by Jeff Wheeler
“Tell me that you are not an agent of Lady Corinne. Or, if you are, tell me the truth once and for all. If you have deceived me in any way, admit it now, and all will be forgiven. I have trusted you with my heart. But I need to hear it from your own lips if you are loyal to me.”
Becka’s eyes widened with bewilderment and then filled with tears. Her shoulders hunched, and she began to cry softly. “I would never betray you, mistress,” she choked. “I’ve n-never spoken a falsehood to you. Not even once. That you could think . . .” She cried in earnest.
Sera was relieved to see such a gush of emotion from her. It was how she imagined an innocent person would react to being falsely accused. Becka was hurt by the words, but it would only be a momentary pain. She gazed into the girl’s eyes, reaching for the Mysteries, and the power assured her the girl had spoken truthfully. The small mothlike doubts that had been whispering near her ears after Montpensier’s accusations were gone now. Sera trusted her instincts, but she trusted the Mysteries even more.
She felt her own throat thicken with tears as hot relief surged through her. “I know, Becka,” she said, hooking her hand around the young woman’s neck. She pulled her closer, embracing her. “I know you’re faithful. I just had to be sure.”
Becka nodded, her face buried in Sera’s shoulder. She pulled up, looking fierce and even wounded. “I meant it, Miss Sera. I’d never betray you. You’ve been nothing but good to me.”
Sera felt the power of those words. “I will get you out of here,” she whispered in promise. “Whatever it takes, I will. Do you believe me?”
Becka nodded, a small smile brightening her face. The two embraced again, and then Sera rose. She hated every moment that Becka spent confined. But she would not let Montpensier use the girl’s imprisonment as a ploy to stop the wedding.
Hoping to distract Becka with more pleasant thoughts, Sera sat with her for a while longer, telling her about how she’d spent the previous day—the endless alterations of the dress and the practice for the ceremony. When she noticed Adam nodding off on the stool, she suggested that they both needed to leave. Adam rose in agreement, and they left Becka in her prison for another day.
As Sera and Adam followed their Espion guide back through the corridors, she turned and said, “Thank you for staying with her so long. You don’t know how much I appreciate it.”
He shrugged. “It’s important to keep her spirits up.” He was too polite to mention that she’d ordered him not to leave the castle.
“You are a good man, Adam Creigh,” Sera said. “Cettie is lucky to have you.”
He smiled at the compliment. “Well, permit me to feel that I am the lucky one. I miss her excessively. Perhaps, with your permission, I could fetch her to visit you following the wedding?”
“I would be most pleased,” Sera answered. She had so much to share with Cettie, and would dearly like her advice. They rounded a corner in the corridor, which was wide enough to permit them to walk side by side. “I’m grateful you were there when I spoke to Becka. Did her words ring true to you as well?”
“I have no doubt of her sincerity,” he answered straightaway. “Someone who is guilty tends to get immediately defensive, argumentative. They’ll try to persuade you why you’re wrong. Her words ring true.”
Sera nodded. She had seen that sort of behavior before. “You are wise, Mr. Creigh.”
“Thank you, Miss Fitzempress. It’s a high compliment.”
They reached an exit from the Espion tunnels, and the fellow let them out. “Now let me be the doctor and send you to bed.”
“If you insist,” he replied, rubbing his eyes.
“You looked preoccupied during the practice,” Trevon said. He took Sera’s hand, massaging her knuckles with his thumb. The night’s formal dinner had just wrapped up, and they’d retired to a sitting room with the rest of his family. A couple of Trevon’s siblings were deep into a game of Wizr, while the others chatted and played simpler games of chance. Trevon and Sera had nestled into a nook where they could finally speak openly with each other. And yet, Sera felt too exhausted to do so. Her head throbbed with a persistent headache, and she’d been tempted to use it as an excuse not to attend the dinner.
