Crown of Danger (The Hidden Mage Book 2)

by Melanie Cellier

  “Some things have certainly changed for the better under Zora’s rule,” she said cautiously. “Some of the stories my gran used to tell would strike fear into your heart.” She dropped her voice ominously low. “Ice cold washes in the middle of winter.”

  “Goodness! I’m glad to hear Zora provides you with warm water, at least. Just the thought makes me want to get an extra blanket.”

  Ida grinned. “You wouldn’t find me here if anyone was trying to dump freezing water over my head, I can tell you.” An alarmed look crossed her face as if she’d only just remembered who she was talking to. “But we eat well enough, Your Highness, you don’t need to be worrying about us. And we keep warm enough in our tunnels.”

  “Your tunnels?”

  “Oh, aye. I suppose you wouldn’t know about those. All the main outbuildings are connected to the Academy with a series of old tunnels. There are storage rooms down there and everything. That way we don’t have to go back and forth outside in the dead of winter.”

  I couldn’t help but consider that perspective on the tunnels’ existence to be overly generous toward the original creators of the Academy. Now that I had seen how many lessons actually took place outside, I rather suspected they hadn’t wanted the servants to be traipsing about in their view. But it sounded like it was a mutually beneficial arrangement, at least. Even in milder weather, the servants wouldn’t want to find themselves walking through the middle of a whirlwind or accidentally struck by lightning.

  “I’m glad to hear you’re so well provided for,” I said.

  “I’ll come back later to tidy up then, shall I?”

  “If you don’t mind.” I transferred a bowl from the tray to my lap. “That would be lovely.”

  She dropped a curtsy and hurried from the room, leaving me to my meal. While I hadn’t discovered anything of particular import to my purpose, I still felt the connection had been worthwhile. She had talked more openly than I had expected which boded well for the future.

  When she returned later that afternoon, I used her earlier reference to her grandmother to ask about her family. It turned out they had been locals to the area for generations, and although most hadn’t been full time servants at the Academy like Ida, many of them had picked up extra work from time to time.

  I could tell from the way she talked about her family that she loved them, and it sounded as if they were the reason she stayed. Zora had been canny in choosing those commonborns she had put forward for sealing. It would have been easy for someone like Ida to be tempted to use her sealed status to seek a better position elsewhere.

  “So you get plenty of chances to see them, then?” I asked.

  “Oh, yes, Your Highness,” she said as she fluffed the cushions on the other sofa. “Zora is generous with all of us with days off and the like. Plus she often has work for the villagers up here.”

  “She seems like an excellent head servant.”

  “Oh, there’s never been one like her, that’s for sure.” Ida chuckled, as if at some joke, but despite my hopeful silence, she didn’t expand on what she found so amusing.

  When she departed, I was left with the strong impression that whatever political leanings the servants might or might not have, their loyalty was first and foremost to Zora herself. If I could find out who she supported, I would likely have my answer.

  When I felt the ball of energy that I knew must be Darius return to his suite in the evening, I was tempted to knock on the door between us. But what did I really have to report? Nothing of especial relevance. And the days when we could openly discuss theories and conjectures were gone. I owed it to my heart not to give in to such inclinations. If I was honest with myself, I just wanted to see him after a day spent mostly alone. And that was exactly why I couldn’t cross over to his door.

  The next morning I was recovered enough to return to class, so I didn’t see Ida again for some days. But when Bryony visited my suite the next rest day afternoon, she spilled a bottle of juice she had somehow managed to purloin from the kitchen all over my rug.

  I surprised her by responding with enthusiasm, and when she realized I saw it as a prime opportunity to summon Ida, her exclamations of apologetic dismay changed to veiled hints that it had all been part of her superior strategy. When Ida actually appeared, however, Bryony was full of humble apologies, and the servant was soon laughing and smiling while she cleaned up the mess. Few could resist Bryony’s bright and irreverent manner when she chose to turn on the charm.

  “So, what did you think?” I asked Bryony, when the spill was at last cleaned to Ida’s satisfaction and the servant had departed.

  She grinned. “I think we’ve had it wrong all along, and it’s not Duke Francis who runs the Academy at all. Clearly it’s Zora.”

  “I suppose you haven’t met her.” I tried to remember the times I had spoken with her the year before while arranging my Midwinter Ball. I couldn’t remember Bryony being present at any of them. “She really is a wonder, though. The most efficient woman you ever met.”

  “No wonder the duke hired her then.” Bryony returned to the cake she had been eating before the juice accident. “He seems the type to admire efficiency.”

  “He certainly appears to have enough wisdom to let her run the servants as she sees fit.”

  “Well, if you need me to spill something else, it’s a task I’m willing to undertake for the good of the cause.” Bryony polished off the final bite. “As you can see, no sacrifice is too great to assist your noble quest, Princess.”

  I laughed and assured her I’d let her know if I needed her services, but I was the one to knock over a vase less than a week later. I wasn’t usually so clumsy and even wondered if my subconscious was creating an accident on purpose. Whatever the cause, I once again summoned Ida.

