Thrallmagic: Chapter 23

Chapter 23

Muirinn’s cool fingers inspect the bruises, and I wince when she hits a particularly bad one. Lindon takes a hesitant step forward, but then shakes his head and whirls around, striding out the door and letting it slam behind him. Don’t do anything rash. No reply comes from him, and I sigh in defeat.

Turning to Muirinn, I say, “It doesn’t matter how I got these bruises. You can’t tell anyone about this, no matter how much you trust them. Don’t even think about it after leaving here. Do you understand?” I bite my lip anxiously as I wait for her reply.

She doesn’t say anything as she looks at me with sad, tired eyes. A moment later, she says, “Of course, your highness. As you wish.” Turning away from me, she begins to fiddle with some medicines. Quickly mixing a paste together, she drops a few spoons into a glass of water I haven’t noticed and hands it to me.

“Drink it?” I sniff the drink suspiciously, recoiling at the bitter odor that permeates the air.

Muirinn nods. “All of it. It should help soothe those bruised ribs and speed along the healing process a bit.”

Holding my breath, I gulp down the thick liquid, gagging when bits of leaves get stuck in my teeth. I hand the cup back to her, swallowing even after it’s gone to get rid of the bitter taste in my mouth. Setting it on the table, she hands me two jars of a grayish paste. I look at her questioningly, and she says, “They’re healing salves. Spread them on whatever cuts or bruises you might get.” She avoids my eyes the entire time she’s speaking, and I nod my thanks, not trusting my voice to keep steady.

She clears away all of her jars and vials, making them disappear into various pockets and satchels, reminding me briefly of Drian. As she works, she speaks. “I can still sense some of the poison in you, your highness. It’s imperative you have your rooms checked. I’ve had someone check your taster, and she was clear of any poisons. She meets my gaze then, and I nod.

“Of course. I’ll have that done immediately.” I clasp my hands together to warm my fingers, and sit down on my bed.

Muirinn shakes her head disapprovingly. “I’ll send a healer up to see if we can sense where the poison is coming from. At least it hasn’t gotten worse. You should be back to full strength in a few days.”

Without a word, she curtsies, and pads quietly out of the room. I curl back up under the covers, searching for Lindon in my mind. The idea to look through his eyes occurs to me, and I smile, letting my eyes slide shut. I clear my mind of thoughts and concentrate on Lindon’s faint presence. Within minutes, I’m looking out his eyes. It’s odd, and I feel ever so slightly dizzy. Taking a deep breath, I concentrate on what I’m seeing- and hearing, I realise with a start. I must have willed myself to hear through him unconsciously. From what I can tell, he’s hacking away at a practice dummy with a sword, angrily cursing underneath his breath. Softly, I say to him, It’s alright, you know. I’m fine now. It’ll take more to break me than that.

Being in his mind and speaking to him at the same time gives me a headache, so I slip back into my mown my slowly, waiting for his reply. You should have told me. Why didn’t you? His words carry a hint of hurt, and I bite my lip. I’m sorry, Lin, please? He doesn’t reply, and no matter what I say, no reply comes back. Sighing at his stubbornness, I swing my legs off of the bed and go to the closet to find some clothes. Wincing, I tug on a pair of soft breeches and pull a blouse over my head. Donning my coat and boots, I stride out of my chambers, clattering down the stairs to the practice yards. My hair lies in a damp tangle down my back, and the cold air bites at my hands and nose. A fine mist has started to fall from the skies, and I’m shivering soon enough as I look for Lindon.

Glancing around, I check to make sure no one’s looking, and take cover underneath a tree before letting my eyes slide shut. Concentrating on Lindon, I slip into his mind, trying to discern where he is from his surroundings. The practice dummy is gone, and a crackling fire is before him. He’s pacing, and when I see a rack of swords behind him, I walk as quickly as I can to the armory. I shake myself like a dog at the doorstep, getting whatever water has settled on me off, and wipe my face. A pair of guards bow to me as I step inside. I slip into the back chamber, which is deserted. Quietly, I find the secret door that lies behind a hinged weapons rack, and step inside, relishing the warmth as I do so. Lindon is sitting in an armchair, his head clutched between his hands and his shoulders slumped.

Lindon sits up, and his eyes flick to me angrily when I take a step closer. “How did you find me?” His voice is rough, like he’s fighting back tears.

I go to him, but he rises, and backs away slowly. Trying not to let his actions bother me, I say, “I can see through your eyes. The fake sword rack was in the background.”

He shakes his head disgustedly. “So now I can’t hide anything from you? Everything of mine is yours, isn’t it? Even my mind.” He goes back to pacing angrily.

I pad closer, laying a hand on his arm. He stiffens, and stops, but doesn’t pull away. Taking that as a good sign, I say, “You knew what it would be like when asked to be bonded.”

He bites his lip, drawing blood, and I wince. Reaching up, I brush the drop of blood away, but he jerks back, causing me to fall forward. “Leave. I have no wish to speak with you.”

