Chapter 21

R o had waited until the bandit had been tied up more securely, thrown over the back of Ren's horse, and they were well underway. But now it was time. She needed to know more. She glanced at Gabriel, beside her. "You want to explain that?"

He took a deep breath, his chest rising and falling. "You mean about how my brother just attempted to kill you?"

"That would be a good place to start."

"I don't know. I wish I did. Last I heard, he was in Yarne, managing one of the trillianite mines. Clearly, that was a lie. I also did not know he'd become a mercenary. He has brought shame to our family. I am not pleased with any of this."

That much was plain. She'd never seen Gabriel frown quite so deeply or such an embarrassed look in his eyes. She wished she could take his hand and offer him some physical comfort. "I hope you know I don't think you're in any way responsible for him. Because I don't."

Gabriel's frown went nowhere. "Valentyne was always a problem child. He'd rather run wild in the forest than do his sums." He sighed. "I suppose he got what he wanted in that regard."

"Do you think you'll be able to get any information out of him?"

Gabriel grunted in affirmation. "I will do my best when we stop this evening. I've always been able to tell when he's lying, so he won't be able to hide much."

She probably shouldn't say anything, but she couldn't help herself. "If that's true, why did you think he was in Yarne?"

Gabriel cut his eyes at her. "Because he wrote that to me in a letter. In person, he will not be able to hide his deception."

"I see. Well, that's good." They rode a little further before she asked another question. "Does Willow Hall have a place to hold him?"

Gabriel, eyes on the way ahead, nodded. "There are cells in one of the lower levels, protected by the Willow Hall guards, but I will station royal guards there. I have no doubt Queen Anyka hired him, which means she'll most likely send men to attempt to free him."

"Whatever you think is best."

"You still trust me? After this?"

She made a face at him. "Of course I do. You are not your brother, and you are not responsible for his actions."

Gabriel exhaled. "Thank you, my lady. Your understanding is greatly appreciated." He shifted in his saddle. "If I might ask, how will you punish him?"

She chewed her lip for a second. "I don't know. I can't just set him free."

"Nor should you."

"I don't really believe he was trying to kill me, either. More like he just wanted Lady Cynzia's ashes. He wouldn't have shot me over that. Would he?"

Gabriel shook his head. "You see too much good in people."

"You think he would have?"

"Perhaps. Depends on what instructions Queen Anyka gave him. And how much he was paid."

Ro sighed. Why did things have to be so complicated? "Maybe I should just burn Lady Cynzia's diary and be done with it. If Anyka is this hopped up about it, nothing but possessing that book will make her happy. I had no idea it would cause so many problems."

"What about lifting the curse on Malveaux?"

She shrugged. "I'd love to. But I'm not sure Anyka's going to give me the time to figure that out. Not with all these games she's playing. I'm kind of over it, you know? I want to be nice, but she's making it really hard."

"Yes, she is. But I don't think you should let her get in the way of you doing what's right."

She looked at him, this Grym who had escaped with his family from the hardships of Malveaux. He could have turned out like his brother. Instead, he'd become the man who'd saved her life. Twice. "You're right."

His brows hitched a little.

"She's incredibly frustrating and obviously wants me out of the way, but the citizens of Malveaux deserve better. If you'll excuse me, I need to talk to Uldamar."

A slight smile curved his mouth as he nodded to her.

She wheeled her horse around and joined up with Uldamar.

"My lady."

"Hi. Can we talk for a few minutes?"

"I would love nothing more than the honor of your conversation. What would you like to discuss?"

"Lady Cynzia's diary."

Some of the amusement on his face disappeared. "Ah, yes. That. Terrible thing, that book."

"It must be, for Anyka to want it so badly. Any idea why? Specifically, I mean?"

"As you know, I've yet to examine the book, but I imagine it contains all sorts of spells and incantations that— May I be frank?"

"Yes, always. You can tell me anything."

"My thanks, your highness. I'm sure whatever is in that book is something she hopes will enable her to overthrow you. By whatever means necessary."

Ro nodded. "Pretty much what I thought. What about lifting the curse that keeps the sun from that kingdom?"

"I would expect the answer to that will be in there as well. Whether Anyka is interested in that, I don't know."

"Why do think she wouldn't be?"

"Because that curse is how she unifies and controls her people. She uses it to make the Radiant the enemy. We caused it, after all."

Ro frowned. "I thought Lady Cynzia did by not properly explaining the spell she'd given to the king."

"That's exactly right. But Anyka will have found a way to make that Summerton's fault, regardless of the truth."

"Well, that tracks." She noticed his bent brows. "What I mean is, that seems exactly like something she'd do." She sighed. "This job isn't a lot of fun, Uldamar."

"I'm sure, my lady. I can only imagine how heavy the crown feels at times."

"How soon do you think you can dig into that book and figure out if it really does contain a way to lift the curse?"

