Thrallmagic: Chapter 29

Chapter 29

As I stand outside of the queen’s chambers, I click my nails against the marble walls anxiously, gathering up my courage to go in. The guards that stand on either side of the doors carefully ignore me in a practiced fashion. After arguing with myself about whether or not to go in for a few minutes, I take a deep breath and square my shoulders.

I nod to the guards that I’m ready for them to announce my presence to my mother when I notice Kerissa striding purposefully towards me. Her red hair gleams in the sun, and she calls my name, walking a little faster so that she’ll catch me. “Rionach, wait! I need to speak with you.” She comes to a halt in front of me, and, eyeing the guards, tilts her head back the way she came. “Walk with me, would you?”

I oblige, but bite my lip indecisively. “I really should talk to the queen about my wedding, Isi.”

To my surprise, Kerissa claps her hands excitedly and nods. “That’s what I wanted to talk to you about, actually!” She smiles at me, her expression carefree, and I frown.

“Why’re you so happy?” My thoughts flash to our father, lying ill and slowly fading away on a healer’s bed somewhere, and I swallow past the lump in my throat.

She furrows her brow. “Well, Father, of course, and because you’re getting married!” She squeals, and claps her hands.

I stop her in her tracks. “Father? What about him? What happened? Is there news?”

Kerissa blinks at my rapid questions, but nods slowly, after a moment. I prevent myself from shaking the information out of her, and nod, urging her to continue. She looks at me questioningly for a moment before she shrugs. “The news came this morning. The healers have found something that will let him live a little longer. A few weeks- maybe a month.” Her face falls as she says that. “I suppose there’s no chance of him recovering completely- but- oh- Rionach, he’ll be there for your wedding! Isn’t that lovely?”

I choke on air, and desperately try to suck in a breath at her last sentence. “I’m- month- wedding- why-“ I pant, unable to breathe, and Kerissa’s eyes widen. She claps me on the back, and I suck in a long breath of cool air relievedly. “My wedding! And father!” Why haven’t I been told about this yet? “Isi, do you know when my betrothal ceremony is yet?”

She nods, a bit confused. “Did you forget? It’s to be a week before Year’s End. Your wedding is on the first day of the new year, of course.” She smiles at me again. “It’ll take some very quick planning. Have you been measured for the dress yet?”

I shake my head numbly, but force a smile to my face for her benefit. If the court finds out that I’m not happy about the wedding, or that I’m being forced into a wedding, talk might spread to other countries, especially Lysian. I wince at the thought of being forced into a war at this time, but bring my attention back to what Kerissa is saying.

“-all that creamy gold and smooth silk. There are rumors that you’re going to be married in the city temple, but a royal wedding would take place in the castle, of course. What do you think, Ria?”

I blink at her, not entirely sure what she’s asking me. Her lengthy descriptions about what she thinks the wedding should be like have evaded my shell-shocked state. “About what?”

She rolls her eyes impatiently, and opens the door to her bedchamber, gesturing for me to step in. “About where you want to have your wedding!” She sends one of her ladies-in-waiting to fetch us some thrallwine and a honeyloaf.

Cutting us both a large slice, Kerissa gestures for me to sit and curls into her own chair, tucking her feet under her skirt, munching on the sweet bread. “I thought the rose bower on the tower roof would be nice, but then again, it would be hard for guests to climb all those stairs and it wouldn’t house that many people, would it?”

I think rapidly, for a strategic place to have my wedding, where Blathen might befall a fatal accident, but am unable to think of any. Helplessly, I shrug. “In the throne room, perhaps? It wouldn’t be a coronation, of course, but it is still fitting. Or perhaps the ballroom? Or the Great Hall?”

Kerissa nods happily, and I bite my nails, eager now to gather as many details of my wedding as I can from my unsuspicious sister. “I wonder when I’m supposed to be measured for my wedding dress,” I mention casually, wondering if she knows anything, or has heard anything, from the queen or gossiping nobles.

She shrugs. “I had heard it was we were to have lunch today and choose fabrics. Perhaps then?”

I nod along to her words, mind racing. “Lunch. Yes, of course. I’d forgotten. Who is we, again?”