A sarcastic retort nearly slipped out, but she managed to catch it just in time. She gazed up at Trevon, saw the concern and worry in his eyes. He was a kind, thoughtful man, an excellent conversationalist, and there was no doubt that he adored her. Part of her wished the formalities were all finished, and they were simply husband and wife.
“You are dear for noticing,” she said. “I am tired.”
“I can tell it’s more than that,” he said, standing closer. He stopped rubbing her hand and traced the edge of her eyebrow with his finger. Then he sighed.
“What is it?” she asked.
“There was a protest today outside the sanctuary. A rabble, really. They were shouting that the sanctuary would be corrupted if we were married there. The crowd was dispersed, but unkind words are being spoken about us in the taverns this evening.” He shook his head at the news.
“You heard this from Montpensier?”
“No, Captain Remmer. His resources are stretched right now, but he assures me the streets will be safe for the wedding procession.”
“Why not go by river?” Sera asked in concern.
“We just may,” Trevon said. “The guard will choose the best path, but both must be prepared. It is better if people don’t know what the real one will be. It is the captain’s decision to make, depending on which avenue he deems safest. I trust his judgment.”
That made sense to Sera. “I see you’re disappointed by the mob.”
Trevon looked at her and nodded. “The problem with a crowd is there are no leaders. At least, none that we can see. If the Espion knows who arranged it, they aren’t telling.”
“Maybe the Espion was behind the disruption.”
“To what end?” Trevon wondered. He leaned back against the wall next to her so that they both could look at those assembled in the sitting room, which included Trevon’s parents and siblings and a host of servants. “The general cannot prevent us from marrying. Is he just spitting on the cake to be spiteful?”
“I wouldn’t put it past him,” Sera answered. “And how would you know if he did arrange it? We will be blind to what he’s doing until he’s no longer the head of the Espion.”
“And that, my dear, cannot happen soon enough.” Trevon chuckled, then his gaze drifted off to the left. “Oh, it’s Lord Fitzroy. It seems he is looking for you.”
Sera noticed him as well, standing in the doorway and gazing over people’s heads in an attempt to find someone. Trevon gave a short wave, and Fitzroy nodded and crossed the room to reach them, stopping to greet the queen, who intercepted him.
When he arrived a few moments later, he looked concerned and grave. His countenance sent a jolt of apprehension through Sera.
“Judging by your expression, Prime Minister,” she said, “you are either very tired or you have concerning news.”
“On this evening, it happens to be both.”
“Is this news from Lockhaven?” Trevon asked. He looked uncertain, as if he thought he should beg their leave and depart but did not wish to do so.
“You can stay,” Fitzroy said, putting a hand on the younger man’s shoulder.
“Tell me,” Sera said.
“I don’t know what to make of it,” Fitzroy said in a worried manner. “I only just found out.” He tried to control a frown and failed. “I just learned that Lady Corinne crossed a mirror gate in a zephyr.”
“Lady Corinne?” Trevon said in baffled surprise.
“I thought you’d given orders preventing it,” Sera said, her stomach plunging.
“I did. I assure you, there was no miscommunication of my orders.”
“When did this happen?” Sera demanded.
“They arrived during the night. Efforts were made to hunt them, but they went by zephyr and it was dark.
There was no way to track them. The Ministry of War feared the court of Kingfountain might take any maneuvers on their part as an act of war, and were hesitant to plunge in after them. There has been much confusion.”
“Including in your choice of words,” Sera said. “What did you mean by them?”
Fitzroy’s look darkened further. “The report I had from my chief investigator is that Cettie crossed the mirror gate with Lady Corinne. That she . . . coerced the ministry official into letting them pass.”
“She has no authority to do that,” Sera said, her concern growing faster and faster. In that instant, she was reminded of her conversation earlier that morning with Adam, who had volunteered to bring Cettie to Kingfountain for a visit. What was going on?
“Clearly,” said Fitzroy. “I’m as bewildered as you are at this moment. Why would Cettie put herself in the power of such a person? I have only suspicions. Perhaps we have found the identity of Cettie’s mother at long last.”
