“I never thought they would hire me, but Beth and Darion took me in with little hesitation… Bought me clothes, shoes, and showed me what it was like being around people who cared.”

  “You were lucky,” Corina said.

  “Aye, they were as close to a mother and father as I have ever experienced.”

  Anicia sighed, “If I were you, I’d go back to Farway to settle scores.”

  I smirked. “I plan to.” Looking over to Corina, I asked, “What about you, would you go back to Heathcliff and settle scores, as it were?”

  Corina shook her head firmly. “No, that place is behind me; I never wanna see it again.”

  “Would never have guessed you got Myr off Emyr,” Anicia mused.

  I shrugged. “It seemed a decent way to honor the man who put me on my path.”

  “I don't understand ya sometimes, ruthlessness here, mercy there, dishonor here, honor there…” Corina, voicing the contradictions.

  “Everyone has contradictions. Keeps us all stable. People without them are probably insane.”

  Anicia moved a pile of dirt to uncover a large canvas sack.

  “Go ahead, open it,” I said. Shrugging, Anicia opened it to reveal its contents: six Fangs, twelve gleaming sapphire-like scales, and a single arm-length claw.

  “I have no clue how much coin dragon parts are worth, but I'm guessing it’s considerable.”

  Anicia held a glittering scale up to the sky and said, “They have to be a few royals per scale…more than that…much more. Hells, with all this…you’re rich.” She said.

  ‘Oh, got a fascination with wealth, do you? Something to keep in mind.’

  “Aye, too bad I can't sell yet.”

  “Why not?” She asked.

  “I’m on the run. Can you imagine how easily I would be found if dragon parts started turning up on the market?”

  “On the run to where?” Corina asked.

  “Out of the empire. I’ve yet to reach that part of my tale, though.”

  Anicia grinned. “Well, we can walk and listen,” she said, throwing the sack over her shoulder.

  ‘What Corina wants is obvious, but Anicia… It’s not power exactly; it’s something slightly different. Wealth, maybe… No, that doesn't feel right either.’

  ~

  The two flame-haired women stared at me with saucer-like eyes as I described pushing Gemma to her death. I examined them both; there was a little tension and judgment from Anicia, but nothing demonstrating overt horror. I had to remember how these women lived for the past few years. Such cruelties simply didn't strike as hard as they would for a sheltered person.

  “I’m guessing your story’s gonna get worse,” Corina said.

  I nodded. “Indeed, once I get to Grenwood and my dear Baroness Rennah Harlock, things will take a darker turn.”

  ~

  The story went on for the next several hours; they gasped as I told them about being ambushed, the escape, and murdering Surian and Elis. I told it with a numb sense of detachment. Myr’s story, at least from their perspective, slowly corroded as truth took its place. Copious detail chopped away at my own myth. From Derek to Jenna to that fateful raid, I continued my tale.

  “Did ya really have to kill that girl?” Corina asked.

  I shook my head. “No, but back then I was drunk on power and ambition. I tend to either flee or destroy anything that reminds me of myself. I know the monster I am. It was needless killing for what in the end was vestigial fear.”

  “You almost sound like you regret it,” Anicia said.

  “No, not regret, just acceptance. Regret implies that I would go back and change my actions or that I feel some sense of guilt; this is not the case; I feel nothing. But I can acknowledge that not every action, every kill, was necessary. Perhaps my mind progressed to the point where even that bit of evil meant nothing; however, it wasn’t until I met Baroness Rennah Harlock that I saw something that even I found disgusting.”

  “That bad?” Anicia asked with a raised eyebrow.

  “Oh, we’ll get there. Let’s set up camp for now.”

  ~

  Since I was giving everything, my dalliance with Jenna was revealed. It was rather amusing watching Corina’s wide-eyed stare and Anicia's face turning beet red. They certainly found it strange, but no one seemed willing to comment.

  That bit of amusement died as I moved on to the party. Of all my stories, that truly horrified them. Even Corina, who’s done her own bit of evil and was more jaded, was disturbed. Anicia curled her lips in disgust.

  “I know I’m horrible, but that…” Corina said, shaking her head.

  “Aye, as callous as I am to certain things. That one was a bit much. I even spoke to a priest after.”

  They both looked at me like I had grown a second head.

  “You?… A priest?” Anicia asked, disbelieving.

  “Aye, he wasn’t a typical priest, though. Actually, he gave decent advice.”

  I recounted my conversation with the priest; somehow, they were relieved that I didn't try to turn myself into a perfect machine of ambition.

