by S. Young
“Ah good, you’re dressed.” Haydyn barged into my room without knocking. Lord Matai, second lieutenant of the Guard and a young vikomt of a good family, was Haydyn’s newest bodyguard. He hovered protectively, even when she was alone with me.
I smiled indulgently at her before noting the slight strain in her features. “What’s happened?”
“Nothing. I think.” She shrugged elegantly. “Jarvis and Ava have requested me in the Chambers of the Rada.”
I hid my concern. His Grace, Vojvoda Jarvis Rada, was the highest-ranking member of the nobility of Sabithia and the Chairman of the Rada, as well as the Keeper of the Archives. Grofka Ava Rada was a widow and the only other member of the Rada who lived in Sabithia. They were both good people, and they loved Haydyn dearly. But Haydyn relied too heavily upon their opinions, and oftentimes they forgot that Haydyn even had a voice. Particularly Jarvis, whose responsibilities and position—especially that of Keeper of the Archives, the very exclusive control over mage history (meaning no one but he was allowed entrance into the archives until his demise, and then only his appointed successor would have the privilege)—had given him an inflated sense of self.
It nettled me. But it wasn’t my place to speak for her. Like a frustrated parent, I wanted her to find her voice and independence by herself.
“Well then.” I threw both Haydyn and Matai a blasé smile. “We best go and see what they want.”
Chapter 2
“Ah, Princezna.” Vojvoda Jarvis rose to his feet, Lady Ava at his side. He bowed deeply whilst Ava dipped as low as she could into a curtsy. “Looking beautiful as always.” Jarvis smiled at Haydyn like a doting grandfather. His eyes flicked to me and he gave me an expressionless nod. Jarvis and Ava were uncomfortable around me. They were ashamed of what Stovia did to my family.
“Your Grace.” Haydyn gave a shallow curtsy. “My lady. I trust you are both well.”
“As well as can be, Princezna. We do not bring good tidings.”
Haydyn and I shared a worried look, and I followed her as she took her seat at the head of the long chambers table. I sat on her left, facing Ava. Jarvis took the seat next to the grofka.
“What’s wrong?” Haydyn asked. That gloom crept into her eyes again, and I could have sworn she swayed in her chair. I was just about to reach for her when she seemed to shake herself awake. I withdrew my hand.
Jarvis cleared his throat, his expression grave. “I must ask, first of all, Princezna, whether you are feeling well? Are you in good health?”
I was surprised by his question. Unnerved, even.
“Of course,” she answered, but it sounded hesitant to my ears.
“Why?” I asked, even though it wasn’t my place to.
Ava’s eyes were wide with anxiety. “Because it seems as if the evocation is weakened somehow.”
Haydyn gasped. “Weakened? It can’t be. I’m projecting the evocation at full, as always.”
“We’ve received reports these last few weeks from the rest of the Rada, the most anxious of them being Vojvoda Andrei Rada, Keeper of Alvernia. The province is worsening; the uncivilized, loutish behavior of the mountain people grows steadily closer to his city in the south. He fears the people of Arrana may become contaminated by the aggression of the northerners and grows agitated by Silvera’s ‘negligence,’ as he calls it.”
Haydyn threw me a concerned look. “I had no idea things were so bad.”
“There is more,” Ava added.
“Yes,” Jarvis continued. “I’ve had word from the city of Pharya. A rookery has sprung up on the border of Vasterya in the towns near the glass works. Gangs of thieves and smugglers are disrupting import and exportation.”
Dear havens, I had never heard the like. “Thieves? Gangs? A rookery? In Phaedra?” I was aghast. We all were. My questioning gaze swung to Haydyn.
She squirmed as her emerald eyes filled with fear. “Don’t look at me like that, Rogan. I don’t know what to tell you. I don’t feel a change in my magic.”
Jarvis coughed. “Lastly—”
“There’s more?”
He threw me an admonishing look for the interruption. “Yes. There’s more. Markiza Raven Rada’s guard is dealing with nomads—”
“The Caels?” Haydyn frowned as she referred to one of the nomadic clans. “But the Caels have lived in Northern Javinia for decades. They finally made a place their home.”
