by Lisa Cassidy
Dawn added, “besides, all of this falls apart the instant Casovar reads something of our plans in your thoughts, so the fewer people who know, the safer.”
“We’ll be fine,” Finn said, glancing at his sister. “I’ve still got an almost constant headache from all the practicing you’ve been making us do.”
“And Casovar has no reason to be within a mile of me, so we’re fine,” Dashan added dryly.
Now it was Alyx’s turn to freeze, guilty knowledge instantly making her afraid everyone would guess Dashan was a Taliath. Instead, all eyes shifted to Ladan, who they already knew as a Taliath.
“If Casovar is working for Shakar, would he report Lord Mirren to the council?” Finn asked.
“I am standing here,” Ladan spoke tersely. “Casovar doesn’t scare me, but there’s no sense in being foolish. I have no need to go anywhere near him.”
“I think we should do this tonight. We really can’t afford to put it off any longer,” Tarrick said.
Alyx’s breath caught—so quickly. But Ladan had been right. If Shakar was alive... the sooner the council acted the better.
“All right,” Dashan said.
“I should go.” Alyx stood. The walls of the room were beginning to press in, and she needed to get out, breathe some fresh air.
“I’ll come with you,” Ladan said.
Tarrick nodded. “We’ll stay and plan in more detail for tonight. If anything changes, we’ll find a way to get you a message at the palace. Alyx, if you find Cario, fill him in?”
“I will. See you later.”
Finn followed them out. Sighing inwardly, but not surprised, Alyx gestured to Ladan to go ahead and waited for Finn to catch up. They lingered on the front step awkwardly for a moment. Eventually Finn took a breath, looking like he was searching for the right words. “This is not me trying to pry into your personal life, but I wanted to ask... are you happy? About marrying Cayr, I mean.”
“It’s... complicated,” she admitted. “Marrying him is the best way to force Casovar out of Rionn, especially if we can’t find proof of his connection to Shakar. And you know I love Cayr.”
His mouth quirked. “A friendly warning, then. You and Dashan just spent that entire discussion pretending like the other didn’t exist. I’m astonished Dawn didn’t pick up on the wall of tension between the two of you. If she wasn’t so upset over Brynn and Shakar, she would have.”
The last thing she wanted was Finn trying to work out why she’d decided to marry Cayr. She needed him to believe it was for the reasons she stated. So she forced a laugh. “Come on, you know Dashan and I are regularly angry at each other. That’s all it is.”
“I’m not an idiot,” he said. “You don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to, but don’t lie to me.”
“Ok, fine. I don’t want to talk about it,” she snapped, pushed to anger by his questions and her own fear.
Finn stiffened. “I won’t mention it again.”
She immediately felt bad, and an apology was on the tip of her tongue, but he’d already turned and walked back inside.
“Dammit!” She lashed out with her foot, kicking the wall by the door hard. The throbbing at her temples had evolved into a full headache by the time she joined Ladan, waiting with the horses out in the street.
“Are you all right?” he asked.
She sighed. “I’m frustrated. Dealing with Casovar every day is not easy. And now with Shakar of all people... how do we deal with that?”
He moved closer. “Is that all that’s bothering you?”
She huffed out another sigh. “No.”
“What do big brothers do, Aly-girl?”
She looked up at him, so tall and formidable. “Look after their baby sisters.”
A smile curled at the corners of his mouth. “We don’t really have to talk about you and courting, though, do we?”
Alyx chuckled. “Nobody is allowed to court me, then? Just so we’re clear.”
“That’s absolutely right. You’re too young.”
Now she laughed. “I’m eighteen, big brother. Besides, good luck trying to beat up the prince of Rionn.”
“Right.” He frowned.
“Cayr is my oldest friend. He’s good to me,” she said honestly. “Don’t blame him for any of this.”
“I don’t care how good or decent anybody else is, Aly-girl, I just want to make sure you’re happy and safe.”
