Crown of Danger (The Hidden Mage Book 2)

by Melanie Cellier

  Minutes later, we stopped at an unobtrusive pair of gates in a gray wall. The wall sat flush with the front of a tall, slim home which on the other side joined with the beginning of a whole row of such houses. I could see from Bryony’s face that she didn’t think whatever was behind this wall was likely to compare to the Midwinter market, but she didn’t say anything.

  I, on the other hand, sat forward eagerly. Who did Faylee consider important enough to bring me to meet? And what would they think of me?

  Although the news about Cassius’s law angered me, it was also an opportunity for Darius. The oppressive environment toward commonborns couldn’t endear any of them to their current king. And the arrival of families like the Robarts—able to describe to them a different style of mage-commonborn relations—would only stoke the flames of discontent.

  The gates opened, allowing us through, and we alighted from the carriage. Bryony straightened and gave a squeak of surprise.

  “But it’s enormous.” She stared round-eyed around the huge courtyard. “I would never have guessed there was so much back here.”

  Faylee hid a smile. “The merchants of Kallorway might not have the advantages we enjoy in Ardann, but they are not all paupers, you know. There is still gold to be made in trade, especially in the years since the borders opened. And as much as King Cassius might dislike it, his kingdom still has need of its commonborns. He can’t drive them out completely.”

  Behind the quiet facade, an enormous mansion stretched out with stables and a vast garden. Intricate lanterns had been hung from many of the bushes and trees, although they weren’t lit in the bright sunlight. Green garlands adorned surfaces in every direction, and bright golden streamers had been twisted and strung up beside them.

  A small child, wearing an enormous golden dress, trotted around the edge of the building, stopping at the sight of us. She stared for a moment, mouth hanging open, and then turned and fled back the way she’d come.

  “They’re here!” Her high voice floated back to us, calling at full volume. “The princess is here!”

  I coughed as Bryony elbowed me in the side.

  “It seems your arrival has been highly anticipated.”

  “By four-year-olds at least.” I glanced at Faylee. “What exactly did you say about me?”

  “Nothing more than the truth,” she said calmly. “That I was bringing a guest to meet them, and that you were Princess Verene of Ardann. You’ll have to excuse the poor girl’s enthusiasm. Kallorway doesn’t have any princesses of their own, you see, so the whole idea is terribly exciting.”

  Bryony grinned. “Well she wouldn’t be the first little girl to dream of princesses. And somehow I imagine not having any of their own only helps keep the dream idyllic. Princesses might not seem so appealing if Darius had a sister as icy faced as himself.”

  I sent her a glare, and she subsided, although her eyes still laughed at me.

  A stream of people soon appeared in the courtyard. If they shared any excitement about my presence, then they kept it under better control. Faylee made introductions, but they were so numerous that even with all my court experience, I soon couldn’t keep any of them straight. The overwhelming impression, however, was of well-dressed people with intelligent but lined faces and the rough hands of those who knew what it was to work for a living.

  We were soon ushered around under an enormous portico which jutted into the garden from the back of the house. Both Captain Layna and Captain Vincent trailed us, never straying more than a few lengths from me, but the locals seemed to accept their presence, paying them no heed at all.

  Tables had been set up, laden with any number of delicacies, some of which I recognized from the ball at the Academy the year before. Bryony’s eyes lit up at the sight of them, and she had soon wriggled out of the endless introductions with consummate skill. I watched her go wistfully but forgave her when she reappeared with a small plate for me.

  When the introductions were finally complete, and everyone had been given the opportunity to examine the foreign princess, fiddlers struck up a merry tune. The children, who had been running freely through the portico and gardens, squealed with delight and began to dance. The adults watched on fondly, although the matron who had been introduced as lady of the house regarded their exuberant antics with some concern.

  “I hope you don’t consider us too uncultured, Your Highness. But it’s Midwinter, and no one has the heart to deny the children some fun.”

  “Not in the least,” I assured her. “It does my heart good to watch them. I almost wish I was a child again myself so I could join in.”

  That earned me a radiant smile, and the conversation moved from the previous discussion of the weather and the state of the road from the Academy, into more serious topics. I tried to keep my questioning as subtle as possible, but a common thread soon emerged.

  None of the merchants openly spoke against their king, but one word was repeated more than any other: change.

  They understood times had changed in Ardann.

  One never knew when change was coming.

  Change is always just around the corner.

  No one could comment, even obliquely, on a negative situation, without someone else chiming in to say that last phrase. When I mentioned Darius—an easy enough topic to bring up given he was my year mate—curious, calculating looks sprang into many eyes. They knew the coming change had a name, and they were clearly desperate to know what sort of king Darius intended to be.

  If they had hoped I would have answers for them, they were disappointed. I wouldn’t risk Darius’s plans by accidentally saying the wrong thing. And it struck me, now that I was here, that I knew Darius also wanted change, but I didn’t actually know his intentions for his commonborn population. He had seemed on good terms with the servants at the Academy, but we had never directly discussed the topic. How could I blame my aunt for overlooking this aspect of Kallorwegian society, when I had apparently done the same?