I sigh, annoyed. “Why are you angry with me? I didn’t do any of this! I didn’t want any of this!” I swallow rapidly, trying to get rid of the lump in my throat.

“You could have at least warned me, you know! I knew he was a bastard, but-“ Lindon runs a hand through his curls. When he speaks again, his voice is soft. “Why did you agree to marry him, Ria?”

I look up at him sadly. “I had to. He has my mother’s support, Lin, and she threatened to throw Kerissa onto the streets if I didn’t agree. And besides, I need to appear strong to the public. The royal family has to appear strong, even though my father-“ My voice catches, and I blink back tears. “It’s strategically wise. It might even be possible that the queen would find a way to disown me, and name Kerissa as princess heir if I hadn’t agreed.”

Lindon wraps his arms around me and pulls me close. “Why did he hit you?” He buries his head in my neck, sighing tiredly.

I make a little noise of scorn. “A warning, I think. To behave how he wants me to.” We pull back from each other, and Lindon gestures to the chair between us.

“Sit, you must be exhausted.” We curl up in the same chair, each of us taking half as we sit in companiable silence. After a while, Lindon says, “I don’t suppose we can have him killed?”

A bitter laugh escapes my lips. “Kerissa dies then, too, whether or not it’s traced back to us.” I roll my neck, trying to loosen the wound up muscles there. “Speaking of, are we meeting tonight?”

Lindon nods absently, his thoughts elsewhere. “Half past eleven. I won’t say where, but I’ll fetch you at eleven so we can get there.”

I nod into his chest, where my head rests. “He kills his wives, you know,” I murmur sleepily.

Lindon sits up with a start, jolting me awake. “What do you mean, he kills his wives? How do you know?”

I shrug. “He’s had three wives before me, all of whom died in accidents that could have easily been staged. I do get reports from our spies, you know. I wasn’t entirely helpless before you and Arianna came along.”

“And you’re still going to marry him? He’ll kill you, too, and take your crown.” Lindon grasps my shoulders, looking into my eyes. “You can’t go through with this.”

I pull away from him. “And how would you suggest I stop it? What should I do? If I refuse, I might as well be signing my and Kerissa’s death warrants. If I refuse, any chance of my having the crown will be gone.”

Lindon stands up, a disbelieving laugh escaping his lips. “Is that all you care about? The bloody crown? Don’t you worry about yourself, or, heavens forbid, your friends? This is foolhardy. You can’t possibly have come up with such a stupid plan.”

I stand up angrily, and he mirrors me. “It’s not stupid, it’s the only choice I have! If you have a better idea, let’s hear it!”

“Have him killed! He should have been drowned at birth. Don’t agree to marry him- fight for something, for once!” He’s shouting now, but the room is soundproofed with magic.

I yell back, “I am fighting for something! Refusing him means that my country will fall to chaos, and rebellion! I have to help my people, Lindon, can’t you understand that? If I marry Blathen, I have a chance of keeping some power! If I don’t, that I die, Kerissa dies, the succession falls!” Angry tears stream down my face as I talk, and I wipe them away roughly.

“Power? You think he’ll let you keep some power? I was there this morning when you were hanging over him like a lovesick schoolgirl! How much did he have to do to convince you to play your part? You’re a puppet in his deranged hands, and you can’t even see it!” Lindon gestures wildly, knocking over a vase and causing it to shatter. Neither of us pay it any mind.

“Why do you have to be so cruel to me? I don’t know what to do, Lindon, but calling me stupid, and pointing out all the possible perils doesn’t help me. You’re supposed to be my friend, remember? I have no one, Lindon. My father is dying, my sister is oblivious, and my mother is a psychopath. I have no friends to speak of, except you, but you just have to be an ass, all the bloody time!” I stare at him reproachfully, and we both fall silent. The crackling of the fire fills the air as I wait for him to speak.

When he does reply, his voice is quieter. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry, Ria.” He collapses into the chair, all of his breath leaving him as he does so. Rubbing his eyes, he says, “I’m just- it’s been hard. I know that’s no excuse.” He laughs at himself for a brief moment before the smile fades from his face. “Ever since I told my father about naming you as my heir and abdicating, he’s been angry. And- oh- I know he can’t do anything about it, but he is my father. He’s the last family I’ve got.”

He glances up at me, recollection flashing though his eyes, and says, “He wants to speak with you sometime soon, I think. Make it official.” Shaking his head, he leans back, staring up at the ceiling and tracing patterns on the soft fabric of the chair with a finger. “The Hunt isn’t very happy with me. I’ll have to see about pacifying them somehow.” Glancing up, he says apologetically, “I might have to leave for a bit.”

I shrug. “Leaving is fine, as long as it’s not too long. And if you go south, you can find me something I can use on Blathen.” A grim smile lights his face as I speak.

“Of course.” Lindon smiles, a bit happier, and throws an arm around me, steering us through the door. “I’m sure you have somewhere to be. I’ll see you at eleven, Ria.” The moment we’re outside, he plants a hurried kiss on my forehead and dashes off like a little boy. As I watch him disappear into the fog, a small smile dances on my lips.