  “It wasn't until I met a true being without any sense of morality, fear, anger, hate, or lust that I truly felt gratitude towards that man.”

  I continued recounting the deep winter, the battle with Heywood, and my meeting with Sim. That seemed to excite them.

  Then I went about my journey through the deep winter to the small village with the horse trader, then Greystone. Finally, Felantir, meeting Orian, planning the quest, and killing the dragon, and I spent far too much time describing sex with Lindra for my own amusement.

  The chase to the forest, my survival, and healing by the dryad were equally exciting. And finally meeting them on that isolated dirt road. I was always sparse with how magic worked, and not once did I mention or even hint at the animus.

  Either through apathy or intelligence, they never asked me about how magic worked or if they could learn.

  “I walked out of that forest with a new goal, a new path,” I said wistfully.

  “And that is?” They asked at the same time.

  I smiled wryly. “I’ll save it for later. We have one more stop to make before we head south. For now, we should sleep, and you two should think about my story and who I truly am.”

  There was a question hanging in the air. One that I wouldn't ask just yet; it would have to wait. We were one month away from my stash of items from Enoras. There, would be the final test.

  ~

  They had many questions, of course, about the details of my story that conflicted with the official narrative, like: How much gold I gave away, how many people I’ve saved, and my entire personality.

  But now the two women knew what I was, even my ability to lie and manipulate.

  I stared at the chest. After three weeks of travel, the meat was running low, and we would have to stop at another village.

  Like most, after a few weeks of eating fresh meat for supper, they got used to it. No more heartfelt thanks, just casual gratitude. The water generators that were once seen as a miracle, allowing us to camp anywhere, were now pleasant conveniences. I wanted to create air warmers and a few other luxuries, but I ran out of scrap metal. The summer was hot, and a tool to generate a constant stream of cool wind would be quite pleasant, or I could just create a tool that drew the heat from the surrounding air.

  A bath would be impractical to carry around since the carriage was strapped for space. Beyond all that, it needed maintenance; one of the wheels was cracked and would certainly break in a few days. Which meant we had to go to another village.

  “Alright, I think it’s done,” I said, looking down at the two bracers containing the switches for the magic. The medallion's protection, gravity manipulation, and the gloves with Dragon’s breath embedded in the palm. They were all bound in series with a dual binding.

  “It’s really done?” Anicia asked.

  “Aye, try it on,” I said to them. Both women put on the bracer, glove, and medallion.

  “Let me explain how it all works.”

  ~

  Anicia and Corina stood squarely with their left arms facing outward.

  “Remember to flip the control and the fire switch. Both have to be on.”

  “Why two?” Anicia asked.

  “Safety,” Corina answered for me.

  “Ready? Three, two, one… Flip control.”

  Both women flipped the first switch until it clicked into place.

  “Flip fire.”

  Simultaneously, two twenty-foot cones of almost pure blue fire erupted from their left hand. Anicia panicked, and the stream veered to the left. Instantly, I weakened both bindings until the flames went out.

  Anicia was breathing heavily. “I know ya said it would push back, but that was more than I thought.”

  “Indeed, now start over. I had to turn off the magic. However, once you get used to it. Those switches will be the only things stopping you from turning anything in front of you to ash.”

  Anicia stared at her gloves. I didn't have to read her mind to know why her eyes widened and her breath caught. She realized the power she was wielding. The shock and fear slowly drifted away into a calm happiness. Then she looked at me and smiled, her green eyes shining in the setting sun.

  ‘Just a little more work and you’ll be mine.’

  ~

  Corina and I watched as Anicia practiced using the fire, lighting up the forest with blasts of blue flame.

  “I don't know how I feel ‘bout her using this magic. And I know what you doin’.” Corina said. “Tryin’ to buy us.”

  “There is no buying. Loyalty is earned; you two could turn that flame against me while my back is turned or run a dagger into my chest while I sleep.”

  Corina grimaced in displeasure.

  ‘Good, she’s offended by that suggestion.’

  “I can lie and act as easily as I breathe… Craft a tale that you would sympathize with, painting me as a victim. However, I chose not to. I laid bare all my crimes and moral failings. I showed you beneath my mask to the monster, killer, and murderer, and asked you to follow me. Any leader worth their salt knows not to hoard too much from their followers.”

  “Why? Why not just lie, pretend, and make us loyal like those in Grenwood?”

