by Lisa Cassidy
Alyx’s voice had been mild but pointed, and the conversation around the table faded away as the guests pretended they weren’t listening intently.
Caverlock sat back in his chair, clearly taken aback. “Lady Egalion, I’m sorry if I caused offence.”
“I’m not offended, Lord Caverlock, just disappointed that you clearly haven’t been told of the reasons for Dashan’s promotion.” Of course he had, and Alyx’s tone indicated they both knew it. Conversation along the table had died completely now—even a servant carrying the first plates of dessert stood frozen by the door. A red flush was climbing up Caverlock’s face, but he gestured politely for her to continue.
“For example, were you aware that the Mage Council sought Dashan’s advice on the defence of DarkSkull Hall? That when they implemented his ideas, the number and severity of attacks on DarkSkull diminished significantly?” She paused to stare at them all in turn. Most looked away from her glance. Some few didn’t—they looked almost encouraging. It gave her fuel to continue.
“Commander Helson didn’t write a glowing letter because he felt like it. Dashan and his unit made a significant difference to the security of DarkSkull Hall, not to mention the lives they saved when two Mage Council masters were attacked on a trip from Carhall. Dashan earned this promotion. He deserves to be a captain in your Blue Guard.”
For the first time, Alyx looked at Dashan. He was staring at her in complete shock, his expressive brown eyes dark with emotion. She smiled at him before shifting her gaze to his father. “I hope that helps you understand better, Lord Caverlock.”
Caverlock cleared his throat, tugged at his collar, then summoned a smile and sat forward again. “I appreciate your comments, Lady Egalion, and I am glad that my son made such an impact during his assignment as part of your protective detail.”
“I’m happy to help.” Alyx smiled, then picked up her glass of wine and took a sip, signalling an end to the conversation. After a few awkward moments, helped by the appearance of dessert, conversation resumed.
Soon after her speech, Dashan’s leg reached out to touch hers under the table. The mood visibly lightened as it became clear Lord-General Caverlock was going to let Alyx’s speech go without getting upset. Even more, he made a visible effort to include his younger son. She ignored the looks cast her way and focused on maintaining easy and polite conversation with those around her.
The evening finally wound up an hour later. Some of the guests left, while those remaining accepted Lord Caverlock’s invitation to join him for a cigar and spirits in his private lounge.
“Will you come with us?” he asked Dashan, sounding sincere. “Regan and I would like the opportunity to share a celebratory cigar with the new captain in the family.”
Dashan hesitated, surprise washing over his face. “I’d like to walk Alyx out first, but after, yes sir, I’d like that.”
“We’ll have a cigar waiting for you. Lady Egalion, thank you for coming this evening.” Caverlock bowed politely to Alyx before leaving the room.
“Don’t take too long.” Regan clapped Dashan on the back before following his father out.
Together they strolled out of the house and down the pebbled path to the gates. Lord Caverlock had already sent to his grooms to have Tingo waiting for Alyx down at the gates, and they hovered there a moment, reluctant to part. Dashan dismissed the groom, and they waited until he was out of sight before continuing through the gates where they couldn’t be seen by prying eyes.
“About what you said back there—” he began, but she cut him off.
“Don’t even think about thanking me. I was only speaking the truth.”
He glanced down at his shoes. “It’s just that nobody has ever defended me like that before.”
“I will.” She leaned up, kissing him to reinforce the point. His arms settled around her and they kissed for a long time, content to be together. Eventually he pulled back a little, his arms around her waist loosening.
“I’ll spend a short time with Father and Regan, but after that I need to go up to the palace and see Cayr.” He sighed.
Guilt surged. “He was upset. He might not want to see you.”
“I know, but I have to try.”
“I hope it goes well.” She tried to smile for him, knowing exactly how he was feeling. Dashan loved Cayr as much as she did, and the idea of deliberately hurting him was no doubt as awful for him as it was for her. “If I can get away, lunch in the city tomorrow?”
