by Sam Argent
“He’s going on about nonsense. Both of you hold out a hand,” Lord Orwell instructed. Sebastian and Kevin obeyed, each taking the other’s hand, and Lord Orwell put his hand on Sebastian’s shoulder. Chanting quietly, Lord Orwell keyed the magic from the cloak into their connection and twisted the spell to make them unnoticeable to prying eyes.
“This won’t fool the queen or Frederick,” Sebastian said.
“Really, I never thought of that,” Lord Orwell said. “I guess it’s a lucky coincidence that both are on the other side of the castle trying to free Lord Piadas from a trap spell triggered by scrying.”
“You do like to stay a hair’s breadth from execution, don’t you, Father?” Kevin asked as they stopped at a corner and peered around it for guards. “I see three, but only a moderately powerful wizard.”
“That means both of you should shut up, and how dare you accuse me of being third-rate enough to get caught?” Lord Orwell said. They clumped close together and walked unseen by the guards. He led them to an empty hallway and stopped outside a heavily warded door. “One more thing,” Lord Orwell said. He removed his hand from Sebastian’s back and flattened it against the door. The wards broke with a series of small clicks.
Sebastian frowned. That’s not all magic borrowed from me. “Where did you get all that?”
“I placed a spell on my door to absorb bits of magic from anyone who opened it. It accumulates over a period of time.” The door creaked open, and Lord Orwell held out his hand. “Please give me the mirror.”
Sebastian blinked and stepped forward.
He looked inside the room and saw stacks of magical mirrors. “You really thought of everything.” With that amount of combined power, no message could reach Sebastian’s mirror, and Turren wouldn’t know that Sebastian had done it on purpose until it was too late.
“It was necessary if you want to protect the prince without endangering us,” Lord Orwell said.
Sebastian reached into his cloak pocket and took out the mirror. He silently handed it over.
Lord Orwell took it and went inside the room. After a few minutes he came out and shut the door behind him. “All right, now we disappear into the night.”
They escaped the castle with no interruptions but bypassed the stables. “No need,” Kevin whispered as they walked down the city road and out the gates. Off to the side was their father’s carriage and Kevin’s horse. “It’s for the best,” Kevin said as Sebastian sat in the carriage next to their father. “If you want to know if he truly loves you, wait for the effects of your face to wear off.”
“You’re not an optimist, Kevin,” Sebastian said while their father arranged his horses’ reins.
“No,” Kevin admitted. “But you won’t know until there is time and space between you.”
Lord Orwell patted his youngest son on the back. “Your beauty will fade from his mind and duty will win out. Royals are predictable, and Turren no less so. You’ll thank us for not letting you make a bigger fool of yourself.”
“Thanking you is the last thing on my mind right now,” Sebastian said.
“That’s because you naïvely believe Turren will come for you with a ring and ask for your hand.”
“You think he’s going to stay still when I disappear again?” Sebastian asked. “That is not in Turren’s nature.”
“It is if you told him you found a way to save his life, but contacting you in the next three months would put you in grave danger,” Lord Orwell said.
Sebastian glared at his father. “I have told him no such thing.”
“Well, the letter written in your hand that I slipped under his pillow while you two slept certainly did.”
Sebastian’s jaw dropped. “Are you lying?”
“No,” Lord Orwell said.
Vines sprang from the ground and surrounded Lord Orwell, but he arched an eyebrow and the vines fell without touching him. Sebastian opened his mouth to shout an incantation, but no sound came out.
“Your last warning was at the castle.”
Kevin stopped his horse. “You can fucking control an element too?”
Sebastian didn’t answer because his speech was gone, and he silently jumped out of the wagon. He signaled to Kevin to trade places with him, and Kevin reluctantly agreed.
Kevin sat next to their father and crossed his arms. “If Diana knows, I will be cross with you.”
