The princess took a deep breath and let it out. Her thin body, so tense a moment before, relaxed. “Yes. Varice. You do so well with food, elixirs, and poisons, my dear,” she said. Her smile was more lifelike, her eyes dreamier. “I understand I have you to thank for this.” She waved her free hand toward the pitcher.
Arram stared at Varice. Neither she nor Ozorne had said she was working on an elixir for the princess, let alone one that would change the drinker’s mood.
Varice was blushing. “It was both of us, Ozorne and me,” she said.
“I watched,” Ozorne said. “Mother never would have accepted the gift otherwise. Varice did the rest.”
“It may well be that one day I shall offer you a post in my house,” the princess said. “If you cook as well as you fashion drinks to ease an old widow’s heart…”
All three of them protested against her claim to being old, which made her smile. “And I shall need no elixir to make me peaceful when I know my lord husband is avenged, shall I, my son?”
Ozorne whispered in his mother’s ear. Arram bent down to tell Varice softly, “We aren’t allowed to give medicines to people!”
Varice flicked her fan open and held it to shield her mouth as she replied, “Chioké said I could if he supervised. Are you jealous because I got to do something special?”
“No!” Arram said a little too loudly, enough to draw the attention of some nearby guests. “No,” he repeated softly. “But you never told me.” That hurt. Varice had done a magical thing for Ozorne’s mother, and neither she nor Ozorne had mentioned it, let alone invited him to the crafting of it.
Trumpets blared in the entry tunnel, announcing the approach of an heir to the imperial throne. The princess nodded to indicate Arram and Varice were dismissed. Ozorne’s wry smile told them that he had to remain with his mother for the time being.
“You could have said something,” Arram went on as they returned to their table. Preet sat beside a plate of grapes, glaring balefully at both humans for leaving her.
“I was scared it wouldn’t work,” Varice replied. “It was just before examinations. None of us could think of anything else. It’s only a little potion to relax her when she broods, that’s all. I started with a tea that healers give new mothers when they’re overwrought. It’s women’s magic. Nobody cares about women’s magic. My heavens, isn’t Stiloit handsome? I had forgotten!” She shook her head. “He probably doesn’t even remember dancing with me that time.” She glanced at Arram. “I think you told me he did just to make me feel good.”
The admiral was dismounting from a spirited horse. Once in view of the crowds, he stood for a moment, arms raised, as they shouted approval. Today he wore a purple robe and an elegant deep blue drape, but Arram couldn’t help but think he would be far more comfortable in a sailor’s canvas breeches and hardy shirt. He could see that Stiloit wasn’t as at ease here as he had been in the plague infirmary.
With a final slight bow to the people in the stands, the admiral turned and saw Princess Mahira. “My very dearest aunt! And my mage-cousin!” His voice had a carrying quality that Arram thought must be audible across the arena. It would be a very useful thing at sea…or for an emperor. Stiloit walked over to Mahira to kiss her hands, then her cheeks. He kissed Ozorne on each cheek as well.
Varice leaned close to Arram. “Doesn’t he know Ozorne dislikes to be touched unless he invites it?”
Remembering the admiral’s humorous eyes, Arram said, “I doubt His Highness cares.”
As the princess spoke to him, the admiral let his eyes roam until they halted on Varice. They brightened.
“He does remember you,” Arram murmured. Varice elbowed him discreetly.
Ozorne, noticing the prince’s inspection, waved Varice and Arram over.
“The young mistress Varice!” Stiloit said. He lifted Varice’s hand and kissed it, his lips lingering. Varice blushed. Arram and Ozorne both did their best to hide bristles. “My beautiful dancer! So delightful to see you again!”
“Lady Varice Kingsford, Arram Draper, and I are students at the Upper Academy of the School for Mages,” Ozorne told Stiloit smoothly. Varice curtsied. Arram bowed.
“But, cousin, I have met this young man, during the plague,” Stiloit said. He gave Arram a quick, strong embrace. “It is good to see you alive and well,” he remarked quietly, letting Arram step back. “Did they keep you much longer after we met?”
“Just three more days, Your Imperial Highness,” Arram replied, his cheeks hot. He wasn’t sure that he liked being touched by relative strangers any more than Ozorne did. “Actually, all three of us worked during the plague—Varice in medicines and Ozorne transporting them.”
“I saw my cousin Ozorne after I met you that day,” Stiloit replied. “He was not his usual well-dressed self! And if I had known the young lady was at work nearby, I would have paid my respects.” He caught up Varice’s hand and gave it a second kiss, then released it. “Perhaps I should recruit three such crafty folk to my navy!”
Varice laughed. “You would have to wait for Arram’s help on naval matters, Your Highness.” She placed a comforting hand on Arram’s arm. “His gifts are more in the way of healing and spell-work. Though he does walk on the bottoms of rivers.”
Her touch gave Arram courage. “Indeed, I am the worst possible mage for the exercise of war, Your Highness,” he said, trembling at his own boldness. “If I try to light even a small blaze, it goes anywhere but the target.”
Stiloit chuckled. “Rivers aren’t for the likes of me. Give me the sea and a strong wind any day.” He raised an eyebrow at Ozorne. “And you, Your Highness? Are you a student of disease and river bottoms?”
Arram bit the inside of his cheek to still his fury. The man might be a prince and an admiral, but he shouldn’t insult a fellow heir.
Ozorne’s answer to his cousin was drowned out by the thunder of drums that announced the emperor’s arrival. Everyone took their places.
As the emperor stepped up onto the first platform, everyone, even Stiloit, knelt. A rumble echoed through the arena as all those beyond did the same, from the vendors to the watchers on the upper heights.
Arram had seen Mesaraz Avevin Tasikhe before, but always from a distance. This was his first chance to observe their ruler closely. He sneaked a look at the master of the vastness that was the empire of Carthak.