“Absolutely.” He smiled. “Goodnight, Alyx.”
“Before I go.” She caught his hand, trying to stop the sudden nervous thumping of her heart. “I need to ask you something.”
“You can ask me anything.” His brown eyes were light as they regarded her.
“The conversation I had with Cayr today, it made something clear to me,” she said carefully. “The king’s ball is in a week’s time. I need a partner.”
He was silent a moment. “Are you asking me?”
The restrained hope in his voice almost made her cry. “Yes, Dash, I’m asking you.”
“Are you sure?” he asked carefully. “I mean, if we go together, everyone will know.”
“There’s nobody else to hide it from but my father, and I don’t want to do that any longer. He won’t be happy, and he may not accept it, but that doesn’t make hiding it from him right.”
“You’re allowing me to formally court you?” Uncertainty filled his voice.
She swallowed. “Yes.”
“That means I will have the right to pick you up and take you to the ball, to have the first and last dance with you, and escort you home afterwards. It means we go to formal events together from now on.”
“I’m aware of how courting works.” The nervous tremor in her voice undercut her attempt at dry humour.
Dashan took a deep breath. “You have no idea how much you asking this means to me. But have you thought it through? The court won’t react well. Your father could refuse permission. Nobody will accept a half-Shiven bastard courting Lady Egalion.”
“I know all of that, and I won’t pretend it doesn’t scare me,” she admitted. “But if both of us want this, then it’s our only choice. As Lady Egalion, I can’t have a secret relationship forever. Not if we want a future.”
“And you want that for us?” He seemed unable to believe what she was telling him, both hope and delight warring in his eyes.
“Now that I’m staying, I think it’s time to start building my future—a real one, not a fantasy built on hopes and unrealistic expectations,” she said quietly. “And yes, I want you to be part of it. Do you? I know I haven’t really asked what you—”
His hands came up to frame her face, the expression on his face causing the words to die on her tongue. “More than anything else in the world.”
She hadn’t realised how much those words would mean to her, and tears welled despite how hard she tried to hold them back. “Okay then.”
“No tears,” he whispered, wiping her cheek with a thumb. “I’m going to be here, at your side, forever.”
His arms came around her, holding her tightly to him. Her head dropped forward into his chest, her eyes slipping closed. At that very moment, when she thought she was happier than she’d ever been, a shiver of foreboding ran down her spine. She’d brushed away his concerns, wrapped up in her own determination, but part of her knew courting Dashan Caverlock wasn’t going to be easy.
Chapter 18
Alyx rode slowly back through the city. It was a warm summer’s night, and still early enough that the city streets were thronged with people. Her emotions churned, lurching from guilt and pain when she thought of her confrontation with Cayr, to a bubbling giddiness at the thought of giving Dashan permission to court her. Then she wondered how his conversation with Cayr was going. Both men relied on their friendship so much, it was going to hurt them badly to lose it, and over her, of all people. She wasn’t worth that. The guilt came flooding back.
In an
effort to shake off her heavy thoughts, she focused more intently on her surroundings, hoping that being out in the city she loved would settle her. It was so surprising to see Casovar’s tall figure crossing the street a block ahead—heading into the party district—it took a good long moment for Alyx to be certain it was him. He wasn’t wearing his customary mage attire, but the crisp strides and slight sag to his shoulders were unmistakable.
Making a snap decision, she rode Tingo over to the nearest inn and tied his reins to a post out front. A sharp gesture and a coin flicked to a loitering groom ensured Tingo would be watched, and she headed on foot into the party district.
These streets were even busier, and Alyx pushed through, catching sight of Casovar disappearing around a corner two blocks ahead. Speeding up, she cursed the light sandals she’d worn to dinner. She’d be able to move much faster in her boots.
