The Study Series Bundle

by Maria V. Snyder

  Irys broke the silence and filled me in on the group’s efforts so far. They had divided the Citadel into sections and one magician was assigned to search each quarter. Councilor Harun, the Sandseed’s Councilman, had taken his people to hunt for Opal in the part of the Avibian Plains that bordered the Citadel. No clues had been found.

  “We’ll send guards to search every building in the Citadel,” Roze said, sweeping into the meeting room with Bain on her heels.

  “Which will cause Opal’s immediate death,” I said.

  Roze sneered at me. “Who invited you?” She gave Irys a poisonous glare.

  “She’s right, Roze,” Irys said. “News of the searches would spread like a barn fire and he would be alerted.”

  “Does anyone have a better idea?”

  “I do,” I said into the silence.

  All eyes turned toward me. Roze’s gaze froze my blood.

  “I have friends in the Citadel who can get information without calling attention to themselves. Seems they might have already learned something, but I need to meet them at the market tomorrow.” Under my sleeve, I twisted Valek’s snake around on my wrist, waiting for their response.

  “No,” Roze said. “It could be a trap.”

  “Now you’re concerned for my welfare? How touching. Although I think jealousy is the real emotion,” I shot back.

  “Ladies, please,” said Bain. “Let us focus on the task at hand. Do you trust this source, Yelena?”

  “Yes.”

  “It would not look unusual for Yelena to go to the market to shop. Her guards would be with her,” Irys added.

  “The guards would scare away my source,” I said, which was true enough for my purposes. “Also my source might lead me somewhere, so I’ll have to move quick.”

  “But you’ll need protection. We could disguise your guards,” Irys offered.

  “No. They’re not the protection I need. I can defend myself against a physical threat, but I need to defend against a magical one.” Irys was a powerful ally.

  Irys nodded, and we made plans for the next day.

  After the meeting, I went to the dining room to grab something to eat and I picked up a few apples for Kiki and Topaz. My guards continued to follow me, and it felt odd how I had grown used to their presence. At least I didn’t need to worry about Goel trying another surprise attack. Especially when I had so many other things to occupy my thoughts.

  I hadn’t been able to ride since my house arrest, and, even if I couldn’t leave the Keep, at least I could practice riding. Kiki’s mother had sneered at my saddle, so I wanted to learn how to ride bareback. Besides, it could be a useful skill to learn. In an emergency I wouldn’t have time to saddle her.

  And I needed the distraction. Bad thoughts of losing my guards and sneaking into a certain Adviser’s room in the Citadel’s guest quarters kept surfacing. I drowned the dangerous impulse. I wouldn’t risk Valek’s life for my own selfish reasons. Pulling up my sleeve, I examined Valek’s gift in the late afternoon sunlight, running a finger along its back. The bracelet even felt like a snake, although its body language seemed to indicate a protective rather than an aggressive stance.

  Again, I wondered at his choice. Perhaps he had somehow witnessed my nightmares about snakes, but why make one as a present? Wouldn’t a mongoose make a better gift?

  Kiki waited for me by the pasture’s gate. She nickered in greeting, and I fed her an apple before climbing over the fence. My guards took up positions outside the gate, close but not too close. They were learning.

  As Kiki ate, I checked her over. She had nettles snarled in her tail, and dried mud on her belly and caked around her hooves.

  “Didn’t anyone groom you?” I asked aloud, tsking.

  “She wouldn’t let anyone near her,” Cahil said. He held a bucket of brushes and combs over the rail. “Seems only you can do the honors.”

  I took the handle. “Thanks.” I pulled out a currycomb and began to loosen the mud on her coat.

  Cahil rested his arms on the fence. “Saw you talking to the northerners today. You know some of them?”

  I glanced at Cahil. A serious expression gripped his face. So his timely arrival with the supplies hadn’t been a coincidence. He had waited to ambush me with questions about the Ixians.

  Choosing my words with care, I said, “Two of the guards are my friends.”

  “The ones who taught you how to fight?” Cahil tried to sound casual. “Yes.”

