Zara was heartbroken, but the outburst only made her more resolved. Miraphina, you love him too much. You can’t see what your son is becoming. Katrell will be in danger if he takes the throne. Something has to be done, and if you can’t do it, I will. She clenched her fist as she walked up the stairs. Even if you never forgive me, sweet Sister.
After the confrontation with her sister on the stairs, Miraphina was in no mood to speak with her Council. Telling them she was exhausted from the journey, she went to her room at the top of the Royal Tower. As soon as she closed the door, she dropped her regal façade, tearing off her crown and hurling it at the wall in a rage. She slumped down onto a sofa, tears springing to her eyes. She’s right. Zara is right, and I know it. My son . . . My sweet Esren. Braeden, how did this happen? How did it come to this?
Miraphina dropped her face into her hands and sobbed uncontrollably. Her son was a danger to himself and to everyone around him. Perhaps in time he would grow out of it, learn to control his base urges. But how could she be sure that he wouldn’t destroy everything her family had worked so hard to build?
That girl. Miraphina sighed. That poor little servant girl in Nor. If Esren has his way, he’ll try again. Putting aside what it would do to her, it might be the worst thing to happen to this kingdom in centuries. She’s a favorite of Aldwin’s and a friend to the Crown Prince. It could spark conflict, and there’s no telling what that might lead to.
The Queen stood and began pacing around her room. She knew that something had to be done, but what? Zara would see the boy imprisoned, or even killed. I can’t blame her. We both know he’s responsible for Catrine’s death.
She sighed. “I can’t imprison him,” she said aloud. “He’d only get worse if we left him in a dungeon cell. As for killing him, he’s the Chosen. That’s simply out of the question.” She shook her head and paced faster. “But what other options do I have? I have to keep him from causing trouble until he comes to his senses.”
She paced through her chambers long into the night, refusing her servants’ offers of food and drink. Poring over the hundreds of books she kept in her room, she searched desperately for an answer to her dilemma. She looked over every spell she’d ever heard of and a few she hadn’t. Finally, in a book bound in black velvet, she found the answer she had been seeking.
It wasn’t what she expected. A binding spell, strong enough to keep even the most powerful mages within a specific area. It’s perfect. It’s exactly what I need. But why did it have to be in this book?
She closed the book and set it carefully down on the desk. The cover might look blank to the casual observer. To a mage as strong as Miraphina, however, the title appeared perfectly clearly. It shimmered in silver letters a fraction of an inch above the binding. ‘Masters of Life and Death.’ It’s Soul Magic, exceptionally dangerous Soul Magic. How can I even consider this?
Miraphina stood and walked to the window, staring out at the moon. To power this spell, I would need to tie it to my own life force. It would drain years from my own life, and who knows how many of those I have to spare? What’s worse, I can’t just turn it off when it’s no longer needed. Once the binding is in place, it’s in place until the bound subject dies or I do. Her eyes filled with angry tears. Not to mention the usual requirements Soul Magic relies on. Who would I be willing to torture to death to bind my own son?
Miraphina angrily brushed the tears away from her eyes as she shook her head. “No. I’m not doing this. There has to be another way.”
She picked up the black book, ready to put it back on the shelf where she had found it. She hesitated. But what if there is no other way? What if this is my only chance? Frowning, she put the book back down on the desk, staring at it angrily. Damn it. Father, why did you never warn me about decisions like this?
Miraphina was still glaring at the book when the last light of the moon disappeared behind the tall buildings of Katrell.
While his mother stared at a book of forbidden magic, Esren was sitting at his window and looking out over the city. His chambers were halfway up the Royal Tower, commanding an excellent view of the city. He watched the flickering candles in the windows of houses slowly go out as the citizens went to bed. The streetlights shimmered over the white cobblestone streets, creating a soft glow throughout the city. It was beautiful, but Esren didn’t care.