Three blocks and two right turns later, Casovar paused outside a well-lit inn that had a sprawling garden area out the back. He looked around carefully. Instinct told her he was using not only his eyes but his magic too. She ducked into the alley she’d just passed, hurriedly reinforcing her telepathic shield. After a few long moments had gone by, she inched forward just far enough to see across the street where Casovar stood. Seemingly satisfied nobody was watching, he pushed through the door and disappeared inside.
Alyx counted under her breath. When she judged enough time had passed, she stepped out onto the street. Instantly a hand closed around her wrist, yanking her back into the dim light of the alley. Fear and magic flared together, and she was a second away from loosing a panicked concussive burst when she recognised Cario’s face.
“Get off me!” she snapped, shoving him as hard as she could. “What are you doing?”
“Wait!” he hissed. “Look.”
Heart still thumping, Alyx copied Cario as he pressed himself against the rough brick wall and peered around the corner. She opened her mouth to demand what it was she was supposed to be looking at when Dunnat’s stocky form appeared walking down the street from the opposite direction. He, too, was dressed in civilian clothing, and paused outside the inn to look around before going inside.
“If I hadn’t grabbed you, you’d have walked right into him.” Cario sounded as irritated as she was.
“What are you even doing here?”
“I was enjoying a nice beverage at The Thorn up the street when I noticed you come skulking past. What possessed you to go following Lord-Mage Casovar?”
“He’s not exactly the type to frequent the party district. And certainly not for friendly drinks with a captain in his Mage Guard.”
“Hey! Do you think the both of you could stop looking both obvious and suspicious and get in here?”
Alyx spun, eyes widening at the sight of Brynn standing in one of the doorways leading off the alley.
“I’m serious,” Brynn hissed. “Get in here.”
With a glance back across the road at the inn, Alyx reluctantly conceded Brynn was right. She gestured for Cario to follow her and they pushed past Brynn into a dim hallway. Once he’d closed the door, leaving them almost entirely in the dark, his voice instructed, “Keep going straight down the hall. There are stairs at the end, go up two flights then go into the first door to your left.”
Following his instructions brought them into a dusty, empty room that smelt faintly of mould. The only light came through a pair of dirt-streaked windows looking down over the main street. Alyx’s mouth curled in distaste.
“Who is he?” Cario demanded.
“I take it this is Cario?” Brynn said as he closed the door behind him.
“Cario, meet Brynn. He’s an old friend and he works for the council.”
“I’m a spy,” Brynn said flatly. “One who is very dubious about your intentions given what Alyx has told me about you.”
“You have some intelligence then,” Cario noted. “And you’re the council spy in Alistriem. That fact alone makes me very dubious of you.”
“Brynn is a trusted friend,” Alyx said.
Cario gave a curt nod. “If you say so.”
“Why did you bring us up here, Brynn?”
“To get you off the street before whoever it is Casovar and Dunnat are meeting with shows up.” Brynn pointed to the window. “From there you’ll get an excellent view of the garden behind the inn. I’ve spent my evenings for the past week and a half here. Casovar and Dunnat have showed up twice, and both times nobody came to meet them.”
“Maybe they’re just meeting each other?” Cario said.
“No,” Alyx disagreed. “There’s no reason for them to meet in the party district. They see each other every day at the palace.”
“Indeed.” Brynn moved to the window. “Maybe tonight will be the night.”
“He’s the lord-mage of Rionn, and narcissistic to boot,” Cario pointed out. “You want us to believe he’s willing to be repeatedly stood up by whoever he’s meeting with?”
“It’s a good point.” Alyx agreed.
“The theory that he and Dunnat regularly go out for a night on the town together works for you, then?” Impatience threaded Brynn’s voice.
Sharing a look acknowledging that point, Alyx and Cario joined Brynn at the window. Casovar and Dunnat sat at a table in the back corner, neither of them talking as they sat with full mugs of ale. The temptation to use her telepathic magic to read their thoughts was close to overwhelming, but she pushed it away in frustration. Too high a chance Casovar would detect her using magic.