WHEN THEY arrived at the Orwell home, Sebastian turned Kevin’s horse back over to him and went inside. Pratchett and Demetrius were dumping various silverware on the family-room table, but Sebastian couldn’t make out if they were the family’s or misgotten treasures. He didn’t care enough to ask, so he trudged upstairs. His legs led him to Ophelia’s room, and he walked to her side. Bending low to the floor, Sebastian did as he had since childhood and placed his head in her lap, letting the tears fall. He was grateful for his father’s spell because he knew his sobs would not be heard throughout the house.
CHAPTER 27
SEBASTIAN WOULDN’T speak to or look at his father after the spell was lifted.
“We’re headed for the marketplace,” his mother called out. “You can come if you do more helping than moping.”
Sebastian frowned at the idea of being alone with his father, so he came out of his room with a packed bag. Pratchett, Demetrius, Diana, and Kraven waited at the bottom of the steps.
“I wonder if being miserable makes you look more normal,” Diana mused.
Sebastian put down his hood, and Demetrius rolled his eyes. “Gods, sadness just made it worse. Put that hood back on before we have to rescue you again.”
Sebastian snapped the hood in place and stomped down the stairs.
Lady Orwell sighed. “First love. May the Gods save us from such stupidity. Come on.” She marched out the door, and the rest of the Orwells followed her.
“What a family,” Sebastian muttered as he closed the door behind him.
“I REMEMBER my first love,” Pratchett said.
“Balls,” Demetrius said. “You love nothing but yourself.”
“That’s why it was such a hurtful love. I’m too hard to please.” Pratchett laughed and clapped Sebastian on the back. “I hope I never find it for real.” He shuddered. “That kind of irrational need could make me want a poor man.”
“I am proud of you, Sebastian. I thought you only wanted books, and here you are lusting after a prince. Ambition can be good, but your mistake was aiming as high as me,” Demetrius said.
Diana rolled her eyes. “If he takes love advice from either of you, then he really is a fool.”
“You move from bed to bed almost as much as Kevin did, but at least your brother had the decency to settle down,” their mother said from the front of the wagon.
“Did it ever occur to you that I’m happy being unwed?” Diana asked.
“Pratchett, does your sister look happy?” their mother asked.
Pratchett scrunched up his face at Diana. “Nope. She looks as miserable as Sebastian, and he’s nursing a broken heart.”
Diana flashed white teeth at Pratchett. “I have a full supply of spell ingredients on me right now. Do you want to test me?”
Lady Orwell moaned. “Diana, what have I told you about wasting money on your brothers?”
“I wasn’t going to use expensive herbs on him,” Diana said. “He isn’t worth it.”
“As long as you’re not wasteful.”
“I don’t think that’s the complaint you’re supposed to have as a concerned parent,” Sebastian said.
“What?” their mother asked. “She’s trained at a level not to use anything dangerous on you boys, and her doses are never incorrect.”
“Never mind,” Sebastian mumbled.
“If you drug me, I’ll steal that satchel you keep on your side,” Pratchett threatened.
“Pratchett! What have I told you?” Lady Orwell called out.
Pratchett crossed his arms but answered, “Don’t announce wrongdoings before you co
mmit them because it’s plain stupid.”
“And don’t forget it!”
Sebastian dragged his hand over his face. “This family.”
Demetrius shrugged. “The sad thing is that my upbringing now seems normal to me.”
“Speak for yourself,” Kraven said.
“Why are you grumpy? That’s Sebastian’s job,” Pratchett said.
Lady Orwell glanced at the back of the wagon, and Kraven plastered a big smile on his face. “I’m just sleepy. I’ll feel more energetic when I find food.”
The siblings frowned at each other until their gaze fell on Sebastian. Diana nudged his foot, but Sebastian swatted it away. Demetrius and Pratchett smiled and Kraven gulped. When the wagon stopped at an empty space, they piled out and put down spikes around the wagon.
“You will talk,” Pratchett whispered in Sebastian’s ear.
“The bottom-born always catches the best whispers,” Demetrius breathed into Sebastian’s other ear.
“I also catch whispers about what you borrow from Kevin and James,” Sebastian said as their mother unloaded a few heavy bags.
