"Don't you need it to make this work?" She didn't sit. Instead, she pointed over her shoulder to the door. "Why don't we go now? I'll help you. Perhaps the maids have seen something and will tell us."
Gideon hesitated, but after a second, he nodded. "Fine. I don't think it's there. He must have moved it."
"Well, we'll find out."
When they got to the King's chambers, Ursula was surprised to see that Gideon hung back as though he were afraid to enter the room.
"What is it?" she asked.
"I'm surprised you're not affected by what's happening," he said. "You're a Water Sensitive. Don't you feel it?"
She looked around the hallway. "Feel what?"
"Do you feel emotions?"
"Somewhat. Strong ones, usually. Why?"
"You don't feel anything now?"
Ursula sighed. "I'm trying to respect your privacy and not focus my Ability on what you're feeling. Would you like me to?" She didn't understand why he would want that.
Most people hated hearing that she could sense their emotions, so she rarely spoke about it. After dealing with this for most of her life, she'd learned how to push other people's feelings into the background of her senses without thinking about it.
"Not mine. The feelings in these rooms."
Now she tilted her head. "Rooms aren't alive, Gideon. They don't have emotions."
"But they do have emotional memories. You can't feel those?"
"You can?" she asked. What would it be like to know what emotions have infused the walls of any given room? It could be terrifying or even crippling in some cases. Then she understood.
"You sense something in King Killian's rooms? Something terrible?"
"I did when Dashiell and I were here. Hatred and anger. Intense. Someone wanted him dead."
Ursula stepped back, shaking her head. "You're not suggesting that he was killed?"
"I don't know that I am suggesting that." He swallowed and glanced down the hall. "Let's go inside and talk about it. I don't want to be overheard."
"Are you sure?"
He sighed. "I may not be a warrior, but I'm not a weak child. I know what will confront me in there now. Let's go."
Ursula peered at him for a moment, wondering if he were trying to convince himself that he wasn't weak. That was the last thing she would have thought about him.
A man with the physical limitations he had, born into a royal family that prized perfection and strength, who had the courage to leave home to attend a university, even when everyone had been against it. That man wasn't weak.
No, Prince Gideon might not be a great warrior with hundreds of enemies killed by his hand, but he was nonetheless one of the strongest men she'd ever associated with. Even as strong as George Evan, with all he had given up for what he wanted.
"I don't think you're weak," she murmured as she reached for the door to the King's chambers. "Fear doesn't make one weak. Giving in to it does."
"Thank you, Your Majesty," he said. "But I'm afraid you're mistaken. A man who lets emotions, especially those of others, affect him the way they affect me..." He shook his head. "I'm weak, and not the kind of man I should be."
He moved past her into the room. She saw the moment he was touched by the onslaught of emotions. His shoulders spasmed but he made no sound nor did he stop moving toward the center of the room.
Who had told him that his Abilities made him weak? Someone in his extended family? King Killian? Surely, his parents, who, as far as Ursula could see, supported and loved everything about him, hadn't filled his mind and heart with these kinds of lies.
Together they searched through cupboards, closets, and drawers, but the bowl was nowhere to be found.
Gideon didn't speak, but Ursula kept an eye on him, seeing where he was when sweat broke out on his forehead and his skin went pale.
She hurried to his side, and suddenly, a wave of something hit her as well, and her stomach roiled, threatening to disgorge what little she'd had for breakfast. A nearby chair offered a place to recover, but the moment she sat, her body betrayed her and did what she'd feared it would.
Everything Gideon felt; all the turmoil and despair, the anger and anxiety disappeared the moment Ursula got sick. He hurried to ring the bell for a servant and then to her side.
She was sitting in the strawberry upholstered chair, but he refused to let that bother him. The dark emotions were strong here, but he pushed them away to see to her.
Her head was bent over her lap and when he touched her hand, her skin was cold and clammy.
"My Queen," he said, "What happened?"
