Avan's Gift (Queen Avan, #1)

by Alice Ivinya

  Our plan came flooding back. “But I won’t have time to practise,” I whispered.

  “No. We’ll just have to have faith. We can’t change things now.”

  I gritted my teeth and tried to sit up again. “I can do it, my lady.”

  Her lips curved and her gaze softened. “I believe you, Avan, now sleep. Oh, and call me May.”

  I tried to reach for her, but the splints were too clumsy. “And you’ll stay with me?”

  “Until dawn, yes. Then, Klia will be here. I thought you would trust her and feel safest with her here when others visit.”

  I nodded. “Thank you.”

  I sank back into the silk covers and tried to relax. No wonder Cedric had wanted to leave this place. Who would want to live with people who wanted to kill you? And whoever had done this had been willing to sacrifice not only me, but Cedric’s return, and the end of the drought. They had been risking the whole of Marchwood. Was that brashness, desperation, or purposeful calculation? I didn’t understand enough politics to know. And why would they kill me? Because of my relationship with Cedric? Because I could make the Tharans return him? Because I could end the famine? Or something else?

  I just wished I was back with Cedric, hiding from enemies we knew, talking about nothing, and dreaming about impossible futures. Part of me hoped we might have the chance to do that again, and that he wouldn’t have to return to this horrid place.

  PALEM WANTED ME TO rest until the last possible moment, and in the few days after I woke up, he spent a lot of time attending my injuries. He would sometimes just sit with his eyes closed and his palms resting on my stomach, then nod and mutter to himself. I assumed he was using his Arts, since I’d never seen an Eltarian performing a healing before.

  Palem said that if I was to do Arts on a huge scale, I would need all the energy I could muster. He gave me a fattening diet full of nuts, oats, and seeds that stuck in my teeth and spent many times holding my wrist in silence with his eyes closed. I wasn’t sure if he was feeling my pulse or using his Art. No white mist came, but I supposed he was an Eltarian. Arts were unique to the bloodlines of the tribes.

  Now that I was awake, Klia stopped coming. May assured me she’d been regularly visiting me over the last three days and had been concerned to the point of hysterics. Now that I could acknowledge her presence, she refused to come and didn’t reply to a letter I had scribed by a servant. I even included silk ribbons as a present. I guessed she was upset, sulking and giving me the silent treatment, and I had no idea why. She would want me to be lying here worrying about all the things I may have done to offend her, but I had far too much on my mind to play along. She would have to get over it by herself and I would deal with whatever had upset her when the feast was over. Now I had to figure out how to rescue Cedric without getting killed. Besides, Klia was safer if she stayed away.

  The day before the feast finally came, and Palem removed the splints from my arms. I gave in to scratching them both furiously, and was relieved when they didn’t hurt to bend. I was allowed to leave the room for the first time and take a turn in the castle garden with Lady May. My limbs and back ached, but I set out to walk for as long as possible amongst the baked dead plants and half dried fountains. Only one area of the garden was allowed to be Grown, the small courtyard below the royal quarters, and the rest had been allowed to suffer, apparently to show solidarity with the rest of Marchwood. The effect was somewhat lessened by the greenery of the huge trees soaring above.

  As I enjoyed the feel of the sun on my skin, I idly made a few lily pads bloom and a barren cherry tree flower. Lady May scolded me for wasting my energy, but I felt like I couldn’t leave the garden melancholy and brown and lifeless when I had the power to leave splashes of colourful joy. Through elegant arches that held an empty trellis, I spied Lady Lilith watching me with May, her lips firm and her arms folded. Lilth and May did not get on, and I suspected their animosity ran deeper than whether Cedric should be rescued immediately or not. Lilith clearly believed the lady had stolen me from under her wing and wasn’t sure how to remedy the problem. I pretended not to notice her expression and gave her a friendly wave.

  “Don’t rile her, Avan,” muttered May. “She’s not the brightest, but she can be spiteful, and her father is powerful. He will be chancellor soon and then only the king and Cedric will have more authority than him.”

  “Did she visit me when I was unconscious?”

