Concealed Special Edition

by Christina Bauer

  Philippe gently wrapped his arm around his sister’s shoulder. “Not me.”

  Amelia sniffled. “No, not you. Veronique is gone, though.” She turned to me, her pretty blue eyes rimmed with red. “And you’re leaving soon, aren’t you?”

  Bands of sadness tightened around my throat. Amelia was right. Once my work here was done, I’d vowed to return to Braddock Farm. “I’ll remain for a while yet.”

  “You’re leaving me. And Rex will leave me too. I can feel it.”

  A small jolt of surprise moved through me. “What do you mean?”

  “Yes, we’ve spent time together.” Her shoulders trembled. “Alone.”

  They did? The urge to protect Amelia welled up inside me. How could they leave her alone with Genesis Rex so soon? Amelia knew about manners, but not the intricacies of statecraft. An experienced politician like Genesis Rex could manipulate her in a dozen different ways, none of them good. “When did this happen?”

  “After the play.” Amelia gripped the folds of her gown so tightly I thought she might tear it open. I’d never seen her act like this before.

  “Do you like him?” To me, Rex seemed like a father figure. He was all gray hair and cavalier attitude. I couldn’t imagine falling for him.

  Amelia stared at her lap. “I know it must sound silly, yet I do.”

  “Yet you hardly know him.” The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end. Something about all this didn’t seem right. “And he’s so old.”

  “Elea has a point, you know.” Philippe pulled a kerchief from his pocket and began patting the tears on Amelia’s cheeks. “In fact, the boys you normally like are so young, they have faces full of acne.”

  Amelia frowned. “Not all of them had acne, Philippe.”

  “True. Some had voices that hadn’t deepened.”

  At last, Amelia broke out into a small smile. “Even so, Rex is different. He may be older than the boys I usually admire, yet his age suits him perfectly.” She huffed out a slow breath. “Still, I don’t think he’ll ever be attracted to me. I’m simply another alliance to him.” She looked up at the ceiling, trying to hold back more tears. “What a fool I’m being. I lose a few friends, meet one new man, and what do I do? Turn into some kind of blubbering idiot.”

  My protective urges for Amelia came back a hundredfold. “Don’t apologize for how to feel. It’s not like you’ve had a horde of people in your life to rely on. And the gods know the Vicomte hasn’t been kind, to put it mildly.”

  “That is putting it mildly,” said Philippe.

  I shot Philippe a frustrated look. Sometimes, his commentary simply didn’t help things. I refocused on Amelia. “It’s true that Veronique and I can’t be close to you physically. We’ll always be with you in spirit, though. And you know why? Because you’re a valuable and lovely person, Amelia. Your friendship is precious to all who know you.”

  Amelia stopped sniffling, and I took that as a good sign and kept on talking. “And don’t forget—Rex only just met you. ‘Love at first sight’ may be a pretty tale for bards, however it rarely happens in real life.” I glanced at Philippe, as he was much more of an expert in the amorous arts than I was. “Wouldn’t you say so, Philippe?”

  “Of course. I’ve never been in love personally, but I’ve seen it grow.” He leaned back and tapped his square chin. “Elea’s right. Give Rex some time. If he’s half the man you say he is, he’ll come around.”

  I turned to Philippe. “You haven’t met Rex?”

  Amelia shook her head. “I’m the only one.”

  “You know the Casters.” Philippe rolls his eyes. “Obsessed with secrecy.”

  Amelia lifted her chin. “Rex has good reasons for that, you know. The last three Caster Kings were all murdered. And someone tried to assassinate Rex, too.”

  Philippe chuckled. “And the solution is for everyone to wear face masks?”

  Amelia sniffed. “They’re helms, Philippe. And it’s one of many security measures that they’ve employed for generations.”

  “It’s security against intimacy, if you ask me.” Philippe folded his arms over his chest. “How can you get to know each other with all this sneaking about? And don’t get me started on all this Royal frippery that the Vicomte is strong-arming you into. Tell me, when you met Rex, were you acting like Amelia, or were you playing the Royal like the Vicomte had ordered you to?”

  Philippe had a point. If Amelia wanted a real relationship, then she needed to act like her true self.