He sighed. He’d been looking forward to coming back home. While on the road or in Nor, there had been no opportunity to practice the forbidden arts he had come to rely on. Still, even back home, he couldn’t focus on the tasks at hand. The steward he had chosen for practice was slowly bleeding into the carpet of his study, which he had long-since dyed a deep red to hide the evidence of his hobby. This one would be difficult for his bodyguards to clean, but Esren was in no mood to be considerate tonight. Turning reluctantly from the window, he covered the still-twitching body of the unfortunate man with a sheet before heading out of his private study and into the sitting room.
A roaring fire was burning in his fireplace. His dinner sat cold and untouched on the table. He wasn’t in the mood to eat, either. He slumped down onto a sofa, allowing his mind to drift to the beautiful red-haired girl he had met in Nor.
Autumn. Such a beautiful name. It matches her hair, like the fiery leaves before the first snows of winter. Esren smiled as he thought of her. Oh, my sweet Autumn. How can I convince you to come to me?
He had no doubt that his mother would intercept any letters he sent. He scowled angrily. The way she talks about my father, you’d think she would understand love. Why is she being so unreasonable about this?
There was a gentle knock at the door. Esren groaned. “Go away, Mother, I don’t want to talk about it right now. Or ever.”
“Esren? It’s Aunt Zara. May I come in? There’s something important we need to discuss.”
He was surprised. Zara had barely spoken to him in four years, not since the Choosing and Catrine’s death. If she’s here, it really must be important. “Of course. Come in, Aunt Zara.”
Zara walked in, closing the door behind her. “Esren, we need to discuss your plans when you become King.” She stepped towards him. “I’m very aware that you have a somewhat non-traditional outlook on how Katrell should be run. I felt that we should discuss it as soon as possible to avoid any unpleasant surprises later.”
Esren laughed. “Oh, there will be plenty of time for that. My mother is going to be ruling Katrell for a long time to come. Why bring this up now?”
Zara sighed. “To be honest, I’m worried about you, Esren. You’ve been so reclusive since your Choosing. You barely pay attention at council meetings. You don’t even come to dinner more often than not. I mean, you’re twenty years old, and you haven’t even taken a consort.” She smiled and sat down next to him. “I’m not saying you have to rush into anything, of course. Just that it’s not healthy to spend so much time by yourself. It’s been my experience someone who wants to rule should be out among the people, learning how best to serve their needs. Do you understand?”
Esren glared at her. “You see, that’s the kind of thinking that’s made Katrell weak. A king should understand his people’s needs as a whole, not speak to each individual merchant and farmer to listen to their little concerns. The people will respect my strength, and in time they’ll come to see that I am doing what’s best for them.”
“But how will they see that if you spend all your time locked away in your chamber? Your mother is such an effective queen because of her-”
Esren waved her off. “I don’t want to talk about Mother anymore. Her style of leadership is frankly quite irritating to me. She has no concept of strength, just the petty day-to-day concerns of the commoners.” He snorted derisively. “As if commoners could ever understand what I have planned for our kingdom.”
Zara looked disturbed. “What do you mean, Esren? What wouldn’t they understand?”
Esren stood up and turned away. “Not
hing. Forget I said anything. I’m tired, Aunt Zara, can we continue this later?”
Zara stood as well. “Of course. I understand. It’s been a long journey. I only hoped to-” She stopped suddenly, and Esren turned to see her looking through the open door to his study. “Esren, what is that?”
Esren moved quickly to close the door, but Zara was quicker. She took in the sight of the blood-soaked sheet with a horrified gasp. “Esren, what have you done? All the rumors . . . They’re true, aren’t they? You’ve been practicing Soul Magic!”
Esren kept his expression neutral. “Aunt Zara, why is it forbidden? With the blood of even the lowest of the common folk, a mage like myself can achieve truly extraordinary things.”
