Thrallmagic: Chapter 28

Chapter 28

Muttering curses to myself, I pluck a few leaves out of my hair, but give up on making myself look anything close to presentable. Briskly, I walk towards the courtier, and I soon make out Lady Cassandra’s delicate features as she approaches. 

“Lady Princess!” Her voice rings out in the quiet cool, and she offers me a shallow curtsy as I draw near. 

I smile coolly at her, glad that she hasn’t seen me running like a maniac. “I don’t believe we have that form of address in Valkyr, your grace.” I study her for a moment before adding, “But I expect you knew that already, didn’t you?”

Her cool expression reveals nothing as she inclines her head in respect. “I’ve been trying to hunt you down for a few days now, your highness. But it seems that our appointments get cancelled every time.”

I toss her a seemingly carefree smile as I carefully steer her to the palace. “My sincerest apologies, of course. It was not my intention, but you have me alone now. What say you to a late breakfast with me? I’ve been training since dawn.”

Her eyes positively turn green with jealousy when I mention training, but it disappears in an instant as she hides her feelings. “I did wonder at your… attire, but that would suit me perfectly. Thank you, your highness.” We traipse slowly to the castle, and when we reach my chambers, I ask her to wait for me in the sitting room while I bathe and change clothes.

When I reappear, hair combed, sweat and dirt wiped away, and clad in a dress, she nods to me. Breakfast arrives, and though it’s chilly, the sun has been out long enough to warm my balcony a bit, so I invite her to eat outside.

Her eyes flick over me when I ask, as if she’s trying to determine my purpose. After a moment’s pause, she nods. “I’d love to accept your offer, but isn’t it cold?” She arches a delicately filled in eyebrow at me.

Studying her, I let a warm smile fill my face. “There is a brazier, and the sun has been out. Of course, if you would prefer to eat inside…” I let my voice trail off and sit back, knowing that she will insist on eating outside now.

“No, no, of course not. We should eat outside.” Her eyes pinch at the corners, showing her annoyance at my manipulation, but nothing else betrays her.

I smile at her and gesture to Serafine, who will have the guards set up a table outside. In my mind, I call frantically for Lindon, hoping he’s still alive. Are you alright? What happened?

“-the lady that fell?” Lady Cassandra clears her throat delicately when I give no answer, and I turn my attention back to her.

“Ah- Lady Vanessa? She’s fine. Healing rapidly.” A commotion sounds in front of the doors, and I stand up abruptly. “If you’ll excuse me, Lady Cassandra?”

Blathen walks in, followed by the huntsman from earlier, and I frown at them. “Prince Blathen- and, ah-“ I falter, not having asked the huntsman’s name.

“Cornelius, madam, but Cor will work.” He smiles, showing his canines, and bows from the waist. Cor is, of course, clad in the dark armor that is a part of every huntsman’s uniform, and he stands out in the brilliance in the room.

Blathen clears his throat. “This- man- if he can even be called that- would not let me in.” He glances at the ladies-in-waiting that stand around us, carefully turned away and whispering to each other, before drawing a small box out of his coat. “I was promised breakfast, and I came to give-“

Cor snatches the box from Blathen’s hand and flips it open. Blathen’s scowl deepens, and his eyes go cold. “How dare you take that! That is a gift for-“

Cor nods dismissively before handing me the box, an apologetic look on his face. “My apologies, your highness, but the commander told me not to let anyone near you except himself.”

I wince as Blathen slams his fist into the wall, making the paintings on the wall shake. “I am her fiancé! I will have you hanged for this.”

An annoyed sigh escapes my lips. “Really? Hanged? Blathen, thank you for- ah-“ I look down at the box and the bracelet inside. “For the bracelet. And Cornelius, I assume you’re not supposed to leave my side, so go out in the balcony and help take the food out.”

Cor bows and disappears into the balcony. Blathen glances behind me, at Lady Cassandra, and bows, retreating. “I can see that you’re busy, Rionach. Perhaps lunch, then.” The doorman opens the door for him, and he turns on his heel and strides through, face a cold mask of annoyance.

My ladies disperse, still giggling. Cassandra stands up, her white dress cascading to the floor. A small smile plays on her lips as she says, “You seem a bit on edge, your highness. Do you always order about your suitors like that?” Her voice drips with contempt, and she flips a lock of dark hair over her shoulder before meeting my eyes.

I smile back. “Only the ones I’m engaged to.” A glance at the balcony reveals that the breakfast table has been set up. A small feast of fruit and pastries is in the center, and pitchers of honey and tea stand guard around the food. “Shall we, then?”

Lady Cassandra nods, and trips daintily to the table before taking her seat. I sink into mine, pouring myself a cup of tea and mixing a few spoons of honey in. Taking a pastry and a few slices of fruit, I pour honey over it all before taking a bite. The air is cold, but two braziers crackle merrily nearby, and the sun shines over us, lending us some warmth. I consider heating the balcony with magic, but since it isn’t enclosed, the heat will only leak away, so I elect to save my power.

Cassandra helps herself to a cup of tea and a small pile of fruit before talking. “I’m sure you’re wondering what I wanted to speak to you about, your highness.”

