Rishiart turned to look at him. His eyes narrowed. “Well, I’d planned to take a week or so to make an independent assessment of the situation for my father. However, I think your father’s attitude so far has not been very conducive to that. I hate to leave more delicate matters like information gathering to Arrigo. He’s much better at whacking things than asking questions.” Arrigo grimaced at this, but didn’t argue. “But Captain Damek is quite competent in that area. It’s why I chose him. And he’ll have the advantage of a much lower profile. He can go have a quiet drink at an inn or public house, keeping his ears open, much more easily than either Arrigo or I could. Perhaps it would be better to leave sooner, before King Ewart can think of any obstacles to throw up to hold us back.”
“Absolutely,” Sandor said.
~
A few days later, Savyon stood at the edge of the ravine and looked out in wonder. According to Rishiart, this valley had been nothing but blackened stumps and bare earth less than two months ago. Now it was as green and lush as anything he’d seen on this trip full of wonders. The lake had certainly been an eye-opener. He’d never imagined that much water all in one place. Then the forest so old it made him think he’d never really understood what a forest was before. And now this. The ravine was a tapestry of every conceivable shade of green. Even the stumps were completely covered in twining vines. A few had even begun to flower.
“Ailsa did this?” Sandor asked. The pride in his voice was quite understandable.
Rishiart nodded, chest puffed out with a matching pride. “Ailsa and Jathan. He worked on this side.” He pointed up the trail to a stone bridge. “She crossed to the other side and worked opposite him. Mage Malina says they are unusually well-matched. Since this, they’re being trained to work as a team.”
“Do they get on well together, then?” Lady Sosana asked. It was a natural enough question for Ailsa’s mother, but Savyon tasted bile at the thought.
Rishiart laughed. “Oh, I’d say so. They danced all night together at the Solstice Ball and Jathan was particularly . . . um . . . solicitous of her during the two weeks we spent up at the lodge. I suppose he might have just been trying to be a good host, as the one of us who knows her best, but . . . he seemed to be enjoying himself.”
Savyon clenched his teeth against an outcry. He felt like he’d been punched in the gut.
Chapter 21: Reunion
Ailsa stopped as they turned the last corner to Grandmama’s house. There were horses—seven horses—tied up in front of the little house, idly grazing on the clover border.
Jathan paused beside her. “What . . .” He followed the direction of her gaze and stopped. “Looks like your grandmother has visitors.”
“A lot of visitors.” Ailsa blinked. That grey on the end . . . “That’s Pearl!”
At the sound of her voice, the mare raised her head and whickered. Ailsa ran forward and threw her arms around the glossy neck. “How’d you get here, Pearl, you beautiful thing?”
Jathan came forward at a fast walk. He whistled as he looked Pearl over. “Your friend was wrong.”
Ailsa raised her face from the silky mane, trying to piece together his meaning. “What?”
“Your friend who said she ran beyond her abilities for you. He was wrong. It may be that she only runs to her full capacity for you.” Jathan smiled and patted Pearl’s side. “Isn’t it obvious? After all these weeks of riding Diamond? This horse has unicorn blood. Oh, she’s not a quarter, like Diamond. Maybe not even an eighth. But she definitely has the blood. Look how her coat shines and the lines of her face. It’s unmistakable.”
Ailsa blinked. He’d remembered that? When had she even said that?
She shook her head and took a step back to look Pearl over with new eyes. “It is, isn’t it?” She hugged Pearl’s neck again. “I always knew you were special. But how’d you get here, huh?”
Jathan turned to the other horses. “If we knew who these other horses belonged to, we might be able to answer that. Or, of course, we could just go inside and ask.”
Ailsa looked up from Pearl and her eyes widened. “That’s . . . that’s Sav’s—Prince Savyon’s—black, and Cerg’s—Prince Cergio’s—bay, and that one belongs to my cousin Perion, and . . . Papa’s gelding and Mama’s little mare. She’s even stodgier than Goldenrod.”
Jathan’s lips thinned. “And the sorrel on the end belongs to Rishiart. He’s been away on some business for Father. I think I can guess what, now.”