  “I had to follow Royal protocol,” said Amelia.

  Philippe’s mouth thinned. “The Vicomte’s version of protocol has you tottering about like a pretty toy. I won’t have it.”

  My hands balled into fists. I hated how the Vicomte treated Amelia.

  “But I have to,” said Amelia. “The Vicomte talked to me right before I saw Rex. He said that if I did anything embarrassing, I was as good as dead.”

  “The Vicomte won’t always be around,” said Philippe. “All I’m saying is that it’s better to act as a real human being than a Royal sleepwalker. Every real man prefers an honest show of womanly affection.”

  Amelia paused, her small brows drawing together. After a few seconds, she turned to me. “What do you say, Elea? You stayed with the Casters for a time.”

  I rubbed my neck as I thought things through. “Philippe may be right.”

  “Of course, I am.”

  “The Casters were a very affectionate group,” I went on. “I couldn’t believe how often they embraced one another. I’m sure they’d rather openness and honesty to playing a part.”

  Amelia twisted her skirts around her fingers so tightly I thought she might do herself harm. “You’re both correct. I can see that now.”

  Philippe grinned and leaned against the wall, kicking his right ankle over his left. “I always am, especially when it comes to matters of the opposite sex.”

  “I just lost Veronique. I’m about to lose Elea.” Amelia’s bow-shaped mouth thinned to a determined line. “I won’t lose Rex, too.”

  I didn’t like how all Amelia’s thoughts kept centering on Rex. “You’ll always have my friendship, Amelia. Even if I move away.” I sighed. “Which isn’t happening any time soon. I need to get that vortex watch away from the Vicomte. Tonight.”

  Amelia stared out the window. I wasn’t sure she heard me at all.

  Philippe gave his sister’s hand a friendly squeeze. “Did you hear Elea? She wants to prevent the Vicomte from becoming a Necromancer tyrant. Personally, I think that’s a far better use of your time than…”

  Amelia’s big blue eyes flashed with an icy gleam. “Than what? Than caring for my friends and my heart? What good is having a realm in safety when there is no one I love in it?”

  “Let’s keep focused on the facts, dear sister.” Philippe gave me a dry look. Evidently, this kind of show of emotion wasn’t unusual for Amelia. “First, I am here and that counts for something. Second, what kind of future would you and Rex have if the Vicomte comes into power?”

  “Same as we have now.” Amelia lifted her chin. “None.”

  At this point, the conversation was rubbing on my nerves. I needed to plan for tonight’s ball, not cajole Amelia any longer. I took care to lower my voice to my most gentle tone. “Focusing on Rex won’t make up for losing Veronique. You need to grieve her on your own.”

  Amelia kept staring at the far wall and not saying a word. I leaned in closer to her. “Don’t you agree?” I asked. She still said nothing in reply. I cleared my throat. “Did you hear me?”

  Amelia gave me her best baby-doll face, the one she normally reserved for servants and the Vicomte. “I heard every word.”

  But paid no attention.

  Philippe’s eyes narrowed. “Elea spoke the truth. I hope you listened. This is a time to grieve, not chase after a new relationship. And we’ve plenty of work to do in the meantime.”

  “Absolutely.” Amelia smoothed down her bodice. “Whatever you say.”
r />   That settled it. She is paying no attention at all.

  “Anything I say?” I shot Philippe a sly look. “Because I plan to strip naked again.”

  “That’s fine.” Amelia clapped her hands. “Let’s talk about more important things.” Her voice took on a pleading tone. “You are going to the ball tonight, aren’t you? They’re announcing my engagement and everything.”

  “Amelia. This is what I warned you about. You’re obsessing about Rex and the ball. You haven’t listened to Philippe and me.”

  “Don’t be silly. Now, are you witnessing my engagement or aren’t you?”

  I turned to Philippe. “Is there any point trying to convince her?”

  “She gets this way sometimes. Just move on.”

  And indeed, I’d seen Amelia in one of these moods before. The girl was impossible to sway once she’d set her mind on something. So far, her goals had always aligned with mine, so her stubbornness hadn’t been an issue.

