For the first time in her life, Vi cursed her father.
“Tell me what you can,” she implored. “There isn’t much time. The Knights have only just taken the sword and if I go after them now—”
“I would if I could.” Fiera squeezed her hand. “But it took me years of study to learn and gain even the smallest mastery of that magic. However…”
“However?” Vi asked cautiously. Fiera had a glint in her eye that Vi wasn’t entirely certain she liked. It was the sort of spark Vi usually associated with a bad idea. She knew it well, because she’d seen it in the mirror many times.
“I could do it.”
“What?”
“After my son is born, I could go with you.”
“You— you’ll— I haven’t given birth before but I know enough to know you shouldn’t be riding hard across half the Empire immediately after,” Vi said bluntly.
“Weren’t you the one to tell me my life is forfeit?”
“I didn’t mean—”
“If it is the Mother’s will that I die, regardless of what actions you or I take, then allow me this. Allow my death to mean something as my life has meant something.”
“I cannot allow this,” Vi insisted. “It’s suicide. What you’re suggesting is suicide.”
“If you have magic that allows you to wield flames and take the faces of others, do you not also possess healing abilities beyond those of our clerics here on the Main Continent?”
“I do…” Vi said hesitantly. Well, she didn’t. Her use ofhallethstill hadn’t progressed very far. But Vi suspected she knew someone who had a much better handle on it.
“Then heal me, relieve my pain, and let me go with you. Perhaps then it won’t be suicide like you say. Give me the chance to surprise you and fate itself. Perhaps your error has been trying to save me, when I need to save myself.” Fiera settled back on the pillows, wincing once more. “This is my choice. Honor it.”
It was a demand Vi finally obliged. She would do her best to see Fiera’s will done, and keep her alive as long as possible. Her plans might have been ruined, but she had stayed this long to be by her grandmother’s side—no, her friend’s side. She would stay longer.
“Very well.”
“Good. You know, you’re nearly as stubborn as I am.” The grin Fiera wore made Vi wonder if she suspected more than she let on. “Now, fetch me a quill and parchment while I still have a clear head and can focus enough to hold a quill. I wish to leave a letter for my sisters.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Vi hoveredin the alcove she’d hidden in before, wearing the face of the young cleric, this time with Fiera’s letter in hand. She watched as Fiera called for the clerics and they bounded through the door, no doubt having been waiting outside the entire time.
Demands flew from Fiera’s mouth and the healers began to flit in and out, bustling to meet her orders. Her contractions were coming closer together. She was demanding a draught to speed them further, to “get the child out” of her at all costs.
In the chaos, Vi slipped out unnoticed.
She walked through the halls, waiting until she was alone to release her illusion. Down a narrow wooden stair with handrails so worn by time that they were oiled to a shine, and through a side hallway, Vi let herself into Fiera’s old room.
The smell of cinders overwhelmed her. Every heavy velvet chair and curtain was coated in the scent of incense—an aroma too potent to have faded since Fiera moved into what were now the Imperial quarters.
Vi headed for the bedroom, remembering what Fiera had said.
My sisters and I used to leave notes for each other…
They had a system, she’d explained. Fiera seemed to think that once it was known that she was missing, her sisters would execute a covert search. If either of them entered the bedroom, they’d head straight for the ornately carved headboard.
Kneeling on the mattress, Vi pushed on one of the carved suns and it slid to the side, revealing a tiny, hollow space. She placed the folded-up note inside, careful not to break Fiera’s seal, then slid it back closed. Vi didn’t know what the woman had written. But she trusted Fiera wouldn’t betray Vi’s true nature. Trusted her enough not to give into curiosity and temptation.
After, Vi headed down to the council. They were all gathered in the chambers and, from the sounds of it, Deneya had brought in her spiced liquor for everyone to enjoy. The fact complimented her plans nicely. If everyone was slightly sauced, they’d notice oddities on a delay.
“You there.” Vi stopped a servant as he was about to carry a carafe into the room. “Tell Councilor Denja to step out, please?”