  “Because they were tools for me to use. You two will be allies; I need you to think, anticipate my desires, and be able to act independently. This means giving you power, room to grow, and, of course, making sure you understand who I am.”

  Corina’s green eyes bored into mine, then widened. “You’re planning on gettin’ more people, aren’t you?”

  “Yes, but I need people close to me who I can trust without question. Who, I know, wouldn't betray me for coin. But trust, as I have said, is a two-way street. How can you trust someone if they hide who they are, if they hoard every luxury for themselves?”

  Corina nodded at her daughter, who was jogging on unsure legs, no doubt testing the gravity modulation.

  “Beth once told me we become old when we start prioritizing the future. I'm almost 22 summers old. I’m not planning for months or weeks, Corina. I’m thinking about years and decades. For this to last, it needs more.”

  Corina chuckled under her breath and said. “So you're being kind. Generous and truthful, 'cause you sat down and figured it would make us more loyal than cheatin' or lyin’.”

  “Exactly. Though I'm not a perfect monster. Traveling is rather lonely, and I could use some conversation.”

  We watched as Anicia extended a hand and burnt the bark of a tree, then flipped the switch off, reached for the metal hand crossbow, and fired a bolt in the center. With a loud crack, followed by a thud as the bolt buried itself in the bark.

  Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.

  ‘I’ll let her get used to it. It’s time to head to my second stash. But first we need to stop at a village; fortunately, there’s one only a few days away.’

  “How well do you know the sword, Corina?”

  She looked down at the blade at her hip and said, “I know enough not to stab myself.”

  ‘Better than me.’

  Then she stared at the bracer on her right hand. “Compared to this, though...” Looking at me with suspicion, she asked, “Don't tell me your have a magic sword lying about.”

  I didn't answer, only smiled as Anicia, who was trying to sprint under reduced gravity, tripped and face-planted.

  ‘We all have to start somewhere.’

  ~

  Once again, we were in another village; unlike last time, I didn't have to tell them to buy every scrap of meat they could get their hands on. I sat in the carriage amongst the numerous supplies, covered in a heavy cloak, as a horde of villagers brought around cuts of meat.

  Anicia would toss them a few eagles and pass them to Corina, who would throw them into a chest, and they would run off with a hefty profit. Once it was clear they would purchase any food, villagers who would hesitate to slaughter livestock did so without pause.

  Off to the side, between two buildings, was a group of men, all hooded and huddled together. Though it was clear they were watching us. We were paying anywhere from three to four times the value for most of the produce, giving us enough to last until we reached the border. Eventually, the men took off heading south, exactly where we were headed.

  ‘Perfect,’

  I glanced over to Anicia and Corina, who just bought 30 eggs for fifteen eagles, the seller nearly fainting as Corina dropped the coin in his hand. Carefully placing the basket in the chill box, Corina nodded to me with a smile.

  ‘It’s time to put you two to the test.’

  Allowing the two to enjoy spending my coin, I relaxed in the carriage and spent the next few hours working on a new arcane formula for generating light. Glass, being a necessity, was limited. I glanced at the sack filled with scrap metal, ready to start creating more items.

  ~

  Once more, we were camping. Anicia took up the task of cooking while Corina, who had just returned from gathering wood, was refilling the small energy furnace. The aroma of a spatchcocked chicken roasting over the magical flame wafted over the camp.

  While the days were hot during the height of summer, the nights were pleasantly cool, not requiring the use of a cloak.

  “Myr!” Corina shouted. Immediately, I felt a drain on my reservoir as they both activated the protection circuits.

  I emerged from the carriage to see five men swaggering towards us, clearly armed and without a care in the world. They were approaching from the south, all dressed in mixed and matched sets of thick brown leather and steel armor. Their faces were nondescript; they were just average-looking men of moderate height with brown hair.

  Corina stood rigidly, hand on the blade at her hip, while Anicia stood nervously, holding the metal hand crossbow.

  “How you want to deal with ‘em, Myr?” Corina asked as the men approached.

  “Simple, determine if there are more of them or if anyone else knows they are coming after us; we need only one alive for that, so once they’re in your range, kill all but one.” Glancing over to Anicia, I said, “It’s time.”

  She bit her lip and nodded. They glanced around the camp; one man stared at the oddly smooth surface of the energy furnace in confusion. Other than mild lust from half the men, they didn't seem to be the walking, talking beasts most of their kind were. They would die all the same, though.

  Ignoring the men, I glanced at the stand of trees only 30 feet behind them.