Ailsa turned toward the front door. “That means . . . they’re all here.” She wasn’t sure how she felt about that. Or, rather, which one of the many things she felt was strongest. The thought of seeing Mama and Papa made her feel light all over. And yet . . . Sav. Her stomach clenched at the thought of seeing Sav so soon. She wasn’t ready, yet. He’d want an answer—he deserved one—and she had no idea what to tell him.
Maybe it had been a mistake to put off thinking this out. Even if Sav was prepared to accept her, magic and all, and fight the barons, could she say yes with her whole heart and walk away from Jathan forever? Her breath caught at that thought.
Since the talk Grandmama had given them, Jathan had studiously avoided any romantic moves. There’d been only that one brief kiss after the first time they worked together on the oak root fungus. Still, there’d been times when she’d felt the tension in him. She knew he’d been as tempted as she often was. She’d appreciated his forbearance, then. Now . . . now, she thought that it had robbed her of a chance to sort out how she really felt about Jathan. She’d thought she had time. Now they were both here. Ailsa squared her shoulders, bracing herself.
“Well,” Jathan said. “It doesn’t look like we’ll be having a lesson today. I’ll just go and leave you to your family reunion.”
“No!” Ailsa swallowed. That had come out a little more desperate than she’d intended. “I . . . I’d like you to meet my parents.”
Jathan grinned. “All right. I’d like that, too. Shall we go in?” He held out his hand.
Ailsa bit her lip. That might send a signal she wasn’t sure she intended, yet. On the other hand, her knees were shaking so hard that Jathan’s support would be welcome. She gave Pearl one final pat and put her hand in Jathan’s.
She was forced to drop his hand as soon as they went through the door, though, because she was swept into a hug first by her father and then by Mama, too.
“We’re so proud of you,” Papa said. Mama just beamed.
Ailsa was handed around to Perion, Cergio, and finally Sav, whose eyes burned into hers. Ailsa was pinned by that look for just a moment.
“And who is this?” Mama asked.
Freed from Sav’s gaze, Ailsa took a step back. “Mama, Papa, this is Jathan.”
“Don’t you mean Prince Jathan?” Mama asked sharply.
“We don’t use titles at the Institute,” Jathan said, stepping forward to shake hands with Papa. “Only talent and hard work matter among mages. It’s actually very freeing.”
Mama narrowed her eyes and looked between Rishiart and Jathan, who didn’t look much like brothers.
Jathan laughed. It sounded a little forced to Ailsa’s ears. “Anyway, I’m only a prince by adoption, not royal blood.”
Ailsa went on to introduce him to Sav, Cergio, and Perion. Then she couldn’t stand it any longer. “What are you all doing here?”
Rishiart stepped out of the corner where he and Grandmama had been keeping out of the crush. Everyone stood shoulder to shoulder in the small front room. “That’s my doing. Father wanted more perspectives on the situation in Far Terra. And to meet all the potential heirs. He sent me to bring them back. We haven’t even been to the imperial palace, yet. Your parents wanted to stop and see you first.”
“Of course we did,” Papa said, giving her another hug.
“We brought your horse, too,” Perion put in.
“Yes. Where they thought I’d put a horse, I have no idea,” Grandmama said from the kitchen.
�
�That’s no problem. I’m sure we can find a place for her in the imperial stables.” Jathan grinned and winked at Ailsa. “In fact, if I remember right, there’s an empty stall next to Diamond. I think he’d like Pearl. He might like her a lot.”
Ailsa tugged on her braid. “I wouldn’t want her to cause any trouble.”
Jathan laughed. “What trouble? Father’s horse master has been trying to find a mare Diamond doesn’t look down his nose at. I think yours might just be the one. Or wouldn’t you want a foal of Diamond’s?”
“Oh, yes.” She blinked and smiled back. “A foal of Diamond’s with Pearl’s steadiness would be perfect for Mayra, wouldn’t it?”
Jathan laughed again and shook his head. “Only you, Ailsa. Let’s introduce them first before we start arguing over who the foal would belong to.”
