The Snow Queen's Shadow Read Online Free PDF

Danielle gestured to one of the pages waiting in the corner. “Andrew will see that your belongings are taken to your room in the guest wing.”
    “Thank you, Princess.” There was genuine pain in his wife’s voice as she said, “I was sorry to hear of the queen’s passing. I remember when she and King Theodore were married, though I was only a child.”
    Everyone had recited some variation of those words, but Heather was one of the few who truly appeared to mean them. Others were more interested in taking Danielle’s measure as the future queen, or figuring out how Beatrice’s death would affect their own fortunes in Lorindar.
    “It’s good to see you both again,” said Danielle. Looking at the two of them momentarily eased her grief. John and Heather stood so close that no light passed between them, holding hands like newlyweds.
    “Princess Whiteshore?” A girl in the green cap of a page bowed to Danielle and the Jeraldsens both. “Please forgive the intrusion, but Lord Montgomery wishes to meet with you and the prince tonight to discuss an extension of tax relief for the coastal towns.”
    “Tonight?” Danielle shook her head in disbelief. “Elaine, do I look like the Royal Treasurer?”
    Elaine flushed. “No, Your Highness.”
    Danielle yanked off the crown and rubbed her forehead. “I’m sorry. Please go on.”
    “Lord Montgomery said, since the tax exemption was given to help the towns recover from the merfolk’s attack, and since you knew the situation better than most . . .” Elaine took a step back, like a rabbit preparing to bolt.
    “Please tell Montgomery that he can take his petition and—” No. A funeral should be an opportunity for friends and family to comfort one another and remember the one they had lost. Not a time for political squabbling.
    Heather cleared her throat. “Your Highness, it occurs to me that most of Lord Montgomery’s fortunes come through trade and fishing.”
    “That’s true,” said John. “I wonder what would happen if someone were to warn the fish to avoid his waters.”
    Heather tilted her head. “Or simply send rats to warm his bed?”
    Danielle fought a smile. “I can see why you married her,” she said to John. “How long did you search to find a woman as evil-minded as yourself?”
    “Forty years,” said John. “And it was worth every one.”
    To Elaine, she said, “Please tell Lord Montgomery I would be happy to consider his request. Please also inform him that we will need to conduct an audit of his finances to determine his needs. A thorough audit, including all shipping logs and cargo manifests.”
    “Yes, Your Highness.” Elaine bowed again and disappeared.
    “You suspect him of padding his treasury?” John’s words were playful, but there was a glint in his eye that gave Danielle pause. No matter how friendly John and Heather might be, they were also nobles of Lorindar, with their own agendas.
    “No,” Danielle said. “Lord Montgomery can be . . . difficult, but he’s never struck me as dishonest. His men, on the other hand?” She shrugged. “Who can say? If I’m fortunate, this will keep him busy reviewing his own affairs to make certain there’s nothing for us to find. And John?”
    He raised an eyebrow.
    “I know you. If you sneak alum into Montgomery’s food like you did with Bette Garnier that time—”
    “You have my word,” John said. “Though Montgomery would be hard-pressed to voice his complaint with his mouth pickled shut.”
    “What about a nice senna seed tea instead?” offered Heather. “He’ll have to bring a chamber pot to any meetings.”
    “Leave the man in peace. That’s an order from your princess.”
    John was the only person she knew who could convey laughter with a simple bow. As the two of them left, Danielle heard Heather saying, “ We have to leave him alone, but what if a third party were to sneak in and coat his codpiece with lard?”
    Danielle met with three other noble families before