“As you know, Captain Greenwood is grateful for what you’ve done for him and insists on rewarding you.”
“I thank him, but my Papa and I have refused,” I murmured. After Narcissa returned to his care, he had begged to send me a reward. Neither Papa nor I thought it was proper. I still had the five pounds of gold that went unused, which he refused to take back.
A corner of Queen Cordelia’s lip twitched ever so slightly. “So he said. But I’ve decided to take a trip to Aquatia next month to reunite with my sister Nerissa, and my nephews, Noah and Gabriel. They’re about your age now,” she said, a wistful look in her eye. “Plus, it’d be a wonderful opportunity to see how magic is incorporated into their kingdom. Olderea could learn a lot. I wish to have a traveling companion. Captain Greenwood is more than happy to fund your trip if you join me.”
“Me?” I said, appalled.
The queen nodded.
“But why not His Majesty, or the crown prince, or Ash?”
“Alas, they’re busy with the kingdom. I trust they can hold Olderea together for a year while I visit my family.”
I let the information wash over me. The last time I had traveled outside of the kingdom was with Papa as a child. He would tell me stories of how I assisted him in selling his wares and charmed merchants with my laughter. This time, I’d be with Aquatian royalty, experiencing a kingdom full of magic. No doubt it’d be exciting. But far away. Very far.
“My Papa just came home,” I said slowly. “My sister is engaged to be married. And my aunt is setting up her shop.”
Queen Cordelia nodded. “Understandable,” she said. “It can be daunting, leaving everything and everyone you know. Sometimes a call to adventure isn’t quite enough to convince someone to leave home.”
I polished off my biscuit and thought about what Lana had said about Aquatia. Clearly, it was a world of knowledge when it came to magic. There was no saying what there was to learn. The longing in her eye was enough for me to understand that she wanted to go. I shifted in my seat. Wherever Lana went, I went. At least it had been that way for the past few months. I was her apprentice after all.
“Do you think I could bring my aunt?” I asked.
“Of course,” Queen Cordelia said, smiling. “Is this a yes?”
A tingle of excitement shot through my spine when I thought about exploring what Aquatia had to offer with Lana. Of course, I had to tell everyone first. And one person in particular.
“I’ll have to think about it,” I said, smoothing the nonexistent wrinkles on my skirts.
“Take your time,” the queen said graciously. “The trip isn’t until the end of next month. By then I’ll expect an answer. You are excused.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.” I stood and curtsied.
When I was halfway to the door, she said, “He’s in the library.”
I blushed and thanked her.
My hands were shaking when I entered the library. Mr. Northberry’s snores weren’t nearly loud enough to mask the heartbeat pounding in my ears.
I rounded the corner to the east end. Ash’s lean form was sprawled over the armchair, drowned in a pile of books and loose papers.
He sat up when I approached. “Ah, Amarante! I wanted to ask you something,”
“Ask away,” I said, forcing myself to sound calm.
“You said witches could grow crops three times faster than normal,” he said. “We could use that for the troops stationed at our borders. Food supply is always an issue amongst regiments there.”
I was glad for the distraction. “Magic grown food won’t be as filling,” I said.
“Of course. But it will sustain them until their stocks are replenished, won’t it?” Ash said.
I sat on the armrest of his chair, as I always did when we met at the library. His proximity felt different this time.
“You’re right,” I said. “Ferdinand is looking for a job, actually. And he worked his magic in the fields before. You could consult him.”
“Perfect!” Ash scribbled something in his notebook and tucked it away, giving me his full attention. The smile on his face was bordering radiant. “I never realized how much Olderea was missing when it didn’t have magic. Did you know there hasn’t been a single attempted robbery in the treasury ever since Miriam came and conjured that dark tunnel?”
A smile crept over my face. His enthusiasm was contagious. “That’s great,” I said, bumping his shoulder. “What else have you been occupied with?”