  “What division do they belong to?”

  I stopped brushing Kiki and stared at him. “Cahil, what do you really want to know?”

  He stammered.

  “You’re not thinking of jeopardizing the delegation are you? Planning to sabotage the meetings? Or are you more interested in ambushing them on their way back to Ixia?”

  He opened his mouth, but no words came out.

  “That would be unwise,” I continued. “You’ll make both Sitia and Ixia your enemy, and besides…”

  “Besides what?” he demanded.

  “The Commander’s elite guards surround the Ambassador. It would be suicide to make a kidnapping attempt.”

  “Aren’t you just full of wisdom today,” Cahil said with a sharp jab of sarcasm. “Your concern for the welfare of my men is truly heartwarming. Are you sure you’re not just protecting your northern friends? Or perhaps protecting your heart mate?”

  He had to be guessing. I called his bluff. “What are you ranting about?”

  “I was watching you when the delegation arrived. Although your face never moved, I saw your hand fly to that Butterfly pendant under your robe. I know the one who gave that to you is here. In fact, he gave you another gift today.”

  I turned back to work on Kiki, hiding my face from Cahil. “If you know so much then why are you asking me questions?”

  “Who is he?” When I refused to answer, Cahil continued, “It’s the man who’s missing half of his right ear. The one who gave you the snake.”

  Cahil wore such a smug expression that I laughed. “Janco? We bicker like brother and sister. No. He was just delivering the gift.”

  “I don’t believe you.”

  I shrugged. “Here.” I handed a wire brush to Cahil. “You can get the nettles out of her tail.” When I saw him hesitate, I added, “Don’t worry, she won’t kick you.”

  We worked for a while in silence.

  Cahil, though, wasn’t content with the quiet. “You’re happier now that your northern friends are here.”

  “I missed them,” I agreed.

  “Would you want to go back to Ixia?”

  “Yes. But that’s impossible because I’m a magician.” And there was a signed order for my execution, but I thought it prudent not to mention that.

  “Nothing’s impossible.” Cahil finished Kiki’s tail and began combing her mane. “When I gain control of Ixia and free the people, you would have a place by my side if you chose to accept it.”

  Avoiding his unspoken question, I gave him a dubious look. “Do you still believe Sitia will support you even after they’ve been making nice with the northern delegation?”

  With the passion of a mystic, Cahil said, “All my life I have been told I would rule Ixia one day. Every lesson, every interaction and every emotion was tailored to that single purpose. Even the Council encouraged me to plan and train and wait for the perfect moment to attack.” Cahil’s blue eyes radiated such a pure intensity that I almost stepped back.

  “Then the north agrees to a trade treaty and they visit Sitia.” He spat the words out. “Suddenly the Commander is the Council’s friend, and my reason for existing is no longer supported. The Council has failed to realize that the Commander is deceiving them, and when he tips his hand, I’ll be there. I have many loyal followers who are equally unhappy about the Council’s dalliances with the north.”

  “You’re going to need a trained military if you plan to go against the Commander’s forces,” I said. “And if Valek—”

  �
�What about Valek?” Cahil grabbed my arm. His fingers pressed my bracelet into my skin. I winced in pain.

  Kiki cocked an ear. Kick?

  No. Not yet.

  “If Valek discovers what you’re planning, he’ll stop you before you can rally your men.”

  “Do you really think he can stop me?” he asked.

  “Yes.” I pulled my arm out of Cahil’s grasp, but he caught my wrist with his other hand and yanked my sleeve up with his free hand, exposing the snake circled around my arm. Before I could stop him, he let go of my sleeve and tugged my collar down. My black stone Butterfly pendant swung free. The silver spots on its wings glinted in the sunlight, matching the silver on the snake’s body.

  “And you would know,” Cahil said, releasing me. His face took on a stunned expression as he made a sudden realization.

  I staggered back.