  “Yes, once. Though she didn’t stay long. She brought you a firegazer lily, though I thought the smell was too strong and had it removed.” And May told me not to rile her.

  We rounded the corner of what was meant to be the rose garden. The lattices were empty and the flower beds made a labyrinth in the short dead grass. In the middle, however, a fountain still tinkled and it watered a single bed of heavy red and white blooms. I gravitated towards them when a voice made me jump.

  “Lady May, Miss Avan.”

  I turned to find Lord Rupert appearing from the shadow of the water feature. I curtseyed and May nodded. He was a good head taller than Cedric, though shared the gentle curls and freckled cheek bones.

  Rupert looked me up and down and seemed genuinely concerned. “Are you feeling all right? You look well.”

  I felt a flush rise unwanted on my cheeks. “I feel much better, thank you. And thank you for taking me so quickly to Palem.” Unlike his brothers, he had the same pale blue eyes as his father.

  “I’m glad.” He smiled warmly. “It was sheer luck that I happened to be passing. I heard you claim you were pushed?”

  ‘Claim’? Did that mean he doubted that I was? I nodded, gripping my skirts at the memory.

  His brow furrowed in concern. “We’ll find out who did it, don’t worry. I don’t know if you’ve heard, but some are saying you merely tripped and can’t remember things properly. They don’t mean anything by it, and you have my word we’ll investigate.”

  “Oh,” was all I managed and I gripped my skirts tighter. Was it possible I’d imagined it? That stepping on the hem of my dress had pushed me roughly forward instead? No, there had been the shadow, and the push had been from the middle of my back... Was Lord Rupert trying to make me doubt myself on purpose? Had he been behind it or covering for somebody else? If he was a Grower, maybe I could see his memories, but Cedric had never said that he was. I faked a grateful smile to cover my doubt and helplessness.

  Lady May waved her hand between us with a flick of her wrist. “Lord Rupert, as touching as your concern is, can we talk of happier things? These are not nice memories for her.”

  I glanced at her, grateful and annoyed at once. She was behaving like my mother more than my friend, and I was starting to find it smothering.

  Lord Rupert gave a curt nod. “Right, right, of course. I just wanted to say it’s terrible what happened.” He gestured to May. “Lady May seems to have been most attentive to you. I’m sure you will be safe from now on. My guards are at your disposal for as long as you need them.”

  “Thank you.” I wasn’t sure it was a good thing to have so many guards and maids and nobles suddenly babysitting me. Any of them could have ill intentions, and I suspected they were all spies.

  “Lord Rupert!” someone shrieked.

  We all turned to see Lilith giving him a wave and rushing towards us while trying to look like she was merely walking. A strange, tense smile was plastered on her face and her cheeks were flushed.

  “Lady Lilith,” replied Rupert with a shallow nod. His face was perfectly polite.

  Her forced smile beamed at the lord, and her tone was overly cheerful. I cringed inwardly at the fool she was making of herself. “Isn’t it wonderful how Avan is doing?” she panted. “You saved her life.” She turned to me and hooked her arm through mine, planting herself directly between myself and Lord Rupert. “It’s so good to see you up, Avan. As soon as you feel ready, join me for tea. We can resume our lessons.”

  “Thank you,” I said and bowed my head. “I should probab
ly go back now. Palem said I wasn’t to overdo it.”

  Lilith seemed overjoyed at the suggestion and her shoulders relaxed. May nodded and offered her arm protectively as I unhooked my own from Lilith.

  The younger lady smiled up at Rupert. “I guess that just leaves us, my lord. Do take a turn with me?”

  The nobleman raised his arm for her to hold, but I felt his eyes on me more than once as I left. What would Cedric make of all this? Hopefully, if everything went well, I might see him tomorrow after the feast. The Tharans should be bringing all their prisoners with them, willing to exchange. I was excited to see him again but also anxious. Would he still be injured? What if the whole experience changed him? And anyway I still had no idea if I could Grow the sulphur plains. If I failed, how many fields would I have to Grow to convince the Tharans to release him? Even if tomorrow went smoothly, I would still have to keep myself away from him to follow the king’s orders. Not to mention, wrestle through all my thoughts and decide how I felt about him. Maybe the king had blown the note out of proportion and Cedric had merely been concerned for my welfare.

