Chapter 6
Beatryce approached her mother’s bedroom with an overwhelming sense of guilt and trepidation. Dr. Lockhart wasn’t there, but the sister of Minster of Defense Hawke Wickthorne was. Clary, Beatryce believed was her name.
She had proven to be useful as a nursemaid when they’d been at Willow Hall, but Bea knew very little about her otherwise. She was glad someone was with her mother, looking after her. Making sure she wasn’t alone.
Clary curtseyed as Bea came to stand by the bed. “Your highness.”
Galwyn, her mother’s raven, was on his perch near the window. Bea thought she might take him out to the gardens if she got the chance. “How is my mother?”
“No change as of yet.”
Bea’s eyes narrowed as she took in the slight form twisted across the bed, held propped on her side by pillows to keep her weight off the dagger. “The blade is still in her.”
Clary nodded. “Dr. Lockhart doesn’t want to remove it until someone with more capable magic is available to assist.”
“But leaving the blade there can’t be good.”
“I don’t know, your highness. I’m sorry. I can only do what the doctor instructs me to.”
“I understand. Have you had any training as a healer?”
“Yes, but nothing to do with magic. Medicine only.”
Bea hesitated, then thrust her hand out. “Could you bandage this for me?”
Clary came closer. “Yes, of course, your highness.”
“When my mother was injured, I rushed to her. I cut my hand on the same blade.”
Clary gave a little nod. “You are exceedingly brave, your highness. Please, have a seat and I will fetch my things.”
Bea didn’t feel brave. She sat. Clary returned with a basin of water and a leather satchel.
She unwrapped the muslin from around Bea’s hand.
Bea glanced down and grimaced. Somehow, the wound looked worse.
The blade had sliced across the upper portion of her palm, the long slash red and puckered, oozing with blood that looked… black.
Bea lifted her gaze before her stomach revolted. Thankfully, Clary worked quickly.
After a few minutes, she stood and gathered her things. “All done, your highness.”
Bea took a look. Clary had done a much better job. The wound was neatly dressed in fresh muslin. Still unsightly. She would have to wear gloves.
“Thank you.” A new thought occurred to Beatryce. “Do you know a healer skilled enough to help her?”
“No, my lady. And I have very little magic of my own.”
That made two of them. At the soft scuff of boots across the wood floors, Bea got up from the chair. Wyett was a few steps away from her.
He bowed. “Your highness.”
“Wyett.” She gestured at Clary. “Give us a moment.”
Without another word, Clary departed.
Bea gave Wyett her attention. “Have you found anyone to help her yet?”
Wyett shook his head. “Not yet, your highness, but I have sent a messenger to my parents. There’s a woman near them who might be able to help, I’m just not sure if her age will allow her to travel.”
Bea seized on that. “Send the best carriage we have for her. I don’t care what it takes. Get her here.”
“In my letter to her, I told her we would provide her with the best accommodations we have, including transportation.”
“Good. Thank you.” She could see why her mother had come to rely on him. She turned back to look at Anyka. She was so pale. Her breathing so shallow. “Do you think…” But she couldn’t find words that she felt like speaking. They were all too much. Too final.
“We still have time to help her,” he answered softly. “Vice-Minister Evenshade was able to extend her state of limbo while also dampening her pain.”
“But how long can she stay like this?” Wyett didn’t answer, even when she glanced at him. “You can speak truthfully. In fact, I bid you to.”
He took a breath. “Two, maybe three days.”
A sob caught in her throat. “That’s not enough time.” She tried to calm herself, but her heart had started pounding so loudly she couldn’t think. She reached out for something to steady herself.
Wyett offered his arm. She took it. “She has to get better.”
“We are doing everything we can,” he said.
Had Beatryce been in a different state of mind, she might have argued that. “Can you take a carriage and get this woman yourself? How far away is she?”
“Not far. An hour’s ride by carriage. I will go if you want. I just thought I should stay close to your mother.”
She let go of his arm. “I understand, but getting a healer here is more important than anything else. Clary is here with her. She won’t be alone.”
He nodded. “As you wish. I will leave immediately.” He turned as if to follow her command immediately.
“Wait. There is something else I wished to speak to you about. Do you remember a woman by the name of Vespera Sablewood? She was one of my grandmother’s lady’s maids. My uncle believes she still lives in Dearth.”
Wyett’s eyes took on a faraway look. “I don’t, I’m sorry. I was just a boy when your grandparents ruled. But I can search the records, see if I can locate her.”
Disappointed, Beatryce shook her head. “It can wait. Go fetch this healer. Whatever it takes, bring her back. I don’t care. Coins, jewels, anything. I want her here tonight.”
