I glanced in the direction he indicated. A tall blond-haired woman a little older than Marius had her stark red lips pressed permanently in a frown while an older man with grizzled, brown locks and soft, yellowed eyes conversed. Each bore their faction’s signature robe with the prestigious gold trim that distinguished them from the rest. Though their hoods were pulled back, I could still make out a small fortune of sparkling gemstones lining each rim.
It was strange to think that in one short month these three great mages would give up their legacy. A twenty-year reign anew.
The grin left Marius’s face. “We spent months in Cyri trying to put a face to the rebels in the south. All that time and no leads… Perhaps my successor will have better luck.”
“I should have requested a post in Ishir,” I muttered.
“We had half the Crown’s Army combing the desert to no avail.” The man heaved a sigh. “As much as I would have enjoyed your company, dear Ryiah, it would have done us no good. The rebels prefer sabotage to open attacks. Your experience in the Mahj salt mines was one of a kind.”
“There is no action in the north.” I bit back a wistful sigh. “I thought there would be, with the attack on Ferren last year, but the closest encounter I had was with a small camp of bandits.”
Marius gave me a crooked grin. “Here we are at the brink of war, and you are still itching for an opportunity to show off that fancy potential of yours.” He gave a throaty laugh. “Don’t you worry one bit, my dear, the Candidacy will push you to that brink.”
I started to reply, but a curious nobleman beat me to it. “Do you think the new treaty will stop the Caltothians, Mage Marius?”
The Black Mage grumbled under his breath so only I could hear him, “And the endless assault begins.” Louder he said, “My Lord Flavius, how pleasant to see you.” He paused to have the man repeat his question. “No, I don’t believe that nonsense for a minute. Yes. Exactly… The Caltothians haven’t spent three decades assaulting our border to give up so easily… Not yet… I should say… No, I—”
A cluster of others arrived to pepper the mage with questions. I inched away. Marius caught my eye and lifted a knowing hand in farewell. The man would be busy for the rest of the evening.
****
Just as I was gathering the courage to sneak past the exit the herald blew his horn to clear the room. I stood a little straighter as Prince Blayne and Princess Wrendolyn were announced to the crowd. The non-heir emerged shortly thereafter, and it was only after he shot me an expectant look that I realized I was supposed to follow. Well, how am I supposed to read your mind when you won’t talk to me? If Darren hadn’t been so busy flirting with the ladies of court he could have warned me about their entrance.
I hurried to the front, ignoring the snickers as I took my seat at the head table and praying my face wasn’t as red as it felt.
“I like your dress.”
I glanced over to the speaker and found myself face to face with Blayne’s new bride. Her eyes were bright.
“Thank you, Princess,” I mumbled.
She smiled. “You can call me ‘Wren,’ Lady Ryiah. Is it okay if I call you just ‘Ryiah?’ Because if it’s not I—”
Lucius stood, goblet in hand, and the rest of her words fell away. The king’s voice as decisive as steel, and it was also the first time I had ever heard him address a crowd. The man’s hair might be white but his manner cut like ice. There was no question he held the room’s attention.
“Today marks the beginning of a new reign. For the first time in our great nations’ history, Jerar and Pythus sit united as one. I toast to my firstborn son and his new bride, a lovely addition to the Crown. May the both of you live long and prosperous with many heirs to come.”
My tongue grew heavy in my mouth. What did Blayne’s marriage mean for Darren and me? The king had promised our wedding following the Pythian negotiations, but until now I had all but forgotten in the chaos that followed.
Darren caught me studying him, a muscle ticking in his jaw, and then he returned to scowling at the tapestry across the way.
I ground my teeth. This is going to be a long night.
Lucius continued on with a stern order for quiet. “This new treaty should dissuade the Caltothians for now, but it will not promise us peace. I have given Emperor Liang and King Joren my word Jerar will not initiate a war, but make no mistake—the next time King Horrace strikes we will have the strength of the alliance behind us.”
A murmur of dissent started up in the back of the hall. It wasn’t long before the crowd was in an uproar, baying for Caltothian blood. The new princess was one of the only ones who did not, and considering she could have very well married their prince instead, I understood her discomfort. I kept quiet, too. Death didn’t excite me, and the prospect of war even after a new treaty was not something I wanted to ponder.