  “As the Commander’s food taster, you worked with Valek every day. He had to teach you about poisons and poisoning techniques.” He stared at me in revulsion. “Marrok told me that when the royal family members were assassinated, the assassin would leave behind a black statue that glittered with silver. It was the assassin’s calling card. Only after the Commander took control of Ixia was Valek named the assassin.”

  I returned to brushing Kiki. “That’s a big leap in logic, Cahil. Based on a bedtime story, which I’m sure gets more interesting with each telling, and a couple of trinkets. Valek is not the only person who carves things out of those rocks. Think about that before you leap to conclusions.”

  Refusing to meet Cahil’s gaze, I put the grooming equipment back into the bucket and led Kiki to her stall. By the time I finished filling her water pail, Cahil had gone.

  My guards trailed me to the baths, and stayed outside while I washed off the horse hair and dust that coated my skin. The sun had set by the time we reached my rooms. I waited outside, shivering in the cold night air while one guard searched inside. Given the all clear, I entered my dark living room. I shuttered and locked my windows against the chilly wind, then lit a fire in the hearth.

  “That’s better,” said a voice that set my soul on fire.

  I turned. Valek lounged on a chair with his booted feet propped up on the table.

  25

  VALEK HELD THE VALMUR statue I had bought for him long ago, admiring it in the firelight. He wore a simple black shirt and pants. The clothes did not appear to be as tight fitting as his hooded sneak suit, but seemed snug enough not to impede his movements. “How did you—”

  “Fool your guards? They’re not very good. They forgot to check the ceiling for spiders.” Valek grinned. His angular face softened.

  Startled, I realized he wasn’t in disguise. “This is dangerous.”

  “I knew falling for you was dangerous, love.”

  “I meant coming to Sitia. Being here in the Magician’s Keep with guards just outside my door.” I gestured wildly.

  “It’s only dangerous if they know I’m here. According to them, I’m just Ambassador Signe’s lowly and dull-witted aide.” Valek stood; his movements liquid. The black fabric of his clothes clung to his lean build. He stretched his arms out to the side. “See, I’m not even armed.”

  He made a weak attempt to look innocent, but I knew better. “Should I guess how many concealed weapons you have or should I strip search you?”

  “A strip search is the only way to be absolutely certain.” Valek’s deep blue eyes danced with delight.

  I took three steps and was wrapped in his arms, where I belonged. No confusion here. No worries here. No troubles here. Just Valek’s scent, an intoxicating combination of musk and spice.

  During our short trip to the bed, I found two knives strapped to Valek’s forearms, darts and other throwing implements tucked inside his belt, a switchblade strapped to his right thigh and a short sword in his boot.

  I knew more weapons hid within his clothes, but once I touched his skin, the game ceased to matter as we became reacquainted. With his body next to mine, I felt all the empty places inside me fill with his essence. Home.

  It wasn’t until deep into the night that we stopped to talk. Lying next to him under the blanket, I thanked him in a low voice for the snake bracelet and told him about Tula, Opal and the reason for the guards.

  “And you said it was dangerous for me,” Valek said, pointing out the irony. “Good thing I’m here. You’ll need backup that can’t be influenced by magic.”

  Valek’s immunity to magic could be considered another concealed weapon. Hope of recovering Opal unharmed bloomed in my chest for the first time since her capture. “How can you provide backup? You’re supposed to be with the Ambassador.”

  He grinned. “Don’t worry. I’ve got that covered. This is not the first time, nor will it be the last time, I’ve been in Sitia. Keeping tabs on our neighbors has always been one of my duties as security chief. Fun stuff.”

  “Until you’re caught,” I said. My mood soured, but Valek seemed unaffected by my comment.

  “There’s always that chance. Part of the allure, I suppose.” He nuzzled my neck and sighed with regret. “I better get back. It’ll be dawn soon.” He rolled out of bed and began to dress. “Besides, I don’t want to be here when your boyfriend arrives.”

  “Who?” I sat up.

  “The blonde that follows your every move with his lovesick eyes,” Valek teased.

  “Cahil?” I laughed, dismissing him. “He thought Janco was my heart mate. I think you should feel more jealousy toward my horse. She’s the one who has stolen my heart.”