"I don't know." Her voice was weak, as though saying the words took strength she wasn't sure she had. "I was overcome by...a wave...something."
It had happened when she got near the chair she sat in, and Gideon pulled the footstool over. "You felt it?"
She peered at him through silky blonde hair that had fallen out of her careful arrangement when she threw herself forward to be sick on the carpet.
"Of course I felt it," she said. "I felt my stomach and all its contents try to hurl itself out of my body."
"No," he said gently, stroking her hand. "The emotions. That's what hit you."
Sighing, she sat up and brushed her hair back. "I've never felt the emotions of a room before. It had to be something else. Residual effects of the poison, maybe."
"What do you feel now?"
A cadre of maids hurried into the room, gasping when they realized the reason for the summons. Two of them hurried out to get the necessary cleaning supplies and another went to get the butler and the physician.
"Anger, embarrassment, frustration at your questions," she said. Then she stared at him and blinked. "Hatred. Resentment. Those aren't mine. I have no reason to resent or hate you."
He smiled. "I'm glad to hear that, but perhaps the emotions this room carries are so strong that you can sense them too."
"Or perhaps my Abilities are feeding off yours. Mariana was able to use her Chaos magic before she even knew what she was when someone else had a Sensitivity in the same room."
"Is it possible that our Water Sensitivities are enhancing or balancing each other's?"
He'd never heard of such a thing but from what he'd learned at the university, Sensitivities can change and act differently in each person, plus sometimes Sensitives could work together to produce something neither could alone. Like when a Metal Sensitive was able to help an Earth Sensitive strengthen the walls of a building.
"I didn't feel the emotions as strongly when I was here with Dashiel," he said, thinking about the possibilities. "He is a weak Fauna Sensitive, so he has no way to feel the emotions of people or places."
The butler and physician arrived and began hovering around the Queen, asking questions and checking that she wasn't going to be ill again.
Gideon left the room to wait for her in the hallway. He'd never doubted what he'd felt in the King's chambers before, but with Ursula understanding, now, what it all meant, he'd have an ally when it was time to find out what had happened to Uncle Killian.
"This is my Killian's bowl." Yamina sat cross legged on the floor of her cell, her thin and sheer flowered robe stained with something Veronica hesitated to think about. The bowl she'd taken from Killian's office rested in the younger Princess's lap, her hands caressing it as though it were the man it had belonged to. "Why do you have it?"
"He has no need for it now." Veronica wanted to sit but the whole room looked as though fleas and roaches were quite familiar with the surroundings.
Yamina stared up at the Grand Princess. "You brought it to me? I thought you wanted me dead."
"You're so dramatic." Veronica gave up, bit the inside of her cheek, and sat down on the rickety cot. "I just wanted to give you a dignified way out of your troubles. You chose not to take it." She shrugged. "That was your decision."
The other woman tilted her head, and one side of Yamina's mouth quirked. "My decision. As though anything since Ursul
a arrived has been my decision."
Veronica sighed. "I need to know if this bowl is magic."
Without looking back down at it, Yamina said, "You know it is. The crippled Prince communicated with my Killian with it many times."
"Other than that. It's sapphire, isn't it?"
"It is." Now Yamina studied at the bowl, running her fingertips over the surface. "But there is no Chaos magic here. Only Water Enhancement. I can feel the strength of the ocean, the beauty of sunlight dappling the surface, and power of the waves. Grand Princess, there is nothing here for you."
"But certainly, something can be gotten from it."
"No." Yamina touched the bowl again lightly, then threw the burlap over it. She lifted it toward Veronica. "You can't use this to guarantee Josiah's place as King."
"That's not—"
Yamina cut her off. "I don't care. You used me and left me here to die. If you ever find the peach and pink sapphires, you may visit me again. Otherwise, don't come back."
"How dare you speak to me like that." Veronica snatched the bowl. "I hope you do die in here."
