Page 55 of Essence of the Throne

“Didn’t realize you cared so much about my wellbeing, angel.” I smirk, unableto help myself.

Her eyes glisten dangerously. “I don’t. But I need you to figure out what’s happening with the Accord and your father. You’re no use to me dead.”

“Your concern is touching.” I lean in to kiss her, but pull to the side at the last moment so my lips graze her cheek instead.

I do not miss her irritated expression before I enter my mother’s study. The familiar scent of jasmine tea fills the air as I find her perched in casual elegance at her desk, hands folded in front of her.

“Mother.” I bow my head before taking a seat across from her.

“My darling boy.” Her voice is soft, but there’s tension around her eyes. “I’ve been worried about you.”

“I’m fine. Though I’m more concerned about what’s happening here. Father’s behavior is worrisome.”

She releases a sigh from the depths of her soul, reaching to pour us both tea. There are lines on her face that weren’t there just months ago; lines that surround her eyes and mouth, deepening when she frowns. She’s just as stressed as me, and I’ve been a terrible son. Have I once asked how she’s doing? “Yes. He’s…changed. Grown more secretive. Even from me.” I note the slight tremble in her hands as she sets down the pot. “He spends hours alone, won’t tell anyone what he’s doing. He’s so temperamental that I’m afraid to even speak around him. This isn’t the man I married.”

I study her. My mother has always been politically savvy, choosing her words with precision. No matter the current events, she’s always insisted as being a united family through everything.The fact that she’s openly criticizing the king means something is very wrong.

“The other day,” she continues, voice dropping lower, “I saw him heading down to the tunnels beneath the castle. He was different when he returned. Almost feverish. I’m very worried about him, Caspian.” My chest squeezes at the pain in her voice. She shouldn’t have to worry this much, and while I won’t reveal mine and Ariella’s plans, I can at least try to alleviate some of her concern.

I nod, leaning forward to grab my tea. “I am looking into it. You can trust me to figure this out,” I promise.

“Be careful, my love.” She reaches across to clutch my hand for a moment before settling back. “Your father is not himself. I couldn’t bear if anything happened to you.”

“How is Vespera handling everything?” I ask, sipping the jasmine tea. The warmth helps ease some of the tension in my shoulders, and I relax back into the cushioned chair.

Mirroring my position, Mother’s face softens at the mention of my sister. “She misses you. Though she’s been keeping herself busy with her studies. That new tutor you recommended has been wonderful.” Her smile is bright as she moves to sip from her cup. “She’s already reading in three languages.”

“Three? Last I checked, she could barely get through one without complaining.” I chuckle, remembering how she used to hide her language books under her bed. The girl hates schooling and would much rather spend her days shopping her way through thekingdom. She is interested in fashion, and I believe she’s begun to make some of her own clothing.

“Oh, you should see her now. She practically lives in her textbooks! Though…” Mother pauses, her lips turning down as a crease forms between her brows. “She asks about you every day. Wants to know when you’ll be back for good. I think she’s lonely without you here.”

“I should visit her more.” Guilt gnaws at my stomach. Between the competition, Ariella, and everything else that’s arisen, I’ve neglected my little sister. “Maybe we could have dinner together soon? Just the three of us?”

“I would love that.” Mother’s smile reaches her eyes this time. “Though you’ll have to suffer through her latest obsession; she’s convinced she’s going to train drakes now ever since she’s learned the history of Invalle.”

I nearly choke on my tea. “Drakes? Where did she get that idea?”

“Those stories you used to tell her about the griffin riders in the mountains. She found some mention in her texts that claim drakes are far friendlier than griffins, and now she’s determined to be a rider just like in your fables.” She shakes her head, laughing while a hand caresses the braid of her dark hair.

The mental image of my proper little sister chasing the beasts around the cliffs makes me laugh genuinely for the first time in days. I'm told the miners have a hard enough time securing their aid in relocating metals. While the drakes prefer solitude in their caves, they have been helpful to miners in recent centuries,accepting food offerings and inheriting newly forged caves after the metals are extracted. “That sounds like her. Remember when she tried to tame that fox that got into the garden?”

“Oh Angel, don’t remind me. The groundskeeper still hasn’t forgiven her for releasing all his chickens as ‘bait’.” We laugh together as she sets down her tea. Her scrutinizing gaze sweeps over my features before settling on my eyes, and I know she’s about to reveal the real reason she wanted me here today.

Mother’s expression shifts as she sucks in a breath before speaking. “Now, about the girl.”

I tense, though try to keep my face neutral. I don't need to ask to know who she's speaking of. “What about her?”

“I must admit, I’m rather curious. The rumors say she’s a very deadly and deranged woman, yet here she is, following my son around like a stray animal.” Her tone isn’t unkind, but there’s an edge to it that makes my skin prickle.

“She doesn’t follow me around,” I counter, perhaps too quickly. “We’re working together.”

“Mm.” Mother studies me over the rim of the cup she holds once more, almost as if she needs some way to occupy her hands. “And what are you working on that requires the Silver Wraith’s particular skills?”

I choose my words with care. “We share similar concerns about recent events.”

“I see.” She pauses, something flickering in her eyes. “She looks so much like Valyria. The same silver hair,same fierce spirit. Though Valyria was more gentle. Less,” she pauses, waving her hand through the air, “hardened.”

My curiosity peaks, and the question comes out before I can stop it. “You knew her mother?”

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