  ‘There!… A slight shifting, a glint of metal. Another is in the forest.’

  “Greetings, my Ladies, a nice…” I cut off the lead man's words.

  “Kill them,” I said.

  Corina took a deep breath, raised her hand, and flipped another switch. A 20-foot flame erupted from her hand, engulfing three of the men. However, Anicia froze. Pushing my gravity reduction to 50%, I expanded my animus, bolstering my will. Then I took off into the forest, sprinting at a speed impossible for a normal human.

  The form hidden in the shadows of the tree shifted and took off running. I caught up to him in moments and, with a quick burst of flame, lit up the forest, revealing a young man around my age with blonde hair before he was engulfed. However, I reduced the power so it only charred instead of killing.

  “I have a few questions for you,” I said, ignoring his screaming.

  ~

  Dragging the screaming man back to the clearing, I found the rest of the men on the ground, either writhing or motionless, looking like burnt strips of beef.

  “They say anything?” I asked.

  “Six of ‘em. That boy is this one’s brother.” Corina said, pointing at a corpse. “They come from up north.” Her voice held a considerable amount of tension. Clearly, the use of the fire disturbed her.

  ‘The story matches this one’s.’

  I looked over to Anicia to see shame and guilt on her face. She hadn’t participated.

  “You didn't fire a shot, did you?” She kept staring at the ground.

  I hummed for a moment. Then I kicked the man whom I had dragged all the way back to our camp.

  He screamed as the pain jolted him awake. Immediately, he looked around until he spotted us.

  “P-Please, we didn’t know. We weren't gonna do nothin’. Swear to Anier,” he forced out, through the pain.

  “Silence,” I ordered, bolstering my will with the full force of my animus.

  “You failed once; that’s alright, Anicia. You can still try again.”

  “Myr, maybe it ain't the best time…” Corina said.

  “When will be the best time? What happens if fools like these try to sneak up on us while we sleep? This is the time. It’s not just for me; she needs to be able to defend herself when the time comes.”

  I could tell she wanted to argue, but looking at Anicia staring down at the ground, unable to meet my eyes, we knew she wouldn't survive long.

  “Take aim, and fire,” I said. It wasn’t a command.

  She finally looked up at me. “Do I have to?”

  “You can choose not to. I will not force you, either through threats or coercion. This must be your choice.”

  She lifted the crossbow, aiming at the young man. He looked between us with fear, tears rolling down his face. “Please, I won't talk. No one even knows me in these parts. I have a family, a sister, a brother…please.”

  His pleading deflated her will, so I countered, “What of it? All rapists, murderers, and thieves have a mother and father. It makes them no less guilty.”

  Every time Anicia mustered the will to aim, his gnawing despair clawed at her.

  Corina, unable to deal with the situation anymore, said. “We can try another time, Myr. You said so yourself.”

  Using every ounce of acting ability, I looked into Anicia’s eyes and said, “Alright, we can try another time.” My voice was filled with disappointment, all directed at her. She shook as if it were a physical attack. I walked over and took the weapon; she didn't even try to hold on to it. Reaching into the metal case that held the bolts on her side, I grabbed a handful.

  “We’ll set up a different watch. For now, we'll rotate between Corina and me. I loosed a bolt into the chest of one unconscious man, looked over to Anicia, and said. “You’ll have to handle all the cooking and chores, since we’ll be deprived of sleep.”

  “It’s alright, dear; these things take time.” Her mother said, putting a comforting hand on her shoulder. Anicia gritted her teeth, and tears formed at the edge of her eyes.

  “Corina, you should hold on to the crossbow for now. It’s a weapon we need in…” I looked over to Anicia. “Willing hands.” With one last sigh of disappointment, I aimed at the young man. He looked at the crossbow in fear. “Please,” he whispered.

  Before I fired, Anicia sprang over, lunging for the crossbow and grabbing it from my hands. I was so surprised, I nearly killed her. I reduced the power of the binding to almost nothing, making it useless.

  ‘Is she actually worthless? Was I wasting my time with these two? To think she would try to save him. How dissa….’

  Anicia aimed at the young man.

  ‘Ohhh, I stand corrected.’

  I increased the strength of the binding.

  ‘That manipulation was for her second attempt. It seemed to be too effective.’

  “It is your choice, Anicia,” I said, my voice devoid of any inflection.

  She was breathing heavily. Corina was about to step forward before I said, “Let her make her decision. She mustered up the will; do not take this moment from her. ”

  “I don’t want her to be…a killer.”