"Who will help you kill the Queen if I do?"
Chapter 27
Ursula was getting quite tired of having people hovering around her because she was sick. By the time the maid and the physician had arrived at Killian's apartment, the wave of nausea she'd experienced had passed. Once she stood up out of that chair, her stomach settled, and she began to feel herself again.
However, the maids and the doctor were loathe to take any chances with the Queen, and they insisted she return to her quarters and rest. No amount of protesting or appealing to Prince Gideon helped.
So, here she was, propped up in a lounging chair, a blanket covering her legs, and a cup of tea on the table beside her. Rebecca and Felecia had taken it upon themselves to act as her protectors and, it felt like, to Ursula, her wardens.
Anyone who came to inquire about her health was quizzed by the two women, then sent away with the admonishment that "the Queen is not seeing visitors."
When Traren and some of the people from Valborough came, Ursula tried to explain that she felt fine, but the doctor said she was to rest. Rebecca and Felecia were determined to see that his instructions were followed.
Eventually, Grand Princess Veronica and Prince Josiah arrived, and Ursula was surprised at how relieved she was when the Grand Princess was having none of Felecia's insistence that Ursula couldn't have visitors.
"Nonsense," Veronica said as she pushed past the maids. "The Queen has a meeting with the Ministers' Council regarding the coronation, and there is no time for her to be lazing about."
Ursula shook her head. She should explain that she wasn't trying to be idle, but there seemed to be no point as Veronica and Josiah were already instructing the maids and a few footmen they'd brought with them to arrange chairs around where Ursula was.
"I've told the Ministers they should attend you here," Josiah said as he moved his chair near the Queen. "I'm sorry you were ill. I suppose being in Uncle Killian's quarters must have been hard on you, that being where he died, after all."
Ursula nodded and said, "Thank you. I feel better now." She hadn't had a chance to analyze what had happened, but the tiny thought that perhaps Gideon was right about places holding on to residual memories kept trying to come to the front of her mind.
Knowing that this wasn't something she could discuss with the Grand Princess or the Exarch, she ignored it for the time being.
"What do the Ministers want to discuss with me?" Ursula said. "I was under the impression that the coronation was a fairly straightforward affair. There isn't any reason to believe that you aren't the rightful heir, is there?"
"He is the rightful heir," Veronica insisted.
"As I said."
The older woman's reaction seemed a bit overdone, but perhaps she was frustrated at how long it was taking to get her son on the throne. A month after the King's funeral did not seem that long, but perhaps things moved faster here.
Josiah didn't meet Ursula's eyes when he responded. Instead he stared at his hands clasped together as he leaned forward, his elbows on his knees. "They have a few ideas about...uh, your role in the kingdom."
Ursula scowled. "Isn't that something for after the coronation?"
"Of course it is," Veronica said. "The Council is made up of careful old men who want to make sure you understand the working of Heyton politics, that's all."
Before the Queen could ask any more questions, Rebecca and Felecia re-entered the room, followed by four men who were, undoubtedly, representatives of the Ministers' Council. Ursula had seen all of these men at the funeral, and she had been introduced to them.
"Your Majesty," the tallest of the four men said, bowing toward her. "We were distressed to hear that you were taken ill earlier."
"Thank you, Lord Dalrymple. I was quite distressed that it happened, as well, but I assure you, I am feeling much better now."
"That is wonderful news," Lord Dalrymple said, "as we have something quite important to discuss with you. May we sit?" He indicated one of the chairs.
"Certainly," Ursula said and waited as the four Ministers and Veronica settled themselves. The Grand Princess put herself on the other side of Josiah, going so far as to glare at one of the Ministers, a short bald man, who had already sat there.
"Now, Queen Ursula," Lord Dalrymple said, "as the King's Council of Ministers, our first responsibility is to the Kingdom of Heyton."
"Of course." What was this about?
