There’s an issue with Tivalaran, and we’ve found a connection between the void cube and the Wey Gates. Jagon said we have another enemy, mentioning galleons in the South. Your favourite duke’s lost his damn marbles and is up to his neck in this. We’ve got our best mages working on the void cube. Well, void gate, I suppose you’d call it.
Sorry, I’m rambling. They can’t do much without the schemata, so I’m going to find them. Tova will tell you more once he reaches your camp. Yes, he’s on the way, so please look after my dwarf.
I couldn’t exactly finish with ‘don’t worry, it will be fine,’ so I tried again.
Riordan had a minor issue, but just last night, yours truly ensured those fuckers would keep their heads down, although you owe Irsha a pretty penny for this.
I paused. It was a risky move informing him of my plans, but that was the point of my letter, so I had to muster my courage. Besides, I would likely be in the deep South when he received it.
Rey, I know we don’t always see eye to eye, but I care for you.Ink splashed on the paper as my hand shook.I want to be more than a king’s mistress, dark sister, or even a vivamancer. My father called me a shadow mage, but in my heart, I’m the king’s shadow, and I’ll protect you and our kingdom, whatever it takes. That’s why I’m going to Tivalaran. I’m going to retrieve every schemata that bastard’s hiding and destroy this damned contract. Not just because those morons want to use it against you, but because you’re mine.
I looked at the words, my feelings laid out on paper. When had I become so greedy? Letting him go was no longer an option, but should I have written it down? Cover this soft, vulnerable side? But what if something happened, and he never learned how I felt? I left it as it was, but had to offset the heaviness that weighed on my soul. Thinking of his reaction, I smiled.
Now, calm down, take a deep breath, and let me take care of it. Yes, I know you well enough to know you want to chase after me. Don’t. I followed your lead when you sent me out of the camp. It’s your turn to follow mine now, even if it’s hard.
Remember. You told me I’m your equal, and I’ll take nothing less. I’m the Deadly Nightshade who chose to protect her king. Because you are… mine.
Always yours,
Viper.
I looked at the letter; it would surely piss him off, but I’d been as honest as I could be.
All the information was there, but I wanted to give him something more to remember me by. After a moment of hesitation, I undid my braid and cut off one honey-gold curl. It wrapped around my finger, a slim band of gold that carried my scent. Rey told me I smelled like lilac and honey, but all I could smell was herbs. After a quick search, I found a ribbon to tie it neatly.
‘Maybe this will calm your Wild Magic before you go berserk,’ I muttered, sealing the letter, preparing to give it to Riordan.
Riordan walked in an hour later, finding me half asleep with my feet up on the desk. ‘Good work, Sana. Whatever you did to Tivala’s allies, no one spoke against Reynard except that youngster.’ He pushed my feet off the table to sit on its corner. I looked up, smiling at his content expression.
‘Poison, theatrics, and a bit of magic. It’s only a temporary solution to our problem,’ I said, sitting up and stretching myself. ‘I’m going to Tivalaran as soon as I sort out a few issues in the Brotherhood. Could you please deliver this letter to Rey with your report?’
‘What? Why?’ Riordan pinched the bridge of his nose, shaking his head. ‘I can’t let you do it.’
‘I’m not asking for permission.’ I shook the envelope in front of his face. ‘We need those schemata, and factual information on what Tivala’s planning. And after today’s session, destroying the fake marriage contract becomes even more important.’
Riordan frowned once again, shaking his head. ‘Then send your Observers. The treasury will pay.’
‘I could, except that for a few blades, I don’t know whom to trust in the Brotherhood.’ My explanation made me sigh, but even more when I pushed the envelope towards him. ‘Deliver it… please. I need him to know what I’m doing and why.’
‘You’ll be the death of me. How do you think Rey’ll react when I tell him the woman he loves leapt into the most dangerous quest she could think of, and I let it happen?’ I raised an eyebrow until Riordan broke and snatched the letter from my hand. ‘Fine, but don’t blame me if he charges into Tivalaran to find you.’
I looked at Riordan, the genuine concern in his gaze and the crease that now seemed to be permanently etched between his brows. ‘He won’t,’ I said calmly, standing up.
‘What makes you so sure?’ he asked, shoulders slumping in defeat.
‘Because I asked him not to. Because I asked him to trust me, and because deep down, he knows that if his love turns into my cage, I’ll find the way to escape.’
‘Sana… you’ll break his heart.’
‘No, Ri. I’m fighting for a future where he and I can be together,’ I said, meaning every word. ‘You heard those bastards – a king’s mistress, a woman to be used in the time of need… They won’t respect him if they don’t respect me, and I swear I’ll make them choke on those words.’
‘Rey would rather deal with their scorn than let you face Tivala alone,’ Riordan said, but there was no fight in his voice. His remark was more a statement of fact, and I agreed with it.
‘I know he would. Or intimidate them into bowing their heads and being respectful in public, but what about me? What about what I want?’ I placed my hand on the mage’s shoulder as I stood next to him. ‘I will earn my place by his side or withdraw into the shadows. I will never let anyone make my decisions for me. Not even Rey.’
‘You’re both so bloody stubborn; it’s a miracle I haven’t gone grey.’ Riordan patted my shoulder. ‘Fine. If you need to go, can I ask you not to do anything reckless?’
‘Reckless?’ I asked because something in the tone of his voice gave me pause.
