Thrallmagic: Chapter 4

Chapter 4

When I open my eyes, the man is gone. Sighing in relief, I shade my eyes from the glaring sun and set off back to the castle. The few people that notice me simply nod, or bow slightly before continuing on their conversations. One of the guards falls in behind me, but I dismiss him with a flick of my hand, not wanting anyone to know where I go and what I do. Lord Nikolas’s rooms are on the first floor, and when I come to his door, I don’t knock, but slip inside, hoping that this looks more like a romantic rendezvous than a group of people plotting treason. A sound comes from the inner room, suspiciously like something shattering, and I loosen my sword from its sheath, just in case.

Hearing yelling, I tighten my grip and put my ear to the door, listening. A girl’s voice reaches my ears, too muffled to understand anything.

Something else shatters, and I wince. A man's voice yells, "Well, too bloody bad! I'm not going to let my little sister protect me. I can take care of my-"

The girl answers, this time louder. "What, so just because I'm a girl, I can't be as strong as or stronger than you? Face it, Nik, I have more resources, more people, more knowledge than you!"

“Don't spew nonsense, Arianna! You've been in the middle of nowhere for the past half a year!"

Arianna growls. "I have not been in the middle of nowhere! I've been trying to get my men back!"

Suddenly, the room goes silent before Nikolas laughs harshly. "Your men? The only man you care about is your blasted lover."

Her voice drops lower, and I can't make out what she says, but the sounds of a fistfight soon erupt from behind the door. I consider going in, but when they get closer to the door, I back away, not wanting two enraged people to find me spying on them. The door opens, and before I can disappear, Arianna walks out, closely followed by Nikolas. Nikolas's face has a thin cut on it from Arianna's hook.The room behind them is an utter mess as far as I can see. Both of them stop arguing and stare at me. 

Arianna is the first to speak. Her voice sounds odd as she speaks. "Have you been... listening the whole time?"

I look around, suddenly feeling like a child caught stealing honey. "Perhaps?"

Nikolas eyes me. "Exactly how much did you hear?"

Pulling myself together, I meet his eyes and say, "Only the last bit."

Arianna leans against the wall, crossing her arms. "Why are you even here, your highness?"

I raise an eyebrow. "Last night, I was Rionach. Why the formalities now, your majesty?" My sentence grows progressively more sarcastic as I speak.

She shrugs. "Rionach, then. Why are you here?"

Taking a deep breath, I ready myself to ask for her help. "I thought about what you said last night."

Uncrossing her arms, she plants a hand on her hip and inspects her nails, looking utterly uninterested. "Which part, Rionach?"

I smile wickedly. "The part where you offered to help."

When she looks at me, she doesn’t try to hide her interest in my words. “Good, then. I can have my men report to-“

I shake my head. “Not what I want, Arianna.”

She studies me, as if surprised. “Well, what do you want?”

Avoiding giving her an answer just yet, I say, “I checked with Captain Wyrnson about what you said, about him wanting me on the throne.” Her eyes go wide, but before she can say anything, I continue nonchalantly. “Of course, I didn’t come right out and ask him, but we have agreed to meet tonight.” Studying a strand of my hair, I wait for her to reply.

“Well, Rionach, you are just full of surprises, aren’t you?” Her voice is guarded, and her expression contemplative. “Why are you telling me this?”

I let the façade drop. “I want you to be there. Somehow, I think we can figure something out between us three.”

I turn to leave, but Arianna speaks before I can. “What are you trying to do, Rionach?”

Looking straight at her, I say, “I’m trying to do the right thing. Meet us at the eaves of the forest at midnight, tonight.” Shutting the door quietly behind me, I practically run to my chambers. Trying not to think about what’ll happen to me if we’re found out, I call for a bath. Finally, I take my armor off, giving it to a maid to take to the armory. Before getting into my bath, I dismiss all my ladies except Serafine. Giggling, they run off happily.

