Chapter 31

A fter Aunt Vi and Posey left for their walk, JT had decided what he most wanted to do was train. Ro understood. She imagined it was a great way to release tension and stress. And since she hadn't watched him train yet, she decided to go along. Gabriel, naturally, went with her.

They sat along the wall of the training room while JT and Raphaela faced off in the center, their footsteps made soundless by a thick mat, their bodies protected by nothing, much to Ro's dismay. "Shouldn't they have some kind of armor on?"

"Raphaela would hurt herself before she would allow any harm to come to the prince," Gabriel answered. "Besides, these are dull practice swords."

"They don't look dull." They weren't even wooden. Ro winced as the blades crashed against each other. JT's look of fierce determination was somewhat undermined by the sheer pleasure beaming from his eyes. He was obviously enjoying himself. But was that because he liked training? Or was it because of the beautiful young woman who was his teacher?

The training room doors burst open, and Trence barreled in, eyes wide as his gaze swept the room. He spotted Ro and headed for her. "Your highness, please, come quickly. Your aunt has been attacked."

Ro shot to her feet, her heart thudding. "What? Is she all right? Where is she? Take me to her."

Trence nodded. "She's shaken, but all right. She's been taken to the royal apartment, your highness. Go on, I'll meet you there."

Without waiting for anyone else, Ro took off, running back to the main building of the palace and going straight for the portal. If Aunt Violet had been hurt, Ro would punish whoever was behind it.

Gabriel, JT, and Raphaela were right on her heels.

JT looked stricken as Ro dialed the gems for the second floor. "Aunt Violet was attacked? By who?"

"I don't know," Ro said. "You heard Trence. That's all he said." The doors closed and the air wavered.

Gabriel had his hand on his sword. "I think we can guess. I'll get reinforcements sent from Summerton immediately. We'll port them in. I'm not waiting for them to come on horseback."

The doors opened.

"That's fine." Ro strode forward, breaking into a run. If Anyka was behind this—and honestly, who else would it be—Ro was done with diplomacy. Done . An attack on her aunt might as well be an attack on Ro. She gave a quick nod to the guard at the door and went in. "Vi? Aunt Violet? Where—"

Violet was in the sitting room on the couch, Posey beside her. The two women looked shaken. Pale, tearful, disheveled. The neck of Aunt Violet's tunic was ripped, there was dirt on her face and clothes and bruises on her wrists.

Posey had a smudge of dirt on her cheek and a couple of her nails were torn and bleeding.

Ro's mouth fell open. "What happened?"

Violet sniffed. "Vincent and Posey saved my life, but Vincent got hurt. That poor boy."

Gabriel shook his head. "That's his job."

Ro went to her, kneeling in front of her aunt's chair and taking her hands. "You look hurt, too."

"Please," Violet pleaded. "I need to know that he's going to be all right. He got a couple of good slices to his arms. He saved us," Violet said earnestly. "And Posey. I think she killed the man who did this."

Ro glanced at Posey. She was trembling, her eyes sort of glazed and blank, lips parted. "Posey? Are you okay?" She glanced at JT. "I think she might be in shock. We need a doctor."

Gabriel nodded. "Dr. Newman?"

"Only if she's not busy with Vincent." Neither Violet nor Posey seemed seriously hurt. Ro looked at Gabriel. "Maybe see if there's a Willow Hall doctor. Or get Trence."

"I will."

Raphaela followed Gabriel out.

They returned with Uldamar. "I heard there was— Oh, no. Madam Meadowcroft, Posey, are you all right?"

Posey had no response. JT sat beside her on the couch.

Violet nodded shakily. "A little roughed up, but I'll be fine. Vincent took the worst of it. He was taken to his room." She looked around. "Please, can't someone check on him?"

Gabriel nodded. "I sent a guard to find Trence and a doctor, but I'll go see about Vincent. No one leaves this apartment."