“Cayr wants the same things for me.”
“You’re still too young for a betrothal.” He scowled. “What does our father say about it?”
“Our father has expected Cayr and I to marry since we were children. He’s approved it.” She smiled. “What about you?”
Ladan’s eyebrows shot up. “What do you mean?”
“You’re twenty-two. You should be courting some young noblewoman by now, subject to my approval, of course.”
“I don’t have time for that.”
“You don’t have time, or you don’t have the faintest clue how to talk to women?” Alyx burst out laughing as the scowl on her brother’s face deepened. “You know you can’t court anyone when you’re throwing every single person who sets foot on your land out on their ear. Or when you’re scowling horribly at them like you are at me right now.”
“I’m too busy for courting,” he snapped. “And I don’t want some pampered, perfectly coiffed, gossipy court girl either.”
“I understand that.” Alyx’s smile faded. “I have to go.”
“I know,” he said. “If you want to… you know, talk… uh… I’m here.”
“Thanks, big brother.” She leaned up and kissed him on the cheek. “I’m really glad you’re here.”
Alyx arrived home to find Cario sitting on the top step, bulging saddlebags at his side. His horse was lazily cropping grass by the driveway and he held a bulky package in his hands. As she grew closer, she realised it was a letter. He wasn’t wearing his black mage robes and dread began uncurling inside her stomach. Part of her already knew what was coming.
Dismounting, she walked over to the base of the steps, looking up at him. “Where were you this morning?”
“Writing this.” He held up the letter. “It’s for my family, telling them I’m officially resigning from the mage order.”
The words were like a blow, but she tried to keep her voice even. “You’re leaving.”
Her gave her a wry smile. “You’re a smart one, Egalion.”
“I’m not. I just know what running away looks like,” she said coldly, anger covering up the hurt that was rising like a tide. “I thought you came here to join me.”
“That was before Shakar was alive.” Cario rose gracefully to his feet and walked down to stand in front of her. The sun lit the golden tints in his curls, making it difficult to look straight at him. “I have no desire to be part of a war, and that’s exactly where you’re heading.”
She gaped at him. “You think I want to be part of a war? Cario, you know as well as anyone that none of this is what I wanted. I wanted Cayr and marriage and a quiet life amongst the court of Alistriem. Not being a mage. Not Shakar. None of it.”
“That’s where we’re the same,” he said intensely. “I came here to be part of that life—to be at your side when you were queen. I enjoy politics, and I like and respect you, and I knew we could be a good team.”
“We don’t always get what we want,” she said savagely. “And be careful, because sometimes when you get what you thought you wanted, it’s far from perfect.”
He let out a mirthless laugh. “So I’m guessing your betrothal to the prince isn’t as wonderful and perfect as you’ve been making it out to be. I figured. The difference between you and me is that I’m willing to walk away from who I am. I don’t need the rich family or the power, and I don’t have to be a mage. I’m done.”
“How can you walk away when you know Shakar is alive? After everything we learned at DarkSkull about what happened last time.”
“You sh
ould be asking yourself the opposite question,” he countered. “What difference will I make against a mage like Shakar? None. Everything is a choice, Alyx. You don’t have to make it your responsibility to fight him.”
“I’m not. It’s the council’s responsibility. It’s mine to help them.”
“Help the murderers of children and innocents?” Cario’s mouth curled. “Really? Help the men who have manipulated you and lied to you because they covet your power?” He paused, his voice turning pointed. “Help the council that would murder the man you’re in love with because of what he is?”
Alyx blanched, taking almost a full step back. The terror rose up unbidden, and Cario must have seen something of it in her face, because he shifted closer, voice lowering.
“I will never tell another living soul, you have my word,” he murmured. “But if I figured it out, others will.”
