“So, um,” Janus asked. “What does this mean?”
“A fortune describes a singular event.” Felsin ran a finger along his chin. “A death will cause a catastrophic event to pass. Orchestrated by an alluring woman, perhaps? Or is she the one who dies?”
“How does illusion fit into that?”
“Illusions can mean any number of things,” Felsin said. “A lie. A secret, a cover-up.”
Talon narrowed his eyes. “What about a mirage?”
A knock thudded at the door, startling Janus. Kalid emerged from the parlor to answer it, cracking the door open a hair before briefly stepping out. Janus saw nothing of the unexpected visitor, but Kalid returned with a parcel.
“It was a messenger.” He said. “Letter for you, my lady.”
Taking the parcel, Janus unwrapped it to reveal a neatly packed box with a scroll and a small pouch. Breaking the familiar seal of her house, Janus unrolled the letter and held it up.
Janus,
Perhaps I have misjudged your tendency to remain indoors. The first time you step out of our gates, you find assassins lurking in the night.
Your father is beside himself, of course. So is your brother. They wanted to call you home, but I managed to talk them out of it. To shatter the alliance is most likely what the assassins’ master sought.
Guards are a wonderful thing, but crowding you with more men in steel won’t stop a skilled blade. You’ve been my charge for a decade now, and I know better than any how you slip out at night despite our best warnings. Or how a shiny glint can draw you into a trap.
Stay put until I get there. I know you need no particular encouragement to remain in your room and under guard, but do try to control your more adventurous side. Whatever curiosities draw your attention, leave them to the professionals.
Gemellus Instigo
Gemellus was coming here? Janus rolled the letter up and released a heavy exhale. She would feel perfectly safe, knowing he was protecting her.
Grabbing the pouch, Janus untied its strings and dumped out a beautiful hair pendant, its tip vaguely shaped like a lavender rose—A rare flower that bloomed in the Argiris desert. Another note was attached to it, much shorter than the first.
P.S. Evander says you like good luck charms, like that dragon of yours. I imagine you must be scared, so wear this. Someone important to me gave this to me long ago; I called her my glass angel, the same name this flower bears.
Smiling, Janus slipped the letter into her pocket. Kalid shifted impatiently. “What did it say?”
“Father sent Gemellus to protect me.”
Kalid visibly relaxed. “Nothing gets past him. He can’t arrive soon enough.”
“Gemellus?” Felsin asked.
“My evoking mentor. Father’s court mage.” Janus explained
Turning the hair clip over, Janus laughed sadly. Glass Angels were flowers possessed of beauty that dwarfed even the fairest maiden. Only one grew per year, sprouting against all odds in the middle of barren sand.
“Good.” Talon’s voice drew Janus from her thoughts. “Having an evoker to guard you will set my mind at ease.” He gestured dismissively at Felsin. “Well, have you found your connection?”
Lifting the rosebush card, Felsin turned it over. “I’ve never drawn this in a fortune. Not once.” He stared at Janus. “Alfaris said everything would change when I finally did.”
Alfaris. The name was familiar. Memories stirred to life, wanting to be seen.
And as the memory surfaced, Janus found the sole connecting thread between her and Felsin.
* * *
Janus remembered a day six years ago. Gemellus had taken her into the city of Valeria on an impromptu evoking lesson, asking her to remember random, tiny details.
A messenger in an unremarkable tan tunic ran up and bowed hastily before offering a sealed scroll to Gemellus. “There you are, my lord. Letter for you.”
