The fatigue he was feeling before seemed to double as he thought about his visions. “There are thirteen. Different symbols, I mean. They appear multiple times on my body. There are seventy-eight overall, but it’s because the thirteen repeat.”
“Fascinating. Can I send Alexander to you to draw them for me?”
He gave her a single nod. “There’s something you should know. The nightmare Charlie saw—it doesn’t only happen when I’m asleep.”
Her hand went to her lips. “You have visions when you’re awake?”
“Twice.”
“We’ll get to the bottom of it, Marius. I promise you.”
“The training helps. I haven’t had one since I started.”
“Right. About that, I wonder if we might have a little talk.” She raised a hand toward his shoulder. “Walk with me. I’m supposed to meet Queen Penelope for a late supper, but this can’t wait.”
Intrigued, he walked with her toward the dining room. “What concerns you about my training?” Marius wondered if Colin had gotten to her, filled her head with fears about him trying to compete.
“It’s the coach you’ve chosen. Harlow.”
He hadn’t expected that. “What about Harlow?”
“It crossed my mind that in your absence and recovery, you might not be aware of the choices her family has made, or the consequences.”
He frowned. “I’m aware that Darium was an aristocrat under my mother’s rule and as close to Highborn as one could be without being a member, but my understanding is he pulled away from that relationship in the final years of her reign. After all, you invited Harlow to your coronation. I assumed that was a sign that all had been forgiven.”
Raven stopped in the middle of the hall and cleared her throat. “Not exactly. Darium and Lemetria did distance themselves from Eleanor, but Gabriel and I have it on good authority that privately they supported her and benefited from her rule, right up until the end. However, we have no proof. Publicly, they denounced her.”
“If you have it on good authority, why can’t that authority give you evidence?” Marius wasn’t surprised that Darium and Lemetria had done whatever they needed to do to maintain their social status, but it bothered him that gossip and conjecture might tarnish Harlow’s reputation.
“According to palace records, Eleanor was paying Darium’s business thousands of units a month—er, I mean a cycle—until she died.”
“What does Darium say she was paying for?”
“Doors.”
“Makes sense. He’s a doormaker.”
“We don’t know what she was paying for, but this palace would be full to the rafters with doors if she’d been buying what he was selling. Some of the Council of Elders wanted to have him tried, but they settled on suspending his license to do business in Paragon.”
Marius narrowed his eyes. “Are you saying that Darium and Lemetria no longer have an income?”
“Don’t be too concerned. Considering what Eleanor paid them, their savings must be substantial. Darium is a skilled doormaker. If he wanted work, I’m sure he could get it. Still, they’ve lost social status and no doubt have had to tighten their belts. Last I heard, the family was living in the Swilton district.”
A muscle in Marius’s jaw tightened until it hurt. He squeezed his eyes closed. He’d never suspected that the reason Harlow might want to train him was that she actually needed the money. “If this is true, why did you invite Harlow to the coronation?”
“Because Harlow was never involved in her parents’ affairs. She never shared their enthusiasm for Eleanor. Our sources say she’s always been a rebel where her relationship with her parents is concerned, and honestly, once she’s married or mated, she’ll be a member of her own household. We want the support of that future household. Gabriel tells me she’s of an age where that’s imminent given our shortage of females.”
He forced himself to nod even though the thought of Harlow marrying someone else made his stomach twist. He had no right to feel that way, no claim on her. Best to change the subject. “What is it exactly you wanted to tell me, Raven?”
She licked her lips. “I just want you to be careful. As much as I believe that Harlow should not be punished for the sins of her parents, I can’t imagine she feels warmly toward us after the change in her social circumstances.” An expression that looked a lot like guilt tightened the queen’s face. “The accountant mentioned to me what she’s charging you. I’m just not sure there isn’t more going on here than her desire to train you.”
“You’d think an accountant would keep better confidence.”
“He was concerned for security reasons.”
“Why? Because Harlow might be taking advantage of me for a few extra coins?”
Raven sighed. “I don’t know. I just think you should have all the information. Keep your guard up. Understand that she’s in a place where her motivations might be beyond the obvious.”