She felt sick. “How did you... ”
“You forget I’m an outsider with intimate knowledge of the council. I’ve seen Taliath potentials before, and I had not known Dashan before we met. I had no pre-conceptions of the man. Fortunately, none of the DarkSkull masters had as much exposure to him as I did last year, but you cannot allow him to go back there with you. You understand?”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
Genuine surprise flashed over his face, and then he frowned. “I assumed you knew. I admit I was surprised you’d brought him to DarkSkull with you, but then I supposed you hadn’t had any control over who was in your protective detail. Your father, surely, must have known?”
“He didn’t tell me until very recently,” she said, bitterness filling her voice.
Cario nodded in realisation. “And so you agreed to marry the prince. That explains so much. I should have seen it.”
“This isn’t the point.” She shook her head, changing the subject back. “You know how much I hate the council, what they’ve done. I don’t trust them for a second. But it’s not about the council. It’s about protecting my home, the people I love. My magic allows me to do that.”
“I have neither a home, nor a family I care to protect.” He stepped back. “So I’m choosing to walk away.”
The anger and hurt and fear were swirling in her chest, and it was impossible to tell which emotion was the strongest. In the end, she was simply left feeling weary, the headache back to throbbing at her temples.
“Fine,” she said. “Good luck, Cario. It was nice knowing you.”
Without giving him a chance to respond, she turned and walked up the steps and inside the house.
She didn’t look back.
Chapter 26
Alyx only had to work in the mage offices for an hour or so before the excuse of afternoon tea allowed her to escape mid-afternoon. Cayr joined Alyx, Ladan and her father at the Egalion home, the invitation a result of Ladan’s request to meet the prince. Cayr was fascinated to meet Alyx’s older brother, and Ladan was civil, although she was amused to note he did not make it easy for Cayr to converse with him.
Conversation stayed purely casual. Unless they had something specific to discuss, they never brought up or referenced their planning when together. Not only did Casovar have telepathic magic, but Alyx’s father was unconvinced the lord-mage wasn’t using other methods of spying.
“That Mage Guard are a disreputable lot,” he’d told Alyx. “And I wouldn’t bank on Casovar not having his own spies.”
Personally, she thought Brynn would have found out by now if Casovar had spies of his own. The man was so arrogant with his power, he probably didn’t think he needed anything more than his own abilities. But it was always wise to be cautious.
“Did Tarrick and the twins bring any interesting news back with them?” Cayr asked carefully as dinner wound up.
“There is news, but it’s not certain. I’d rather wait until we’re more confident before I talk to you both.”
“It’s bad, though.” Her father correctly read the grimness in her tone.
“It could be,” she said carefully, sharing a look with her brother. “But we need confirmation. As soon as there is something to tell, I’ll fill you both in. I promise.”
“All right, Aly-girl.”
As the sun began lowering in the sky, Ladan and Garan made their excuses, and Cayr asked her to take a walk in the gardens with him.
“Could we eat breakfast together tomorrow instead?” she asked. “I’m feeling really tired. I might have an early night.”
He frowned in concern. “Are you all right?”
“I’m fine, it’s probably the heat.” She touched his hand. “Come for breakfast?”
A smile curled at his mouth. “I will.”
In her bedroom, Alyx changed quickly before slipping out the window. She wore simple clothing, not wanting to be marked as either mage or noble. After a fierce internal debate, she left her staff behind—it was always a reassuring weight between her shoulders but it was also distinctive. Something people might remember later. Her mage knife sat in its usual place in her right boot. Her long hair was braided tightly at the base of her neck.
Instead of riding Tingo down to the city, which would have been far too conspicuous, Alyx cut through the palace gardens and used the faint trail she, Cayr and Dashan had marked out as children. It took her all the way down the forested hillside to the docks.
The evening was still warm, despite the fading light of day, and by the time Alyx reached the docks almost an hour later she was sweating lightly. The area was alive with people taking advantage of the balmy weather. Small boats dotted the bay, visible by the little lanterns hanging from their sterns. Unbidden, the memory of a night-time sailing trip with Dashan broke into her thoughts—curled up with him on the deck, watching the stars as he taught her their names. The slide of his body along hers as they kissed. His soft laughter in her ear.
