by Kova, Elise
“Hopefully there is no next world,” Vi mumbled.
“What?”
“Change the docket. I have to file a report with the head of the city guard.” Vi started for the door. “A murder and arson in one night… The Knights were busy.”
“Wait, murder? Tell me—”
“No time.” Vi shot the woman a smile over her shoulder and was off down the hall.
Despite getting little to no sleep, she felt great. Control was an intoxicating thing. And Vi was finding she couldn’t get enough.
* * *
“Forgive me for my tardiness.” Twintle arrived for the meeting at the last possible minute. The man had still donned his impeccably tailored and pressed clothing, but there were hairs out of place and stubble was on his chin that wasn’t usually there.
He looked like a man who had not slept an hour the night before and Vi delighted in it.
“The man of the hour,” Euclan, head of the city guard, said from the end of the table.
“We’re all sorry to hear of last night’s misfortune,” Ophain said with sincerity.
Vi resisted the urge to tell the royal that Twintle was the last one he should feel bad about. Twintle was the one attempting to orchestrate the fall of Ci’Dan and Solaris. Vi kept her mouth shut and a small smile in place.
“Yes, my misfortune…” Twintle said cautiously, looking from person to person. His eyes lingered for a little longer on Vi.
“The Knights of Jadar are getting too bold.” Ophain shook his head. “That’s why Euclan is here today to discuss what we can do about them.”
“The Knights of Jadar?” Twintle repeated, confused.
“Yes, the arson at your warehouse is believed to have been sparked by them,” Euclan said.
“That’s… not possible.” Twintle shuffled back a step.
“I understand how hard it is to see an order that you yourself were a part of fall so far. It guts me to see it.” Ophain balled his hand into a fist. “Fiera has pleaded with our Emperor for leniency. But I think the time for such things has long since come to an end.”
“Especially given the murder.”
“Murder?” Twintle was on repeat and Vi relished his confusion.
“The Knights of Jadar murdered Zira Westwind last night when she was on patrol,” Vi said sadly. “She was ambushed and cut down. They acted like a band of thugs to bring down one woman.” Twintle narrowed his eyes at her and Vi could see the veins in his neck bulge. She sighed heavily, intentionally mistaking his expression to rub salt in the wound. “I know, it’s heartbreaking. There will be a Rite of Sunset for her this evening.”
“Then…” Twintle finally ground out, “allow me to suggest we focus on mourning the loss of one of our own, rather than worrying about my warehouse. I’ll be able to get it back in order straight away. It was only property, after all. A loss of life is far more severe and our focus should remain there.”
“Good of you.” Ophain gave Twintle a nod as the lord took his seat.
“That still leaves the matter of defending our fair city from the Knights of Jadar. The murder of one of our Empress’s right-hand women should be treated as nothing less than an attack on the crown itself. I would propose…”
Vi tuned out Euclan and instead focused on the quill she was twirling in her fingers. However, the sensation of a pair of eyes on her quickly stilled her hands. Vi slowly lifted her gaze to meet Twintle’s. His stare was unwavering. The man was barely controlling his rage.
Without so much as blinking, Vi looked back to Euclan and pretended not to notice Twintle’s intense stare for the rest of the meeting. He somehow knew this all circled back to her.
Part of her hated the fact. It meant he’d be watching her every movement. But a part of her was satisfied by his discovery.
Let him hate her.
Let every Knight of Jadar hunt her down. She would find a way to bring about their end, and save this world.
Chapter Twenty-Four
It had been nearly three weeks since Zira left with the sword and there hadn’t been any word or further issue from the Knights. Vi’s days had become almost routine, each starting with her practice with Yargen’s magic.
Magic was magic. Taavin had told her so once, long ago, when Vi was first attempting to make sense of her powers. All sorcery was a means to harness the gift of Yargen, everything made possible by words, or feelings, or sparks of power.