“Lady Corinne?” Trevon said, his voice low and guarded.
Fitzroy gave him a curt nod. “That is the only explanation that I can deduce following my investigation into the death of a young man who met his fate after visiting Pavenham Sky. Perhaps they are coming here. Or perhaps Corinne plans to use her as a hostage to hinder my investigation.”
Sera’s insides were roiling. Was Cettie the natural daughter of Corinne Lawton? What a scandal that would be. Sera’s heart hurt for her friend.
“If they came to this world,” Sera said softly, “then we are in no position to find them unaided. But I don’t trust the Espion to perform the search.”
“Neither do I,” said Fitzroy.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
VOWS
Trevon and his father left the sitting room to discuss the matter privately. The prince had felt, and Sera and Fitzroy had both agreed, that this new information warranted him sharing the details with the king and queen. She waited nervously for Trevon to reappear, but several hours passed with no sign of him. When the servants began clearing away the refreshments, she bid Lord Fitzroy good night and walked alone back to her rooms. The empty hall felt oppressive that night. Would she ever feel truly comfortable living at the court of Kingfountain? Even if they did oust Montpensier, would she always sense his followers lurking in the shadows? She felt as if she were being watched. She probably was. Maybe the feeling would abate as soon as Montpensier was replaced.
Just as she was about to reach for the door handle, she heard the sound of rapid footsteps and spied Trevon as he turned the corner. Relief swept through her, and she waited at the threshold.
He arrived, still winded from his haste. “I’m glad I caught you before you were abed. Not that I would have minded seeing you again in your dressing gown, but we’ll save that for tomorrow night . . . after the wedding.”
His flattery almost made her smile. “You have news?”
“I do.” He withdrew the Tay al-Ard and offered his arm.
“Where are we going?” she asked.
“You will see,” he replied, arching his eyebrows. “A place where we can speak privately.”
“The news isn’t good, then?” Sera said.
“Let’s just say that I don’t trust we’re the only ones in this corridor.”
She laid her hand on his arm, and the magic immediately wrenched them away. They had not gone far this time. They were in the gardens of the palace, near the gurgling fountain where they had spoken on her first day in Kingfountain. The moon was out, a pale silver orb in the sky, but it provided sufficient light. All the colors were muted, and the trees cast dark shadows on the lawns. The castle rose steeply to one side. She had traveled by Tay al-Ard many times, but it still made her dizzy, and looking up at the castle made her off-balanced.
He sat down on the edge of the fountain. “Here, sit down to steady yourself.”
When she tried to sit next to him, he encircled her waist and brought her down on his lap instead.
“So this is how you prepare me for your ill tidings?”
Trevon smirked and shook his head. “No, this is to remind us both that tomorrow night, we will be husband and wife. I brought us here so that we wouldn’t be overheard by the Espion, but I also wanted to give you a proper kiss good night without being watched.”
“How proper?” she asked, feeling a little daring.
“First the news,” he said. “My father was surprised to hear about the investigation into Lady Corinne. He only knew her as a powerful woman with interests tied to Kingfountain. This was the first he’d heard that she might be affiliated with the Espion. Father told me that he remembers the visit she and her family made to court. He was a young man himself at the time, but the memory stuck with him because she disappeared. She couldn’t be found, and her parents were worried sick. But they ultimately found her the next day, and it turned out she had gotten lost in the palace and fallen asleep. It was odd enough that he’s always remembered it, especially since she eventually married Lord Lawton.” He paused. “The circumstances are strange, I’ll grant you, but this happened before Montpensier led the Espion. Father says he confronted the general this evening and demanded to know if Corinne was a spy. Such a secret should not have been kept from him.”
Sera frowned. “Why would the general admit to such a thing?”