  “Act now, and she may never muster this will again. Think about what’s best for her, what if, at a crucial moment, she can’t act? What will you say if you find her dead or brutalized?” I said as Anicia struggled to fire the bolt.

  I stepped to the right and watched the young man, just in case he tried something.

  Anicia's breathing became even heavier, and tears rolled down her face. Then she aimed at the floor and turned her back to him, shoulders slumping. Suddenly, she screamed at the top of her lungs, spun around, and fired.

  She caught him in the neck; blood spurted out rapidly as he fell to the ground, clutching his throat.

  Anicia dropped the crossbow and stepped back. I immediately went forward and braced her before she fell. We watched numbly as he bled out and died in under a minute.

  “Good. I know this was hard. But don't run away. Feel the pain, guilt, despair, and self-loathing. It will haunt you. But in time, you will grow stronger. I am proud of your performance. Go to your mother; I’ll take care of everything else.”

  I picked up the crossbow and placed it in her hands. “This is yours. Don’t lose it.” She gave me a firm nod and hung the crossbow on her belt before leaving for the carriage with her mother.

  ‘That was slightly unexpected. I believed she would fail. I intended for the guilt and shame to eat her alive for some time. But it seemed she had more inner strength than I thought.’

  ~

  “What’re ya supposed to feel, Myr?” Anicia asked as we rolled along the dirt road.

  “I don't know, I vomited after my first kill. You’ll never forget that moment, but as the distance between you and it increases, that pain you feel inside will fade.”

  She looked down at the ground, shame coming across her face.

  “What is it?” I asked.

  “I don't want to kill again.”

  “It’s not a matter of want. Can you pick up that weapon again if the need arises?”

  She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “Just give me some time to think about all this. B-but yes, I think I can.”

  I gave her a soft smile. “Very well then, Anicia. From now on, I’ll put my trust in you. ”

  I reached over, her eyebrows raised as I gently grabbed her wrist. She followed my movement until I placed her palm on my heart so she could feel my heartbeat.

  “My life is in your hands now.” Her eyes widened, and then she nodded quickly, unsure of what to say.

  “We’ll reach another one of my stashes in a few weeks. When we get there, I’ll tell you what the ultimate goal I decided to pursue during my time in the forest was.”

  Three weeks later

  We eventually reached the large stretch of rocky bushlands where I buried the treasure from Enoras. It took another day before I found the rock formations.

  I told Corina to stop the carriage, and both women exited, looking at me expectantly. It was time for me to take a risk, to see if all my effort for the last several months had bought me loyalty. And that means giving them a chance to not just walk away, but thrive without me.

  Standing at the rear of the carriage, I said to the women, “It will take at least two hours for me to walk to where I buried the treasure.”

  Anicia looked around us. “The terrain ain’t bad; we can still take the carriage.”

  I nodded in affirmation. “Indeed, but there is something I must discuss. You both know who I am and what I am. My path is filled with danger. At times, I will work with or for people of low morals. If you remain with me, you will kill more; there will be more violence and death. Do not forget this.”

  I pointed Southwest, “In that direction is Greystone. It is quite safe and prosperous; you have enough coin, you have the dragon parts, and you have a dozen magical items. You can lead a good life, safe from me.”

  “What’re ya sayin’, Myr?” Corina asked.

  “I’m giving you a chance to walk away. Walk away from me and the life I will live. I will bypass the city and move south. I’m giving you the one thing I value most: choice. You can walk away from me forever.”

  Anicia was about to speak, but I held a hand up. “Think deeply, think in the long term. Ten, twenty, thirty years down the road. If you still would like to serve me, wait for me to return.”

  ~

  The final step, I believed, was choice. I didn't want them, under any circumstance, to think that they had to choose, that they were forced or coerced. They could, at this very moment, hop into the carriage and ride off towards Greystone.

  There was enough loot to buy them a good life. And most importantly, the roads were safe. Greystone was too valuable a trading city for the count to tolerate banditry and highwaymen. I told them this specifically and even had them travel the main roads for them to see.

  It took a little over two hours to find the rock. Digging down a foot into the dirt, I pulled out a large canvas sack.

  Opening it, I smiled as I spotted my treasures. I pulled out the acorn-sized azurite gem embedded in a platinum ring and smiled.

  ~

  I walked back towards the two women, wondering what they had talked about. Whether they would stay or go, a small smile came over my face as I spotted the carriage. I wasn't surprised, but it was still a relief.