Isi stops walking and stares at me. “Are you alright, Ria? You’re acting quite oddly. Why don’t you know any of this?” She looks me over for a bit as I stand in silence, no sure how to respond. Then, with a shake of her head, she says, “Mother, Prince Blathen, and the both of us, of course.”

“Ah.” I smile my thanks with her and we continue walking, an awkward silence filling the room.

A shout echoes behind us, and we both spin around. “Rionach!” Blathen strides toward us, his face set in determination. “A word, sweetheart?” He smiles sardonically at me, enjoying the effect of his words.

I nod to him slowly, swallowing and hoping that Isi will choose to stay.

“I should be going, then.” Kerissa smiles at me and trips down the hall, winking cheekily at us before disappearing around the corner. I hear her chattering to someone before their voices fade away, and I’m forced to face Blathen.

“I see you’ve heard about our wedding, then. A shame she told you so soon. Queen Guinevere wasn’t sure you’d play along. You see, she thought you were cold, and heartless enough to let your sister die for the sake of your country.” Blathen whispers his words in my ear, his lips barely brushing against my neck.

I take a step forward, trying not to shudder, and turn to face him. “She’s one person. Weighed against the lives of the people of Valkyr…” I let my words trail off, wondering what he’ll do if he think his threat is obsolete.

Unfortunately, he takes my arm and smiles at me. “I thought a little piece of motivation might help you.” As he leads me down the corridor, he says, “Consider this an amendment to my earlier threat. If I don’t feel that you’re playing your part well enough, Rionach, I’ll simply arrange an artful accident for you, and marry your sweet little sister. I’m sure she’d be much more willing.” His gaze is cold, now, and when I try to wrest my arm away from him, he simply holds on tighter.

“You bastard. What will you do if I kill you?” My voice shakes with anger as I stare at him, fighting to keep the tears out of my eyes.

Blathen shrugs. “I’m sure Queen Guinevere will find a way to link the murder to you. What will you do with your country once you’ve been disinherited?” He raises a friendly eyebrow. “And don’t think that if you marry me, you’ll have some hold over the country. You won’t.”

I tug at my arm, angry and afraid at the same time. “Let go of me. I’m not going to do anything.”

After a long look, he releases my arm, but bends in to whisper to me again. “I found out where you were and what you did last night, Rionach. The queen doesn’t know… but she can find out. Don’t want to be executed for treason, do we?” My heart jumps into my throat at his words, but I stare at him guilelessly, a denial at the tip of my tongue.

He winks at me, positively delighted over my anguish. “Good day, sweetheart. I hear we’ll be having lunch together.”

He turns and walks away as I grit my teeth and rub my arm where he grasped me. I have to find a way to get out of this. Furious, I clench my fists, talking myself out of taking a swing at the wall.

As I stride through the castle, face in a permanent scowl, the maids duck away from me, and nobles turn their heads away, pretending not to have seen me but erupting into whispers the moment they’ve passed me.

I round a corner, and end up nearly running into Alexander. He takes a look at my face and glances around, as if wondering whether or not to talk to me. I make myself relax, and appear nice, but he still approaches me warily.

“Is everything alright, Rionach? You look… upset.” His eyes flick around the hallway, and he only meets my eyes momentarily before looking away again.

His obvious discomfort makes me a bit less angry, and my shoulders slump as I wallow in self-pity for a moment. I hear Alexander take a step closer before he puts an arm around my shoulders. “What happened?”

I step away from his arm, not wanting anyone to see us looking so friendly, and turn to face him. “Where should I start? I woke up this morning to be hunted by an assassin that nearly killed my best friend, was then told by your –clearly insane– cousin that she’s had visitations from an all-powerful god, and was just threatened with death by my oh-so-loving fiancé!”

I look up to meet Alexander’s eyes, and when I do, he just looks blank. Blinking again, he says, “Ah… right. Quite a day. Must be going, then, your highness. Lovely talking to you. Really. It’s been quite nice. Have a lovely morning- or- afternoon, rather- ah- I really must be going. Lovely chat, really great- I already said that- good day!”

