Riordan groaned, but a smile tugged at his lips. ‘You’re right, I don’t want to know. But… Deadly Nightshade? Are you planning on becoming the king’s assassin? Gods, he’ll hang me out dry if he learns I let you do something so reckless.’
‘Then he should have kept me with him,’ I said, and when Riordan laughed, I added, ‘Rey knows I won’t be controlled; notby him, the Brotherhood, or the Council of Mages. I’m the king’s shadow, not an assassin, not his lover. I’m the shadow that walks where righteous people fear to tread.’
‘Rey should’ve picked you as regent; this position needs someone ruthless, not a mage who hears the fears of every scheming noble.’ To my disappointment, he punctuated his words by drinking the last drop of wine, tossing the empty bottle into the fireplace.
‘He needs you, Ri. We’re close, but Reynard needs you more than he needs me, so stop worrying. You’re doing an impressive job,’ I said, standing up, lowering my mental barriers and showing him the truth of my words.
A coy smile spread across Riordan’s face, his severe expression softening a little. ‘Thank you, Roksana, and for sharing my burden. However, I must disagree.’ He paused, taking me in as I stood there in my work clothes, framed by the opulence of the palace.
‘Disagree?’ I asked when the silence made me squirm.
‘Yes. Reynard loves his country and cherishes his friends, but he is an Erenhart through and through. The moment he gave his heart to you, you became the sole reason for his existence.’
His blunt honesty startled me, and I shook my head, but Riordan hadn’t finished.
‘Don’t, Roksana. He’s an open book to me. If I died tomorrow, he’d mourn the loss of a dear friend. If you disappeared from this world, he would follow you without second thought, and that, my dear, makes you his one and only weakness.’
Chapter 12
Roksana
The atmosphere within the Chapter House was eerily subdued. Whether caused by the winter chill or by Boyan’s worsening health, an oppressive atmosphere permeated the dark hallways. I raised my chin in defiance. Here, where vulnerability meant death, I hid mine beneath an emotionless and cold, disdainful glare.
It made me wonder who I really was. Am I the Brotherhood’s Nightshade? Reynard’s Viper? A vivamancer? One of the countless labels whispered in dark corners by my enemies?
No, I am a shadow mage – a title that embodies them all.
Before I realised, I was standing in front of Boyan’s quarters. I shook my head. This wasn’t the time to reflect on the past. I had work to do, and I wasn’t looking forward to convincing the Grand Master to allow me to carry out my plan. I knocked, walking into stifling heat and the overpowering scent of herbs. My fists tightened as I slowly inhaled.
Damn stubborn men and their pride, I thought, recognising the concoction I’d made to help him breathe. It certainly helped as my nose cleared at the first whiff of peppermint oil.
Boyan sat by the fire, turning slowly at the sound of my footsteps. ‘Sana, it’s good to see you. Are you well?’ My father shifted on the chair. ‘I heard about the incident at the university. Before you ask, the novices are already briefed and searching for those void cubes.’
‘Thank you,’ I murmured as I knelt before him and took his hands. ‘You should have called for me. My help is more effective than herbs.’ I discreetly checked Boyan’s pulse, finding it weaker and more erratic than before.
‘Stop it. You’re my daughter, not my carer. And I’m still alive,’ he said, his lips twitching as he pulled away. With an exasperated snort, my father patted my head, then brushed away the melting snow in my hair.
‘And I’ll make sure you stay that way, so… no grumbling when I check on you.’
Boyan’s eyes crinkled at my little jibe, the smile that he’d always hidden spreading on his lips. He liked my fussing, and with the little time we had left together, I wasn’t wasting a moment pretending I didn’t care.
‘Why are you really here? The Observers told me you spoke with the regent before heading straight to the Chapter House.’
It was my turn to roll my eyes. ‘Gods, sometimes I think you’re more spider than man, locked in your den but still pulling all the threads.’ This time, he laughed openly, and I sensed it was a good time to ask. ‘I need to do something that might affect the Brotherhood.’
‘And you think I won’t approve,’ he finished for me with a deep sigh that shifted into a rattling cough. ‘Don’t deny it, child. I see that look in your eyes.’
‘I need the Blades’ help. I have a list of royal council members plotting against the king, and it’s time for them to change their ways, or their heirs.’ I went straight for the throat. Boyan’s eyebrows rose abruptly. My hand shook a little when he didn’tanswer. Without his agreement, the Blades wouldn’t lift a finger, let alone a dagger. Determined to convince him, I pulled the parchment from my pocket and placed it on his lap.
Boyan studied it with a frown before looking at me. ‘That’s a lot of dead nobles. This will cause an uproar.’
‘Oh, I’m not going to kill them…’ I might be Boyan’s only daughter, but he wouldn’t indulge my every whim, so I had to choose my words carefully. ‘Well, I probably won’t. I simply want to show them a better way.’
‘If your king doesn’t support you on this, my head will decorate the city gates.’ Boyan’s fingers tapped on the armrest before a flash of amusement lit his tired eyes. ‘Fine, talk to Irsha. If my head ends up on a pike, he can deal with the consequences.’ He gestured for me to rise. ‘Just promise me you won’t force him, Sana. No means no. He has more than your friendship to care about now.’
‘The regent approved it,’ I added for his sake.
Boyan’s hand trembled when he grabbed the poker to stoke the fire. ‘My daughter, the Vila. You’re just like your mother, with the gift of wrapping men around your finger,’ he said, his voice barely louder than a whisper. His eyes danced as the charred wood sent pine scent and sparks into the air. ‘Sana, promise me that after I’m gone, you’ll plant an oak tree on my grave. That way, my Dobra can always find me.’