  But when I finally dared to ask the mildest of questions about the politics of the capital, using my most nonchalant voice, she instantly went quiet. We had no more conversation that day. Which left me with a burning question. Was Ida scared or was she hiding something?

  Chapter 14

  The next evening, a knock on the outer door of my suite startled me. I rarely had visitors at that entrance who needed to knock. When I opened the door to find Zora waiting in the corridor, my surprise grew. For a moment we assessed each other in silence, and then I gestured for her to enter my sitting room.

  I could think of no reason for the head servant to be visiting me, which only confirmed that the timing was far from coincidental. Apparently I had rattled Ida enough to send her to Zora. Although that knowledge still didn’t provide an answer to my question.

  “Your Highness, I hope you’ll forgive the intrusion,” Zora said smoothly, once she was inside with the door closed behind her.

  “Your presence could never be an intrusion, Zora. Please sit down.”

  “I would prefer to stay standing if you don’t mind.” She paused. “Although I thank you for the invitation.”

  “Certainly.” I remained standing as well.

  “I am merely here to inquire if Ida’s service has been to your satisfaction of late.”

  “I have no complaints, I assure you. She has always performed her duties admirably.”

  “I’m glad to hear it. She has always been a diligent worker, or I would not have assigned her to you.”

  “As I said, I have no complaints. Why? Has someone else complained about her work?”

  “No indeed. I merely consider it incumbent on me to check on those within my care from time to time. We live close together here at the Academy and are more than a team. I would consider us more like a family.”

  “A family that I’m sure you run with excellence and precision,” I said. “It’s clear that Ida would not consider seeking a position elsewhere, although her sealed status must put her in higher demand than many other servants.”

  “There are few in this region who have reason to employ servants.”

  “But this is not the only region in Kallorway.” I kep
t my voice light. “As I said, I congratulate you.” I met her eyes boldly. “I’m surprised you haven’t ever considered a position elsewhere yourself. I imagine someone with your skills and vision might rise high at the capital.”

  “I will never leave the Academy,” she said, her voice flat.

  “Then the Academy is fortunate indeed. I cannot regret your choice, although I fear you are somewhat wasted in your current position. If you’ll allow me to say so.”

  “You’re a princess, Your Highness,” she said, a note of humor in her voice. “You can say what you please.”

  I chuckled. “If only that were true. I think there are few of us indeed who can truly say what we please. Especially in Kallorway.” I paused. “Or has that not been your experience?”

  “I like you, Princess Verene,” Zora said, her manner changing suddenly. “I have ever since you arrived. So I would caution you not to make the mistake of thinking the Academy is Kallorway.”

  “We are remote here, of course,” I said cautiously. “And out of touch with the ways of court, I suppose.”

  She gave a bitter laugh. “No one in Kallorway is free from the poisoned influence of the court. But it is true that we are somewhat shielded here.”

  I raised my brows at her open comment. Something in her manner reminded me of my conversation with Hugh and Raelynn the year before. They had seemed to have the same barely disguised contempt toward the court. Perhaps such an attitude was necessary to accept long term residence in such a remote location.

  “I bow to your greater experience.” I carefully kept my voice neutral.

  She weighed me again with her eyes. “You may have an opportunity to judge for yourself soon enough.”

  “To judge the court?” My mind flew immediately to the upcoming Midwinter celebrations. But I had heard no rumors of the duke repeating his invitation for guests to join us at the Academy.

  “I have heard the king, in his gracious wisdom, has issued an invitation to the duke.” Her tone turned gracious wisdom into a biting insult.

  “An invitation for me?” I frowned. Why would he send an invitation for me to the duke?

  “An invitation for the entire Academy. Apparently he wishes to return the hospitality we extended to him last Midwinter. And so he is to hold a ball for you all at his castle in Kallmon. For the trainees and instructors and their families.” She gave me a wry smile. “Or so I hear.”

  “I suppose,” I said lightly, “if the rumor is true, then I’ll hear an official announcement from the duke soon enough.”

  “Yes, I suppose you will,” she agreed. “If the rumors are true.” She eyed me calculatingly. “If anyone wanted to see the true state of Kallorway for themselves, the court at Kallmon would be a fine place to start. Although I could understand if the duke had some hesitations about allowing his trainees to travel outside the safety of the Academy walls.”

  Understanding finally dawned. I hadn’t heard anything about it because the duke had received the invitation but was undecided on how to answer. And I was likely his primary concern.

  “No doubt you are right,” I said. “And I’m sure we can trust the duke to arrive at the wisest conclusion.”

  A sardonic light entered her eye. “As you say, Your Highness.” She gave me a perfunctory curtsy, and I thanked her again for her visit and for assigning Ida to me. I kept my face and voice light and open, but as soon as the door closed behind her, I began to pace the room.

  I couldn’t trust Cassius’s sudden desire to invite me to Kallmon. But I was also unlikely to get a safer opportunity to visit than in the midst of the entire Academy. Zora said the capital was the place to go to see the real Kallorway, and I believed her. But if I had understood her message correctly, she thought the duke would need some encouragement.

  Drawing a deep breath, I retrieved one of my communication compositions.

