“Does the book say why the binding didn’t work?” Sophie said.
“Magic’s a funny thing,” Lord Sylvain said. “A slippery beast, easily put off course.” He opened the book and turned the pages carefully. “Ah, yes. Here it is. This is what I suspected happened to you.” He passed Sophie the book, and she saw it was open to the page titled “Amplification.” She started to read. This copy wasn’t faded and illegible. No, the words were clear as day. And what they described sounded a lot like what Madame de Montesse had talked about. Two magics being bound together. Both parties growing stronger as a result. The book described rituals using blood or sex. Well, they had shared both of those, she supposed, even if it had been accidental. “You think we’re bound to each other in this manner?” Sophie asked. She passed the book to Cameron.
“Seems the most likely explanation. Have you tried any blood magic, lad? Since the two of you first . . . ?”
Cameron shook his head, eyes fixed on the book. He studied the open page, then turned it quickly and continued reading.
“Well, I advise trying it out somewhere deserted the first time you do. You may be stronger than you expect. And you, milady, you might be able to do things that aren’t strictly earth magic. If you can, you can never let the Domina find out. She might be wary of you now, but she’ll do her best to get rid of you if you break that big a taboo here. The temple has spent centuries convincing Anglion women that they need only earth magic and that they should give the temple part of their power. You don’t want to be the one who threatens that.”
Sophie could only agree. “I wouldn’t know where to begin to even try another art,” she said.
“Good.” Lord Sylvain nodded firmly. “I suggest you keep it that way.”
CHAPTER NINETEEN
“What are you giving Sophie for her birthday?” Liam asked the next day as they walked down to the palace stables. Sophie was at the temple, being schooled for her big moment at the party tomorrow, and wasn’t likely to reappear until evening. So Cameron had gone to lunch with his brothers, and then Liam had invited him down to the stables to look at a pair of carriage horses he was considering.
“I have no idea,” Cameron said. He had been considering the matter of a suitable Ais-Seann gift for his wife since Eloisa had announced the ball. “She liked the earrings I gave her for a wedding gift, but the jeweler says he doesn’t have any more pearls to match, so I can’t make her a set.” Even if he could afford to. “I’d take her away somewhere, but it’s doubtful the queen would let her leave Kingswell whilst things are still unsettled.”
“Probably not,” Liam agreed. “Though longer term, do you think you’ll want to stay in the capital?”
“I don’t know. We haven’t even had a chance to discuss such things.” He wouldn’t have considered the possibility of leaving the Red Guard two weeks ago, but now he was more worried about keeping Sophie safe than his career, such as it was. And keeping Sophie safe seemed to require getting her out of the capital as soon as he could. “Our estate is a long way from where she’s used to living.”
“But she did grow up on an estate,” Liam said. “She hasn’t been in Kingswell all her life. She might prefer it.”
“It’s a moot point if the queen won’t grant her leave to go,” Cameron said. “And it doesn’t help me solve the puzzle of her birthday present.”
“Does she ride?” Liam asked.
Cameron nodded. “Quite well.”
“Well, Jeanne’s favorite mare—that very pretty gray—is pregnant. Goddess knows we don’t need any more horses here in town. Perhaps Sophie would like a foal? It will have good bloodlines and, one hopes, its mother’s looks. Both of you are welcome to use any of our horses, of course, if you need to.”
“Thank you,” Cameron said. He had a gelding he rode when required for guard business, but since he’d been assigned to Eloisa’s men, he hadn’t often had occasion to ride. One of the sergeants kept the horse exercised, but Cameron had been feeling guilty about him. He wasn’t the most attractive beast in the world. Most of the court would have turned up their noses at his plain dun coat and broad face, but he was as reliable as sunrise, and that was more important than looks in an officer’s horse. “I’m sure Sophie would like to ride. When she can.”
“This is hardly the marriage week you were expecting, I imagine,” Liam said. “Let us hope things quiet down after the party.”
“Quite,” Cameron agreed. “But I think that’s going to depend on what else the Illusioners uncover. And how firmly the Domina is able to keep her claws in the queen.”
Liam frowned. “Yes. That situation is not ideal. But Eloisa was always independent. I think she’ll strike out on her own path soon enough, once she’s had time to adjust to being queen.”
Cameron wasn’t so convinced. If Eloisa could turn on one of her own ladies-in-waiting, she could do just about anything. He had a sudden inspiration about a present for Sophie. Or one he could give to her privately, at least.
“I think you have to give her jewels,” Liam said. “If the party is going to be the spectacle they’re trying to make it, then the present has to be extravagant. I’ll give her the foal. You give her something pretty.” He paused as they reached the stable building. “There’s that set of emerald bracelets Mother wore. The ones with the gems set in the gold band? Jeanne doesn’t like them. She wouldn’t mind if you gave them to Sophie, I’m sure.”
Cameron nodded agreement but decided there was something else he needed to buy for his wife: a gun.