  When it came time to leave, however, the farewell smile on my face was genuine. Last night I had feared I would find nothing to like in Kallmon, but already I had been proved wrong.

  Chapter 17

  Faylee returned us to the castle, bidding me a fond farewell and all of us Midwinter greetings. We returned them with our thanks.

  “Did you get the answers you sought?” she asked me in an under voice. “There were representatives there from most of the major merchant families.”

  “I believe so,” I said. “Thank you again.”

  She patted me fondly on the cheek and disappeared back into her carriage. I watched her drive away, until Captain Vincent’s gruff voice interrupted my musings.

  “May I suggest we move inside, Your Highness? Best not to be loitering outside in the open unnecessarily.”

  I sighed and complied. I suspected the scenes waiting for me inside the castle would be a great deal less enjoyable than the one I had just left behind.

  My fears proved correct. A reception was held in my honor that night, and the entire next day was taken up with visits from various courtiers—none of whom would be lured into any comments on either of their monarchs. Ashlyn brought her mother to see me in the late afternoon, and she was more direct and forthcoming than most. But her focus was her own discipline and what potential I saw for future collaboration between the Ardannian wind workers and her people.

  I was grateful to have spent two weeks with the wind worker class because it gave me something to talk about with her, and her eyes lit up as we discussed some of the experiments the class had conducted with Bryony and Tyron. Despite Hugh and Raelynn’s derisive comments about Ashlyn’s family and their rush to seize power after the war, I could see that Duchess Ashten truly loved wind working.

  The full hour she spent with me indicated that while Cassius himself might still hate me, his faction remained interested in an alliance with Ardann. I could only hope that boded well for Darius—especially if he was right and Cassius had abandoned
the caution which had allowed him to hold his faction together for two decades.

  While Darius was constantly on my mind, I hadn’t seen him since our arrival at the castle. I had looked for him at the reception, but he never made an appearance, although Jareth was there with smiles for all.

  I kept waiting to hear if he had made his move. The shock waves would no doubt spread rapidly through the castle and city when the time came, so I doubted I could miss it. But with every hour that passed without word, my foreboding grew.

  “I suppose I’ll have a chance to meet the rest of the Mage Council at the ball tomorrow night,” I said to the duchess as she was making her farewells. It was the closest I dared come to alluding to Darius’s plans.

  “Unfortunately not,” she said. “King Cassius and Queen Endellion must have enjoyed the more intimate celebrations last year because they declared this to be a special Academy ball, and only the family members of the trainees and instructors received invitations.”

  I stared at her, momentarily robbed of words. The king and queen hadn’t invited their own Mage Council to their Midwinter celebrations?

  “Duke Rennon of the creators will be there, of course, since he has two nephews in your year,” she said. “But then you would have met him last year.”

  I nodded, too numb to speak. Ashlyn gave me an odd look, and I managed to pull myself together enough to say the proper goodbyes. As soon as they left, I sank onto one of the sofas, however. Only two members of the Mage Council were at court—four counting Duke Francis and General Haddon, but that still didn’t even make half. There was nothing Darius could do with six of their number missing. The whole trip had been for nothing.

  I tried to remind myself it hadn’t entirely been wasted—I had still met up with the commonborn merchants. But it was hard to muster any enthusiasm for the thought in the face of such a disappointing end to my tense wait. Darius’s face filled my mind. He must be furious and far more bitterly disappointed than me. I wished I could see him, but I no longer had a door in my wall that would lead me straight to him. I had no idea where he might be hiding in this vast castle, and I wouldn’t dare go looking for him. He had made it clear that we couldn’t be seen to have any sort of friendship.

  Thankfully, I was left in peace the next day. In Kallorway, as in Ardann, Midwinter day itself was for family. I spent the hours with Bryony and Layna, who were as good as family, although I missed my parents and brothers.

  This year I had thought ahead and brought a gown from home. Last year I had worn red with gold embroidery, this year, my entire gown was a shimmering gold, splitting down the middle to reveal a red underskirt. Sometimes I dreamed of having the freedom to wear any colors I liked, but on this occasion the dress suited my frame of mind. I had no sense of anticipation for the evening’s event, and my black mood appreciated the bold, striking design of the dress. When I was young, I had hated that one of our family’s colors was red, like blood, but it perfectly suited my mood now.

  King Cassius had tried to reach out his long arm and kill me in my own bed. But I had survived, and now I came unafraid into the heart of his kingdom. He might have avoided his downfall on this occasion, but it was still coming for him.

  The vast ballroom was the most elegant room I had seen in the Kallorwegian castle. But privately I congratulated Zora because despite the disadvantages of the Academy dining hall, she had done an even more impressive job the year before. The green garlands everywhere were still beautiful, though, as were the enormous red and gold blooms that had clearly been created through the efforts of a group of mages.

  Since the guest list was largely the same as the year before, I escaped yet another endless stream of introductions. I had just as many dance partners, however, so I had little opportunity to look for Darius. But after two complete circles of the room in the company of Duke Rennon, I concluded he had yet to make an appearance. The first stirrings of concern grew in the pit of my stomach. Where was Darius?

