Page 63 of The Prince's Curse

A fresh commotion rose across the room as the doors leading to the king’s bed chamber opened, revealing an exhausted-looking Duchess Janelle. Her hair was a matted mess, her armor dull.

“Where is he?” she demanded, peering about the chamber. “Is he here yet?” Her gaze settled on Haldric. “Ah,thereyou are!”

Benjin watched warily as she strode over. When she spied Benjin, her steps slowed, her eyes narrowing. “This is no time for a barely trained apprentice to be underfoot. Don’t you have other duties to attend to elsewhere?”

Before Benjin could muster a reply, Haldric stepped between them, his voice cold. “He’s here at my request, Aunt.Iwant him here.”

Benjin’s heart swelled. Though the duchess hardly seemed pleased, she jerked a nod. “In that case, both of you come. The king is awake and wishes to speak with you.”

Trepidation gripped Benjin as he followed Haldric and the duchess into the king’s chambers. King Roland lay much ashe had the other times Benjin had accompanied Dexil here to tend to him. What little energy he’d possessed, however, had vanished. His emerald eyes, so much like his son’s, were dull and distant, his face gaunter than before. It was a challenge for him to even turn his head to look at them.

When he saw Haldric, he managed a faint smile, his distant gaze sharpening. “My son. You have returned from Khordan. Tell me, was your trip successful?”

“It was,” Haldric replied. He slid a nearby chair over to sit beside the bed, taking his father’s limp hand in his own. “Though not without its difficulties. I’ll tell you all about it if you’d like.”

“Very much so.” The king’s gaze flickered over to where Janelle and Benjin still stood by the doorway. A slight frown twisted his lips. “I wish some time alone with my son. Leave us and see that we are not disturbed before I’m done.”

Janelle bowed. “Of course, Your Majesty. Come along, you,” she barked to Benjin, ushering him out of the chamber.

He snuck a final glance at Haldric, hoping to convey what comfort he could, but the prince’s attention remained focused on his father. While Benjin understood, that didn’t stop a tiny piece of his heart from breaking at his inability to help.

Then, they were outside, Janelle shutting the doors behind them. Releasing Benjin, she seemed to forget about his existence entirely, striding forward and barking orders at the guards and servants.

Taking that as a dismissal, Benjin shuffled to the edge of the chamber where he’d be out of the way. Should he wait here for Haldric or return to his own quarters? What would the prince want him to do?

A hand on his shoulder startled him, and he looked up to find the Grand Magus there, wearing a serious expression. “Come with me. We have much to discuss.”

They walked quickly, Dexil setting a brisk pace. Once they were in his tower study, he sealed the door with a simple ward, then turned to Benjin, his voice eager.

“Tell me, how did your trip go? Were you able to speak with Percival and retrieve the package?”

Benjin settled a protective hand on his satchel, his gaze narrowing as he studied the Grand Magus. So much had happened since the attack that he hadn’t had much time to dwell on the parcel’s contents. Still, he had his suspicions. He hadn’t quite dared confide them in Haldric—not until he had the chance to confront the Grand Magus himself.

Now, that moment had finally arrived.

“I did,” he said, watching Dexil’s expression carefully. “However, we ran into some trouble on the road. A group of people claiming to be rebels attacked us and almost killed the prince.”

If the Grand Magus had known about the attack, he did an admirable job masking it behind a veneer of shock. “By the Void! Thank the Goddess you’re both all right.”

“Indeed,” Benjin said with feigned casualness. “It was very fortunate. Especially since they seemed to know precisely where to find us. They even had a hex prepared with the prince’s blood to block his magic.”

Dexil’s keen eyes studied Benjin. “Hold on. You’re not suggestingIhad anything to do with this, are you?”

Benjin shuffled nervously but refused to back down. “You haven’t exactly been subtle about your political leanings. Haldric suspects one of the governors, but I can’t help but wonder if they reallywererebels—ones with a powerful ally.”

The Grand Magus offered a derisive snort. “Preposterous! Why would I send my apprentice all that way to fetch something for me, only to orchestrate an elaborate ambush on the returntrip? Have I ever given you any reason to believe I wish you harm?”

Some of Benjin’s determination faltered. “Well…no. But they seemed surprised to find another mage there. Perhaps you intended to spare me.”

“And hurt Haldric instead? The prince is like a son to me! I’ve watched him grow from an inquisitive boy into the competent young man he is today.” Dexil glanced toward the door and raised a brow. “Besides, I just came from the king’s bedchambers. Had I wished to murder Roland, I could’ve done so at any time. Same with Haldric.”

Deflating, Benjin bowed his head. “All right, fine. You don’t wish me or the royal family harm.” He raised his satchel, shaking it by the strap. “Then tell me why you requested the makings of an incredibly potent memory alteration curse!”

Surprise flickered over the Grand Magus’ face, so quickly Benjin almost missed it. “That is my business and mine alone.” He held out a hand. “Give me the parcel.”

Benjin stubbornly clutched the satchel tight against his chest. “Not until you tell me what this is really about.”

The usual warmth in Dexil’s violet eyes fled, leaving them hard flecks of amethyst. For a moment, Benjin feared the Grand Magus was about to unleash runeflame upon him. Even with his own raw strength and the Grand Magus’ preference for potions over battle magic, Benjin doubted he’d be able to withstand an onslaught from the more experienced mage.

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