“You don’t catch whispers about me,” Diana said, latching her arm through Sebastian’s and dragging him behind her. “You’ll work my stand today.”
“That isn’t fair!” Pratchett cried out.
Kraven shoved Pratchett from behind. “It’s none of your damn business, or yours,” he said while pointing at Diana.
“We’ll see about that,” Diana said as she pulled Sebastian away.
When they were out of earshot, Sebastian snatched his arm back. “I’m not telling you, so don’t ask.”
Diana snorted. “I already know which girl he fancies. I just wanted to drive Pratchett and Demetrius crazy. They’re going to rack their brains all day to find out what you know.”
“Kraven doesn’t seem happy being made sport of.”
“He’ll get over it. Besides, that’s love talking,” Diana said.
“Or empathy,” Sebastian said. “I know how much it confuses you and the others. I’m not surprised it’s hard for you to recognize.”
“You get mouthy like that with me, and I won’t reunite you with your prince.”
“Why are you getting involved?”
“Have I ever needed more than the excuse of going against Father?”
“No, but Father is serious this time. I’ll handle him on my own if I have to,” Sebastian said.
“How?”
“There’s nothing solid yet, but if you can help, I’ll tell you.”
Diana’s eyebrow rose. “You gave in way too easily. I usually have to ask James for backup. Are you all right?”
Sebastian sorted out bottles of potions and medicines. “If it was my life at stake, I would give you guys hell, but I think this time requires less stubbornness.”
Diana clutched her chest. “My Gods, Sebastian, did you just admit to being stubborn?”
“You’re the only witness, so yes.”
“Who knew falling in love could tame you?” Diana petted the top of Sebastian’s hood.
Sebastian flicked her hand away. “The market opens soon, so stop fooling around.” He removed a jar of xenyr feathers from Diana’s bag and placed it next to the potions. The jar had barely touched the table when a hand snatched it up.
“Such a small batch, Diana?” a strange woman asked.
Sebastian turned to Diana, who rolled her eyes.
“Hello, Imegan. You can put that back down if you value your hand,” Diana said.
Imegan sniffed. “I wouldn’t want such lifeless feathers.” She returned the jar and reached into her satchel. In it was a large parcel brimming with brighter xenyr plumage that made Diana’s haul appear tiny and dull.
Diana smiled. “Whatever customers you tempt with those things deserve to lose every copper.”
Imegan snapped her satchel closed. “Are you implying something?”
“Not unless you shot down every bird in Larnlyon.”
“Just because you are a lousy hunter doesn’t mean you can go around making false accusations!” Imegan stormed off while Sebastian and Diana shook their heads.
“She could at least have the decency to be subtle about it,” Sebastian said.
“She makes Father and his miracle cures seem honest.”
Throughout the day, they had a steady stream of customers, but every now and then they heard people flocking to Imegan’s tent in wonder over her numerous rare items. A few looked in her direction with annoyance and headed to Diana’s stall.
“You’re missing an opportunity to profit from that idiot’s flagrant ploy,” Lady Orwell said when business died down. “Your stock is even more valuable when fakes are on display.”
“I don’t bloat my prices on a whim, Mother,” Diana said.
“Having cheaper prices than hers makes yours look like the fakes,” Lady Orwell argued.
“I’m happy with my home, clothing, and food. Why do I need to raise my prices?”
“Never mind, I don’t know what I’m doing because it’s obvious I haven’t spent most of my life as a merchant. Carry on with mediocrity,” Lady Orwell said before she left.
“I might have to out Kraven’s secret so I can get her out of my business,” Diana said.
“At least she’s not Father. He would have altered your prices while you weren’t looking,” Sebastian said.
Diana frowned. “That bastard has done that five times and tried to take part of my profits for doing so.”
“He did make a good point. You wouldn’t have the extra money if he hadn’t done it.”
Diana added more bottles to the table and lingered over a hair-removal potion. “Sebastian, it’s not a good idea to hint at Mother and Father being right. Mistakes can happen when I’m upset.”