As he turns on his heel and walks away after that baffling description, I glance around, wondering if someone has been eavesdropping. Yet no one meets my gaze, and a quick check around the corner reveals nothing. Shrugging, I walk over to the window, perching on the end of the windowsill.

A commotion in the courtyard startles me, and suddenly, I see what Alexander saw. Lindon and Cyan are arguing, weapons out. In a flash, Lin steps closer to Cyan and presses a blade against his throat. With a gasp, I fly from my seat and clatter down the stairs. The image of Lindon putting a knife to Cyan’s throat dances in my mind.

What are you doing? I think a message to Lindon in hopes that he will talk to me.

To my utter surprise, his reply is quick. Not much. Polishing your swords?

Lindon, I saw you, I screech in my mind. I saw what you were doing. What is happening?

What? What- Ria- are you alright?

I emerge into the courtyard, but there’s nothing left for me to do. Cyan lies still, his head severed, in a spreading pool of his own blood. Alexander cradles his cousin’s body, and when he sees me, I wince from the anger in his eyes.

The guards are conspicuously absent, and my stomach flips anxiously. Lin is nowhere to be seen, and I don’t want to leave Alexander alone. Lindon, come back here.

When Lindon replies, his frustration pours through. Where is here?!

The courtyard, you dimwit, and now! I can’t think of Lindon as the killer- especially not in such cold blood. Although I know that he’s killed before, I can’t reconcile him- sweet, sarcastic Lindon- with the image of a murderer. I remind myself that something is definitely wrong.

I consider walking over to Alex, or calling a guard, but I don’t trust myself to do anything. Or you just don’t trust the guards to help you, I think. With a bitter snort, I turn away from the grim scene of blood and pain, tapping my foot as I wait for Lindon.

When he emerges from seemingly nowhere, walking up to me, I take an involuntary step away from him. Hurt and confusion comes over his features, and when he observes the body, his eyes go wide.

“What happened?” He takes a step toward Cyan’s body, and Alexander stands up abruptly.

“Don’t take a step closer. What, have you come back to slit my throat, too?” Alexander balls his fists, but glances towards the hundreds of castle windows that look down upon us, and thankfully, refrains.

Lindon’s lip curls. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I didn’t kill Lord Cyan- why would I?” He nods to me, momentary relief coming over his features. “Ask Ria. I told her just now that I was polishing her swords. I couldn’t have killed Lord Cyan.”

Suddenly, a high keening cuts through the air, and I only catch a glimpse of Lady Cassandra in her snow-white dress before she flings herself over her brother. Cyan’s blood soaks through the pretty white lace, dyeing it reddish-brown. Even the tips of her white-blond hair have turned red. Thankfully, a trio of guards turn the corner just then, take one look at the situation, and stride over to us. One of them leaves, presumably to get more help.

Before long, half the court is here, and Lindon has been thrown in the dungeons. Cassandra hasn’t let go of her brother once, and the noon sunlight filters through the clouds and hits the golden walls of the palace, creating a beautiful scene of disaster and grief. Prince Alexander stands behind the chief diplomat, trying to talk to Cassandra to no avail.

Six armed guards surround me and no matter how much I argue to have them pursue other duties, my mother only nods absently and barks orders to the nobles, letting the Guard do their work. For the first time, I regret the absence of Captain Wyrnson. The lack of strong leadership is seen every time a new guard bumbles about, upsetting nobles, or when the gate is left unguarded, causing two merchants to stride into the courtyard- and stride promptly back out upon glimpsing the scene.

Belatedly, Blathen emerges from the castle. When he sees me in the crowd, a look of genuine relief comes over his face. I snort, wondering what rumor he heard. I’m sure the court is abuzz with tales of the entire royal family having been killed by a pack of assassins. He walks over to me and pulls me into an embrace- I imagine for the benefit of the crowd. I say nothing, and don’t smile or meet his eyes when he kisses me.

My stomach turns with revulsion and disgust, but I put up with him for the greater good, not wanting to cause a scene amidst the chaos. His earlier threat comes to my mind, and a shudder runs up my back.