When he got to the king’s chamber, the guards there stepped away to allow Ronan to pass. Ronan waved his wand at the door, most likely canceling a magical protection he’d put in place, and opened the door.
He paused once the door was open and turned to speak to the guards—allowing me to slip inside before him. “Be on the alert for a man with a camouflage cloak sneaking about in the hallway. If you find him, do not kill him. I want to question anyone who’s acting in a suspicious manner.”
“Yes, my lord,” they said in unison.
The king’s receiving room had a high arched ceiling painted white with red stars. So high in fact, that even the huge stone fireplace on the back wall appeared small in comparison.
King Leofric swept into the chamber from an adjoining room followed by Queen Marita and Lord Clement. The latter had his sword drawn and was fully dressed. The king and queen wore finely embroidered robes over their night clothes.
King Leofric strode toward Ronan, arms outstretched. I didn’t know what he meant by this gesture and was alarmed until the king embraced Ronan—embraced him. I would’ve been less surprised if the king had slapped him.
“You’re safe and well?” King Leofric’s gaze went to Ronan’s neck, reassuring himself that the wizarding mark was still there.
Queen Marita put her hands to her chest in relief. Lord Clement, unnoticed by anyone but myself, looked less happy to see Ronan, safe and still marked.
Curious.
“I fought the attacking wizard,” Ronan said. “He was a mage not from this country. I wish I could’ve brought you more answers, but his destruction was so complete that not even a body is left. I can give you no information about him.”
Lord Clement sheathed his sword. “We know what his intentions were. He meant to destroy the king’s wizards so he could kill Leofric.”
“True,” Ronan said. “That plan is quite spoiled, but I’m afraid, Your Majesty, you’re not out of danger yet. An assassin is on the loose, one aware of the inner workings of the castle.”
Why was Ronan telling the king about Alaric? He knew I wanted to stop Alaric, not have the king’s men hunt him.
The king glanced around the room. His eyes were tired and worried. “How do you know of this assassin?”
“The mage revealed as much before his death.” Ronan strode to the king’s desk, picked up a pen and parchment, and began scrawling something. “We need to join another wizard to the circle immediately, tonight. I suggest Lord Clement take the queen back to her chamber where she’ll be safe. Then he must go waken Mage Apricus or Mage Perigee—if King Leofric accepts my recommendations for the council—and bring one straightway to your chambers.”
Lord Clement folded his arms across his wide chest. “Surely, the need isn’t so urgent as to make a hasty selection in the middle of the night. And which of the mages would take a place on the wizarding council when three are now dead and two stripped of their power? Each night another falls.” His eyes narrowed on Ronan. “You say there’s no corpse of the defeated wizard. Are you sure you destroyed him?”
“Quite.” Ronan’s gaze left the parchment and went to the king. “Send your brother-in-law to the wizards at once. You’re in grave danger until we have another in the circle.”
Queen Marita wrung her hands and turned to her husband. “Why are you in danger? I thought you were protected as long as one wizard in the circle remains.” She gestured to Ronan. “This one remains.”
The king took her arm in a soothing gesture. “We’ve told those who know of the reflecting spell that it works with even one wizard remaining, but it isn’t so. Two are needed for it to be effective. With Mage Zephyr gone, I’m vulnerable.”
Lord Clement’s jaw dropped open, then quickly snapped shut. Queen Marita gulped and scanned the room as though searching for an assailant. “Yes then, you must send for another wizard at once.”
“I will,” King Leofric said, still calming his wife. “Although whether one will accept is another matter. But no need to worry. I’ve soldiers about and a powerful mage here with me. An assassin would have a difficult time reaching me. Besides, the assassin doesn’t know that one wizard isn’t enough to keep the reflecting spell intact. No one does except the wizards who were on the council and me.”
“And now,” Ronan said tightly, “Lord Clement and the queen know as well.” He wasn’t happy about this revelation, perhaps because I was listening.
I was invisible, armed with magic, and standing before King Leofric. If I was willing to die for the aim of the mission, I could take King Leofric’s life then and there.
Part of me, some foolish part that pictured a glorious martyr’s death, urged me to do just that.
That part was perhaps more easily snuffed than it should’ve been. Ronan’s words had an effect on me. Looking at King Leofric and Lord Clement together, I couldn’t say with any certainty that Lord Clement would be a better ruler or that Leofric’s death wouldn’t throw the country into a chaos that made everything worse.
And besides, I’d grown so happy at the thought of being with Ronan, of finally having my love for him returned, I found myself unwilling to die for a cause. I wanted a future.
Overall, I was a very bad revolutionary.
Ronan stopped writing for long enough to wave a hand in Lord Clement’s direction. “Hurry. Take the queen to her room and bring Mage Apricus or Mage Perigee. Whichever will come.”
King Leofric straightened. “Does the king not decide which wizards join his council? I never officially decided on your recommendations.”
Ronan let out a patient breath. “Of course, Your Majesty. Choose whomever you think is worthy of your trust.” He emphasized the word trust as though it was a subject they’d talked about before.