Sebastian looked at the bottle and at his sister. “I was reminiscing, not saying they’re correct. And you might want to stop threatening me with that potion, because I see James and Ellie.” Sebastian pointed to the market’s entrance, and James and Ellie laughed as they walked hand in hand with Lord Ausher at their side. Diana dropped her hand, and Sebastian smiled under his hood.
“You better not be smiling, you smug bastard,” Diana said while they watched James walk closer.
“Nope,” Sebastian lied. James had been the only one to get Diana back for her tricks. If James ended up bald for a week, it was a guarantee that Diana would be just as hairless days later.
“Sebastian!” Ellie called out before she rushed to Sebastian and grabbed him in a tight hug. “How are you doing, young hero?”
“Staying away from adventures,” Sebastian said when he let her go.
“But you still have so many more to have,” Lord Ausher said.
“You’re still as nosy as ever.”
“And you’re still as cranky. Speaking of which.” Lord Ausher turned to Diana. “What have you been up to?”
“Not lounging in a large mansion while doing nothing,” she said.
“You should try it, Frowny Face,” Lord Ausher said and touched the silver streak in Diana’s hair. “You don’t want more of this, do you?”
“You know damn well what it’s from,” Diana said, gently removing his hand.
Lord Ausher laughed. “I doubt you’ll say it out loud.”
Diana glanced at the Orwell matriarch negotiating with a customer. “Why should I admit to inheriting anything from that porcelain doll?” Her back stiffened so quickly that they could tell she’d heard them.
“Nice job, Diana,” James said. “You know how good her hearing is.”
“No one told her to eavesdrop,” Diana said. “Why have you abandoned the inn?”
“I need a break, and I’m forcing him to take one too,” Ellie said.
“I have to see all your ugly faces before Solstice?” Diana asked.
“Yep,” James answered. “We expect Kevin and Luke to arrive tomorrow.”
“I’m surprised after Father practically bough
t out their services through the winter,” Sebastian said.
James shrugged. “I think Kevin wants enough saved up to take a break of his own during the spring.”
Ellie smiled. “I think his vacation will be more entertaining.”
Lord Ausher laughed. “That poor man being locked away in a hut for months on end with an incubus.”
“That depends on whether or not we can get this one’s life sorted out,” Diana said as she pointed at Sebastian.
“Eat any more poisoned food?” Lord Ausher asked him.
“Excuse me?” James asked.
“Where did you hear that?” Sebastian growled.
Lord Ausher tapped his ear. “I put my ear to the wind and listened to interesting things going on at the castle.”
“What is he talking about, Sebastian?” Diana asked.
“I didn’t eat any poisoned food,” Sebastian said.
“I’m sorry. I meant tainted food with its poisons removed,” Lord Ausher restated.
Sebastian finished restocking the table and shoved the bag at James. “I’m going to visit our other siblings and see if they have something more intelligent to discuss.” He moved around Diana and brushed by Lord Ausher, who whispered, “Plotting to kill Trenton is a dangerous mistake.” Sebastian ignored him and made for his mother’s table.
That idea had barely flourished in his head, and Sebastian didn’t need that stupid wizard blabbing his thoughts to his family.
“Well, well, well. Look who’s joined us after groveling to our older siblings. Did they not take proper care of you, Sebastian?” Pratchett asked. “I don’t know if our humble presence is enough after their company.”
“Lord Ausher is giving you more attention than usual,” Demetrius said. “Are you that desperate for a husband that you’ve already forgotten your prince?”
“It’s like you compete with the others in idiocy,” Sebastian said. “I’m amazed that you always win.”
Kraven crossed his arms. “What did you tell Diana?”
“Nothing,” Sebastian said. “She already knows and wanted to make Demetrius and Pratchett paranoid.”
“There’s no way she could know if you didn’t tell her,” Pratchett said to Kraven. “You should stop telling him secrets if he’s going to blab.”