Zara looked at him, appalled. “Soul Magic is forbidden for a reason, Esren.” She breathed slowly, nodding as she came to an unwelcome conclusion. “I was hoping it wouldn’t come to this, but I have no choice. My sister will never see you for what you are. I have to do this for the good of the kingdom.” She raised her hands and began chanting the words of a spell.
Esren sighed. With a word and a wave of his hand, the blood of the dead steward came to life. Forming itself into a rope-like limb, it wrapped itself around Zara’s waist. Her eyes widened, and she screamed as it whipped her out the open window, hurling her from the tower. The screams echoed through the night air, followed by a dull thud. Then there was silence.
Esren walked calmly towards the window as the blood settled. He looked down at his aunt’s splattered remains on the courtyard. Her screaming will have woken half the city, he thought, annoyed. I guess I’d better get this room cleaned before Mother shows up and starts asking questions.
Walking back to his sitting room, he rang the bell that would summon his bodyguards, then sat back down on the sofa to await their arrival. Ah, well. At least that’s one less thing I’ll need to worry about later. Besides, all her chattering was giving me a headache.
As he waited for his bodyguards, he went over to the table where his dinner was growing colder. He’d decided that he was hungry after all.
Miraphina gazed coldly down at the body of her beloved sister. Zara’s corpse was nearly unrecognizable. Only her clothes identified her as the Queen’s closest friend and confidant.
“So much blood.” The guardsman nearby was pale. He looked like he might be sick.
Miraphina nodded. She knew she should feel the same, but she couldn’t. She was angry. Her rage grew as she looked up the side of the tower. Esren’s window was the only one open.
“Guard.” The Queen’s voice was calm, but commanding. “Call the servants. Have them take Lady Zara’s body to the temple and clean up this blood. I have business to attend to.” She swept away without another word, leaving the stunned guard scrambling to obey her orders.
The Queen marched quickly through the city streets. She ignored the startled expressions of her subjects as she passed. On a typical day, she would have smiled and stopped to chat with the common folk. There was no time for that now. She had to do this now, or she never would.
The high walls of the prison finally came into view. Like any kingdom, there was crime in Katrell. Miraphina’s family had always done their best to rehabilitate criminals rather than just punish them. Still, there were some crimes which were unforgivable. The residents of the prison were the few criminals whose crimes were severe enough to warrant being locked away from the world, often for the rest of their lives. Those were the people that Miraphina needed tonight.
The guards at the entrance to the prison were always on high alert. They snapped a salute as the Queen approached. Miraphina slowed her pace. It had been many years since she’d had a need to visit the prison. I don’t want to involve anyone else, but I’ll need help to find what I’m looking for.
She turned to one of the guards. “Would you direct me to the Captain’s office? I need to speak with him urgently.”
The guardsman nodded. “Of course, Your Majesty. This way, please.”
Miraphina followed the guard through the dark corridors. The air seemed thick, as if it knew what terrible deeds were about to occur in the darkest corner of the building. The Queen shuddered. I know this is wrong. But I swear, it’s for the right reasons. She walked on, following her silent guide to the Captain’s office.
The Captain stood as she entered. “My Lady! This is indeed an honor. To what do we owe the pleasure of your visit?”
Miraphina gave a slight bow. “Captain. Would you please dismiss your men so that we may speak privately? I have a request for you.”
The Captain nodded to the guards in the room. Looking at each other in confusion, they walked out of the office. The last man closed the door as he left. Miraphina waited until their footsteps faded, then looked up at the Captain. “Sir, I need it understood that this conversation does not leave these walls.”
The Captain looked puzzled. He nodded. “Of course, Your Majesty. How may I help you?”
Miraphina hesitated. Can I really do this? She drew in a deep breath before she continued. “Who are your worst prisoners? The ones who have committed the most grievous crimes?”
“Huh? Why would you need to see the worst?”
“Captain, I don’t have much time,” Miraphina snapped. “There is work to be done, and the longer I wait, the harder it will be. I ask again, who are your worst prisoners?”
