to wait and return it to her in person.”
Zander’s hesitation was evident as he glanced down at the paper to confirm the seal, as she’d guessed he would. An unsealed note from the hand of a stranger—especially one containing the instructions this one did—would have done nothing but arouse his suspicion.
“As you wish, my lady,” he said finally, bowing again and retreating to the next room.
She waited, and the three remaining guards quite pointedly did not offer her a chair. Whether the real Lady Piperell would have been offended by this, she had no idea, but a bodyguard was rarely allowed to sit, so it didn’t bother her to remain standing.
It did begin to concern her when Zander did not reappear for some time, though she knew her note had been anything but reassuring.
Zander,
I have become aware of some alarming information and would ask you to personally investigate. A full regiment of Garimoran soldiers is being dispatched, almost immediately I fear, to hunt down a mage somewhere in the kingdom. I do not know the full details, only that they intend to send archers to shoot this person down “from a distance” and implied that the mage in question may have origins in the Empire. Given that I have been offered nearly overwhelming evidence that Garimore harbors enmity and prejudice towards mages in general, and towards boundary mages in particular, I feel that understanding this situation may be vital to any decisions we might make concerning an alliance. If the mages among our people will be endangered by my marriage, I cannot in good conscience move forward. But I also cannot return home without proof, which is why I beg you to aid me in this. I know that what I ask of you is not without danger, so please be safe. I will await word of your return.
Her Royal Highness,
Evaraine
Eventually, Zander did emerge, his face set into an icy mask.
“For Her Highness.” He placed an unsealed paper in Leisa’s hand. “Thank you for your kindness to her, and to me, in delivering this note.”
Leisa nodded as regally as she knew how and turned to go, feeling his eyes on her back but not knowing what else she could offer him. They both courted danger, and that would not change until they were safely back across the border into Farhall.
Once outside, she hastened through the courtyard to an out-of-the-way corner and paused to read what Zander had written. She could not risk going further if he’d said anything that might arouse suspicions if it fell into the wrong hands.
I thank you, Your Highness, for your reassurances. It is a relief to know that you have found your visit thus far to be both restful and enlightening. Please know that we stand ready to fulfill your slightest wish at any time and look forward to the day when we may return to His Majesty with news of this future alliance. Be brave, my princess, and Farhall will never fail.
- Zander
A sigh of relief escaped her as she read over his words again. He’d managed to cleverly disguise his response, but he was as concerned as Leisa and would do as she’d asked. Now it was her turn to wait in an agony of nerves until she heard from him again.
And given what the princess’s fiancé had planned for her over the next several days, agony was exactly what she anticipated.
Chapter 16
From the beginning of his captivity, the Raven’s life had been many things, most of them unpleasant. He was often bored, frequently repulsed, and, more often than not, filled with fury or self-loathing.
But ever since the advent of the princess from Farhall, he had known nothing so consistently as surprise.
Even when she frustrated him, she continued to be surprising. Perplexing. Even shocking.
And the most shocking moment of all was when she walked blithely out of her rooms, head held high, wearing another woman’s face.
Princess Evaraine of Farhall was a mirror mage.
A significant number of his questions regarding her secrets were automatically answered, though an equal number of new ones instantly took their places. At least he now understood her horror at the conversation they’d overheard between King Melger and his captain. He’d meant her to know how Garimore treated mages—how they treated anyone suspected of magic. Instead, she’d learned of their specific hatred for anyone like her, and now that he looked back, he could not stop a brief surge of reluctant admiration.
She might have been afraid, but it had not