“Not the Caels, Princezna. The Iavii. These Alvernian nomads are not looking for peace. They’ve already stolen land from the Caels, and now they try to do the same with the Javinians. Tensions are high between the Javinians and the Caels, who are being held as accountable as the Iavii.”
“That’s not fair!” Haydyn cried. “The Caels are a peaceful clan.”
“They are. Were. Nothing in Javinia remains peaceful. The Javinian guards are busy dealing with disputes and protecting Markiza Raven in Novia. She calls for aid.”
The magnitude of the news silenced us both. How quickly our beautiful world seemed to have imploded.
“You’re sure you’re well, Princezna?” Ava queried again.
“Positive,” Haydyn snapped, jolting out of her seat. I watched on, as wide-eyed as Jarvis and Ava. Haydyn never spoke harshly to anyone. “I will not be questioned again.”
“Of course, Princezna. We meant no disrespect.” Jarvis’s brow furrowed deeply.
“Now, what is to be done?”
You tell them, Haydyn, I wanted to say. But I didn’t. She already appeared so lost and afraid.
Jarvis sighed wearily. “Well, I think before we panic, we should discover the realities of the situation for ourselves. I say we send some of the Guard to Alvernia, Vasterya, and Javinia to report back their findings before we decide upon action.”
Haydyn seemed relieved by his suggestion. She turned to Matai who stood on guard at the door. “Lord Matai, please have one of the footmen fetch Captain Stovia.”
I flinched at her command and bit my lip, my heart picking up speed at the thought of Wolfe. Captain Wolfe Stovia. Vikomt Wolfe Stovia, now that his father Syracen was dead. A few years my senior, Wolfe had proven himself steadfast, loyal, hardworking, and a strong soldier. He was one of the youngest captains in the history of the Guard. And I didn’t trust him one iota.
He wasn’t long in arriving. Wolfe strode into the room as his namesake would have done. Sleek and watchful, wily and dangerous. As handsome as any man in Phaedra, the servant girls went into twittering spasms whenever he was near. It made me feel rather queasy, to be honest.
His light blue eyes drank in the room before they came to rest upon me. His expression was inscrutable. Wolfe favored his mother’s side of the family in looks, for which I was grateful. It would have been awful to witness a young version of Syracen stalking the palace halls.
Wolfe bowed deeply and smiled at Haydyn, almost flirtatiously. “Princezna.”
I rolled my eyes as Haydyn smiled prettily back at him. She may as well have batted her eyelashes. A person couldn’t entirely blame her. If forced to, I could admit he was something to look at. Wolfe was strikingly tall, broad-shouldered, had a thick head of silky chestnut hair, olive skin, and beautiful almond-shaped eyes. His was a strong face, masculine and powerful. I, however, disliked it greatly.
“Captain,” Haydyn said. “I need you to send the Guard on an errand for me.”
I watched as Wolfe listened carefully to the news, his expression tightening as he learned of our situation. “I will send nine of my best men, Your Highness, three to each province.”
“Thank you, Captain.” Jarvis drew to his feet and helped Ava out of hers. “We appreciate it.”
As they were about to depart, I stood and cleared my throat. “May I suggest we keep this among us? And stress the importance of keeping this information confidential to your men … Captain.”
Haydyn’s eyes widened. “Of course, Rogan is right. We don’t want to cause panic until we have all the facts.”
Wolfe nodde
d, but he never took his eyes from me as he smiled sardonically. “Of course, Princezna.”
I glowered at him until he took his leave. Jarvis and Ava followed in his wake.
A solemn air hung between Haydyn and me as we strolled to her suite, Matai close on our heels. I was afraid to mention what had just been discussed.
“I keep waiting for you to cease your unpleasant attitude toward Captain Wolfe.” Haydyn threw me a reproving look.
“You’ll be waiting a millennium then.”
“Rogan, really.” She tsked. “He’s not his father, you know.”
I shrugged. I knew Haydyn thought it was unfair of me to dislike Wolfe, but I couldn’t help it. He was a Stovia. No matter how much he ingratiated himself to Haydyn or into the Rada’s trust, he would always be my enemy. His father had taken my family, and I had destroyed his in return. I was suspicious of his loyalty to Haydyn, when any normal man would have wanted vengeance for his father’s death.