  I sighed. I wasn’t going to get any sleep tonight.

  I WAS ALLOWED BACK to my rooms that night for the first time, though Rupert’s two guards came with me. As darkness fell, Lady May and a few handmaids appeared at my door, ready to fit me for the outfit I would wear tomorrow night, and I was grateful for the distraction. I was dressed in a whimsical white gown that billowed around me in clouds of chiffon. Maids experimented with different hairstyles and held out ornaments for May’s inspection. Nobody cared about my opinion and my mind started to drift away into worry again. I started to feel I was being dressed up as an offering or sacrifice, like a bride given to appease a monster.

  My patience threatened to break when May fitted an extravagant diamond headdress over my forehead and into my red hair. Why, by the earth, did I need to wear something like that?

  May caught my expression and pursed her lips. “You will need to act the part, Avan. It’s not just people from Tahara who have come. There are guests from the Golden Cove and the Riverlands and half the lords and ladies of Marchwood are arriving to see the famine ended. You need to look perfect to convince Tahara to give back their captives. Trade deals will be made on the back of your performance, and so we must appear confident at being able to feed the world.”

  It was growing late and I longed to talk about something else. “You’re from the Riverlands, I’m guessing?” I asked. “Your surname is ‘Waters’?”

  The lady nodded. “Yes, but I’ve not been there for a long time. My parents sent me to court years ago with my aunt to find myself a good marriage. Your hair looks so striking against all this white, don’t you think?”

  “Do you have somebody in mind?” I asked, dreading the answer.

  May tapped me sharply on the shoulder. “Now that would be telling. You shouldn’t ask such questions.”

  I bit my lip in thought. “Lady Lilith, is she after Lord Rupert?”

  May hesitated, then busied her hands placing the diamonds back into their case. “I’d be worried if you hadn’t worked that one out. The girl is hardly subtle.” She tutted under her breath. “Who knows where her father’s brains went in the family line. Though I am grateful we don’t have to deal with any more Lord Stanlys.”

  “She seemed very... happy that Chancellor Felix died.” The maid started to unlace the dress to make the final adjustments for tomorrow.

  May gave me a warning look and flicked her eyes to our listener. “The position of chancellor has passed to her father.”

  I frowned but didn’t reply until I had shrugged out the dress and the maid left the room. I pulled my woollen dress over my shift, wincing when I bent my arms. “No, it was more. I overheard her saying that if I catch Rupert’s eye instead of her, Chancellor Felix’s death would have been in vain.”

  May helped me sit down, though I didn’t really need her. “With her rise in station, she is a better match for Rupert, so his death has benefited her. She might be worried your sudden appearance could make you a potential match, too.” She sighed. “Honestly, Avan, I would try not to worry about the goings on of the court. Things are complicated and you have much to learn, and your first lesson is to not speak freely in front of maids. Once tomorrow is over, you’ll have time to learn all of this, but right now you really need to focus on tomorrow.”

  I turned to face the lady full on. “You don’t think Lilith had me pushed down the stairs?”

  May opened and closed her mouth in surprise. “I... think it’s unlikely. Many people are investigating what happened, leave the suspicions to them. Tomorrow you must perform a miracle, Avan, so let’s concentrate on that. Please.” Her eyes almost begged.

  She wanted Cedric back, I realised. That was the reason she was helping me, and I could be about to steal him away again. I felt a stab of guilt and I dropped my gaze from her eyes.

  After May had left, I settled down to a sleepless night.

