Chapter 21 Lily
TWENTY-ONE
LILY
The next morning, conversation flowed in our usual lively way around the small breakfast table, but there was a note of sadness in it as Rose announced it would be her last meal with us.
“I feel I should check in with our other sisters at Winton Castle,” she said. “And talk with Dahlia, too.”
I couldn’t disagree with her logic, but the selfish part of me wanted Rose to stay. I enjoyed her company and her presence was so valuable for helping to shape Iris’s emerging fae abilities. I didn’t yet possess the skill to do that.
As if she could read my thoughts, Rose set a thick book on the table. “I’m leaving this here while I’m gone.”
“Mother’s spell book?” My eyebrows shot up, as Iris squealed her excitement. It looked old and well used, like it would have been more at home covered in dust and forgotten. Rose used to sneak off with it into the forest to teach herself magic, and I was surprised she would give it up.
“You need to keep practicing,” Rose said. “And she was your mother as much as mine.”
“I don’t know.” I glanced once more at the cover, part of me excited at the promise within, part of me repelled by how much damage I could do if I misused any of the runes.
Father’s legacy of hating magic still lurked within me as much as it ruled over the entirety of Talador.
Except Rose was right—I had the blood of Fellina in me too, a powerful fae with the gift of prophecy.
Wouldn’t she want me to embrace my fae heritage?
Rose wrapped an arm around my shoulders and drew me closer to her. “Do not be ashamed of who you are or of your fae legacy. It’s a gift, not a curse. Treat it as such.”
I nodded. Rose had a way of sounding so sure and sensible about magic that I accepted my fae side in her presence, only to worry about it again while I was alone.
“Father’s gone, you know. You have no reason to please him anymore.” She smoothed a hand over my hair before returning her attention to her breakfast plate and the fruit on it.
A bowl of apples stood in the middle of the table, their skins a most spectacular red color, and gleaming, but since Vasso’s poisoning, I couldn’t bring myself to try one. Neither could Rose it seemed, because she ignored them completely. Iris, however, took a huge bite, all noise and crunch.
“Can I look at the book?” She all but bounced up and down in her seat as she directed the question at Rose.
“That will be a question for Lily once I’m gone,” Rose answered, and I almost groaned. Of all the times for Rose to become a diplomat.
Rose leaned closer to me as she nudged the book toward Iris for her to flick through. “You need to master your fae abilities because Iris will need guidance. She can’t do this alone. Don’t let her be like me. Who knows what trouble I would have gotten myself into if not for Raith’s teaching?”
I lifted an eyebrow. Rose’s fae magic far surpassed mine, and she certainly seemed to have a feline-like ability to land on her feet—even in a marriage to a man supposedly our enemy. “Yes, I’ll take Mother’s book, and I’ll do what I can with it.”
Rose rested her hand over mine, and I drew strength from her touch. “Good.”
“I’ll study it.” A small smile twisted my lips. “Studying is something I’ve always been good at, after all.”
“Oh, Lily.” Rose tutted her exasperation. “Magic isn’t supposed to be a chore. You’re allowed to take some enjoyment in it, you know.”
I helped myself to some more cut fruit, carefully picking around any apple. “You don’t need to worry, Rose. I’ve already made several decisions since I arrived here that I know you’ll approve of.”
“Oh? And do you plan to tell me any of them before I leave?”
Iris raised an eyebrow. “It’s not like you to make secret plans, Lily.”
I chose my words carefully. “They’re not exactly secret. I just haven’t voiced them before.”
“And what have you decided?” Rose asked as she sipped her tea.
“I’m going to change the rule about magic after my coronation and…” I glanced at Iris. “I’ll also send Iris to the fae school in Korelan, if she wishes to attend it.” I addressed her directly. “I’ll miss you terribly, but it’s the best thing for you and—”
But Iris didn’t let me finish. She leapt from her chair and sent it tumbling to the stone floor, before throwing herself into my arms. “Yes!”
The noise brought Grimelda from the next room, her hand against the base of her neck. “Is everything all right in here?”
“Yes.” Only glee sounded in Iris’s tone “Lily is going to make magic legal and send me to school in Korelan!”
“Iris,” I said. “Some decorum, please. You can’t just announce potential changes to the laws of Talador.”
Grimelda laughed, the sound nothing more than a light tinkling sound. “Oh, all of your secrets are safe with me, Your Majesty.” She retreated to the doorway, a silent sentry mirroring Keane in his usual spot behind me.
Iris clasped her hands to her chest. “I’m just so happy.”
I didn’t have time to caution her about royal secrets again before Rose stood, her moments slow and regretful. “It’s time for me to leave.” She held out her arms, and Iris and I walked into them. “Goodbye my sisters.”
I pressed a palm to her stomach. “Take good care.”
“I will.” She smiled and drew her cloak on, then took two steps back. She lifted her hand in a wave before shadows closed around her and she was gone.
I sighed and draped an arm over Iris’s shoulders. “She’ll be back soon,” I said, although I was talking more to myself than to Iris.
“I know.” My youngest sister grabbed the spell book and ran out of the room without another word, and I could only shake my head at her enthusiasm.
“Your Majesty.” Grimelda stepped forward and I turned to her.
A smile lit her face as she looked briefly at the spot where Rose had teleported from. “I wish to remind you that you have another evening planned with a suitor later. Would you like a meal in the same place as yesterday evening?”
I groaned a little but nodded. “Thank you, Grimelda. That will be fine.”
She smiled again and bobbed a slight curtsy., and I almost heard her joints creak with the effort. “If you have any special requests, let me know.”
As she left the room, I turned toward Keane. “I do have one special request.” I kept my voice low but he heard me and met my gaze, his blue eyes steady. “Would you accompany me this evening, as my guard?”
“I can’t.” Pain flashed through his eyes before he looked away, and my chest tightened at his rejection. I’d missed him last night, but I understood why he wanted to stay away. This must be as hard for him as it was for me.