  My arms felt strangely reticent as I instructed them to tear the parchment, as if they had a mind of their own and hated to use the valuable working. But timing might be critical here. I ripped the paper cleanly in half.

  A ball of power unfurled and hovered in front of me. I leaned forward to speak directly into it.

  “I need to speak to Queen Lucienne about an opportunity that has presented itself.”

  The power folded itself around my words as if they were physical things that could be held in your hand. I could almost feel them hovering still in the air. But for several beats nothing else happened. Was I meant to do something? But as the silence stretched out, the power finally moved, picking up speed as it dove straight thorough the wall of my room. I could feel it for some distance, speeding away toward Corrin.

  I knew such compositions only worked if someone stood waiting to receive them, but my aunt had assured me she had assigned someone to the task. Which meant there was nothing now to do but wait—alone, as she had instructed me.

  It felt like a great many minutes but was probably only half an hour before a rush of power swooped into my room, making me leap to my feet. It hovered in front of me as a ball, my aunt’s voice emerging from inside.

  “Verene? Are you alone?”

  “Yes, Aunt,” I replied, once again leaning toward the hovering mass of power, although I felt a little foolish doing so. I wasn’t actually sure it was necessary.

  “We don’t have long,” she said. “What is this opportunity, and why do you need my guidance?”

  “I have reason to believe King Cassius has invited the Academy to the capital for the Midwinter celebrations, but Duke Francis is hesitant to accept. His hesitation is due, I suspect, to whatever promises he has made to you and my parents about my safety.”

  “And you wish to go to the capital.”

  “I believe it is too good an opportunity to miss. I have been able to learn much here at the Academy, but my picture will always be incomplete unless I see the court itself.” I hesitated. “And there are strategic reasons for wishing the Academy and the court to be in the same place at the same time. You committed Ardann to helping Prince Darius, where we could do so without overt involvement, and I believe this is such an occasion.”

  “How so?”

  “The prince has confided to me that he has moved up his timeline. King Cassius grows increasingly unstable, so Darius intends to force his father’s hand this year.”

  “Interesting.” She was silent for a moment while I held my breath. “After the attack on you, I am inclined to agree with the young prince’s assessment. And if this is a chance to resolve the matter once and for all, then we cannot have you be the barrier standing in his way. I will inform the duke that since so much time has passed since the attack without sign of further danger, he is free to allow you outside the Academy. As long as Captain Layna and a sufficient number of guards accompany you, of course.”

  “Do you really believe it safe?” I asked.

  “Not in the least,” she said briskly and without sentiment. “But I trust in Captain Layna’s judgment as well as the duke’s natural caution. If the Academy is to travel to the capital, you will no doubt do so under the protection of Captain Vincent and his guards. And, of course, the instructors of the Academy are a significant force in their own right. I cannot imagine anyone attempting an attack on such a party. Is there anything else you need while we have this opportunity?”

  A sudden thought flashed through my mind.

  “I am interested to meet some of the sealed merchant families of Kallorway during my visit to the capital. I don’t suppose you might have any reason to suggest that if Faylee Robart has any business to complete in Kallmon, Midwinter would be an ideal time to travel there?”

  “The head of the Robart merchant family? Hmmm. She would certainly serve your purpose, given both her many connections and her old friendship with your family. If I can arrange it, I will. And I’ll ask her to keep an eye out for you.”

  “Thank you, Aunt.”

  “It is I who thank you for taking risks in the service of Ardann, Nie
ce. And now I must return to the reception your message called me away from. The power of this composition will fade soon anyway.”

  “Farewell, then.” I bit my lip and added in a rush, “Tell my family I love them.”

  A softer note sounded in her voice. “I will do so, Verene. Although I fear they will not soon forgive me for this decision. Take care of yourself.”

  The power cut out before I could reply, and I was left leaning forward over an empty piece of air. I quickly straightened.

  I had succeeded then. And I would have the chance to see Kallmon at last.

  This time I didn’t hesitate to cross to the tapestry and knock on the door behind it. I had an unassailable reason to talk to Darius now, and if the vision of a purple flower insisted on intruding on my mind, I could only attempt to tamp it down.

  He pulled the door open himself, as if he had been standing close this time, and the sight of him left me breathless. He looked tired and rumpled, but somehow no less strong. It took all my willpower not to reach forward and straighten his wayward hair. I even swayed slightly toward him, making something spark in his otherwise dark eyes. But I kept my hands at my sides, and he squashed it a moment later.

  “I heard voices,” he said. “Are you all right?”

  I nodded. “I was talking to my aunt.”

  Both his eyebrows rose, and he glanced around my sitting room as if expecting to see the queen of Ardann stashed in a corner somewhere.

  “Your aunt? What has happened? I hope there’s no bad news from home?”

  “No, indeed. I contacted her.” I stepped back, gesturing for him to come properly into the room.

  “I haven’t heard anything of your plans recently,” I continued. “Do you have a strategy for how to take your father by surprise?”

  He ran a frustrated hand through his hair, giving me an indication of how it had ended up in such a state. “I’m still working on that. It is not an easy task when isolated so far from the court.”