Chapter 1 - Glory #2
What neither man knew—or at least, what neither man had ever hinted at knowing—was the reason for my magic block. That particular secret had been my greatest burden since I was born, and it would continue to be until the day I died—a day that would come immediately if said secret got out.
After all, vampires were outlawed by Golthwainian law, and it didn’t matter that I was only half, I was still as good as a criminal doomed to execution. Which was why I’d learned to follow the rules, adhere to every social norm, and stick to unremarkable fashion. Anything to avoid attention.
It was why I was here, arguing for the opportunity to prove myself… and hopefully earn a reward in exchange.
King Evaniel’s gaze never shifted from my face. I held still, waiting.
“In her briefing,” he said, “Healer Istan mentioned you have a request of me if I give you permission to find this amulet.”
I didn’t overlook the way he worded that statement, as though my search for the amulet would be as much an act of generosity on his part as whatever I asked of him, but I refrained from pointing out the obvious benefits to the country if I succeeded.
“Yes, Your Majesty.” I took a quick moment to steel myself. This was it, my chance at security. “The position of royal researcher is currently available, and I would like to claim it.”
Surprise flickered in his eyes, there and gone, his usual indifference back in place. “You want a position that’s been empty for two decades because no one wants it?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” My heart raced, and I tightened my grip on my satchel. “As you know, I love history, piecing together the past to see our way forward. I believe I could benefit the throne more with advanced research than I can sitting on the mages’ council.”
He didn’t need to know that benefiting the throne was my secondary reason for wanting the job.
My primary reason was the tiny office tucked away in the back of the library where I could avoid people for most of the day.
No more pretending, no more hiding everything I was from my fellow mages who looked down their noses at me for my inability to cast.
I could disappear and remove any chance of someone finding out the truth about me. I could survive.
“Hmm.” His attention skimmed over me, and I stopped myself from rubbing my clammy palms on the thick fabric of my skirt.
“Over the years, Mage Dolan, you’ve impressed me with your insight and advice on my council, and so far, you’re the only person to have presented me with a solution to the kingdom’s problem of its ailing future queen.
Such efforts deserve reward. But reward, you understand, must be earned. ”
“Of course, Your Majesty.”
My heart raced faster, now with exhilaration rather than nerves.
He hadn’t refused me. He was going to approve this mission, and I was going to show him that filling the position would be worthwhile and that I was the best candidate for the job.
Princess Brynna would be saved, and I would be safe. The best outcome for everyone involved.
I couldn’t breathe as I waited for him to voice his decision.
The fingers of his right hand twitched, and Segrew went to the desk to grab something from between the neatly stacked piles of correspondence. He brought it to the king, then stepped back, and King Evaniel spun a small white crystal between his fingers.
“A ship will be waiting for you in Blue Harbour in exactly four weeks’ time to bring you home, Mage Dolan. We estimate it will take you a little over three weeks to walk there, giving you five days to sail home, leaving space for changes in the wind.”
As he laid out these details, I realized this meeting had never been about me convincing him to let me go. He’d already made up his mind.
My heart soared, until it was tempered by him adding, “If you are not on the ship with the amulet when it sets sail, there’s no need to rush your return.”
My unfettered joy crashed at the meaning behind his words. If I didn’t find the amulet—or I didn’t find it before his deadline—I could say goodbye to my position and possibly my welcome in the royal circle. The Nightfall King was not known for his understanding when people disappointed him.
“You may depend on me, Your Majesty. I’ll find the artifact and return it before we risk losing Her Highness.”
He pressed his lips together and assessed me with those piercing grey eyes.
I stood firm. The map of Golthwaine unfurled across my mind, and I scanned it with confidence.
After all my years studying Mage Tersey’s notes, I believed I could do this.
Even if I met with the occasional delay, I would make up my time elsewhere. I’d ensure it.
“Very well.” He spun the crystal between his fingers again, then held it out to me. It was elliptical in shape, semi-opaque with a faint glitter. One might have confused it with a water-smoothed rock if they’d found it lying somewhere. “You know what this is?”
“A messaging crystal.” The council had a few in our possession to communicate with dignitaries on assignment, though I’d never used one myself.
They were expensive and mostly reserved to speak with people across long distances.
Since the only people I communicated with lived within easy walking range, I’d never had much use for one.
King Evaniel handed it to me, and I carefully closed my hand around it.
“Keep that safe. I expect you not to abuse the privilege of this gift. I’ll contact you regarding any changes to Princess Brynna and for updates along your journey.
You’re not to use it until you find the amulet—or unless you discover the amulet is not to be found. ”
“I understand, Your Majesty.”
The amount of faith he was putting in me to offer this form of direct communication filled me with no small amount of pride, and I slid the crystal into my satchel.
“You know what’s at stake if Princess Brynna dies,” he said.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Then you know how essential it is to this country—and to me personally—that you find the amulet on schedule. We have set aside coin for you to buy whatever essentials you believe necessary, but I expect you to be on the road no later than tomorrow.”
I froze. Tomorrow? I’d known it would be soon, but I had expected at least a day to prepare for a month-long trek. “Understood, Your Majesty.”
He nodded and gestured to Segrew, who once more grabbed something from the desk. “I’ve also arranged for you to enlist someone to assist you on this mission.”
Horror nearly dropped me dead. An assistant? “Your Majesty, I’m more than capable of—”
The firmness of his expression didn’t waver. “The critical nature of our situation doesn’t allow me to risk sending a solo researcher on this venture. Especially not one with questionable access to her magic. Cammon is an experienced traveller and will be an asset.”
The whole point of this mission was to give me a chance to stop hiding. It was hard enough to bury my true self in a room full of near strangers and in the general anonymity of the city. Keeping my secret while travelling in close proximity to someone would be next to impossible, and—Wait. Cammon?
I only knew of one Cammon, and if that was who the king had in mind, this turn of events was worse than inconvenient.
“Cammon… Ruxo?” I asked, pleading with the gods that I was wrong. “The treasure hunter?”
“Indeed,” King Evaniel said, crushing my pleas under his bland tone.
Not just a treasure hunter. A demon. A demon who fed on emotions and who’d made digging up secrets his entire career.
“I—” I wanted to argue more, but what could I say? This was my king, and he’d given a clear order. “Are we sure he’s available?”
The escape was weak, but it was all I had.
“He will be,” Segrew said. “We sent a message to him this morning telling him to expect you today. These are for you to bring to him.”
I accepted the two letters he held out to me, and my head swam with a wave of panic. “Very well,” I said, impressed that I didn’t sound as close to fainting as I felt. “I won’t disappoint you, Your Majesty.”
“See that you don’t.”