Yet, in her, Vi could feel something different and distinct. Something that hadn’t been there before. She could feel her own powers of fire and light. They crackled under her skin and sprang forth with a command. But there was also something more.
Something Vi had long since decided was the power of Yargen itself.
Holding out her hand in the early morning light, Vi focused on pooling that magic within her palm. Yargen had entrusted her with the remnants of her power from an old world. So why shouldn’t she be able to use it like any other magic?
A hazy blue glow collected around her fingers. Vi narrowed her eyes and took a slow breath. She worked to distance herself from each inhale and exhale. The slightest jostle would disrupt the intense focus it had taken to get this far.
Tiny flashes and motes of light appeared in the thickening haze of magic. It felt as though she held a small microcosm in her fingers. Every muscle was rigid, her joints aching from holding herself in a precise form.
More power. Vi attempted to dredge it up from every nook and cranny. Her hand began to tremble; sweat beaded on her brow. She was going to lose it.
All at once, the power snapped back into place with a pop she could feel in the center of her chest. Like the rush of Deneya’s spiced liquor, Vi shivered as it flooded her veins and made her head spin. Pulling out Yargen’s power at all was nearly impossible. But if she had more…
If she had the sword.
Vi pushed the thought from her mind. Everything was going according to plan. The last thing Vi would do was muck it up by seeking out the sword.
She’d be reunited with it soon enough, anyway. But first, she had to ensure Fiera survived through her childbirth.
Shrugging on a cropped vest over her tailored, sleeveless shirt and tight-fitting pants, Vi departed her room for the day. She ran through the day’s obligations in her mind: she would oversee the soldiers’ training, get the reports from Euclan on the city guard, then ensure rounds and rotations for the soldiers were in order.
Zira had done a lot more to keep the castle and city guard running than Vi had given her credit for. Since Vi was the one to send her away, it was now her responsibility to oversee those obligations. Luckily, she’d been trained for the majority of her life to delegate, plan, and lead.
“Euclan, tell me what I need to know,” Vi demanded as she entered the cramped guard office next to the training field.
A silver pot of steaming kaha was set beside two clay mugs, adjacent to two bowls heaped with steaming rice topped with egg and shallot. She’d begun to form a routine, and fortunately the castle staff had picked it up quickly. It made it easy for Vi to remain efficient in these busy mornings.
“Twenty guards have requested leave.”
“Twenty?” Vi asked as she poured kaha for them both. When she was younger, she would’ve taken it with some kind of cream or sweetener. But much like she’d found a taste for liquor, Vi had discovered she liked the bitter liquid first thing in the morning. It sharpened her senses even after the longest nights. “That seems a little high, doesn’t it?”
“Bad timing, but most of the men have never interacted with each other. Thank you.” Euclan took his kaha, drinking it slowly. “I thought perhaps it could be something nefarious… but four of them are imminently awaiting children—”
“So many babies,” Vi murmured.
“The post-war phenomenon,” he chuckled.
Vi ran her nail along the edge of her mug. Children. She’d always expected she’d have some of her own for the purpose of heirs at the very least.
But now… Vi pushed the thoughts from her mind.
“In any case,” Euclan continued. “I thought perhaps it could be the Knights of Jadar infiltrating our men. But that doesn’t seem to be the case.”
“I appreciate your vigilance.” The Knights of Jadar had been quiet. Vi suspected they were off licking their wounds and planning their next attack. “Let’s continue to play it safe—take twenty of the best from the castle tonight for the city patrols.”
“You don’t need them here?”
“I’ll figure it out,” she said confidently. “Now, what’s next on the docket?”
Vi shoveled food into her mouth as Euclan ran through the day’s obligations. Her bowl was clean when he finished.
“As usual, thank you for your time.”
“It’s my job, now.” Vi wiped her mouth with the back of her hand.
“You’re a natural. We’re lucky to have someone like you to replace—” Euclan was interrupted by the training-side door opening.