  “Evidently, it is I who needs to convince you.” Amelia looked up at me from under her long lashes. “Please join the ceremony?”

  She was so sweet in her manipulations. I couldn’t help but smile. Whatever happened between Amelia and Rex, tonight was my friend’s engagement announcement. I’d do my best to help her enjoy it. All while I stole the Vicomte’s watch, of course.

  “I’ll be there. I may have to run off here and there on a little errand. Even so, I’ll do my best to be there for the big announcement.”

  Philippe lowered his voice. “And I’ll help where I can, too.” He gave me a surreptitious wink. I appreciated the sentiment. At least I had one focused ally tonight.

  Amelia clapped. “Perfect. Then, you’ll go with me to the mansion and get ready? Clothilde has all sorts of ideas for your gown.”

  “I’ll go to the mansion. First I must discuss my broken door with the innkeeper.” I could cast a spell to fix it, but I was still feeling winded from last night.

  “We’ll see you soon, then.” Amelia kissed me lightly on the cheek and sauntered out into the hallway.

  Philippe kissed my hand and spoke in a low voice. “I’ll see what I can do with her. Don’t hold your breath.”

  “Thank you.”

  Once Philippe and Amelia were gone, I sat back down on my bed. I needed a quiet moment to process everything that had happened. I leaned back on the mattress and stared up at the cracked plaster ceiling. Who was I to tell Amelia that she needed to find time for her grief? I’d been avoiding doing the same myself.

  Thousands of Necromancers. Gone.

  Virtually all of my people were dead. Soon, that number would include Ada and Veronique.

  I rolled over onto my side, feeling darkness and grief seep into my pores. Tears blurred my vision. The loss in my soul felt so vast, it was as if nothing could ever fill the emptiness again. Not even Rowan. Not even home.

  24

  Amelia, Philippe, and I stepped down from our carriage and strolled up to the Montagne mansion, ready to be received for tonight’s ball. My friend positively bubbled over with a forced kind of excitement.

  “The Vicomte didn’t say when they’d announce my engagement. Do you think it will be later in the evening? I think it won’t happen until well after everyone’s arrived.” Amelia kept speaking without seeming to draw breath between sentences.

  No question what all this false joy was about. Amelia didn’t want to feel the pain of losing Veronique. I knew this for a fact because I wore a forced smile of my own. Only I wasn’t so focused on the engagement.

  I need that vortex watch.

  A shiver rolled across my shoulders. That much power in the hands of any one person? They could raze the realm with a single spell. It was more magick than a good mage would want… Or an evil mage should have.

  A line of well-dressed dignitaries and socialites filled the stone walkway behind us. The ladies all wore full-skirted ball gowns; the men had donned long coats. Everyone had on a formal mask. Tonight’s ball was the last event in the Festival of Theodora. In the legend, Theodora snuck past the gods’ gateway by wearing a disguise. All the final celebrations in her honor were masquerades.

  Soon it was our turn to mount the staircase that led to the mansion’s main doors. The Baroness de Montagne stood at the top of the golden staircase. Her white gown, silk mask, and pearly wig all accented her pale skin and willowy form to perfection. She stared through Philippe and me as if we weren’t there. Her focus quickly locked on Amelia.

  “My dear, you’re here!” The Baroness kissed Amelia lightly on both cheeks. “You did such a wonderful job at the play last night. I’m simply dying to discuss it with you.”

  Amelia curtsied. “Thank you, Baroness.”

  “Only, there were a few things you could have done better. I should like to review them with you now before I forget. After all, you’ll be playing Theodora next year, too. We can’t have those same mistakes again.”

  Philippe and I shared a meaningful look. The Baroness seemed ready to give a long lecture. I was not in the mood.

  Time to end this.

  I set my hand on my belly and forced on a glum face. “Pardon me. I’m afraid I’m still not fully recovered from last night.”

  “Recovered?” The Baroness’s nostrils flared. “You ran off to get a tincture for Amelia and never returned.”

  “That’s because I became ill myself. Didn’t anyone tell you? They found me in a pool of my own vomit.” After yesterday, I suspected the Baroness de Montagne wouldn’t keep chatting once I’d tossed out the word vomit. “Didn’t they tell you? It was quite grisly.” I inhaled a long breath as if ready to describe everything.

