Page 59 of Polestar
After his mother’s death, he’d sought sanctuary in the library when he missed her.
Maerie had recognized this in him, as she’d known it in his mother.
She was risking punishment by allowing his access to the stronghold to be prolonged longer than the signing of the register.
“He comes here too,” she said, her voice quiet in the large space.
Elias.
His father Bjorn never, ever, set foot in this wing that had been dominated by his mother’s presence.Servants brought anything Bjorn wanted to his rooms.
Maerie had dared another risk, to speak of the family to a banished.
Frozen, he stared at her, wanting her to say more, yet not wanting to be tempted by what she could say.He glanced up into the stacks, lest someone should be watching, listening.
Registering his apprehension, Maerie stepped closer and kept her voice low.“He is so much like you—as you were at his age.And just as lonely.”
Regret tore at his heart.
Magnus nodded, acknowledging the kindness of the insight she offered him about his son.Turning his attention to the stacks, his jaw worked as he considered the unexpected onslaught of emotion, touching the leather-bound spines to ground himself.
Back under control, he returned his gaze to her patient face.
Maerie had always been kind to him, even before his mother’s death.There was no doubt she’d extend the same kindness to Elias.
“He is well?”
“As healthy as can be, despite his limited freedom.”
“Limited?”
Maerie nodded.“Everyone is limited.Even the young prince—especially the young prince.”
Magnus frowned.A prince should expect total freedom of the realm.How else was he to know his lands and people?“He doesn’t leave the stronghold?”
She shook her head.“Nor does the king.He’s rarely seen.”
“He’s ill?”
Maerie shrugged, but kept her voice low as she answered.“No one knows.Anyone that requests his presence is redirected to Mistress Ulla.Anyone that tries to circumvent her authority is met with the king’s personal guard and either turned away or imprisoned, if they’re too persistent.”
“What is going on here?”The sharp demand drew everyone’s attention to the open door between the library and the Registrar’s office.
Magnus straightened when he sighted the guard.
Havard.
Magnus’ cousin, boyhood friend, and head of security.
“The Registrar was just reminding me that I am forbidden to be in here, and demanded that I leave.”
Havard nodded, eyes leveled on Magnus, expression unreadable.
There was no sense of their boyhood bond or fondness in the man as Magnus approached and passed through the door, then the registrar’s office, and out into the open corridor.
Ana followed close behind.Maerie lingered at the threshold of her domain.
Several more guards waited.
