Page 60 of Grave Situation

So much for my crumpets. Would it be terribly rude if I took one for the walk?

I reach for it, but Tia slaps my hand. “I swear to all the gods,” she begins, but I wave her off.

“Fine. Let’s go, then.”

In the hallway, Jaimin falls into step beside me. “Are you ready for this?” he murmurs.

I shrug nonchalantly, but the truth is, I’m not particularly. I’ve never met a monarch in my capacity as a mage. In fact, I’ve only ever met one monarch, and that’s just because she’s fond of my mother and once paid a royal visit to our estate. I was nine, not at all interested in the monarchy, court, or anything to do with either, and after a stilted two minutes of her talking to Mother about what a “fine boy” I was, I made my escape and spent most of that chaotic week in my room, reading books I wasn’t supposed to have. There were also a few sojourns down to the kitchen. Cook was out to impress that week, and I still have fond memories of some of the sweets I stole.

Jaimin’s sidelong glance is brimming with amusement. “Just try not to insult him… or dangle him out the window.”

I purse my lips. “I’ll try.” Not the dangling—I’m not stupid enough to do that. But who knows what the king will consider an insult? Maybe he’s particularly sensitive.

The page stops in front of a door. It’s not all that impressive except for the two guards flanking it. Just an ordinary door. I guess we’re not going to the throne room or anything, then.

Ignoring the guards, the page knocks. I’m not close enough to the door to hear a response, but he opens it wide a moment later, steps inside, and announces, “Master Kahwyn, Rider Silverbright, and Mage Silverbright.”

I guess that’s our cue to enter. Letting Jaimin and Tia go first, since we were announced by rank, I bring up the rear. The page closes the door behind us, and when I glance over my shoulder, he’s gone.

“Your Majesty,” Jaimin says, and I turn back to see him and Tia inclining their heads. I hurry to do the same. Dammit. This is not the time to get distracted.

The stone chooses that moment to send me a reassuring pulse.

“Please, let’s be informal. Thank you for coming. I know your journey is important.”

I lift my head and study the man with the deep voice. He’s got a big body to go with it—tall and wide. His bushy hair and beard are black with lots of gray, and his stern gaze doesn’t match his words. He’s the kind of man you look at and expect to be… disciplined. In a good way.

I cast a sideways glance at Jaimin and my sister, but they’re both smiling politely and thanking the king for his kind welcome. Maybe it’s just me, then.

“And you, Mage Silverbright,” the deep voice says. “I hope your room is to your liking.”

I perk up. “The room is perfect, Your Majesty. And your cook’s crumpets are a gift to humanity. May I ask, is the butter produced especially for you, or could anyone buy it?”

His mouth opens, but no sound comes out. For a moment, he stares at me, then he blinks. “Do you know, I have no idea.” He looks at the white-haired woman sitting in the next chair. “Do you?”

Tuuuuurds. How could I have forgotten that Master Haftel was here? My master’s going to hear about this, and then I’ll have to deal with his lecture as well as Tia’s. I smile at the short, extremely round older woman who, according to everything I’ve heard, has a mind like a steel trap and suffers no fools. Maybe if I pretend to feel confident right now, I can pull this off.

“I never asked,” she says in a firm, clear voice. “But itisexcellent butter. I’m sure we can find out for you, MageSilverbright.” There’s an amused gleam in her blue eyes, and a moment later, I feel a polite telepathic knock.

“Yes, Master Haftel?”Please don’t let her scold menow.

“The butter comes from a dairy a day’s ride south from here. I can arrange an order for you and have it sent to the academy.”

It’s a challenge to keep my face blank.“That’s very kind of you, Ma?—”

“I’m not kind, Silverbright. I heard you have a case of Camblemere apple brandy from the last vintage before the blight. I want some.”

Ahhh. Now she’s speaking my language. Although, that brandy was hard to get, and the bribes wereexpensive.“That should be possible. Shall we discuss terms later?”

I sense her shock that I would dare to make a master negotiate, then grudging respect. She gives a single nod and breaks contact.

The king looks curiously between us. “You telepaths are creepy beyond all reason sometimes. Care to let the rest of us in on the secret?”

“Mage Silverbright and I were just discussing the journey. It seems he demonstrated one of his special skills to your guards.”

I wince. Haftel likes to play dirty.

“Oh?” the king asks, intrigued. “Could I see this skill?”

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