  Apparently, I didn't hide it well. “Come on now, do ya think we’d leave at this point? What have you got there?” Anicia joked.

  “You didn’t think I gave away all the loot from Enoras, did you?”

  Corina nodded. “I figured the platinum ring was all the loot, not that you had more.”

  “Before I start, I have a few questions.”

  Both women nodded. “Why did you stay? Let’s start with Corina.”

  She shrugged. “You know I want my daughter safe. You ain't a good person, but I've seen good people get killed. Ya don’t put all this effort in if’n our lives ain't worth shit to ya. You’re thinking long term.”

  ‘That’s expected.’

  I looked at Anicia, “Like ma says. Good people get kilt all the time. I don't wanna spend my life in some village or city. Workin’ at some tavern. And I don't wanna be under anyone's power anymore, 'cept yours. And I don't want to feel scared anymore.”

  I nodded, accepting their answer, and then I stated. “When in the Dalianar Forest, I almost died without accomplishing much in my life. For a long time, people asked me: Why don’t you use your power for something other than yourself? I've finally reached a point where the question has meaning.”

  “I've been running around the empire for half my life chasing power; now I’m tired of being on my feet. I’m thinking it’s time to sit down.” I smirked and stared at the two women. “I can’t think of a more comfortable chair than a throne.”

  I pulled out the five-pointed jewel-encrusted platinum crown. The women’s eyes bulged as they looked at an item likely worth thousands of royals. Then they looked me in the eyes, realizing what I was saying.

  Smiling, I placed the ludicrously expensive crown atop my head.

  “Don't you think Queen Myr sounds appropriate?” Adjusting the crown so it sat comfortably, I asked, "How does it look?"

  “You look good,” Anicia said numbly. “Not sure ‘bout the pink diamonds, though.”

  “You want to conquer the empire,” Corina asked, displeased.

  I shook my head. “No, I’m not that ambitious. Ferosia is my goal. Far from the empire. Far from the Magisterium.”

  Reaching into the sack, I pulled out a small, black, palm-sized silk pouch. “Loyalty is the ultimate currency. For your demonstration of such, I will repay it a thousandfold.”

  “Cup your hands,” I said to Anicia.

  I grinned as her eyes nearly fell out of her head as 56 cut diamonds fell into her hands. Then I dropped in rubies, emeralds, sapphires, and the rest of the platinum jewelry.

  “That’s a few thousand royals, I think.”

  I pulled out the last item, the enchanted sword. Binding it to my reservoir, the women watched as the blade glowed a bright yellow from the heat. I sheathed and handed it to Corina. “All queens need a knight.” She took it numbly.

  “From now on, you two are my left and right hands. Not only will you have access to my magic, but you will also be provided with every luxury. I intend to spend well once we leave the empire.”

  “Can I put this back in the sack? I don't want to lose any of it.” I chuckled under my breath.

  “I ask you now, what do you want? It doesn’t matter how minor; tell me our desires.” I nodded specifically to Corina.

  “You know what I want.” She said, then looked down at the sword, “Figure I should learn how to use it proper.”

  I nodded to her. “Done. Once we get you in enchanted armor, you’ll be unstoppable. And of course we’ll be all the safer.”

  I turned my head to Anicia; she blushed and said, “I want. I want to be like those rich girls from stories. Dresses, balls, servants, ummm. Not…not just that...”

  I raised an eyebrow. “You want to be a noble woman, a queen, or something.”

  She shook her head firmly. “I don't want to marry or anything like that; I just…”

  Anicia failed to find the words, so I answered for her, “You want all the privilege, wealth, and status of a noble without the unpleasant responsibilities expected of noble women.”

  She nodded, embarrassed. “Done. I’ll teach you both reading, writing, mathematics, science, etiquette, and history. Anicia, I will show you how noblewomen walk and talk. When taking the throne, which will take some years. You will be my primary advisor, your voice will move kingdoms, and nobles will bow at your passing. But I’ll never ask you to marry, and there will be no one above you but me.”

  She nodded. “Aye, that’s what I want.”

  ‘Of course, I’ll never tell anyone my true goals. All kingdoms fall, all queens die. There is but one goal, the only goal worth pursuing.’

  I smiled at them and said, “Let’s make this official. May I borrow your weapon?”

  Corina shrugged and handed me the sword.

  “Take a knee. Today, you two will swear yourself into service and acknowledge me as your queen.”