The Captain gulped. “I’ll show you, my lady. Please, follow me.”
A few minutes later, Miraphina was staring at a cell door. “What did this man do?”
“Your Majesty, I beg you, let me spare you the details of his crimes.” The Captain was clearly growing concerned. Miraphina desperately wished she could explain, but she could not trust the man without putting him in danger. She turned to glare at him.
The Captain sighed. “He murdered his wife and their infant son in their beds. When the guards asked why he did it, he just laughed. They say he’s mad. I’m not so sure.”
“Why is that?”
“His brother confessed afterward that he and the man’s wife had been lovers. He wasn’t sure who the child’s father was. I think this man killed them because he was jealous.”
A murderous husband and father. Miraphina nodded. “He’ll do. Give me the key to the cell and leave us. I’ll take it from here.”
The Captain was about to protest, but a look at the Queen’s face stopped him. “As you command, Your Majesty.” He handed her the key and walked hurriedly away down the dark hallway.
Miraphina sighed. She turned the key in the lock and opened the heavy cell door. The prisoner was asleep on his cot. Good. That will make this easier. She shut the door behind her.
In the hour before dawn, the Chosen of Katrell was sleeping peacefully in his bed. Dreams of a certain red-haired servant in Nor filled his head. Esren smiled in his sleep, unaware of the presence that had just materialized in his room.
He awoke to a gentle hand on his shoulder. Angry and frightened, he sat up. “Who is that? Who dares come into the Chosen’s chamber’s unannounced?” He whipped around, only to find himself staring into his mother’s eyes. For the first time in years, Esren felt a twinge of fear as she held up her hand. The palm that faced him was drenched in warm blood.
Without a word, Miraphina leaned forward, placing her palm over her son’s face. She spoke the words of a spell as she smeared the blood on his face. Esren felt a chill through his body. When she had finished her spell, she stepped back and dematerialized. Esren stared in bewilderment at the empty space. “What in the name of the Gods was that?”
Chapter 18
Another week, another ball. Don’t these courtiers ever think about anything else? Autumn sighed as she poured out another glass of wine for a noblewoman. Her dress was scandalously low-cut, which made Autumn smirk. These women are really starting to get desperate if they’re resorting to measures like that to get his attention.
Not that she could blame them, really
. She looked up to where Lyall stood next to Kasrian, making lively conversation with a gaggle of young ladies. At nineteen years old, the handsome Crown Prince of Nor was the most eligible bachelor in the kingdom, followed closely by Commander Kasrian. Every woman of even remotely noble birth spent the vast majority of her time at the castle attending the seemingly endless balls, feasts, and other functions held there.
Autumn smiled sadly as she watched Kasrian. With his salt-and-pepper hair and elegant features, he cut an imposingly handsome figure. Still, she knew that the women who were throwing themselves at him more desperately each day were wasting their time. His heart had died five years ago with Nilene. Autumn knew he only attended these functions to please his brother.
Another nobleman came over for a glass of wine. He gave her a charming, suggestive smile. She looked down as she poured his drink, trying to avoid his gaze. I guess with all the noblewomen otherwise distracted, they’re looking for other alternatives. Idiots.
Autumn glanced again to Lyall, who had begun dancing with a young lady in a blue gown. She admired the dress for a moment, then tried to dismiss the thought of the nobles from her mind. There was homework to think about. The more she did now, the more sleep she could get tonight.
Glancing up to be sure that no one else was waiting for wine, she quietly pulled out the book she had hidden behind the table. Studying while she worked was difficult, but worth it. Harriet was growing older and less able to handle everything at the castle each day, and Autumn didn’t want to leave her on her own. Besides, she didn’t want to give up any more of her time than she had to.
Albrecht had offered Autumn a compromise with the University. She attended lectures three days a week, and occasionally tutors would come to the palace to work with her personally. All the homework was noticeably cutting into her sleep. Still, she was unwilling to give up either her work or her studies. She had to work with what she had.
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