"We won't," Ro said before turning back to her aunt. "What happened?"

Violet sniffed. "We were out walking in the garden, headed to the Malveaux side to get dirt for Uldamar, when we got a whiff of something bad. Like sour fruit."

"Zyther dust," Posey whispered. "Bad stuff."

Ro had no idea what that was, but she'd find out. Based on Uldamar's frown, he knew. He could tell her when she was ready.

Violet nodded. "Posey recognized it right away, but it was already in the air. It made us light-headed and queasy. I thought I might be unwell. We all were affected. We became slow and unsteady. Then a man came out of nowhere. He had a blade. Said I had to come with him. We could barely react. He grabbed me and slashed at Vincent, but before I could even scream, Posey threw one of her daggers at him."

"Posey did that?" JT asked.

"She did." Violet swallowed as she looked at her friend. "I think…I think the dagger might have gone into his heart. He fell, taking me down with him, but Vincent got me up and then rushed us back inside. He was bleeding pretty bad."

"Vincent or the man who attacked you?" Ro asked.

Violet's eyes narrowed in thought. "Both of them. But the man who attacked us was bleeding more. He was…I've seen him at Queen Anyka's table. He's one of hers, I know he is."

Posey put a hand on Ro's arm. "I didn't mean to kill that man. I didn't mean to."

Ro put her hand on top of Posey's. "I know you didn't, but even if you did, you're not in any trouble. It was self-defense, and I will forever be in your debt for your quick thinking. Do not punish yourself over this."

JT put his arm around Posey's shoulders. "Mom's right. Don't feel guilty about this."

Anger bubbled up in Ro, but the need for calm held sway. There was a time and place for her anger, and it was coming soon. Right now, she needed to maintain her composure and remain in charge for the sake of her aunt and Posey. Ro let go of Violet's hand to look over her shoulder as Trence entered.

Ro caught his attention. "Do you know who the attacker was? The man Posey put a blade into?"

He nodded. "Yes, your highness. He is Hawke Wickthorne, Malveaux's Vice-Minister of Defense. He's been keeping close company with Queen Anyka these past few days."

Ro's anger grew. She let Violet's hand go and stood. "Do you know where he is now? What happened to him after this incident?"

"Yes. A few Malveaux guards came to his assistance and carried him back to his quarters. I don't know his current condition, but he was badly injured. Queen Anyka summoned her Minister of Medicine, and I sent Willow Hall's healer to her as well. If you want me to get the healer back and bring her here—"

"I don't know the status of my guard, Vincent, yet. I'll send for you if we have need." She felt certain Dr. Newman could take care of all of them just as well, if not better. She was probably already seeing to Vincent.

"Is there anything else I can do?" Trence asked.

Ro looked at her aunt and Posey. "Is there anything either of you need?"

"A little tea, maybe?" Violet said softly.

Ro nodded. "Tea and some sweets, Trence? Some cookies or cakes? Something with sugar to help them get their energy back."

"I'll have it sent up straight away, your highness." He left.

Gabriel returned. "Vincent is cut up pretty badly, but it's nothing too serious. He'll be just fine. Dr. Newman is taking care of him, then she'll come here to look after your aunt and Posey."

Ro exhaled. "I'm so glad to hear that. Uldamar, what about this zyther powder? Is that anything to worry about?"

"It shouldn't be, your highness. It's made from the zyther vine, which mostly grows in damp, shady places—"

"So Malveaux, then," JT said.

Ro frowned and nodded. "Go on."

"The powder, when inhaled, generally causes dizziness and, in large quantities, will make a person pass out. The effects wear off pretty quickly, however. They don't usually last more than an hour or so."

"Then it's nothing we need to deal with?"

"I don't believe so."

"Good enough." At least they wouldn't have that to worry about.

Raphaela returned. "I couldn't find Trence and Dr. Newman said she'd be along as soon as she could."