I raise an eyebrow, then gesture for the guards to leave. Cor, of course, stands silently in the corner, but Lindon wouldn’t have told him to watch me if he didn’t trust him. “Not really, Lady Cassandra. I know full well that you know about my… objectives.”

She suppresses a laugh in her napkin and smiles brilliantly at me. “I have no need to talk to you about that. Alexander is the one who cares.”

“Why are you here, then? You could very easily gain any other information you wanted from Lord Cyan or Prince Alexander.” I take a delicate bite of pastry and look out over the courtyard, purposefully not paying attention to Cassandra.

But when she beings to laugh, giggling at first and growing to a full body laugh, I stare at her, unsure of what has just happened. She finally takes a deep breath, chuckling once or twice again. “I’m sorry, your highness, but that’s not at all what I’ve come to you about. My spies have already told me more about you than anything Alex or Cy could ever dig up.”

I blink at her, trying my hardest to disguise my surprise. “Your… spies?” I glance over her again, eyeing the delicate white dress and the thick furs draped across her shoulders to keep out the chill.

She nods, sipping her tea. “I head the largest spy network in the realm. You really didn’t think I didn’t look you up?”

I take a drink of my wine to hide my unease at her knowledge. My gaze flicks over my ladies-in-waiting. Cassandra, of course, doesn’t miss anything. “You needn’t worry, your highness. None of your ladies-in-waiting are paid off.” Half a beat passes before she reconsiders her words. “Paid off by me, at least.”

A soft breeze wraps us in its icy fingers, and I shiver. “If you’re not here to inquire about my- project- then why are you here?”

A pleasant smile spreads over her face. “What happened, Rionach? At the temple, that is. You remember the sudden headache you had, right?”

I nod, stifling a yawn, before a thought occurs to me. “How do you know I had a headache? I never said.” I frown at her, wondering if she can read minds.

She shrugs daintily, smiling again. “I’m a seer, Princess Rionach. I’ve been having visits, lately.”

My jaw drops, and I stare at her. “You’re… a seer? There aren’t even rumours- I- “

She cuts me off, her face a mask of polite disdain. “Best-kept secret of the north. The only one that rivals it is- “ Her eyes focus on something behind me, and I turn. Lindon stands behind the balcony door, glaring at me. Dark red blood splatters have seeped into his tunic and jacket, and his boots have mud caked over them.

Standing up, I walk back inside. The air smells like smoke, and when I get closer, I notice Lindon’s charred cuffs and holes that pepper his tunic here and there. His eyes flick over Cassandra before he manages a courtly bow to both of us. “Your highness, I can see that you’re busy. My apologies for the intrusion, but I came to collect my- the- Cor.” Cor nods to Lindon before they walk out together with another bow.

Cassandra smirks, wrapping her furs tighter around herself. “Interesting friends you have, princess.”

I smile back coldly, mind racing. “Never a dull moment, of course.” What just happened? “You were saying something before the interruption? About being a seer?”

She settles back into her chair on the balcony, and grudgingly, I join her. “Yes. I am.” With a discreet flick of her wrist, she sends her guard away, so that we’re alone. “Do try to keep an open mind when I say this. You won’t believe me.”

I fight for control as annoyance surges within me. “Please, just finish what you’re saying. As you can see, I have obligations to keep.”

“But of course, your highness. I’ve received visions from Loch.” She studies me carefully as she speaks, and I raise my eyebrows.

“I know enough about seers to know that they’re chosen by the Triad, Lady Cassandra. This doesn’t surprise me.”

She acknowledges my statement with a nod before she continues. “Well- perhaps a better word would be… visitations.”

I catch her eyes and study her, wondering if she really believes what she’s saying. “You’re saying that Loch, an all-powerful god, the god of neutrality, is visiting you. You. Did he need to use your network of moles?” My lip curls as I think about her insane claims. “I have no time to listen to the rantings of a madwoman, Lady Cassandra. Forgive me if I am not diplomatic- you can understand my reluctance to waste any more of my time.”

She huffs, annoyed. “Of course. I’m sure you have wedding to plan, with your lovely fiancé, after all. Have you set the date yet? There are rumours flying around court that it’s to be quite soon.”

My heart leaps into my throat at her words, and I clench my hands in the folds of my dress. When I find my voice, I talk through my teeth. “How soon, Lady Cassandra?” Triad, please, please just let them just be rumours.

She arches an eyebrow. “I’ve heard that it will take place in a matter of weeks. I do hope I merit an invitation, your highness.”

Raising my voice, I call to my guards. “Escort Lady Cassandra and her guard back to her rooms for the day, gentlemen. Serafine, if you would send a message to Her Majesty asking her for a meeting?”

I stand, leading Cassandra back inside. “Thank you for your company, Lady Cassandra.” Stepping closer to her, I hiss, “If you ever come back here with such claims, I will have you escorted out of the country, and not just my rooms.”

She laughs in my face. “Which claims are the ones that scared you, your highness? The ones about your wedding or the supposedly insane ones?” Shaking off the guards, she sweeps out of my room as I glare at her retreating figure, studying her with disgust.

Serafine walks up behind me. “I’ve sent the message, my lady. Do you require anything else?”

I narrow my eyes, wondering what to do next. “It seems I must dress for a meeting with the queen.” Turning on my heel, I march into my bedchamber. “Come, Serafine.”