Haydyn did not share the suspicion. She sighed dreamily. “I don’t understand how you can be so disagreeable with him. He’s so handsome and strong.”
I laughed softly at Matai’s choked grunt behind us, and Haydyn threw him a teasing look over her shoulder. He would take his revenge for that.
We stopped at her suite and I checked the halls in both directions. It was clear. I nodded at them and Haydyn grabbed Matai’s hand, disappearing into her suite with him. I stood guard.
Protecting Haydyn as always.
Protecting her secrets.
Protecting her love for Lord Matai.
I experienced a twinge of unfamiliar longing at the sound of her and Matai’s intimate laughter beyond the door. Haydyn was akin to my younger sister, and yet she knew more of that mysterious intimacy between man and woman than I did. All I ever wanted was to be a source of wisdom and support for Haydyn. How could I be when she was more worldly than I? I was twenty-one years of age and remained unkissed.
I ducked my head, feeling silly and adolescent. I did not seek love. I’d never wanted it. However, a little romance perhaps might be nice.
I shook the thought from my mind. No. I had no time for romance. I was far too busy facilitating Haydyn’s.
Chapter 3
“Mmm,” I moaned, the sweet chocolate and fresh cream cake making my eyes flutter shut in rapture. “Cook, you’ve surpassed yourself.”
Cook grinned broadly, rolling out pastry as servants bustled around us in the enormous kitchen. Valena giggled from her seat across from me, cream caught on the corner of her mouth. “I swear, Rogan, the sweetest expression you ever have on your face is when you’re eating Cook’s desserts.”
I raised an eyebrow at her cheekiness and reached across to swipe the last of the cakes from her plate.
“Hey!” She leapt forward to grab for it but I held it out of her reach. If we had been standing face-to-face rather than sitting across a long table, she would have taken it easily. Valena was only fourteen, but she was also extremely tall, a good three inches taller than me. “Oh, don’t, Rogan.” Valena’s eyes widened as I pretended to pop the cake into my mouth. “Cook only made a few today.”
Cook shook her head at my teasing. “I swear it could be nine years ago with the way you act, Miss Rogan.”
“Well, I wouldn’t have to behave this way if you made more than just a few cakes.” I handed the desserts over to Valena, greedily watching as she scoffed one down in seconds. “Oh, you didn’t even take time to enjoy that. Sacrilege. I should have eaten it.”
“But it was mine.” Valena grinned through a mouthful. “You’re too honorable to have taken what was mine.”
“Where did she adopt such an attitude?” I asked Cook, pretending beleaguerment.
Cook snorted. “You!”
Valena burst out laughing while I faked a scowl.
“Valena!”
We spun around at the sound of Raj’s frantic voice, the kitchen coming to a standstill as he stumbled into the room. We all stared at him wide-eyed. My heart thumped as Raj smoothed back his white-blond hair and straightened his waistcoat. “Valena,” he said, quieter this time. “I need you.”
Valena didn’t ask questions. She jumped from the table and made her way toward him. Raj gestured for her to walk before him and then turned his pale eyes on me. “You, too, Rogan.”
I shared a brief worried look with Cook and hurried after the healers.
“What’s going on?” I asked.
“I’ve been called to the princezna’s suite.”
I forgot all ladylike manners and lifted my dress, running as fast as I could through the palace halls to Haydyn’s apartments. Servants gaped at me as I blurred by them, and I wanted desperately to shout back at Raj to hurry up. But if he did that, if he ran with me, then everyone would know something was wrong with Haydyn.
I knew something was wrong!
I cursed myself for not pressing her further, but ever since Jarvis and Ava had imparted the news of the hostility in Phaedra a few weeks ago, I was afraid to burden Haydyn.
Inside her suite, I found Matai. No other servant. Only Matai, his expression frantic as he hovered over Haydyn, collapsed on the floor.
“What happened?” I rushed to them, throwing myself down beside my friend. Her skin was deathly pale and when I reached for her hand, I found it limp.
Matai met my gaze with a grim one of his own. “I don’t know,” he whispered to me. “We were only talking and then she … she just fainted. I was afraid to move her. I’ve called for Raj. I didn’t want anyone else to know …” He trailed off as Raj and Valena came into the room. Valena shut the door behind her.
