How to Catch a Queen (Runaway Royals #1) - Alyssa Cole Page 0,11

the groups trying to sow discord here.

“They’ve looked down their noses at us for decades. They watched as we were occupied and did nothing. Apart from that, even if relations were to be repaired, they have not yet provided an adequate show of respect to our most glorious kingdom. Until they do, we must assume disrespect. De. Nied.”

There was an intake of breath, followed by the deep, resonant sound of the man she had married finally speaking up.

“Most learned Musoke.” Sanyu turned his head to look down at Musoke, who seemed as surprised as anyone that the king had opened his mouth. “I would remind you that my wife is from Thesolo.”

Shanti’s stomach went tight at the way he said the word wife; like it might mean something more than a contract signed with grim cordiality and a crown that was unworn but tarnished.

“I’m quite aware where that woman is from,” Musoke sniffed. “As I said, they have provided nothing that shows adequate respect.”

The air was always thick with tension during council meetings, but it was suddenly cloying as the full meaning of his words settled over everyone—and over her. Shanti’s body had already been vibrating as if fine, white-hot waves of anger traveled over her skin, but Musoke’s insult drew those waves tight, searing the unfairness of the situation into her.

She sat in the back of the room on a rickety bench supposedly made for a queen but not fit for one—she was the queen who need not be present, and if she was present, need not be seen.

She certainly wasn’t to be heard.

She thought of the queens she’d idolized, and of her reasons for marrying Sanyu, and decided that three months of making herself small was more than enough in the face of this utter bullshit.

Goddess lead me, she prayed silently. Ingoka give me strength.

Shanti stood up, shoulders back, neck straight, hands clasped loosely in front of her instead of balled into fists at her sides.

“Do you find me inadequate, O wise Musoke?” The words slipped out of her mouth cool as the mountain springs of her homeland and dangerous as the waterfalls they fed into. “Can you explain how you’ve managed to do so? You don’t speak to me and I’ve not been allowed to do anything you might use as basis for any such judgment. I don’t wish to be impertinent, but vague critique is the sign of a weak intellect in my home country—the one that has apparently so disrespected you. I only seek to learn what is proper here, in my new country.”

Musoke’s eyes narrowed but he didn’t give her the respect of looking at her. “Is there some reason that woman is speaking in the chamber of advisors, though it is strictly forbidden?”

“That woman is the queen,” Lumu said helpfully. “Perhaps Musoke has forgotten?”

“Musoke is invested with the will of Amageez the All Knowing, and forgets nothing,” another advisor corrected. “She is a queen, not the True Queen, and thus does not get to speak.”

Shanti kept her cool gaze fixed on Musoke, ignoring the background chatter.

“Women cannot be touched by Amageez, indeed, so perhaps I’m not intelligent enough to decipher your wise words, Musoke, but it seems you haven’t answered my questions,” she said, the anger hot in her cheeks and her neck, though her voice was serene. “I will ask another one, then. You speak of the respect you are owed by Thesolo, but what have you done to earn it? Please educate me, O wise one.”

The mutters of the councilors filled the room, but she kept her chin perfectly poised and her expression calm.

A queen doesn’t knock her own crown askew.

“I helped build this kingdom with my sweat and blood—with my flesh—while Thesoloians ignored our strife, the cowards,” Musoke said, though he still didn’t look at her. “They should grovel before us, at the very least, but instead they look down on us from an elephant’s back and tell us to saddle a gazelle if we want to ride.”

“I respect your sacrifices, but they make your behavior even more puzzling,” she said, the anger from three months of frustration taking over even as her logical mind tried to understand Musoke’s point of view. “Every week you deny vital resources to your people without even a follow-up question. Did you read the teacher statements in the requests for a new curriculum? Did you consider the benefits of the Rail Pan Afrique to your citizens, or only a chance to be rude to