He tugged at the neck of his robe as if attempting to give himself more room to breathe. "That book is dangerous, my lady. I feel no shame in telling you I fear it."

Her eyes widened. "Really?"

"Dark magic is nothing casual. It must be approached with great caution. Even opening that book could be inviting danger."

"I had no idea. Then maybe it would be best just to destroy it. Although I hate the idea that destroying the book would also mean Malveaux remained gloomy for the rest of eternity. No matter how Anyka and the citizens feel about me, or Summerton, I believe lifting that curse would go a long way toward a new beginning."

"I agree with you, which is why I am willing to search the book for an answer, but it has to be done properly. The safest way I know to approach the dark arts is with numbers. One person opening that book might be immediately drawn into the lure of such power. But if many people opened the book, the pull would be dispersed amongst them. It would be much easier to resist."

"How many people are you talking about? And do they have to know anything about magic?"

"I would say four or five. Maybe six or more. It's hard to predict the right number, but more would be better. And no, they wouldn't have to know anything about magic, although a little knowledge would be helpful. That is something that can be taught."

Ro grinned. "You're going to give us all some magic lessons?"

He blinked at her. "Your highness, my apologies. I did not mean that you should be involved. You're far too valuable to be part of such a—"

"Uldamar, I realize we haven't been acquainted that long, but you have to understand by now that I'm not about to let you do something like this for me alone. I won't ask anyone to do something for me that I wouldn't be willing to do myself. It's only fair."

"My lady."

She shook her head. "There's no point in arguing. You'll have me, JT, Gabriel, Aunt Violet, and Posey, if she's willing. That makes seven with you. Will that be enough to keep you safe?"

"With all due respect, you are rather stubborn."

She laughed. "Are you just now figuring that out?"

He chuckled. "Point taken. Perhaps Prince James and Madam Meadowcroft should abstain from participating? For safety's sake?"

"I learned my stubbornness from my aunt and JT learned it from both of us. I doubt you'll get them to agree to sit out." She changed the subject. "How exactly are all of us going to open the book? Seems like too much of a crowd for that."

"You won't need to actually open the book. I'll do that. We'll just need to be connected through physical contact. That will spread the influence of whatever dark power is within the book. While all of you are fighting it, I will be free to concentrate on the book and find the spell necessary to lift the curse."

"I see." She did, mostly, but she was sure it would all become clear when they were in the moment. She had other things to deal with before that happened. "Speaking of magic, do you have any kind of truth spell you can cast on Valentyne? Something that would make it impossible for him to lie to me so I can find out for certain that Queen Anyka hired him?"

It wasn't that she didn't think Gabriel capable, she just wanted to make his job easier.

"I can do that, very simply." Uldamar frowned at the trussed man. "What do you plan on doing with him?"

"Gabriel asked me the same thing. All I know for sure is that he needs to be confined. As far as punishment goes…I don't know. I need to think on it."

"I'm sure whatever you decide, it will be wise and fair."

"No pressure, though." She smiled to soften her words. She'd been thinking about what to do with Valentyne. Obviously, he'd be imprisoned, but beyond that, she wasn't sure. The fact that he was Gabriel's brother was the real sticking point. Family was family, even when they did awful things. She supposed Gabriel would be his usual self and insist justice be done, but would Raphaela feel differently about her uncle?

Ro couldn't guess, but Valentyne would have to be dealt with. She just didn't want to do anything to him that would cause Gabriel or Raphaela pain.

Thinking about all of that made her wonder how JT was doing with the news that his father, the man Ro had had a brief fling with as a student when she'd known him as Rhys Saunders Shaw, was Queen Anyka's Minster of Magic, Nazyr.

What she hoped was that Nazyr had completely forgotten about their affair and her, and that he wouldn't do the math and figure out JT was his son.

But what were the odds of that? To anyone who knew what Grym and Radiant fae looked like, it was easy enough to see that JT took after his paternal bloodlines. Would Nazyr see himself in JT? Unfortunately, the realization felt inevitable.

Then the real question would be how Nazyr handled it.

Obviously, it was too late for him to decide he wanted to be part of JT's life. When Rhys had disappeared from Ro's life, he'd left her with no way of contacting him and, despite her efforts, no way of finding him. No way of telling him she was pregnant.

If Rhys, or rather Nazyr, thought he could suddenly become the father JT had never had, that wasn't going to work. They were on opposing sides. Nazyr's boss had no love for Ro, that much was clear.

Ro highly doubted Anyka would take kindly to the information that her wizard was the father of the crown prince of Summerton. If anything, Anyka would find a way to use that information for her own purposes.

Could she? Ro narrowed her eyes in thought. Would Anyka attempt to turn JT to the Malveaux side? That seemed like something Anyka would do. Ro had no doubts about her son's loyalty, not one.

There was nothing Anyka could do or say or promise him that would cause him to leave his family and his new kingdom behind.

All the same, Ro wanted to get back to Willow Hall as soon as possible.