Chapter 29
The letter in Ro’s pocket burned hotter than a potato right out of the oven. Not literally. The Silversmith dagger strapped to her ankle wasn’t indicating there was any kind of danger.
She was just dying to discuss it with Gabriel, but there were other things to take care of first. She’d promised to show Dove, Michael, and Mason the apartment, so here they all were, trekking through the castle to the newly opened wing to have a look.
Ro had her fingers crossed that housekeeping had made progress today. Enough that Dove wouldn’t think she and her family were being foisted off into a dark, unused corner of the palace.
Gabriel led the group so that Ro could fall back and speak with Uldamar privately.
“What do you think of him?” she said quietly.
Uldamar immediately nodded. “I think, your highness, that your nephew may become the greatest wizard this realm has ever seen.”
She stared at the young boy up ahead, who was laughing with Kieran about something. “You believe he’s aetheryn, then?”
“I do.”
“You’re sure?”
“I would stake my best book of spells on it. He radiates magic. I would very much like Ecclesia to meet him as well. She’s more of an empath than I am. I believe her read of him would be considerably more accurate.”
“I’ll make sure that happens. So how do we handle him? What kind of support or training does he need?”
“Initially, Ecclesia and I will be able to tutor him, but at some point, his understanding of the magical arts will surpass ours. There will be nothing we can teach him. In fact, he may be able to teach us.”
She didn’t know what to say to that. It was astonishing to think about.
Uldamar looked at her. “You must protect that child until his magic matures and he can protect himself. There are dark forces in this realm that would do unspeakable things to possess that kind of power.”
“You’re scaring me a little, Uldamar.”
“My apologies, your highness, but it is the truth.”
“No need to apologize. I don’t doubt what you’ve said. We’ve already seen what Anyka was willing to do for Lady Cynzia’s diary.”
“Indeed.”
The double doors to the wing were wide open as they approached and there was movement in the hall beyond.
Footmen, housemaids, maintenance men—all doing their part to make the wing clean and livable once again.
That pleased her. The staleness that had lingered in the air was gone, replaced by the fresh green scent of potted topiaries, the citrus tang of wood polish, and the perfume of the bouquets of flowers that now decorated the corridor.
Gabriel turned to walk backwards as he led the party through. “Per the queen’s request, we’ve opened two apartments. One for Michael, Dove, and Mason.”
“And Bean,” Mason added.
Gabriel smiled. “And Bean. The other apartment is for Star. It’s right across the hall, so you’ll be close to one another.
This wing has its own library, dining room, game room, and kitchen, to name a few of the amenities.
All of which will be available. I’ll unlock both apartments and you can explore as you like. ”
He turned back around and went straight to the apartment Ro had already seen. He got that door open, then the one across from it, and stepped back to let Dove and her family explore. Mason pulled JT along with him and Violet stayed with Star.
Dove let out a little gasp as she went in, which Ro took as a good sign. Ro stood at the door a moment, watching Dove and Michael, who were hand in hand, smiling at each other and pointing things out.
As they drifted toward one of the bedrooms, Ro moved closer to Gabriel’s side. Uldamar was glancing into the quarters that would be Star’s. “Thank you for handling that second apartment. I think giving Dove and Michael their own space makes a lot of sense.”
“You’re welcome. What did Uldamar say about the boy?”
“He believes Mason is absolutely aetheryn.”
Gabriel let out a low whistle. “He’s going to need protection. At least until he masters his power a bit.”
“That’s what Uldamar said. On a similar note, will you organize a contingent of guards to accompany Dove and Mason to the mortal world and assist with getting whatever things they want to bring back?”
“Yes, but don’t you want me to go with them?”
“I need you here.” She smiled as Mason and Kieran ran past them on their way to Star’s apartment. “I need you to read the letter Beatryce sent and help me formulate a plan.”
“I wondered what that was. What does she want?” Gabriel asked.
Star came out with Violet beside her. She stopped in front of Ro. “That apartment is beautiful. Thank you so much for doing this.”
Ro nodded. “Of course.”
Star grinned. “I can’t wait to see what mine looks like.” With a happy little laugh, she went after the boys.
Violet touched Ro’s arm. “Well done, Ro.”
“Thanks, Aunt Vi.”