Enough! She deliberately erased the memory from her thoughts and focused on what was ahead. The last thing she could afford was distraction. That was over and done with, no matter how much it hurt.
From the docks, Alyx cut through the back streets of the wharf district and headed straight for richer quarter along the river. Tarrick and Dashan lingered on the pavement outside one of the busier inns, looking to any passers-by like good friends out for the evening.
“Cario?” Tarrick lifted his eyebrows when she appeared alone.
“Not coming,” she said shortly, then summoned her magic and reached out for Dawn. “We’re here and ready to go.”
“Finn and I are in the warehouse. We’ve got a good view over the river to Casovar’s home.”
“The twins are in position.” Alyx opened her eyes. “Let’s go.”
Affecting laughter and ease, the three of them strolled towards the river before splitting up. Alyx and Dashan made their way through the rich quarter towards the most palatial homes along the riverbank. Like her, Dashan was out of uniform. He wore a simple knife at his waist, and his sword wrapped up in oilskin and concealed under a cloak.
Neither of them spoke.
They circled Casovar’s home from a block away, standing in the shadows of a street corner and studying the place for a while. Lights lit up some of the windows, but the majority were dark. The gates were shut, two of the red-cloaked Mage Guard standing out front. Alyx hoped that Casovar would still be at the palace, but his servants would likely be awake and preparing for his return. Jenna, too, would be home.
“Dash and I are ready to go in. What can you tell us?” Alyx sent to Dawn.
“I don’t think Casovar is home yet. The top floor is dark. Jenna is home—I can pick up the thoughts of one of the servants helping her with a bath, and there are others awake on the ground floor, in the kitchen, I think. Finn can’t see anything unusual in the grounds. It seems like a regular night in the house.”
“Good. We’ll go in now.”
“Good luck.”
“Dawn says it’s all clear,” Alyx murmured, speaking for the first time.
&nbs
p; Dashan nodded, his dark eyes scanning the home. “Good.”
He led the way as they headed down the street and ducked into a narrow alley between two high-walled estates. The dark space led down to the banks of the river, with the walls of each property running all the way into the water. The night was humid and still, and dark water lapped gently against the shore.
“You know how to swim, right?” Dashan raised his eyebrows as he shrugged off his cloak and left it lying in a dark corner.
Grabbing onto his attempt at normality, Alyx shot him a mock scowl before wading out into the cool water, diving underneath as soon as it was deep enough.
Swimming under the dock of the nearest estate, they stuck close to the bank and eventually came up underneath the wooden dock of the Casovar home. A single boat was moored there, empty and dark. When nothing loomed out of the night, they swam under the dock to the shore and came out of the water in its shadow. The house loomed over them—only a back garden separated them from its stone walls.
“There will be guards patrolling the garden,” Dashan murmured, crouching beside her. “Can you tell where they are?”
His close presence was distracting, and she had to concentrate hard to summon her magic to reach out and pick up the thoughts of anyone nearby. Seconds later, she heard two distinctive thought patterns. One man was thinking longingly of the end of his shift, while the other was focused on memories of a brothel he’d visited the night before. Ugh!
“Straight through there.” She opened her eyes and pointed. “Two of them walking backwards and forwards in a straight line.”
Dashan snorted. “Far from Blue Guard material. Let’s go.”
They ran forward at a crouch, ducking into the garden well away from where the guards were. They used the shadows cast by a line of trees to sneak past and reach the house.
“Casovar’s quarters are all on the top floor, even his office,” Dashan murmured as the two of them slipped inside a side door, finding themselves in a dim, empty corridor. Water dripped from their soaked clothing, and Alyx could only hope the wet patch on the floor wouldn’t be noticed in the darkness. It someone came along here with a lamp, they were sunk.