“Hear me out. My father is wary of the general and has been for some time. But he’s very powerful and runs one of the largest duchies in the realm. He gave my father a ring that prevents someone from hearing a lie. I believe there are similar powers in your empire under the Ministry of Law?”
“There are,” Sera said.
“Father put on the ring and asked several questions to test it. Then he asked the general again and again if she was a spy, and Montpensier still denied that Lady Corinne is part of the Espion. Montpensier admitted he has another spy at court, one who has risen very high up. He said this person’s identity must remain concealed, and so he told my father but said I could not know.”
That answer did not satisfy her. Not at all.
“And there has been no attempt by her to come to court? Would the Espion even tell us if she appealed to them?”
“Montpensier told my father that if she did make contact, we would be told at once. I’ve informed Captain Remmer of the situation. In fact, he went with Father and some guardsmen to interview the general. I also requested that guardsmen be stationed outside your maid’s cell. If I had to pick who to trust, I would put my life in the hands of Captain Remmer and his men.” He gave her an imploring look and pulled her closer. “Sera, Father told me he would talk to Mother tonight about relieving Montpensier of his duties. It will probably cause a rift with the man. But he needs to be taught who wears the hollow crown, and he will bend to it or . . . Father is prepared to humble him with an army if necessary.”
That was a relief to hear. The king was taking the situation seriously, and although it would be difficult to rein in such a wily and strong-willed man, it was better to do it now than to let the situation fester. She wrapped her arms around Trevon’s neck.
“Is there more news, or can we get to the kissing?” she whispered.
“A proper kiss,” he said wryly, bending his head and nuzzling her neck with his nose. It sent a shiver down her back. Tomorrow, she reminded herself. Tomorrow they would be wed. Cettie’s vision would be fulfilled.
She felt an overpowering feeling fill her heart. With her hands, she cupped his face and made him look at her. He was so dear to her, so very dear.
“I love you, Trevon Argentine,” she told him. It was the first time she had told him.
There was a shocked look in his eyes. He hadn’t expected such a declaration. But the shock quickly transformed into an expression so tender it made her ache. “I wasn’t sure if I’d ever hear you say it. The only reason I haven’t is because I feared it would frighten you.”
“Your love doesn’t scare me,” she said, rising higher and kissing him lightly on th
e mouth. “But say it anyway.”
He squeezed her to him. “I love you, Sera Fitzempress. My treasure. My true queen.”
He kissed her back, and it was heavenly.
Though Sera did not have Becka’s assistance, Trevon’s two sisters and their maids helped her prepare for the wedding ceremony. Sera had seen parts of the gown in the fittings over the last few days, but now that it was together, she admired the workmanship and craft of the Occitanian seamstress who had created it. The light purple dress was trimmed with silver, and its bodice was covered in beads and seed pearls. Once they were done, Sera stared at herself in the mirror for a long moment. Princesses Elaine and Lyneah had given direction on Sera’s hair, and the young maids had done their work well. The neckline of the dress concealed the maston chain she still wore beneath the gown.
Sera’s stomach fluttered like caged butterflies. She wanted the ceremony to be done.
A knock landed on the door, and Princess Elaine opened it to a guardsman wearing a formal uniform and plumed hat of ceremony. His bearded face looked somewhat familiar.
“Captain Remmer,” the man said by way of introduction. “It’s time, Your Majesty.”
Lyneah squeezed Sera’s hand and looked fit to burst with excitement.
Sera thanked the girls who had helped her and then followed Captain Remmer to the door. “Have you decided which way we are taking?” she asked.
He nodded. “We are taking the street. The procession has assembled. You will ride by carriage with the royal family. The guests will line the streets, and guardsmen have been posted to hold the crowds back. There’s a mob down there, Your Highness. Some aren’t happy with the wedding, but they will be kept at bay.”
His words were not very comforting. “I know you will do your best, Captain.”
He looked like a man under a great deal of pressure, which was not very comforting either.
She walked with him and the princesses down the main corridor of the palace, past more guards who fell in behind them.
