Chapter 34
Beatryce stood in her dressing room, trying to find an appropriate gown for this evening’s dinner and failing. Her frustration was worsened by the fact that Elyra had not been available all day. The young magician had gone to a neighboring village to procure supplies for her craft.
That meant Bea had not yet been able to give Sparrow’s letter to Elyra. Word had been left with the young woman’s parents that her presence was required at the dinner.
If she didn’t show for that, Bea would find a new Minister of Magic.
On Wyett’s advice, Bea had arranged a banquet to introduce Elyra to the most important ministers.
Anyka was too weak to attend, but Beatryce thought it was better for her mother to focus on healing than be present at an event where she might pull focus.
Even injured, Bea imagined the ministers might still defer to her mother.
This dinner was merely a kindness on Bea’s behalf.
She wasn’t asking for approval or opening anything to a vote.
She’d already declared Elyra the new Minister of Magic.
If that displeased Elyra’s brother, if Grylan Evenshade couldn’t stomach his younger sister being above him, he was free to return to life outside the palace.
Bea had no interest in hearing his complaints. He’d done nothing to help her mother. She would do nothing to help him.
She shook her head. There was nothing on these racks that could help her, either. Nothing appropriate to her new station.
She wondered if she might borrow something from her mother’s vast selection of gowns. Then she thought about the wardrobe in the vault. The one she’d yet to open. Might there be something in there?
Granted, it might not hold clothing at all. Could be storage of some other nature. But it was worth a look.
She had time. Sylvia and Lysette had gone to the laundry.
She went to the office and straight into the vault. She kept the key on a long chain now, tucked beneath her clothes. She never took it off, not even to sleep or bathe.
The wardrobe sat across from the mirror. Bea glanced into the glass. “I need a gown, Grandmother. Something for a banquet this evening that will show the ministers I am not to be challenged.”
A swirl of sooty vapor filled the mirror and Leda appeared out of it. “Have they done so already?”
“No, but tonight I introduce them to my appointee to the position of Minister of Magic.”
“And you think they might?”
“She’s young, but more than capable.”
Leda arched a brow. “And a woman, apparently. How young?”
Beatryce hesitated.
“If you can’t tell me, how will you fair against them?” Leda shook her head. “Find your spine, girl.”
Bea inhaled. “She’s eighteen, but gifted. She can dream-walk.”
“A sylphnoct? Now, that is something worth celebrating. Well done, Beatryce.” Leda wiggled her fingers at the wardrobe. “There’s a gown in there that might work for you. Amethyst silk. See if it suits you.”
Bea eagerly opened the wardrobe doors, only to find another door, this one smaller and arched. She looked back at her grandmother, who smiled knowingly and gave her a nod.
“Go on,” Leda said, eyes twinkling. “The real vault awaits you.”
This door didn’t need a key. Bea opened it and stepped through to an ink-black space. “Lights,” she whispered. A chandelier came to life, a twin of the one in the main vault.
She sucked in air.
This was indeed the real vault. Racks of clothing lined one side, gorgeous gowns, thick furs, velvet capes, stunning wools and silks, all in rich jewel tones. At the end were shelves lined with shoes. Gem-encrusted slippers, brocade heels, boots of tooled leather.
And on the wall across from the clothing were cabinets with drawer after narrow drawer, top to bottom. Jewelry cabinets.
She looked around, not quite knowing where to start. Then a color caught her eye. Not something she’d ever worn. Deep, royal amethyst. It had to be the gown her grandmother had spoken of. Bea lifted it from the rack.
It was truly magnificent. The slim lines and high neck looked as if they would hug the body. Attached at the shoulders with diamond and amethyst clips was a gossamer cape in the same color.
She draped the gown over a bench in the center of the room and went to the shoes, finding a pair of purple brocade heels with diamond accents to match. She added those to the bench, then started searching through the jewelry cabinets.
The first few drawers held traditional pieces—onyx and blood-red rubies, silver chains heavy with raven charms and small, decorative daggers, obsidian droplets on earrings and necklaces that seemed to absorb the light.
Bea’s fingers lingered on a three-strand choker of black pearls, but she closed the drawer with a soft click. None of those pieces were right for this evening.
Further down, the drawers revealed older treasures, pieces that felt almost Radiant in their lightness: delicate gold filigree, moonstones that glowed faintly when her shadow passed over them, and a bracelet with a cluster of emeralds cut to look like leaves.
One drawer held nothing but rings—signet rings, poison rings, rings set with stones that seemed to whisper when she touched them. She slipped a slender band of twisted silver and rose quartz onto her finger, then immediately took it off. Beautiful, but it was a ring for a princess, not a queen.