  “Come inside.” The Baroness shooed us into the mansion. “Don’t be vulgar.”

  I couldn’t stop my smile. What a perfect ruse. I’d just sidestepped a ten-minute lecture about nothing. All I needed to do now was find the Vicomte and get that watch.

  We all stepped into the reception room, which was a large square space made of white granite. The place was crammed with Royals in their fancy gowns and longcoats. The Baroness snapped her fingers, and a servant in white livery stepped to our side. He was young and fit with an elaborate white mask made of feathers. “Excuse me,” he said. “The Vicomte wishes to see his daughter.”

  All the blood drained from Amelia’s face. “He does?”

  “By all means.” The Baroness waved her hand casually. “Georges, please take these three to the Vicomte.”

  Amelia took a half step backward. The room was so filled with people, someone almost tripped on the train of her pretty pink gown. “I don’t need to see him.”

  On the other hand, I wanted to see him. Very much.

  “Don’t be ridiculous. If he calls you, you must go.” The Baroness returned to the front door and greeted another guest with air kisses on both cheeks. I supposed that meant the conversation was over.

  Amelia’s gaze shifted between Philippe and me. Her blue eyes widened with worry. I could understand her concern. The Vicomte was a callous bastard, and that was on a good day. Amelia gripped the wide cuffs of her brother’s longcoat. “Why don’t we go into the ball for a moment?”

  Philippe gently patted his sister’s shoulder. “You know we have to visit him now.”

  “Both Philippe and I will be with you.” I lowered my voice to a whisper. “Besides, if the Vicomte gets out of line, I’ll fillet him with magick.” Right after I steal the vortex watch.

  Amelia brightened a little. “Can you really do that?”

  “All the fun is in trying.” I added extra menace to the phrase. That seemed to help even more.

  “Let’s go, then.”

  “Follow me.” Georges quickly navigated through the crowded hallways. From what I could see, this part of the mansion was made of polished gray stone with vaulted ceilings. It has hard to see much since there were so many bodies in the way.

  At last, we reached a quiet corner with an unassuming door. Georges pulled it open and lean
ed inside. “Your Eminence, your daughter and her guests are here.”

  “Send them in already.” The Vicomte’s dismissive tone set my teeth on edge. I wished he’d treat others with more respect. Or any respect, really.

  Georges moved aside, gesturing for us to enter the room. Amelia stepped in first, followed by me and Philippe. The chamber was a small and simple space with wooden walls that were inlaid with white stone. The Vicomte paced by the window, wearing his garish orange pants, tall black boots, and a frilly pink shirt.

  No longcoat. My heart sank. The longcoat was where the man kept all this watches. I quickly scanned the room.

  No coat there, either.

  And no sign of any watches.

  The servant turned toward the door. Without meaning to, I gripped his shoulder. “Georges, wait!”

  Everyone in the room froze. If I’d screamed fire, I couldn’t have drawn more attention to myself.

  “Yes, my Lady?”

  I forced my face back into a semblance of calm. “This room is frightfully cold. I should think the Vicomte would like his longcoat.” I turned to the Vicomte. “Or do you have it close at hand?”

  Please, have it close at hand.

  “Looking for my watches, eh?”

  It took every ounce of my Necromancer training not to gasp. “I don’t know what you mean.”

  “What a silly little animal you are. My devices are precious. Everyone wants to see them. Which is why I don’t leave them laying about for addlebrained nitwits to waste my time.” He pointed to the door. “Georges. Out.”

  The servant quickly left the room while the Vicomte glared at me like I was a mangy dog begging for leftover views of his lovely toys. The words for a half-dozen attack spells flickered through my mind.

  What I wouldn’t give to kill the man right now.

  I forced my face into some semblance of calm. Time enough to kill the Vicomte later. Namely, once the vortex watch was in my possession.

  The moment Georges closed the door, the Vicomte rounded on Amelia. “Back to the matter at hand. I brought you here, daughter, for one reason only. And that wasn’t to entertain your useless friends.” He stepped closer and bared his yellowed teeth at her. “Don’t you dare foul this engagement up for me.”