Rishiart shifted his feet. “Yes, well. I’m sure Father will want to have all of you come to supper up at the palace. Meanwhile, the luggage wagon has probably already arrived and they’re wondering what happened to us.”
Papa let go of Ailsa. “Yes, we shouldn’t keep the emperor waiting. And I’m sure there’ll be a better chance for a visit, later.”
Grandmama came out of the kitchen making shooing motions with her hands. “Yes, and more room, too. Besides, these two still have a lesson this afternoon.”
Mama laughed. “All right, Mama. We’ll get out of your way.” She hugged Ailsa again. “We’ll see you again tonight.”
~
Jathan spoke quietly to Rishiart as he went past. “Just make sure to put Pearl in next to Diamond.”
Rishiart clapped him on the shoulder. “I will. Believe it or not, I can recognize a good idea when I hear it. I’m ashamed I didn’t think of it. She’s a pretty little mare. To look at her, it’s obvious she has some unicorn blood, too. Now I know why little Ailsa took to riding Diamond so easily.”
Jathan shook his head. “Experience with a part-blood didn’t hurt. Ailsa was able to ride Diamond because she’s that good a horsewoman. No other reason.”
Rishiart smirked. “Whatever you say.” He nodded toward Prince Savyon. “Watch out, Jathan. I think you’ve got some competition for Ailsa, now.”
Jathan turned to look at Prince Savyon. The Far Terran prince stared back at him. So that was the one, the other man who’d kissed Ailsa back in Far Terra and made her confused about what she felt. And, of course, he had to be a prince—a real prince—too. Jathan stretched to his full height—which was noticeably less than his rival’s—and took a step forward.
Rishiart grabbed his arm and whispered in his ear. “Down, boy. Acting like Arrigo isn’t likely to impress Ailsa, now, is it? And she’s the one you need to impress, not Savyon.”
Jathan forced himself to relax. Rishiart was right. He’d been allowing things to develop slowly with Ailsa. Maybe too slowly. But she was the one he needed to concentrate on. And it just so happened that he had an opportunity to work magic with her right now. Something Prince Savyon couldn’t ever do.
He smiled. Prince Savyon might have the advantage of sharing Ailsa’s early years, but Jathan had the advantage of sharing her future. They were green mages together, and could be the strongest green mage team ever to leave the Institute. That had to be much more powerful than her largely unhappy past. What he needed to do was remind Ailsa of that. And then show her how he really felt about her.
He clenched his jaw. That, and try not to let the competitive nature he’d developed as one of four active and spirited brothers get the better of him. It was one thing to let that drive him to push his magic to its limits. It would be something else altogether to allow it to encourage him to start a fight with one of Ailsa’s oldest friends. He didn’t think she’d like that much. She already looked about as overwhelmed as he’d ever seen her. Worse than the first time she’d been summoned to the palace to meet his father. No, that wasn’t the way to impress her at all.
Jathan had long ago decided that Ailsa needed a light touch and not to be rushed into anything. That was truer now, if anything. It was just going to be a lot harder for him to do, but he’d find a way. He’d do almost anything for Ailsa.
~
Ailsa looked forward to sinking into the tranquility of her green magic. She very much needed that right now. Fortunately, they didn’t have far to go for today’s project. They’d be dealing with a simple case of aphids in the rose garden at the Institute. It wouldn’t take a lot of magic or much concentration. All they had to do was increase the roses’ natural defenses faster than the plants could do it themselves. When the leaves tasted bad enough, the aphids would move on. At least, that was the theory.
The work wasn’t as complicated as the oak root fungus, but it would still be time-consuming because the Institute maintained a very large rose garden. And they’d have to do it all at one time. Otherwise, the aphids would just move from one part of the garden to another. That’s why a team of mages was needed. This was going to be similar to working on the burn area in that regard. Ailsa on one side of the garden and Jathan on the other, working their way down the length of the garden.