  Chapter Ten

  The Prince and the Rogue

  LADY MAY HADN’T BEEN exaggerating about my audience. As I finally walked out of the castle into the bright sunshine of another sweltering day, it felt like the entire world was watching. The whole city seemed to line the streets wearing colourful festival clothes. I hadn’t attended the feast, continuing to rest until the last possible moment as Palem had recommended. As the newcomer, I felt all eyes upon me, and I was easy to pick out. I wore my white dress that fluttered in the breeze and my hair was curled and fastened up around my head like a noble. A diamond band wove around it, and more hung from my ears and throat. They danced and sparkled in the sun, capturing gazes. My makeup was heavy, my eyes dark and my lips red so that the whole crowd could see my features. I mounted a tall white horse that a groom held waiting for me, and fidgeted to get comfortable in my skirt. As I kicked the horse forward, the crowds let off a wave of a cheer, rippling back as people hidden from sight caught the excitement.

  Panic froze my limbs. What if the gift had gone? My life had spiraled so far away from my control, I felt like I was treading water, waiting to go under at any second. My old life in Vale, full of repetition and the same people, had ill prepared me for this. I had never wanted to carry the pressure of Marchwood on my back, but it was too late. I took a deep breath. I just needed to keep things simple. I could do this. I focused on the task at hand; to simply Grow, then the captured Growers and Cedric would be saved and the famine would end. All of Vale and the southern villages would be safe too, and everything would be made right.

  The king led the procession, draped in a huge gold cloak that trailed over his horse’s rump to the floor. The gold thread caught the sun, making him shine so strongly, it was hard to look at him for long. His horse was black in contrast with golden bells in its mane and tail.

  Behind him rode behind two ceremonial guards, Prince Killian and Princess Elenor, Lord Rupert and Lord Stanly, and then me. I’d asked for Reg to ride next to me and his presence was reassuring. He was dressed grandly in an orange cloak adorned with a huge squirrel and oak leaves. His face was flushed from the crowds and the heat under his shining helm. I hoped I would have a chance to talk to him on the way back and see how Klia was. Maybe he’d know how I’d upset her, since, knowing her, she would have complained endlessly to him. However, Klia always forgave as quickly as she took offence, and I was sure I would fix our friendship easily.

  Glancing back, a huge procession set off behind me. I was herded forward by the colourful nobles of Herne, then the more drab nobility of rural Marchwood mixed with the pale white and metallic fashions of Eltarians from the Golden Cove. Behind them were a group of Tharans, keeping separate from the rest and dressed in too much dark leather. I met Lord Jasper’s eyes with a flash. He grinned at me and gave a small nod. I flushed and whipped my head around to the front again. After a moment, I dared another glance back, looking for Cedric, but the prisoners weren’t there, nor that horrid black bear. Th
e skin on the back of my neck prickled.

  The crowd roared and cheered as we rode down the main street, the sun dappling us in gold and green. I supposed it had been so long since anyone here had had something to truly celebrate. And now there was me... By the earth why had I suggested the sulphur plains?

  The southward city doors were wide open, beckoning us into the sun-drenched countryside. Fields in a patchwork of crops and soil rolled down the hill towards the silver ribbon of the River Herne. The bowl around the river was barren and dominated by splotches of bright colour that blurred into each other like mould. Even from this distance I could make out the haze of steam above the garish plain. I rode through the archway with Jasper’s eyes on my back like a knife forcing me forward.

  The royal party’s horses quickened now that we were away from the crowded streets. Dead saplings lined the road, dwarfed by the giant green trees of Herne towering behind. As we travelled further down the valley, the great forest rimmed the horizon and I was tempted to gallop to it and never come back. I could hide in there forever, but I remembered Cedric and forced my view forward, gripping the reins tightly.

  With growing trepidation I watched the sulphur plains come nearer until the party slowed and voices became quieter, expectant. The procession shed me and I found myself alone in front of the foul smelling plains as the crowds spread out along the edge. I saw doubt on all their faces, some disdainfully gleeful. The village girl who made a field fertile and suddenly thought she could change the plains? Nobody had ever claimed an inch of the sulphur plains before. Maybe this was all purely arrogance and I was about to become the biggest fool in Marchwood.

  My eyes met Jasper’s gaze again and my heart dropped. He smiled, more confident than mocking, and gestured at the plains. Was he that eager to give back his prisoners? Or maybe just to see me fail? Or maybe simply to end the famine?