Lucien studied his brother with mounting concern as he munched on a cookie. Maybe the mages weren’t as stupid as I thought. Severin’s forehead is going to be permanently wrinkled if he keeps this up, and this is just over two rogue mages attacking me. If they really did manage to off me, he might over-react. He cleared his throat. “I’m fine, Severin. As much as it pains me to say it, your decision to temporarily make me a frog was a wise one. The Summit has been undisturbed. Everything is fine.”
“We’ve doubled the guard, swept the grounds, and a number of mages attending the Summit have bolstered the protection spells. I don’t think we can make further arrangements tonight,” Colonel Friedrich added.
Severin shook his head. “This never should have happened in the first place. How do they keep slipping past our security?”
Lucien shrugged—or tried to. The movement of his shoulders was not very visible against his large girth. “They have magic. Unless you have a protective barrier like Verglas has, there’re a thousand ways they can worm through.”
“It’s a real shame we can’t borrow some Magic Knights of Sole. They really are the best option at guarding against rogue magic users.” The Erlauf colonel adjusted his eyepatch. “My wife has a pendant that protects her from some magic attacks, and it cost a pretty penny. The cost withstanding, perhaps we should see if Craftmage Stil could make more items like it?”
“What we need is help from the Veneno Conclave.” Severin sighed.
“Have you heard any news from them?” Colonel Friedrich asked.
Severin rubbed his forehead. “Just the usual excuses—they are stretched too thin and have too many mages out on assignments already.”
“Some of my Rangers reported that they seem to have a select group of mages they are sending out to deal with the few magical catastrophes they agree to solve,” Lucien swiped another cookie off the tea tray. “Those specific mages are getting run ragged as a result. Those who can afford independence—like Craftmage Stil—are more sympathetic and aware of our plight, as they travel and have seen the state of the continent with their own eyes. However, the vast majority of the magic users remain cloistered at their Academy. I suspect they are afraid of what is going on, or they wouldn’t be insistent on consolidating their forces.”
Severin stared at him. “When did you recruit an Intelligencer good enough to send to the Veneno Conclave?”
Lucien heaved his eyes to the ceiling—as much as he could, anyway. “I did not send Elle.”
Colonel Friedrich folded his arms behind his head and leaned back in his chair. “At least we have an enchantress on our side. Angelique has been a real asset.”
“Yes,” Severin agreed. “Though I fear she is on the brink of collapse due to exhaustion.”
“So are you,” Lucien pointed out.
“Hardly,” Severin snorted. “I am fine.”
Lucien doubted that, but he did know Severin would likely never be as close to collapse as the Lady Enchantress Angelique was—Elle would drug him before she let that happen.
“You said earlier you think these assassination attempts are about me,” Severin said. “What would make you say that?”
Lucien shrugged—or tried to anyway. “It was something they said. At one point the female suggested kidnapping, but the male disagreed and said it wouldn’t have the same effect on you as finding my body.”
Colonel Friedrich thoughtfully tilted his head. “Why would they say a silly thing like that? Killing you would raise Loire’s wrath.”
Lucien snorted. “It wouldn’t, really. I’m a pretty poor crown prince. I think many would be relieved to see Severin take over.”
“Lucien—” Severin started, his amber eyes darkened with pain and concern.
“As noble and heart-warming as your belief in me is, Severin, it is the truth. I imagine the real point of the assassination attempt is to wound Severin—even if it is only mentally.” Lucien studied his brother with narrowed frog eyes. Yes, if he wasn’t my brother in every manner, it would be easy to hate him. But he is, and I wouldn’t exchange it for anything. He cleared his throat. “It makes sense. If they tried to face him themselves, they would surely get a crossbow bolt through the heart for their troubles.”
Colonel Friedrich laughed. “Princess Elle does have fast reflexes.”
Severin slightly inclined his head—the only sign of agreement Lucien would get. “It doesn’t matter. We’re never going to give them a chance to confirm your suspicions regarding their motives, Lucien,” he growled.
The study was uncomfortably quiet for several long moments.
Colonel Friedrich muffled a yawn and broke the tension. “I’m afraid I must retire. It’s already well past my beauty sleep. I’m glad you weren’t hurt, Your Highness.” He nodded to Lucien.
Lucien attempted another shrug. “I wasn’t ever in much danger.” Ariane, however…
When Lucien had been dumped out of the window, he experienced the rare phenomena of fear gripping his heart. Not from the drop—he knew he could survive it—but because he didn’t know what would happen to the mouthy maid.
When was the last time I was that afraid? Lucien wondered as he recalled the tight feeling in his chest and his franticly pounding heart. When I learned Arcainia had set the Verglas Assassins Guild on Severin? For certain when that witch turned him into a beast. But why?
Severin was Lucien’s brother and best friend. There was more to their relationship than words could explain. But Ariane was a maid.
A maid with a snarky mouth and a brave heart. Not to mention she has the intelligence of a fox. I’m starting to grow sick of that knowing look she gives me whenever she can tell I’m faking disinterest.
Maybe that was why he liked her. Most ladies Lucien met either giggled and did their best to charm him, or they were too intelligent for his prattle and thought him a foolish dandy. Ariane was one of the few who seemed to see more than he revealed.
That was a rare feat.
Still…to say I like her is a bit much. He recalled seeing the dark shadows squeezing her throat and sucked a breath of air in—almost croaking against his will. Or perhaps it is not. I may be less intelligent than Severin, but I’m at least smart enough to realize my own preferences. It seems she has become more important to me than I thought.
He mulled over the idea for a moment, then nodded to himself. Yes. It is true.
The realization was not particularly shocking or scandalous. Lucien was selfish and arrogant enough that he didn’t care what others thought of his personal life. He found Ariane amusing. So it would be.
“You two will turn in soon?” the colonel asked.
Severin silently moved an inkwell around his desk.
“We will,” Lucien assured the foreign prince/colonel. “Or Elle will come for him soon.”
Colonel Friedrich laughed. “Strong women are so loveable.”
Lucien snorted, but a soft smile curled across Severin’s lips. “They are,” he agreed.
Lucien made a noise of disgust. Good gads. I hope I never grow as hopelessly in love as Severin. Then I’ll really be an idiot.
Chapter 7
Precautionary Measures
The following day, Lucien kept yawning and stayed flopped on his pillow, even when the Summit adjourned for a brief tea break in the stables.