Page 56 of Ruby & Onyx

I need to know what they’re hiding. Might as well go all-in, right?

I approach the table and begin looking over the map. Carcera is demarcated in the southwest region with a single figurine in its place. Just beyond the border of Umbra, not too far from Carcera, is a grouping of ten figurines. While I can’t be certain what the figurines denote, the gnawing in my gut tells me that trouble is near.

I circle the table slowly, fully examining the contents of the map. My concentration is suddenly broken by muffled male voices, which barely penetrate the back wall of the room. I delicately approach the wall and the voices become louder. I search for the edge of the thick woven tapestry covering the space. And once I find the trim, I pull it to the side and press my ear up against the bare wall.

It is King Vani’s voice that I recognize first. “What of the skirmish in Alium?” I glance at the map and see two figurines standing where Alium should be.

“Finished.” The other responds. Their serpentine voice slithers through the wall, so chilling that it sucks all of the warmth from the room.

“And of the girl?”

“He’s working on it.”

“Good. Is the counsel ready?”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Let’s go. They won’t wait long before they start making decisions without me.” Floorboards creak as footsteps move farther away, becoming more muffled until finally fading altogether.

My head is spinning. What could they be talking about? Their words were so clipped and guarded as if they were afraid of being overheard. Little do they know, their fears were warranted. A skirmish finished. A girl being ‘worked on.’ Could they be referring to me? Once again, I am left clueless and scrambling to piece it together.

I need to remember this spot. If I’m lucky, I might overhear another conversation intended to discuss my fate, hopefully with more detail. Who knows what secrets might slip when the speakers hold the illusion of privacy?

But that’s a note for another day. For now, I need to find the study, or else Sir Magis might grow suspicious. Carefully outlining the floor plan in my head, I retrace my steps until I find the right door. Just one left turn instead of right.

“You’re late,” Sir Magis croaks as I walk in.

“I’m sorry, sir. I got lost.”

“Very well.” He claps his hands together and rises from his seat behind the desk. “We have much to do today. I want to try your hand at opening locks.”

“I’d like to focus on something else if that’s okay?” Curiosity glints in his eyes, so I continue. “Liliana mentioned a spell to help me see the invisibles. Could you help me with it?”

I thought about it all night. If I am to meet with Guylita at the ball without being caught, I can’t risk having the invisibles lurking over my shoulder and listening to every word. Their ability to hide in plain sight puts me – and more importantly, Gemma and Guylita – at risk. And if Liliana was able to cast such a spell, then perhaps I can, as well.

He cocks his head to the side. And only then, after posing the question, do I consider that asking him for help might not be safe. What if he reports back to the king? He might not want me lifting the veil of his watchdogs.

“Why would you want to cast such a spell?”

I need to tread carefully. I mustn’t reveal the truth, but I mustn’t lie either. “I need to know when I am being watched.”

His posture remains stiff and scrutinizing.

I continue, pleading, “I fear them watching me when I change… when I bathe… when I sleep… I do not know when to be modest or when to be free. I live in fear that the stalking beasts are lurking over me.”

It’s not entirely a lie.

“It’s an interesting proposition.” He folds his arms across his chest and leans back onto the desk. “I will discuss it with the king.”

“No!” I yell, startling both Sir Magis and myself. “I would hate to offend after all that he’s done for me. I’m so grateful for his generosity and protection. All I ask is for the ability to see them so that I am aware of their presence. To help me sleep soundly without fear of being watched.”

“No. It’s not my place to make that judgment without the advisement of the king. I am his humble servant and cannot act against his will.”

An idea occurs to me. If it is not for my own sake that he would be willing to help me, then perhaps he might be willing to help himself. “Are you aware that I will be made queen?”

“Yes, I am aware.” His chin tilts casually with intrigue.

“If you were to help me achieve this goal, then I would reward you with whatever you desire once I wear the crown. Riches? A title? A castle? You name it.” He doesn’t need to know that I might exercise the option to deny this arrangement. And in truth, I don’t know that I can promise these things, even if I accept. But those are points which I will deal with later.

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