“Don’t be ridiculous,” the king hissed from the balcony. “It has nothing to do with such rumors. You’re being superstitious.”
“What other explanation could there be?” another familiar voice said. Lady Sabina Mallius, the widow of the king’s former advisor. At least, that was her official title. Her unofficial title was the king’s mistress, a position she’d held for nearly two decades. The king didn’t keep this a secret from anyone, not the queen or his children.
Queen Althea wordlessly tolerated his infidelity. Magnus wasn’t entirely sure the cold woman he called his mother cared one way or the other about what her husband did or whom he did it with.
“What other explanation for Limeros’s difficulties?” the king said. “Plenty. And none of them are related to magic in any way.”
Ah, Magnus thought. It seems as if the talk of peasants has also become a discussion for kings.
“You don’t know that.”
There was a long pause. “I know enough to doubt.”
“If any of this strife is based in elementia, it means that we weren’t wrong. That I wasn’t wrong. That all these years haven’t been a waste as we’ve waited patiently for a sign.”
“You saw the sign years ago. The stars told you what you needed to know.”
“My sister saw the signs, not me. But I know she was right.”
“It’s been sixteen years and nothing has happened. Only endlessly waiting. My disappointment grows with each day that passes.”
She sighed. “I wish I knew for sure. All I have is my faith that you must only wait a short time longer.”
The king laughed, but there was no humor to the sound. “How long should I wait before I choose to banish you to the forbidden mountains for such deception? Or perhaps I can think of a punishment more suitable to someone like you.”
Sabina’s voice chilled. “I would advise you never to even consider such a thing.”
“Is that a threat?”
“It’s a warning, my love. The prophecy holds as true today as it did all those years ago. I still believe. Do you?”
There was a long pause. “I believe. But my patience grows thin. It won’t be long before we’ve wasted away like Paelsia has and must also begin to live as poor peasants.”
“Lucia is now sixteen. The time is drawing closer for her awakening, I know it is.”
“Pray that you’re right. I’ll not take well to continued deception if you’re wrong, even from you, Sabina. And you know very well how I deal with disappointment.” There wasn’t a sliver of warmth in the king’s icy tone.
Nor was there in Sabina’s. “I am right, my love. And you won’t be disappointed.”
Magnus pressed up against the cold stone wall behind him so he wouldn’t be seen as his father left the balcony. His head was swimming with confusion over what he’d heard. This close to the balcony, his warm breath created frozen clouds in the cold night air. Sabina emerged shortly afterward and began to follow the king back to the banquet hall. But she stopped, tilted her head, then turned to look directly at Magnus.
A chill went down his spine, but he kept his expression neutral.
Sabina’s beauty had yet to fade—long, sleek dark hair, amber-colored eyes. She always dressed in shades of red, luxurious fabrics that hugged the curves of her body and that stood out amidst the more sober colors that most Limerians donned. Magnus had no idea how old a woman she was, nor did he give such issues much thought. She’d been around the palace since he was only an infant and always appeared exactly the same to him—cold, beautiful, timeless. Like a marble statue that lived and breathed, and expected the occasional tiresome conversation.
“Magnus, my sweet boy.” A smile spread across her face. Her dark eyes, lined in black kohl, remained distrustful as if she’d guessed he’d been listening.
“Sabina.”
“Aren’t you enjoying yourself at the banquet?”
“Oh, you know me,” he replied dryly. “I always enjoy myself.”
Her lips curved as her eyes moved over his face. He felt an unpleasant tingle in the scar that traced his cheekbone. “Of course you do.”
“If you’ll excuse me. I’m retiring for the evening to my chambers.” She didn’t move, and his eyes narrowed. “Go on, now. Wouldn’t want to keep my father waiting.”
“No, wouldn’t want that. He hates to be disappointed.”
He gave her a cold smile. “He does indeed.”
Since she showed no signs of moving, Magnus turned from her and began walking leisurely down the hall. He felt her gaze hot on his back.