Chapter Five

What do you give to a man who – so far as you know – lacks for nothing? A man you didn’t know, and had no wish to get to know? Torval, as we discovered with some rapid research in the library, didn’t use magic the way we did, so in the end that made the decision for us.

The envoy looked unmoved as a servant brought in the open-weave basket. He’d looked unmoved from the moment we’d refused his offer. Which was a better response than I’d hoped for, to be honest.

“We send you home to Torval with our very best wishes,” Vashri said, with a small bow.

“And with a gift,” I continued, “to show our regard for his Glorious Majesty, Shah Pa’rat, and to express our hope that our two countries will always be friends.”

The servant flipped the lid of the basket back. Half a dozen carvings lay within. They were life-sized representations of birds that could be found in Charnrosa: a tiny drabfinch, a borgull, a singing jay, a pair of bright rainbow finches, and a black-winged crow. They had been carved from wood and painted, with tiny chips of precious stones for their eyes.

The envoy’s brows drew together. He was probably thinking that the gift looked as though we had sorted through unused trinkets in the castle that we could bear to part with and picked a few from the discard pile. They were pretty. The craftsmanship was good, but as a gift for a Shah? Well, they hardly equalled what he had sent to us.

But we weren’t finished yet.

I stepped forward, allowing my magic to flood through me. The kings were there. They would help me if I needed it.

But this was small, familiar magic. I could do this.

As blue wreathed my arms, I conjured my spell. The jay chirped first, uncertain at first, then more insistent. The drabfinch shook its wings and the crow cawed abruptly. The envoy stepped back, gasping as the birds came to life. They flew around our heads, the jay singing its full song while the rainbow finches chirped to each other.

The envoy recovered from his surprise. He stepped forward, holding a hand out. I directed one of the finches onto his extended finger. “Are they real?” he asked, stroking the tiny creature’s breast.

“Their animation has been conjured from magic. They will seem alive for about a month, and then the magic will fade and the Shah will be left with the carvings.” We had chosen the timespan carefully. It would take the envoy close to a week to return to his home country. Given that the Shah would want time to enjoy his gift – we hoped – the deadline would give him an incentive not to linger.

I waved my fingers and the finch took flight. All the birds flew into the basket and the servant closed the lid, a final caw from the crow marking an end to the demonstration.

The envoy bowed. “You have remarkable abilities, gracious lady.”

“I am only using the magic that runs throughout Charnrosa,” I said, sending thanks to the goddess that that was once again true. “As guardian, I use my abilities in service to the country.”

Another bow. “Charnrosa is lucky to have such a guardian.”

I retook my seat.

Rey stood forward. “We wish you well for your journey. You will not want to delay, I am sure.” His genial smile took any sting from his words.

The envoy bowed low, his colourful cloak rippling over the floor. “His Supreme Majesty will be sorry that I have returned without a queen for him but rest assured that you have earned our esteem. We will be friends, even if that must be at a distance.”

Fon indicated to the servant to carry out the basket containing the birds. “Perhaps we will visit you one day,” he assured the envoy. It was probably a politeness; empty words. But this was Fon; he liked an adventure. He’d most likely set forth with the envoy if the man offered.

I let my gaze settle on Fon’s tall form, his pale hair shining in the morning’s sun. The thought of him setting off on an adventure over the Ullapeak mountains without me sent a pang through me. I reminded myself that he was free to make his own decisions.

Then he turned. I think he meant only to retake his place with the other kings, but our gazes snagged and held. Heat flared in his blue eyes and I couldn’t look away. If Fon intended to leave on an adventure, I wondered if he’d consent to take me with him…

~

The atmosphere in the castle lifted once the High Vizier and his elephant and his musicians crossed the bridge and disappeared into the forest beyond.

Or perhaps that was just my perception.

After dinner, people drifted outside to enjoy the last of the light as the sun set. Leea went to the library, but I wasn’t in the mood to study. I wanted to do.

I picked up a stone and flung it into the lake, watching the ripples fade. Doubt gripped me. I wanted to share my magic, but what did I know about teaching? I hated this uncertainty. Facing the Stalwart Emperor had been easy by comparison – a defined enemy that I needed to destroy or face losing Charnrosa. Peace looked like it was going to be much harder to navigate.

Bored of my own company – which was a new sensation in itself – I went looking for someone to talk to. My expression lightened when I saw Essa. Then dimmed when I saw that she was sitting with Lord Hullar. Osgan, I reminded myself. If he was Essa’s suitor, I really should get used to using his first name. They were talking intently, Essa’s face alight with pleasure as she watched him. Osgan would begin the ride back to his own lands in the morning. I didn’t want to interrupt them now.

I continued around the side of the castle, skirting groups of servants taking a break from their chores. Everyone but me seemed glad of a chance for nothing to do. And I could imagine what Essa would say if I had spoken to her and expressed my restlessness. Only I could find something wrong with idleness.

The kings were sitting together, cross-legged on the grass. Even they had nothing to do. My heart thumped. I was drawn to them like a bee to a flower. They would be glad to see me, at least.

“Hey.” I came to a halt standing beside Rey. “Here you are.”

Rey looked up. Axxon opposite him cleared his throat. I’d thought Rey would move, making space between himself and Fon so I could sit between them. Vashri sent me an uneasy glance from Axxon’s side.

“What’s up?”

They shared a glance and a prickle of unease lifted the hairs at my neck. I kept hard hold of my smile. “Something you don’t want your guardian to know? If it’s a secret I promise not to pry.” I shifted my weight. They were sitting so close together that I couldn’t sit down until someone moved. It felt odd looming over them like this.

“How are plans for the academy progressing?” Vashri asked.

“It’s going fine.” No one moved. I swallowed. Did they think I should work every hour of the day? Was I … in the way? I shook off that uncomfortable thought. These were the kings. We belonged together … unless we didn’t.

“I think Leea was looking for you,” Rey said.

“She’s in the library.” And she didn’t need me, I was quite sure of that.

“Oh, this was earlier.” Rey wouldn’t meet my eyes.

My sense of unease grew. I switched my attention to Fon. “Would you like a walk?” He would be bored sitting still. You never had to work hard to tempt Fon away from duty.

“I’m good here.”

I nodded and tears pricked suddenly at my eyes. I didn’t trust my voice, so I just turned my back and started walking away.

“Kyann!” Vashri’s voice broke the silence.

I stopped, although I didn’t turn. I didn’t want them to read my expression.

“We’ll see you in the morning,” he called.

I still couldn’t speak. I lifted my hand in a backward salute and walked back inside the castle as quickly as I could manage without outright running.

Safely in my room with the door closed, I tried to work out what had happened. The kings were under no obligation to spend every minute of the day with me, it’s just that our time together had been so intensively close that I’d grown used to their company. And felt lost without it.

A lump rose in my throat as I found another explanation. Perhaps they’d realised my attraction to them and they were deliberately pulling away from me. All of them. My cheeks heated at the idea of the four men discussing my childish crush and agreeing what to do to distance themselves. A sob broke free and I flung myself on my bed, muffling the noise with my pillow.

The four kings and Kyann. Just not tonight. I swallowed. Maybe never again.

My tears continued to flow. I was used to being alone, so why did it suddenly hurt like a fist squeezing my heart?