This time, the water steams in the bath, and as I scrub the dirt off of myself, I rack my mind for ideas. Thinking of nothing, I step out and dress for the council session. Just thinking of it makes the pit of my stomach fill with nervous butterflies. Dealing with our mortal enemies in a setting where screaming matches regularly took place isn’t very reassuring, not to anyone. Taking a deep breath, I stare at myself in the mirror, silently trying to talk myself into this. Serafine pulls two pieces of my hair back and pins them back to keep my hair out of my face. My skin is unusually pale, and my eyes are wide with fear. Sitting down on my bed, I close my eyes and try to calm myself. After a while, I sit up, mask on, and leave to go to the sanctum sanctorum, where the council session will take place.

When I reach the doors, Lord Doirclann nods to me as he hands his sword belt to the guards outside the door. Violence being strictly forbidden inside the sanctum, everybody must disarm before entering. I hand my dagger to guard, it being the only weapon I have on me. Lord Doirclann and I both say the ceremonial words that will grant us entrance to the chamber inside. “I do not intend to harm anyone or instruct someone else to harm them while I am inside the sanctum.”

The guard bows to me and opens the doors for us. Striding inside, I take my usual place next to the head of the table. A servant brings me wine, and I take a long drink, observing the room. With considerable surprise, I see the vampire soldier with his lady. I wonder how important they are, since a common soldier would not be permitted here.

A mad laugh startles me out of my thoughts, and I look to see the Unseelie Court’s prince throwing his head back and laughing. Catching my eye, he winks, and walks over. Sitting down, he crosses his legs on the table and leans back in his chair.

“How’ve you been, princess? Still all shut up inside that head of yours?”

Tartly, I reply, “I’ve been fine, Lindon, but how’ve you been? Has your ego smothered you yet? I thought it would have killed you by now, seeing as it’s so big.”

He laughs again. “Ah, Ria, you are a worthy opponent.” Draining the goblet of wine he’s given, he gestures for more before going on. “Tell me, darling, how does it feel to finally be declared princess heir of the Seelie Court?”

“It feels the same as before, Lindon,” I say dryly.

“Liar. Just because I was declared before you doesn’t mean you have to be jealous of me, you know.”

I snort. “You’re one week older than me, not a century. Tone it down a bit, would you?” The door opens yet again, this time with the vampire prince. Glancing behind him, Lindon sighs, and gets up. “I’d better go before my father starts scowling like his face’ll fall off.” Kissing my cheek, he whispers, “Meet me at the gates at sunrise, love. I’ll make sure you have a good time.”

Rolling my eyes at his retreating back, I trace circles on the wood wondering how to get away tomorrow. The vampire prince walks toward me and bows, thankfully keeping me from thinking too much. Nodding politely, I gesture to the chair opposite to me. “Please, sit, Alexander.”

He nods his thanks before speaking. “Would it be much trouble to explain to me who that was, princess?” Since he seems genuinely confused, I tell him.

“That is Prince Lindon of the Unseelie Court. He leads the Wild Hunt, and on the rare occasion that he’s here, at Seelie, his father forces him to attend council.”

Alexander nods. “And why is it that each faerie before me repeated the exact same words about not harming anyone inside?”

“Before entering, each faerie must say that they do not plan to destroy the peace. Since we cannot lie, it’s been an effective method.”

He looks around before nodding to me. “I didn’t think of that, but yes, I suppose it is.”

Before he gets up to leave, I ask, “I was wondering if you’d like to go for a ride after the Council session, your highness. You can bring your men if you wish.” His expression turns to one of surprise, and I add, “Consider it an offer of goodwill, if you please.”

Smiling he says, “I’d be delighted, your highness.” He goes to the opposite end of the room and sits in one of the chairs that are reserved for visiting dignitaries. As I watch, he and Lindon strike up an animated conversation. Shrugging, I go back to analyzing my mother’s words from this morning, but the doors swing open, and the room starts filling. Mother appears, and takes father’s usual seat, and I suppress the pang of nervousness about what I plan to do.

When everyone’s here, she calls for silence. All twelve of the clan heads and their heirs are here, and although there are no guards or weapons in sight, the tension in the room is thick. I watch silently as a scribe accounts for everyone here. After my mother calls the council into session and introduces the issues at hand, I stand and ask for permission to speak.

My mother stares at me incredulously, but grants me permission. Shutting out the nervousness, I open my mouth and utter the words I know will throw the room into a frenzy. “Your majesty, I would like to ask why you have not yet told the council of the poison that has caused our lord king’s illness.”