  Valek stilled as the amusement dropped from his face. “What’s his name?”

  “Her name is Kiki.”

  He shook his head. “Not the horse. The blonde.”

  “Cahil.”

  “Cahil Ixia? The King’s nephew? He’s alive?” Valek seemed confused.

  “I thought you knew,” I said.

  I had imagined Valek had let Cahil live once he had reached Sitia. But now Cahil’s comment about Valek forgetting to count the bodies when he had assassinated the royal family came to mind. With a growing horror, I realized my mistake.

  “Valek, don’t kill him.”

  “He’s a threat to the Commander.” A dead flatness covered Valek’s eyes. He wore his stone face. Unyielding. Uncompromising.

  “He’s my friend.”

  Valek’s cold killer’s gaze met mine. “The second he becomes more than a potential threat, he’s dead.”

  Valek had pledged to protect the Commander, and only his love for me kept him from assassinating Cahil that night. Valek’s loyalty was without fail. If the Commander had given him a direct order to kill me, Valek would have. Lucky for us that the Commander hadn’t given Valek that order.

  “I’m glad the Commander is safe within Ixia’s borders.” Valek’s face softened and he laughed. “He’s taking a vacation. He’s the only person I know who thinks hunting sand spiders is relaxing.”

  “Aren’t you worried he’d get stung?” My skin crawled just thinking about the poisonous spiders. They were the size of a small dog and jumped with a lethal quickness. But then I remembered that the Commander was really in the Citadel’s guest quarters.

  “No. I still can’t beat the Commander in a knife fight. His skills are more than adequate to handle a sand spider. Plotting royalty is another matter, though. I’ll have to keep an eye on this Cahil.”

  I knew it was a matter of time before Valek found out about Cahil’s plans to regain his kingdom. Then what would I do? Those thoughts reminded me about something Cahil had said that hadn’t sounded right.

  “Valek, did you used to leave your carvings behind when you assassinated someone?”

  “Have you been listening to Sitian rumors?” He smiled.

  I nodded. “But I don’t necessarily believe all that I hear.”

  “Good. Although, I’m embarrassed to admit that one is true. I was young, cocky and stupid, enjoying being known as the Death Artist. I even started leav
ing a carving before I began a job, letting my victim find it.” Valek shook his head at the memory. “That nonsense almost got me killed, so I stopped it altogether.”

  Valek finished dressing. “I’ll be at the market today in case anything happens.”

  He kissed me and I clung to him for a moment, wishing we could run away and forget about soul-stealing magicians and Cahil. But that wasn’t for us. Dealing with poisoners, schemers and killers seemed to be our lot in life. Besides, we would probably grow bored living in safety without any problems to worry about. But still I wished for it.

  With reluctance, I let Valek go. He nodded toward the door. I opened it and distracted the guard. When I returned to the living room, the heavy darkness pressed on my skin as the icy air soaked into my bones. Valek was gone.

  Irys and I walked to the market that morning. The bleak, overcast sky reflected my mood. I huddled in my cloak. It was the first time I needed to wear it during the daytime.

  People crowded the market. They hurried to get their shopping done before the dark rain clouds that hovered on the horizon could descend on the Citadel.

  I made a few small purchases before I felt a familiar tug on my sleeve. Fisk stood next to me. He flashed me a smile. His face no longer held the gauntness of malnutrition, and I could see his busy gang of children carrying packages for the shoppers.

  “You wanted to find a strange man living with a young girl?” he asked.

  “Yes. Have you seen them?”

  He grinned, holding out his hand. “Information costs money.”

  “I see you’re branching out into a new trade. Very wise,” I said as I handed him a Sitian copper. “But watch who you deal with. Some won’t take kindly to your inquiries.”

  He nodded with understanding and I saw a wisdom far beyond his nine years in his light brown eyes. I suppressed a sigh. In Ixia, Fisk’s intelligence would be encouraged. He would grow up to be an Adviser or a high-ranking officer, but in Sitia he had grown up on the street, begging for food and money. But not anymore.