"We find ourselves in an unusual situation with the death of the King. The alliance with Valborough is important to us, and now that you are not, you'll forgive me for saying so, not technically Queen of Heyton, this alliance is in danger of dissolving."
Ursula looked at each of the Ministers, narrowing her eyes in thought. "I'm not sure why that would be. The marriage, as well as the treaty, was advantageous to Valborough as well. At least, the plan was that our prisoners from the last war would be released once my marriage was consummated."
"And, of course, that, unfortunately, did not come to pass, so we find ourselves in a precarious situation."
"I don't see it that way," she said. "Release the prisoners. That will go quite far to ensure Valborough's continued goodwill."
Lord Dalrymple leaned forward. "Can you guarantee Valborough's friendship? Do you speak for your sister?"
Now Ursula hesitated. Of course, she couldn't speak for Mariana in regard to Valborough's relationship with Heyton, not unreservedly.
"I am no longer in Queen Mariana's confidence," she said after a moment. "I am the King of Heyton's Widow, not the Princess of Valborough."
"Exactly." Dalrymple nodded. "We understand it is your wish that once Exarch Josiah is crowned King of Heyton, you will retire to an estate in the country to live out your days."
"I do hope," she said, smiling but not feeling comfortable with this conversation, "I will be living for a long time, and whether I remain hidden away in the country or not, I do recognize that I will have no official place in the palace."
"That's true," Veronica said, but her son shushed her.
"We would like to offer you an official place in the palace," Lord Dalrymple said. "We've discussed it with the full Council and with the Exarch. It seems the best way to keep the new alliance with Valborough in place and keep the legacy King Killian began alive."
"I would like to help Heyton in any way I can," she said.
"Excellent. Then before the coronation, we will announce that you and Exarch Josiah are to marry."
Ursula stared at Veronica and then at Josiah, neither of whom reacted in any way to Lord Dalrymple's outrageous proposal.
"Did you know about this?" she asked.
Josiah shrugged and turned to his mother.
"The Council suggested it to us a few days ago," Veronica said. "I agree that it is a ridiculous suggestion."
Ursula narrowed her eyes. "I didn't say it was ridiculous, but i
f you think that, why allow these men to come here and speak to me about it?"
"The Grand Princess is not involved in Council decisions," one of the other men said, slapping his hand down on the arm of his chair. "She may be our late King's twin sister, but that does not make her a co-ruler of Heyton. She's not even Queen Mother yet, despite her efforts to style herself as such."
Veronica glared at the man, and Ursula struggled to remember his name. Simon of Russlin, she believed. If he and Veronica were not allies, perhaps this was someone she should cultivate as one herself.
Lord Dalrymple spoke up. "Lord Russlin is correct, if a bit rude in expressing it. The Grand Princess's feelings on this matter are well known, but unfortunately, they are not relevant at the moment. We are concerned with the welfare of Heyton, and at this time, the kingdom cannot afford to have Valborough as an enemy."
Because of Mariana's Abilities. Ursula bit her lip and closed her eyes.
She loved her sister, but Mariana's Abilities seemed to be at the center of every conflict and scandal that in any way touched Ursula. While her marriage to Killian wasn't to get away from Valborough and her sister's influence, Ursula had looked forward to proving herself to be someone other than the sister of a Chaos Sensitive.
"And you are afraid that if Josiah takes the throne, and I disappear from Heyton politics, my sister will be less likely to look favorably on this kingdom?"
Lord Dalrymple cleared his throat and scrubbed his hands together. "Perhaps it's better to think of it this way. We feel she would be more likely to look favorably if she knew you were still involved."
"And for that to happen, I need to be wed to a living King of Heyton?" Ursula's heart slammed against her ribs. How could she marry Josiah?
It was not the question she should be asking. Of course, she could marry him. She married Killian without ever meeting him. This kind of thing happened in royal families all over the world. No one believed, if they were honest, that royal marriages were anything but political contracts, created through negotiations and mercenary considerations.
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