Vi’s eyes met a familiar pair of dark orbs. She’d know that terrible, spiked haircut anywhere.
“Forgive my intrusion.” Luke gave a low bow.
“We were just finishing,” Vi said before Euclan could get a word in. “Thank you for your hard work, sir. We’ll meet again in two days’ time as normal.”
“Fiarum Evantes.”
“Kotun un nox.”
Luke stepped to the side, allowing Euclan to pass. The two exchanged a nod, but little other indication of formality. Vi appreciated the fact. She didn’t want to see Luke too friendly with anyone who came in and out of the castle.
“You say it well,” Luke said.
“Say what well?”
“That colloquialism of Mhashan.”
Vi picked up her mug and took a sip. The kaha had gone cold. But she wanted to keep her mouth busy for a moment to think through what to say next. “I am Western.”
“No red-blooded Mhashanese would ever call themselves Western,” Luke replied with a dangerous edge to his voice.
“What do you want?”
“Where would I find Lord Ophain at this time of day?”
“Lord Ophain?” Vi repeated. “Why?”
“Is it common for guards to question nobles on their business?”
“Only in the interest of castle security,” she replied.
“Do you think I’m a threat?” He smiled thinly.
She’d lose either way. If she said no, she passed up the opportunity to question him further. If she said yes, he’d know she had some idea about the role he might be looking to play.
“The son of the illustrious Lord Twintle and a former Knight of Jadar? Of course I don’t think you’re a threat.” Vi set her mug down lightly, resisting the urge to throw it at his smug face. “This way, please.”
She led him into the castle and wound upward through the staircases and long hallways to the royal chambers. There was an audience room at the start done entirely in crimson trimmings and bright red lacquered wood. Vi sat Luke down there, stationing a guard at the door to keep an eye on him before she went and got Ophain herself.
“My Lord, forgive me for troubling you so early.” Vi dipped into a low bow as Ophain answered his door. “Lord Twintle’s son has come calling for you.”
“Ah, yes, that is this morning.” Ophain looked back into his room where food still sat out amid a mess of papers.
“I’ve placed him in the sitting room. Do take your time, my lord. He’ll be comfortable while he waits.”
“Thank you, Yullia.” Ophain smiled at her. It was a wide, toothy expression. Whenever he smiled, all similarities with her father vanished.
“You’re welcome.”
Vi dismissed herself, but rather than heading back to Luke, she trusted the guard to do his job and instead headed for Deneya’s office. She didn’t like the fact that Luke was here, and if anyone would have a clue as to why, it’d be Deneya.
She knocked on Deneya’s door and waited. Then knocked again when there was no reply. Vi checked her watch. It was late for the woman not to have arrived yet. Luke’s presence was making her paranoid and Vi’s mind ran through every possibility of misfortune that could’ve befallen Deneya before she showed up.
“You had me worried.” The words burst from Vi as she nearly ran the length of the hall to the woman who’d just emerged from the spiral stairwell. Deneya blinked at her, startled.
“Worried? Why?” Deneya glanced around before adding under her breath, “And aren’t you usually the worrisome one?”
“Exactly, don’t take my title.” Vi fell into step beside the woman. “Now, unlock your office, I have something I need to ask you.”
“Say please.” Deneya stopped at the door, grinning at her.
“Please,” Vi said sweetly, batting her eyelashes.
“All right, in with you.”
Vi stepped inside, spinning in place to hold out an eager hand. “Do you have today’s matters?”
“I grabbed it from Ophain before coming here.” Deneya slid a slip of paper from the stack she held and handed it to Vi.
“So you saw Ophain, then. Did you see Luke, too?”
“Luke? Why would I?” Deneya asked, but then immediately followed up with, “Oh…”
“Oh? Oh, what?”
Deneya sighed, cursing under her breath in a tongue Vi didn’t recognize. She went behind her desk, setting down the satchel. “That explains it, then,” she mumbled, rummaging through the bag.