“I will do everything in my power. Would you like me to send Clary back in?”
“Not yet.”
He took a step back, bowed, and left.
Bea inched closer to the bed, her fingers grazing the fine linen coverlet. The faint metallic scent of blood was barely detectable, but there.
Her mother’s face was toward the wall. All Bea could see was her back. She went around to the other side and kneeled down, stretching her arms across the bed to take her mother’s hand.
Anyka’s skin was cool and damp, her fingers nearly white.
“Mama,” Bea whispered.
There was no sign of recognition, no flicker of her eyelids, nothing to indicate Anyka heard her. Her skin was so pale it was translucent. Near her temples, dark veins looked like inky tendrils.
Beatryce shuddered, more determined than ever to try.
“If you can hear me, don’t give up. I’m doing everything in my power to help you.
” She tightened her grip on her mother’s hand.
“I need you, do you hear me? I need you to come back to me. You’re right.
I’m not ready to lead. And I don’t know who to trust.”
If only her mother could answer her, but then, if Anyka could answer her, Beatryce wouldn’t be in this position.
“I’m not strong like you. Not fearless like you.
And I’m not sure how to be that way.” Tears threatened.
Bea lifted her face and blinked them back.
“Please, Mama. Fight with all your strength. Come back to me. I promise I will listen to everything you say. Do everything you want me to do. I will be perfect. Just please come back.”
Anyka remained motionless.
Bea took a deep breath as she pushed to her feet. She let go of her mother’s hand and bent to kiss her cheek. What would her mother do in a situation like this?
That was a good question. But not one Bea was sure how to answer. She stood at the foot of the bed for a moment, then turned to Galwyn.
He tipped his head to look at her.
“Are you being taken care of, boy?” There was a dish of nuts and dried meat on his perch, so someone was looking after him. Probably Wyett. She stroked a finger down the raven’s back. “I’ll check on you tomorrow, all right? Maybe we’ll go out to the gardens. Might be good for both of us.”
She went out to the sitting room. Clary was fixing a cup of tea. She stopped as soon as she saw Beatryce.
“I’ve moved to the apartment across the hall. If there’s any change, come get me. Any time, night or day.”
Clary nodded. “Yes, your highness.”
“See that Galwyn is looked after, as well. My mother would be greatly displeased if he wasn’t being taken care of.”
“I will, your highness.”
Bea left and went across to her apartment. Her lady’s maids were unpacking things while a few workers remained, hanging art and whatever else needed doing. A single maid was cleaning.
She felt adrift. Like she should be doing more. But what? And how?
“Bea?”
She turned to see her friend, Merylynn, had come in.
“I wasn’t sure I’d find you here.” She curtseyed. “Forgive me for just coming in. I suppose I shouldn’t do that anymore. Now that you’re…queen.” Merylynn smiled, but it quickly disappeared as she saw the bandage on Bea’s hand. “Are you all right? How is your mother? Is there any change?”
“I’m fine,” Beatryce lied. “My mother is no different.”
“Is there anything I can do to help?”
Beatryce was about to say no, then thought differently. “Your father has been a clockmaker in the village for many years, has he not?”
Merylynn nodded. “All his life. He learned from his father, who learned from his father.”
“Your family knows many people, then.”
“My grandfather likes to say he knows everyone in the village and half of those who live beyond it.”
Bea held her tongue as a maid walked through the sitting room, carrying a vase of flowers, which she set on a table, then departed.
“I need you to speak to your father and grandfather for me. I need to find someone, a woman who worked for my grandmother as a lady’s maid. If she’s still alive and still in town, you must come back and tell me exactly where she is. It is urgent. She may have information that will help my mother.”
Merylynn nodded. “I will. What is this woman’s name?”
“Vespera Sablewood. Say nothing to anyone save your father and grandfather.” Bea couldn’t ignore the feeling that this was something best kept quiet.
“Sablewood?” Merylynn’s expression grew more curious.
“That name seems familiar to me. They’re a noble family, aren’t they?
But then, I suppose they would have to be if one of them served as a lady’s maid for your grandmother.
I don’t think there are any of them left in Dearth, but I’ll find out what is known about them and if they left, where they went. ”
Beatryce felt like she could breathe again.
Finally, someone who could help. “Thank you. Go now. Find out everything you can and come back to me as soon as you’re able.
Wait.” She dug into the pouch at her waist, her fingers brushing past the key, ring, and scroll she’d taken from the glass box to find a coin.
As soon as she felt the right shape and size, she pulled it out. A large gold piece. She put it into Merylynn’s hands. “For your family’s trouble.”
“But I’ve brought you nothing yet.”
“It’s all right,” Bea said. “I have faith you will.”