Page 143

Callum pressed his thumb against my lips.

“You said his eyes were hazel.”

I swallowed down the emotions trying to sweep me away. He seemed to sense them anyway, even without my scent surrounding us. He eased closer, wrapping his free arm around my waist, and kissed me.

“If his eyes were hazel, it’s not possible he was Alholím. They had eyes like quicksilver, like I told you.”

I glanced back at the splintered trunk. Already, exhaustion was weighing me down, my limbs heavy and my mind fuzzing. Callum picked a leaf from my hair and let it fall to the ground.

“Let me go get you cleaned up.”

I didn’t protest.

45

CALLUM

Simeon cleared his throat. I looked up from the book I’d been reading, though I didn’t stop combing my fingers through Amethyst’s hair where she lay in my lap. It seemed to be her favorite way to spend time together when we weren’t working on her grappling techniques. She’d joined me for my morning prayers again, listening intently to the words and watching from her own prayer mat beside mine. Satisfaction and contentment had filled me in equal measure as I’d leaned over as the candles were snuffed as kissed her, soft and intimate.

Now she sat up, her cheeks a bright pink. I let my hand move from her hair to her thigh, brushing over one of the countless scars that sat unseen beneath her thin cotton dress. One more day, and then we’d be completing our validation rites, joined by a Votarist and sealed in a soul bond. Anticipation was a weighty thrum in my limbs.

Simeon’s gaze coasted over Amethyst and then flicked to me. He inclined his head in greeting to us both. It was then I realized he hadn’t simply decided to join us for our morning studies like he often did with me in Embercrest.

“What is it?” I asked.

“Sutton is here,” he said.

Dread blended with resignation. Whatever choice Senona had made, it was finalized. I prayed Nolan Cashel had listened to wise counsel rather than bloodthirsty voices.

“Very well.”

Simeon dipped his chin and then moved aside, revealing my father’s preferred royal mage. He wore the deep blue tunic indicative of the court and his circlet, the black stone slightly larger than those worn by Simeon and Phoebe. He stood several inches shorter than Simeon, only an inch or so taller than Vincent. His hair was a sandy blonde and his eyes an amber that typically sparkled with a bit of mischief. Today, there was only withdrawn poise in them, the face of the King’s Mage.

Instead of a messaging stone, he held out a missive, the wax seal still intact. I pressed a kiss to Amethyst’s temple and then crossed the room. Sutton clasped his hands behind his back as I took the letter and gestured for Amethyst to join me. Anything official from my father was something she needed to see as well, regardless if we’d completed the validation rites.

She peered at the formal, scrawling ink as she held my arm, her chin resting on my shoulder. She sighed.

“I can’t read Nyndrec that well yet,” she whispered.

I kissed the crown of her head and then read the missive aloud.

“Callum, I’m both relieved and saddened to send you an update regarding the concerns over Senona. First, the good news. Nolan Cashel has requested a meeting with King Xephyr to discuss the mercenaries hired and steps toward better peace. I am relieved to know he has chosen to pursue a path of de-escalation.

I am saddened, however, because I wish for you to be part of the diplomatic envoy requested by the Sepra crown to serve as intermediaries while they discuss possible ways forward in Whiterock. I know you have planned to complete your validation rites within the next few days. I am sorry to force them back longer. However, I know that you, Prescott, and Lorraine are the best suited for this task, and I have every hope that it will be resolved swiftly.

You are to take one of your mages as well as Sutton. Prescott and Lorraine will rendezvous with you in Oakenbell before you five make the transportation jump to the House of Brinöe mage school in Whiterock.”

He hadn’t signed it, not that he needed to. Amethyst’s hold tightened to the point of pain, but I didn’t tell her that. I’d let her cling to me for as long as I was here. I focused on Sutton.

“Did he have a timetable?”

He nodded. “We are to meet them in Oakenbell tonight and make the jump in the morning. The Sepra envoy is due to arrive tomorrow evening.”

Damn.

“Very well. Simeon, get Vincent for me, please. Sutton, rest and recover. You’re welcome to either of the rooms that overlook the east garden upstairs.”

Both mages left with small bows. I turned to Amethyst and pulled her against me, burying my nose in the crook of her shoulder. She trembled against me, her nails biting into my back.