“Explains what? You seem to be having a very good conversation with yourself. Care to share?”
“Yes, sorry.” Deneya handed Vi another letter. On the outside was a broken wax seal. The wax was black, imprinted with two swords fesswise—the Twintle family crest.
Vi scanned the papers, reading aloud. She didn’t know if Deneya had the chance to read them yet, and the woman seemed to appreciate it when Vi offered another set of eyes.
“Lord Twintle has cast off his fleet for Oparium… seeks to establish a trade route with the South…” Her attention drifted to the docket for the day’s council meeting. “Councilor Luke, maritime.” Vi returned the papers to Deneya. “So Twintle is gone, and Luke is here in his stead.”
Deneya nodded. “Everything happened quickly last night. Though I can’t say why.”
“What did you find out?” Vi asked. Deneya had continued to case the city at night for information, searching in areas Vi didn’t have time for.
“Twintle had business on the seas, so he left.” Business by itself wasn’t particularly alarming. But when it came to the Knights of Jadar, Vi was suspicious of every movement. “It makes sense Luke is operating in his stead.”
Vi sighed. “I suppose it does. But I still don’t like it.”
“He’s likely just trying to move some of those rubies you found.”
“I’m worried it’s more than that.” Vi tapped her knuckles on Deneya’s desk in thought.
“How so?”
“In his last meeting with the Knights, he said he was trying to work with Adela to get the sword.”
“What? You didn’t think to mention the pirate queen’s involvement before now?” Deneya rounded the desk. “That seems rather important.”
“Things were quiet, the sword is gone and should be on its way to the East by now.” Vi shook her head. “I continued to hope that the mention of working with Adela was merely the ravings of a madman seeking to make himself look stronger and more influential than he actually is.”
“You’re right about Twintle being a madman.” Deneya folded her arms. “Mad enough to actually go through with it.”
“And if he’s gone out to sea, there’s a possibility you’re right.” Vi cursed under her breath. “Keep a close ear on the ground for any indication of Adela’s actions.”
Deneya nodded. “Though I suspect she won’t step foot on this continent herself… She has middle men for that.”
“Good.” Because if Vi saw her again, she just might kill her th
is time.
“There’s one other thing,” Deneya cautioned.
“Tell me it’s good news. I could use some.”
Deneya shook her head solemnly. “Your name is being whispered among the Knights.”
“My name?” Vi wished she could be more surprised. But she’d toed the line too boldly with Twintle following the warehouse incident.
“Not much else. But they’re cautious and suspicious about you. Be careful, and trust no new friends.”
Vi gave a bitter laugh. “You don’t have to worry about that. I’m skeptical of everyone.”
“Even me?” Deneya arched her eyebrows.
“Even you,” Vi replied, though the words didn’t ring entirely true. Deneya had worked her way underneath Vi’s barriers. Just as Fiera and Zira had.
“You’re usually better at lying than that.” Deneya gave her a sly grin. Vi snorted in reply.
“Don’t push your luck.” She started for the door. “I’ll see you at the council meeting.”
“Drinks tomorrow?” Deneya asked, as though they were casual friends and not allies discussing espionage.
“Usual time and place,” Vi replied and stepped out of the woman’s office, bracing herself for the council meeting.
* * *
“You have to relax at some point,” Taavin scolded. “Being on edge all the time is killing you.”
“Being on edge keeps me alive,” Vi muttered. She was laid back on her bed, her head in his lap as he rubbed small circles into her temples. Even with the quiver of magic between the pads of his fingers and her skin, his touch could still relax her.
“It’s been, what, six weeks since Zira left?”
“Just over five.”
“Five, then. No real movements from the Knights of Jadar, Fiera is well, Zira is alive.”
“I don’t know for sure if Zira is alive.” She wished she’d found a way to communicate with the woman. No contact was for the best—it kept both of them and the sword safe.