  Duke Rennon had chosen to wear a formal version of his orange creator robe, and it looked striking against the brown skin that he shared with his two nephews. But although he looked both serious and important, I couldn’t keep my mind on his conversation. It insisted on racing, and with each new arrival my eyes jumped to the ballroom entrance. None of them were Darius, however.

  Jareth caught me looking and came across the room in my direction. He cut in so elegantly that Duke Rennon gave way without protest, and much to my disgust, I found myself dancing with the younger Kallorwegian prince.

  “Princess Verene, you look stunning.”

  I managed to force myself to smile and murmur thanks.

  “I feel as if we have hardly had the chance to speak this year. You haven’t resumed your experiments with your new ability?”

  I stiffened. Although Jareth didn’t know the full extent of my ability, I still regretted that he knew anything about it at all.

  “I rarely train with Bryony now,” I said, choosing my words carefully. “Her energy is in much demand among the discipline classes.”

  “Ah, yes, of course. Your loss is our gain. I look forward to seeing the three of you join our Royal Guard class after Midwinter.”

  “I’m not much assistance,” I said. “But I’m sure Bryony and Tyron will be welcome.”

  “Don’t underestimate yourself, Verene. I’m sure you have much to contribute, with or without power.”

  “You’re too kind,” I murmured, the words sticking in my throat.

  We danced in silence for a moment until further words burst out of me. “Where is Darius? Have you seen him?”

  “Ah.” Jareth’s easy smile didn’t falter. “I fear my brother is in a foul mood this trip and hardly fit for polite company. But he knows he cannot entirely miss the Midwinter Ball. I imagine he will be along at any moment.”

  I met his eyes fully, trying to read whatever he wasn’t saying. I had known Darius would be disappointed, but it seemed unlike him to so openly display his discomfiture by hiding away. My skepticism must have shown in my face because Jareth continued, a chuckle in his voice.

  “Don’t worry, neither our father nor our grandfather has had him chopped up and delivered to the river. He has been in various meetings since we arrived and has not had time for social functions, even if he had the inclination.”

  I looked away, frustrated that my concern had been so evident on my face. Jareth spun me around as the dance dictated, once again facing toward the entrance himself.

  “Here he is now,” he announced. “I told you he would be along soon.”

  I twisted my head and caught sight of Darius, standing in the doorway and surveying the ballroom with a cold expression. He wore the same black as he had the year before, alleviated only by a gold circlet on his head and gold and purple sashes across his chest. My breath caught despite myself. He wore the exact color of the flower from our composition class.

  The music continued, but everywhere heads turned and the rustle and whisper of an interested crowd sounded. Cassius might be king still in Kallmon, but his son knew how to command the attention of a ballroom—even one full of powerful and important people.

  Across the distance our eyes met, and something crackled between us, filling me with an energy I had previously lacked.

  “I see I won’t have any of your attention now.” Jareth smiled, but something in his eyes didn’t match the expression.

  I looked again at Darius. He had moved from the door, but he watched us all the same. His expression looked dangerous and almost fierce, out of place in the elegant ballroom. I wished I knew what he thought of me dancing with his brother. I wished I could tell him I hadn’t wanted to do it.

  Our movements took us to the edge of the dance floor, and a pointed throat clearing made us both pause. Tyron stepped forward and bowed.

  “If I may?” He held out his hand to me, directing a look at Jareth that was half inquiring, half impudent.

  Jareth chuckled and stepped away fro
m me. “Caught by my own trick.”

  I dipped the smallest curtsy in his direction and took Tyron’s hand with gratitude.

  “Thank you,” I whispered as soon as we had rejoined the dancers.

  He smiled down at me. “I never had the impression you liked him much, although I’m not sure why. He seems a decent enough sort.”

  “He seems so, certainly.”

  Tyron looked at me with a quizzical expression. “Do you know something about the prince the rest of us don’t?”

  I sighed. “No. You’re right. I just don’t like his manner.” I only wished I had something definitive, since then Darius would believe me.

  Tyron’s eyes moved to Darius, in conversation now with both Duchess Ashten and Duke Rennon.

  “There’s no accounting for the tastes of women,” he said lightly.

  I looked away, feeling flushed and tired of dancing suddenly.

  “Would you like to rest for a while?” Tyron asked, sensitive to my moods.

  “Yes,” I said with relief. “I think I just need a drink and a chance to cool down. And thank you, again, for coming to my rescue.” I smiled. “It was most gallant.”

  He led me off the dance floor and into a secluded corner before bowing extravagantly. “I aim to please.”

  “Perhaps you’d better go and see if Bryony needs rescuing too,” I suggested. “The last time I saw her, she had a dance partner who was stepping on her feet.”

  “I also know how to take a hint,” Tyron said. “And will take myself off with all haste.”

  I grimaced. “I just need a moment’s quiet is all.”

  He smiled and slipped away, leaving me in blessed peace for a short span. But I remained flushed and strained, and my eyes strayed to the long windows that opened out onto the castle gardens. The air out there would be crisp and cold. I would only need a minute to regain my equilibrium.

  I glanced around, but no one had spotted me yet. Standing up, I made a dash for the relative freedom of the outdoors.