"Trence just left," Ro said. "Gabriel, JT, Raphaela, and Uldamar. I want to talk with you all now. In the other sitting room. But first, Gabriel, get a few more guards up here."

"Already on their way, my lady."

Loud voices could be heard through the closed door.

"I'll see to it," Gabriel said, already making his way toward the entrance. He came back with Spencer Cloudtree and his wife, Althea.

Both of them looked troubled. Spencer said, "Your highness, we heard there was an attack."

"You heard correctly. Your timing is perfect. Would you and Althea sit with my aunt and Posey?"

"Of course," he said as Althea made her way to the two women.

"Thank you." She turned to her aunt and Posey. "I'm just going to be next door if you need me. Tea will be here soon."

Aunt Vi nodded. "We'll be fine."

Ro kissed her aunt's cheek, then Posey's, too, before heading next door. Once they were all in, she motioned for Gabriel to shut the door. None of them sat. "I'm not turning the other cheek. I'm not forgiving this. Anyka sent that man to attack and possibly kidnap Violet—or worse—and I'm done ."

"My lady," Uldamar began. "Do you think it's possible the man did it on his own, as a way to impress Anyka? He is only a Vice-Minister. He might have thought this a way to…improve his position. The Malveaux Minister of Defense is rather old and word says he was too infirm to make the trip to Willow Hall."

"Maybe, but I'm not sure how much it matters. Anyka is the queen. That man, Vice-Minister or not, still answers to her. I'm holding her responsible. And an attack on my aunt is the same as attacking me."

"Agreed," Gabriel said, arms crossed high on his chest. "Regardless of how involved Anyka was in this, she needs to be held accountable."

"She does," JT said. "And I know what you're saying, Uldamar, but we have to do something."

Raphaela stepped forward. "Could I make a suggestion?"

"Absolutely," Ro said.

"That little boy, the one from the stables, it might be worth talking to him. We know he's near the gardens and spends time there. We should see if he heard anything or saw the attack. He was pretty keen to show you he was on your side, so he might still be on the lookout."

Ro nodded. "Yes. I like that. Any additional intel we can get, the better. Do you want to talk to Kieran?"

"I'd be happy to," Raphaela said.

Gabriel gave his daughter a nod of appreciation as she left to talk to Kieran. "Your highness, do you still plan to meet with Queen Anyka before dinner?"

"Oh, yes." Ro took a few steps toward the windows. Sun sparkled on the Summerton side of the river. "I plan on confronting her about this attack and telling her that peace negotiations are no longer an option unless she owns up, apologizes, and immediately signs a treaty agreement."

JT snorted. "You think that would actually matter?"

"No." Ro turned back to them. "But it would put some rules of conduct in black and white. It would be a definitive statement on what is allowed and what is not. I don't think it will constrain her long, but it would buy us some time."

Gabriel gently cleared his throat. "The problem, your highness, lies in the fact that it's very likely Queen Anyka does not want peace."

"I know," Ro said. "But if she refuses to sign a treaty agreement, she's essentially showing her hand. She's saying she prefers conflict. She becomes the bad guy."

"True." Uldamar let out a sigh and took a seat. "I hope it does not come to that, but I fear it will. I fear that is exactly what will happen and before this day is over, we will be at war with Malveaux."

Ro swallowed. "That is a very real possibility. One we have to prepare for. How much time do you need to perform the spell that will lift the curse from Malveaux?"

He spread his hands. "I have all the necessary parts to gather, but once that's done, it won't take me long. There is, however, the matter of distribution."

"Meaning what?" Ro asked.

"This is a material spell, not an ethereal one. It's not simply a matter of me speaking the right words. The curse may have come about that way, but it won't be lifted so easily. Once everything is ready, the substance I've prepared will need to be spread over Malveaux."

JT's mouth came open in disbelief. "Spread over an entire kingdom? How is that going to happen?"

Ro smiled. "Leave that up to me."