Page 12 of Ties of Shadow

“The prince and king lead our nation with light and hope,” Father muttered.

I stifled a grimace. “Even so.”

He patted my head before pacing in front of my bed as Chef dutifully fed me breakfast. “Fortunately, the racerbristles the prince found were of such high quality that they have improved the queen’s energy. But we’ll need a few more soon since I’ve needed to dose her higher and higher. You’ll have to ask him where he found them.” I swallowed the truth before it could escape. Let Leon have his moment. “You must have taught him well how to collect everything—he did a very nice job.”

The room darkened as a shadow storm swept before the sun. A screaming whistle of wind ripped through the air. I shuddered as memories of the fireball in the ballroom screamed through my mind. My gaze remained fixed outside.

“The battles will last longer and be fiercer now,” Father said, his back to me as he regarded the battle. “The crown must save face. Someof the king’s most talented soldiers died last night because of that creature of death!”

Heat from the outside maelstrom wafted into the room. “If they continue to grow bigger and hotter, then they will destroy all the racerbristles entirely,” I said quietly.

“True words, my daughter. True words.” He pulled a flask from his jacket pocket, taking a long drink. “If only you could go gather more today.”

Chef frowned at him before minutely shaking her head. But only the prince and I knew where the bush was found. My sense of duty twisted within me. “The king and prince…”

“Only want you to avoid being seen. Surely you could be subtle and go unnoticed, daughter. You would do it for me. You could do it for Queen Gemaline.”

My stomach knotted before my concerns collapsed to silence in the face of his desperate expression. “Yes, Father. I could certainly get the rest from that bush, but then I’d need to find another source.”

Father swept to my side, holding both of my cheeks in his palm. “Dearest, that would be wonderful. Since you aren’t expected to be at court during your convalescence, you could search even longer and save the queen!” He nodded vigorously. “You could take the back passages with Chef—yes, and hide from the other servants.” My father dragged my cloak and tossed it on my bed. “Wear this.” Chef glared at him. “To protect yourself, of course.”

I finished my porridge. “I can certainly do so, Father.”

“Good girl. Go now.”

My eyes widened with fear as I looked out the window. Tiny fireballs which ignited oily bites of shadow rained over the courtyard. Hot, blazing winds ripped through the trees, taking even the hardiest leaf with them. “I must wait for the storm to pass.”

“If you wait, the queen could worsen. She could die.”

I blinked several times, the responsibility of caring for Her Majesty squeezing any breath from me. “I…I suppose I could go now.”

“That’s the spirit.” He smiled. “Always a good helper. Always my good girl.” And my father swept out of the room.

The clang of a ripped-open door brought my attention back outside to the servant who struggled against the wind to shut it again. Billowy shadows turned the midday sky as black as night—black except for the light from the fires. A washer poured water on a sill to extinguish a small flame.

“You don’t have to do this, you know,” Chef muttered. “He could go himself, the lazy buzzard.”

“I know where the bush is, actually. Besides, he’s older than me and must concoct the potions, Chef. It’s only right.” I rubbed my face again and took a final sip from the tea. “Thank you for bringing this. I feel better already.” I sat stiffly before the mirror and brushed my hair, distinctly ignoring the dark circles under my red-rimmed eyes. I looked a bit like a skeleton.

Chef approached behind me, and our gazes met in the reflection. “He was right about one thing, though. Make yourself scarce. The nobles were tolerable before, but if they find you, they may be dreadful now. People are muttering about you, my dear. Don’t let them catch you unawares.”

Icy water dripped down my spine, and goosebumps pricked my arms. “I have nothing to hide. But I’ll be careful. Thank you, Chef.”

“The Shade saved you, my girl.”

“The Shade saved himself, like the king said.” I stood, picked up my basket and cloak, and kissed her wrinkled cheek.

She kissed me back and murmured. “Someday, I want you to say no. I know it won’t be today. But when you realize the true cost ofnever saying no, I hope to the seven stars you take your courage and say it firmly.”

I paused, her words uncomfortable and unwanted. “Thank you for breakfast. You are the best of all things.”

She smiled sadly at me and gently placed her palm on my cheek. Her touch was a comfort in the storm. “Don’t forget a second light. Go quickly. I’ll have dinner ready upon your return.” Chef gathered the tray and bowls, her movements too heavy for the indifferent expression she wore, and with a squeeze on my shoulder, she silently led me down the servant corridor.

Chapter eight

Prosperity Requires Sacrifice

The battle storm raged every day that week and late into the nights. After the first day, when I’d taken everything I could from the racerbristle without killing it outright, I began searching farther and farther as my father requested an increased supply. He looked so haggard and stressed, I felt compelled to help him even more than usual. My cloak was becoming embarrassingly holey since the small oily fireballs struck it each time I journeyed from the covered awnings of the streets in the city center. The heat and wind had desiccated everything for miles. The Shade would kill us all, and the prince might be helping him.

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