It was Ailsa’s turn to lead. She spread her magic across the rose garden, but hesitated just before her magic would meet Jathan’s. She’d seen him and Sav glaring at each other and she was pretty sure Jathan knew that Sav was the one she’d kissed before him. Would he be angry? She didn’t want to hurt either of them, but that seemed likely to be impossible, now.
Under Grandmama’s tutelage, she and Jathan had worked with other green mages as they passed through Terranion. Nothing ever matched the euphoria of joining her magic with Jathan’s. There was always something special about that. Now, she was afraid that would be changed. She took a deep breath to brace herself and let her magic reach out to Jathan’s.
She rocked back on her heels at the warmth and support that reached her through that link along with the exhilaration. She hadn’t expected that and it took her breath away for a moment. It felt almost like a long-distance hug. Ailsa wanted to run across the rose garden and kiss Jathan, but she forced herself to concentrate on the aphids, instead.
For the moment, she was able to let her own misgivings go and concentrate on the work in front of her. As she did, Ailsa’s shoulders relaxed. It felt good and natural to work with Jathan this way. She let all her stress out with the magic.
When they’d circled all the way to the far end of the rose garden, Ailsa found herself face to face with Jathan. Despite the lingering euphoria of their joined magic, her earlier uncertainties rushed back. She ducked her head. “Thank you.”
Jathan took her hand. “Hey, we’re partners. Aren’t we?”
Ailsa looked up and smiled weakly. “Yes. Always. There’s no way I’m giving this up.”
Jathan smiled back. “Good. Me either. And friends?”
Ailsa nodded. “The best.”
Jathan leaned forward slightly. “And . . . maybe more?”
Ailsa’s breath caught. Her smile wavered and her eyes darted to his and then away again. Her free hand automatically reached for her braid. She couldn’t answer that question right now. She wanted more than anything to run to her quiet room in Grandmama’s house, lock the door, and just be alone for a while. Maybe then . . . maybe she could sort out her feelings and make a choice. She just couldn’t right now on the spot.
Jathan gently took the braid from her hand. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have pushed you. I can see how confused you are right now.” He smiled. “To tell you the truth, so am I. I expected to have more time. I never wanted to rush you. I just want you to know I love you, too.”
Ailsa’s throat tightened too much to allow speech. She squeezed Jathan’s hand.
Jathan winked at her and brushed her lips with the briefest of kisses. “See you at dinner.”
Ailsa nodded and watched him as he walked off in the direction of the palace. She closed her eyes. How had she gotten into this mess? The girl who just months ago had never expected to have any man love her
. And what in the green world was she going to do about it?
Grandmama put a hand on her back. “How are you doing?”
“I feel torn in two.”
Grandmama guided Ailsa to start walking back home. “What are you going to do?”
“I don’t know.” Ailsa took several steps in silence. “What I want is to be by myself for a while so I can think. But . . . we have to go to dinner at the palace tonight. And they’ll both be there.”
Grandmama shook her head. “I doubt this is a problem you can think your way out of. And it’s not something you can put off for long, either. That’s not fair to them—or you.”
Ailsa sighed. “Probably not.” She bit her lip. “Probably . . . probably the first thing I should do is talk to Sav. I wrote him about my magic and . . . something about your ideas when I was in the mountains. That was before things got complicated with Jathan, but still . . . I guess I need to know what he thinks.”
“Or are you just hoping that he’ll make your decision easier?”
Ailsa drew in a deep breath and let it out. “Maybe. Still, if he can’t or won’t accept that I am and always will be a green mage, then that’s that.”
“And if he does accept that?”
“Then I really need to get off by myself for a while. Somewhere they can’t confuse me.”
Grandmama stroked her back. “We’ll see what we can do about that, if it comes to it.”
Ailsa’s steps faltered as they came in sight of the house.
Sav was there, pacing up and down the front walk. Up, at that precise moment, so his back was to them. Everything about his erect posture and his hands, clasped behind his back, was so familiar that it brought a wash of warm memories over Ailsa. Then he turned and his eyes lit when he saw her.
Ailsa drew a deep breath and started forward again. Sav hurried forward to meet her.
Daughter of the Disgraced King Page 21