Raj shoved me out of the way.
“What’s wrong with her?” I demanded.
“Give me a minute, Rogan, for haven’s sake,” Raj replied through gritted teeth.
Haydyn groaned, her eyelids fluttering open. As her eyes focused, they widened in panic. “What happened?” her voice was hoarse.
“You fainted,” I snapped, as if it was somehow her fault.
She looked to Raj. “Why?”
Raj shook his head. “Lord Matai, help me move the princezna to the bed.”
I stood back, and Valena gripped my hand to reassure me. The gesture was sweet but ineffective.
“Lord Matai, Rogan, please leave Valena and me alone with the princezna.”
I objected, “No. I’m staying right here.”
“Rogan.” Matai grabbed my arm. “For once, do as you’re told.” I wasn’t even given a chance to struggle. Not that I could. Matai was as big as Wolfe. He pushed me outside the suite and shut the door behind us, his large body blocking my entrance.
“I need to be in there with her.”
“No. You want to be, there’s a difference.”
“Matai.”
“Stop it, Rogan,” he hissed. A flash of sharpness in his eyes revealed his deep concern. “For once … just stop.”
I slumped at his tone, my heart pounding so hard I was sick with it. “What’s wrong with her, Matai? She won’t tell me.”
“I know.” He grimaced. “She’s been overtired lately. I’ve tried to talk to her about it but …”
“She keeps saying nothing is the matter,” I finished.
“Yes.”
Our eyes locked. We both knew something was definitely wrong.
It seemed forever before Raj beckoned us back into the suite. It had probably only been fifteen minutes.
“What’s the matter?” I rushed to Haydyn’s side and grasped her hand in mine.
She was sitting up in bed now, color returning to her cheeks, and she smiled a bright smile that relieved me.
Matai stood hovering at the end of the bed. He threw Raj a belligerent look. “Well, man, what the hell is going on?”
I shot the soldier a chiding look. He and Haydyn were supposed to hide their feelings for one another, not make it obvious to even the most unobservant person.
Raj smiled indulgently, glancing from Haydyn
to Valena. “Both Valena and I have examined the princezna. We sensed only the darkness of exhaustion and so we removed it from her. The princezna is feeling much better.” He strode to her other side. “As for this not sleeping, I will have one of the servants bring a tonic from my stores that should help you find rest, Princezna.”
“Thank you, Raj.” Haydyn bestowed a grateful smile upon the healer. “I appreciate your help.”
Suddenly I was exhausted by the fright she had given me. “Next time maybe you’ll do as I ask and see Raj before you collapse on the floor.”
The others looked a little shocked. Not Haydyn. She appeared remorseful. Because she knew me well. “I’m sorry, Rogan. I promise not to frighten you again.”
“Pfft.”
“Rogan?”
“If you’re all better, I have things to do.”
Matai and the healers glared at me, but I did not care for their opinions.
Haydyn narrowed her eyes on me. “Yes, you do have things to do.” She threw back the covers and got out of bed with a surprising breeze of energy. “Tell Jarek to ready my horse and yours. We’re going to the marketplace.”
I clenched my jaw but strode toward the door to do her bidding. The marketplace! She knew I hated the marketplace. She was punishing me for my inability to admit I was frightened.
“Oh, and Rogan …”
I stiffened. I did not like that singsong tone of hers. It meant she was up to something. “Yes, Your Highness?”
“After you speak with Jarek, please find Captain Stovia. We’ll need an escort.”
I grimaced and marched out of the room, her sweet laughter following me. Despite the distasteful thought of being in Wolfe’s presence, I smiled at the sound of her laughter and shook my head at her mischief.
“There you are,” I called as I came upon Jarek in the Silver Stable. We had stables almost as large as the palace because half of the Royal Guard was cavalry. There were a number of stable boys, and Jarek, a young man my age with a quick wit and warm smile, had been a stable boy up until recently. The old stable master had passed away, and I had suggested Jarek for the job. Yes, he was young, but we had been friends ever since my arrival at the palace and I had never met anyone with such an affinity for horses. There had been some upset at first when Haydyn appointed him as stable master. People assumed he was too young and not responsible enough. But he had the stables in tip-top shape in no time and now everyone could plainly see he was the best man for the job.