As Violet went to look at Star’s new home, Ro leaned closer to Gabriel to answer his questions even though she was watching for Star’s reaction.
“First, Beatryce said Anyka survived and is on the mend. Secondly, Beatryce wants to meet and discuss peace. Says she’s seen enough and that it’s time to do what’s right for our families and our people. ”
Gabriel snorted out a soft curse. “She’s her mother’s daughter, that much is for sure.”
His tone made her jerk her head around to look at him. “You don’t believe her?”
“You do?” He smiled. “Ignore that question. I know you well enough to know you always see the good in people. You always hope for the best outcome.”
“And I know you well enough to know that it’s your job to look for the exact opposite.” She slipped the letter from her pocket. “Here. I’m going to see how Dove and Michael are doing. Read that and tell me what you think, although I’m pretty sure I already know.”
She gave him the letter and went into the apartment. She found Dove and Michael in the bedroom, out on the balcony, side by side as they looked toward the gardens. Ro cleared her throat softly so as not to startle them. “What do you think? Will this do?”
Dove turned. “It’s beautiful. How much is this going to cost us?”
“Nothing,” Ro said.
“Nothing?” Dove repeated. Even Michael looked shocked.
“That’s right,” Ro said as she joined them.
“Not in any financial way. Uldamar confirmed that Mason is aetheryn, as suspected. All I would ask is that you allow him to be trained and tutored in the magical arts so that he might one day serve the realm as a Professor of Magic. According to Uldamar, he might be the greatest one in the history of Summerton.”
Michael nodded. “Of course. That would be an honor.” He slipped his arm around Dove’s waist. “I can’t thank you enough, your highness. Bringing us all together like this…”
He gave Dove a look as he pulled her closer. “I never imagined I’d get to watch my son grow up.”
“More than that,” Ro said. “You’ll be part of his life.”
Dove broke away from Michael and hugged Ro for the second time that day. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Ro was starting to get used to it.
She hugged Dove back but stepped away as soon as the embrace ended.
“If you’ll excuse me, I have something I must take care of, but I’m going to send some royal guards through the portal with you to help you collect your things and make sure the transition is as smooth as can be. ”
“I keep saying thank you,” Dove said. “But it doesn’t seem like it’s enough.”
“It is,” Ro said. She took a breath. “After all, we’re family, right?”
JT and Raphaela walked out onto the balcony at that moment. “This is a nice place,” he said, looking at Dove and Michael. “You guys like it?”
“We love it,” Michael said. “And we appreciate you being so kind to Mason.”
JT smiled. “Cousins have to stick together.”
After a few more minutes and some additional instructions, Ro and Gabriel were able to break away. They returned to her office.
“You want my thoughts on the letter?” he asked.
“You know I do.”
“Send her a politely worded refusal.”
Ro took a breath. “That’s not going to be well received.”
“Maybe not, but it could save your life.”
“What if she really means it about achieving peace?”
“Then it should be obtainable without meeting in person. Tell her you can’t meet but provide her with a list of whatever you require in order to reach a truce.”
“And if that collapses?”
His expression hardened. “Then it might be time to reach out to the one ally Malveaux has: the trolls.”
“And tell them what—they’re aligned with a kingdom that wants war? They’re not exactly known to be a peaceful people.”
“No, but we have the neph and the wyvern on our side. The trolls are about to solidify their alliance to the Grym with marriage. Perhaps we can convince them they’d be better off allied with us.”
She shot Gabriel a look. “You really think we can break up an alliance and an engagement?”
He was smiling now. “I’ve already seen you do a few things I thought impossible.”
“Your confidence in me is inspiring, but I’m not sure it’s merited this time.”
“We could offer the trolls a trade agreement. As much as they love war, they also love the spoils of war. Getting those spoils without shedding blood might appeal to them.”
“What do we have that they would want?”
“Stoneholde and the land surrounding it is rough, mountainous terrain. Not great for crops of any kind.”
“I see,” Ro said. “So they might be interested in things like wheat, produce, textiles, and lumber.”
Gabriel nodded as they reached her office. “There’s something else they have a great need for. Something not even Malveaux has been able to provide them with in a serious quantity.”
Key in hand, she slid it into the lock and turned. “What’s that?”
“Hay,” he said. “For their warhorses. We offer them that and we might have a deal.”