A silence fell as they stood and stared out the window. After a short time, Alyx began fidgeting, bored and hoping something would happen soon. “This is what you’ve been doing instead of watching the Mage Guard?” she asked eventually.
“There are only a certain number of hours in the day.” Impatience threaded Brynn’s voice. “And I do have other tasks. If you want me to find out whether Casovar is trustworthy, I thought focusing on him would be smarter than following around his underlings.”
“His underlings are dragging citizens out of their homes and beating them bloody for no good reason. If you could get proof of that to take to the king—”
Cario cut her off with a scornful gesture. “If your king doesn’t already know what’s going on in his city, Alyx, then he’s not fit to sit on the throne.”
The words resonated sharply with her. It was a thought that had been nagging at her for some time—if the Bluecoats and her father knew, then surely the king had to. But why hadn’t he done anything about it?
“I’m sick of doing nothing,” she said into the silence. “As soon as the twins and Tarrick are back, we’re coming up with a plan. I don’t care what my father says.”
“It’s not the worst idea, more reasonable than what you normally come up with,” Cario drawled. “You’ve got the prince on your side too.”
She caught Brynn’s eyes flicking towards her at the mention of Cayr, one eyebrow raised. She gave a little shake of her head, and thankfully he changed the subject.
“They usually don’t stay much longer than this if nobody shows,” he said.
“Wait,” Cario murmured. “A man just walked in. He’s at least part Shiven, I’d swear to it.”
“Where?” Alyx asked.
“He just went inside…wait a moment…” Cario pointed. “There. He’s making straight for Casovar’s table.”
Alyx studied the man Cario was pointing to. He had the Shiven build and graceful manner of walk, but his ears were hidden by lengthy black hair and his skin wasn’t as white-pale as Galien. His clothes were non-descript but well-tailored, and as he sat at the table with Casovar, he waved off the serving boy who approached with a sharp gesture that marked him as either self-important or noble.
“I would give anything to know what they’re talking about,” Brynn said.
“Could it be one of his spies?” Cario asked.
“That’s the most likely answer. He doesn’t look much like a spy though.”
&
nbsp; “Isn’t that the point?” Cario sounded irritated.
The three men didn’t talk long. The stranger rose from the table after only a few minutes of conversation. His graceful strides carried him out of the inn within moments.
“I’m going after him,” Brynn said, turning for the door. “Don’t either of you leave until Casovar and Dunnat are well away.”
Alyx watched Brynn reach the alley and join the crowds along the main street. Casovar and Dunnat lingered only a few moments longer before also getting up to leave. They separated at the entrance and headed in opposite directions.
“I hope Brynn finds something,” Alyx said as she and Cario went back down to the street.
Cario nodded. “I’ve had no luck winning Casovar over. He trusts me no more than he trusts you, despite my position.”
“It’s probably because of your position. I don’t think Casovar is any more a friend of the council than he is of Garan Egalion’s daughter,” she said. “What does the council have to say about it?”
Cario gave a sharp laugh. “They won’t even tell me what they’re interested in here. Casovar has to be a part of it.”
“Then why haven’t they sent a spy to Rionn before now to watch him? No, there’s something more.”
“The something more is you, Alyx.” Cario stopped walking. “There are now two mages of the higher order outside of the council’s control. Wake up and realise what that means.”
“They can’t think I’m colluding with Casovar?”
“They don’t know what to think. That’s why they’re worried, and that’s why Brynn is here.”
Alyx rolled her eyes. “I wish they’d worry about something important for a change. What a bunch of paranoid, scared old men.”
Cario snorted in laughter. “I’d love to see you say that to their faces. Jokes aside, you don’t want them seeing you as a threat.”
“I know, I know. I’m staying clear of all Taliath not related to me, don’t worry.”
“You’re taking this too lightly,” he warned. “It’s bad enough you have contact with two Taliath. If the council thought for a single second that you might have one as a lover—"