In the very last drawer of the first cabinet, she found the amethysts.
They rested on black velvet, sparkling in the light of the chandelier like drops of blackberry brandy. A necklace of graduated teardrop stones, each one flawless and glowing with inner fire. Matching earrings dangled in a delicate cascade.
Next to them sat a bracelet of square-cut amethysts linked by threads of platinum and tiny diamonds.
And a tiara that was close enough to a crown to make Bea’s breath catch.
It was woven with the same platinum threads, set with smaller amethysts and diamonds all around a single central amethyst the size of a raven’s egg that gleamed when she lifted it out.
The set sang to her. Literally. A faint, melodic hum vibrated through her bones as she fastened the necklace around her throat. The stones warmed against her skin, and for a moment the vault seemed brighter, the shadows less oppressive.
She added the earrings, then the bracelet. The tiara she placed carefully on her head, adjusting it so it sat just right.
Bea turned toward the tall mirror on the far wall. The amethysts blazed against her dark hair and pale skin. No trace of the Grym princess remained. She had truly become queen.
Carrying the dress and slippers, she stepped back through the wardrobe to face Leda. “What do you think?”
Leda’s voice was soft with satisfaction. “They suit you, child. More than you know.”
Hours later, the banquet had drawn to a close.
It had been a success all around. Not only had Elyra arrived in a timely fashion, but Bea was pleased with the reception her gown and jewels had received.
From her place at the head of the table, she stood to dismiss the ministers.
Ishmyel was on one side of her, Elyra on the other.
Merylynn, in a gown Bea had given her, sat next to Elyra.
“Thank you all for coming this evening,” Bea said. “And thank you for the warm welcome you’ve given to Elyra Evenshade. Be well and good night.” She nodded at Merylynn, who leaned in to let Elyra know Beatryce wanted to speak to her alone.
The rest of the ministers filed out, paying their respects. Vice-Minister Evenshade had clearly not been happy about his sister’s appointment, but he’d managed not to look overly distraught. Bea imagined he might act differently once he was behind his own door.
Ishmyel remained.
She gave him her sweetest smile. “Thank you for attending, Uncle.”
He glanced at Elyra, then back at her. “Are you not leaving?”
“After I speak with Elyra, yes. It’s a personal matter.”
“I see.” His smile was forced. “Goodnight, then, your highness.” He nodded at Merylynn and Elyra, then reluctantly left.
Bea sat back down and took another small bite of the mostly uneaten cake on her plate. She swallowed and pushed the plate away before making sure the doors were closed. She spoke to one of the footmen who were waiting to clean up. “Out.”
They all left.
Once they were alone, she faced Elyra. “It may be possible for me to pay a visit to the Radiant queen in Summerton.”
Elyra blinked. “May I ask how that might be possible?”
Bea smiled. “She’s invited me. To discuss peace.”
“I see. And you would be able to take a small party with you? Or must you go alone?”
“A small party. I am thinking my two lady’s maids. You and Merylynn.”
“But I’m not—” Elyra laughed. “I see. Very good.”
“I’m not sure if it is or not. Would you be able to protect me, should it be revealed that the meeting is an ambush?”
Elyra nodded. “I have sufficient magic to keep us all safe.”
Merylynn looked as relieved as Bea felt.
The plan was taking shape in Beatryce’s mind. “What about some type of spell that would end the queen after the meeting? Once we’ve left and gotten to safety?”
“Something delayed.” Elyra thought a moment, eyes narrowing. “I could manage that. But why not take them all out right then?”
“Are you capable of that? They would all have to be eliminated in order for me to escape without injury.”
Elyra looked smug. “Of course I can. Would be better if I could get into her dreams now, though. Find her weaknesses. See what terrifies her. Such information would help me design the most potent spell.”
“That brings me to my second item of discussion. I believe I can assist with that.” Bea slipped her hand into her pocket and drew out the letter, offering it to Elyra. “This letter was in the hands of the Radiant queen. Will that be enough for you to pay her a visit?”
Elyra took the letter with a smile, turning it over in her hands. “I will be able to answer that question in the morning.”
“If the answer is yes, you’d better also tell me that you left her anxious and upset.” Bea stood. “Do not waste this opportunity. If I am going to meet with her, I want her as disconcerted as possible.”
Elyra rose and nodded, eyes gleaming with the same kind of darkness that filled Bea’s soul. “I will leave her jumping at shadows and praying that daylight never ends.”