then I don’t go with you. If you don’t want help, no help will be given. By anyone.”

“My sister would help me.”

“How long will it be before she’s able to think of anything beyond her next heartbeat, her next breath?” Butler countered. “It will be months before she can think of anyone else. What will you do in the meantime? Play the part of the misunderstood woman looking for everyone else to save her while she wrings her hands and releases tears designed to elicit sympathy? Or are you going to try to put a little steel in your spine and learn how to live on your own, learn how to be someone who isn’t pathetic?”

“Don’t tell me I don’t have any steel. I came to Kaeleer on my own!”

“So did a lot of women. They’re getting on with their lives. Why aren’t you?”

“You don’t understand. My sister . . .”

“Living myth. Dreams made flesh. I understand more than you’ll ever know.” He took a moment to leash the anger. “Not everyone can accept Witch. Not everyone can serve in the Dark Court. It must be harder for someone who is related to her to realize they will never be comfortable in her presence and they need to walk away. But you need to walk away and make a life for yourself that doesn’t include Jaenelle Angelline.”

“And you’re going to help me do that?”

“Yes. I’ll stay long enough to help you put down roots. Then I’ll be gone.”

Wilhelmina gave him a wobbly smile. “I can tell you about Alexandra Angelline, who was a good—”

“I was born in Beldon Mor. There’s nothing I need to know about Alexandra Angelline, but if you want to tell me about her being a good Queen, I will tell you about the families that were shattered because of her, the lives that were destroyed. I will tell you what had been happening outside your fine house.”

She stared at him. He swore silently at himself for saying that much.

“You came from Chaillot?”

“I put that place behind me. It will never be mentioned again. Not to you. Not to anyone.” There would be no indulgent nostalgia for that place. Not with him.

He took a controlled breath. “Do you want my help or not?”

She hesitated. Finally, she nodded. “Yes, I want your help.” She sighed. “I’m supposed to move to my new house at the end of the week.”

“Give me the address. I’ll go there now and start getting things prepared for your arrival.”

“Wouldn’t the man of business have done that?”

“No, Lady. Getting some food in the house ahead of your arrival isn’t part of his job. Neither is hiring a cook—or anyone else you’ll want working in your house.” He held out a hand. “Did he give you any keys?”

She called in a set of house keys, handed them over, and told him the address of her residence in Tuathal.

Butler bent his head, more a courtesy than an actual bow. “I’ll see you in a few days.”

He left Jaenelle’s house and walked to the landing web.

Helping a woman from Chaillot. Helping a woman from that family.

He owed Jaenelle a debt he could never fully repay, so he would do this for her—and only for her.

Everything had a price.