“I won’t go,” said Maeve. “I’m sorry Daddy but I won’t. You’ll have to drag me out of this castle by force.”
Ambrose turned back towards her. A soft smile pulled up on his lips. He sighed. And looked up at the vaulted ceilings.
“Poxley,” said Ambrose.
One of the soldiers pulled to attention, slamming his right fist against his chest.
“Premier.”
“Does it surprise you my daughter is so headstrong?”
“No, Premier.”
“Are you prepared to fight that stubbornness in order to obey me?”
“Sir.”
Maeve stood tall.
“Good,” said Ambrose. “Because she’s your top priority now. You too Karpent.”
The other soldier made the same motion across his heart.
“Premier.”
“Arman,” he said, stepping closer.
“Premier?” He said.
“You’re now stationed here until further notice.”
Maeve and Mal looked back at him. He was older than them, but younger than Ambrose. Green eyes and dirty blonde hair and a shiny C badge on his chest.
He didn’t look at them. Only at Ambrose.
“If you insist on staying here,” said Ambrose as he stepped back towards her, “I’ll have them breathing down your neck.”
“Fine,” said Maeve. “I can handle them.”
Ambrose loosed a laugh. “I have no doubt.” He turned to Mal and extended his hand. “Malachite.”
Mal took it and their grip lingered.
“You are welcome at my table anytime. I am grateful for your service to my daughter.”
Chapter 17
Arman’s presence at Vaukore certainly didn’t go unnoticed. Rumor had it the Headmaster’s protested his post, but Arman reminded them that it was The Premier’s legal right to station his soldiers at Vaukore. Any of them.
They couldn’t argue.
Students huddled behind newspapers lined with that which Maeve already knew. The Human leader of Germany was dead. And Kietel was in full control. Maeve unintentionally slept through her first class, missing her charms exam.
When she woke, there was a scroll beside her bed, sealed with the Vaukore crest in red wax. She peeled back the seal, popping it loose from the ivory parchment, and pulled the oversized scroll open with both hands.
Gold letters in a swirling handwriting glittered across the page.
On the first of May in the year one thousand nine hundred and forty-five, it is hereby declared that the third child of Ambrose and Clarissa Sinclair named Maeve is excused from her third year Charms examination by order of Ezekiel Carlton Rowan, fifty-second named Headmaster of Vaukore Academy of Enchantment.
