Page 43 of Disenchanted
“Perhaps because of the upcoming ball?” I suggested.
“More likely because our king has made himself so unpopular, he is afraid one of his loyal subjects will be temptedto assassinate him. I have learned that Sidney Greenleaf has even trained these huge beasts to patrol the palace grounds.” Mal grimaced. “Supposedly these enormous cats are able to detect the auras of persons forbidden to approach the castle, such as anyone of Hawkridge descent.”
“Who is this Sidney Greenleaf?” I asked.
“The king’s grand ducal wizard.”
“I thought that was the Great Mercato.”
“Louie learned that Greenleaf is Mercato’s real name. If you are seeking to convince everyone you are the most formidable wizard the kingdom has ever known, calling yourself the Great Sidney just doesn’t have the same clout,” Mal said contemptuously.
Ordinarily I would have been amused by Sidney Greenleaf’s pretentiousness. But hearing of these extreme measures the king had taken to guard the palace only made me more anxious for Mal.
I pleaded with him. “Can you not just forget about that orb, Mal? I know it belonged to your grandfather, but I am sure he wouldn’t have wanted you to risk your life to recover it. You will always have memories of your grandfather. Even the king cannot take those from you.”
Mal’s face darkened. “Ah, yes. My treasured memories of the man who regarded me with complete contempt.”
“No, Mal. I am sure your grandfather loved you.”
“All right then, affectionate contempt. If I allow the king to keep that orb, my grandfather would have said it was typical of me: feckless, irresponsible, too much of a clown to ever accomplish anything of importance.”
“Your grandfather is gone. You no longer have anything to prove to him.”
“No, only to myself.” Mal’s lips thinned in that obdurate, determined look I knew all too well. “I mean to have that orb, Ella, no matter what it takes.”
Even if you die in the attempt? I thought but did not voice the question aloud. Mal would simply shrug off my fear as he always did. My shoulders slumped. It had already been such an overwhelming and emotionally draining day. All I wanted to do was retreat to my bed and pull the covers over my head.
I felt completely worn down. Perhaps that was why I surrendered to the inevitable, conceding with a sigh. “Fine. I will do it.”
“Do what?”
“Steal the orb for you. Since I am obliged to attend the ball anyway, I might as well not waste my entire evening.”
“Don’t be absurd, Ella,” Mal said. “That is not the reason I gave you the tickets. I told you there were no conditions attached.”
“I believe you. But I want to help you. You know I will find the ball rather boring. Stealing the orb will liven things up for me. You were right when you accused me of becoming too stodgy. I am longing to have a bit of excitement again. Besides what else will I give you for your birthday? We both know my cakes never turn out that well.”
Mal folded his arms, regarding me skeptically. “Are you sure you aren’t agreeing to do this because you believe I will do something stupid and get myself killed?”
“No, although I confess, I would find your death very inconvenient. You see I have already thought of what I want you to do on my next birthday.”
I managed to coax a smile from him, but it took some more convincing before Mal relented, hugging me with a grateful sigh. “Thank you, my dearest friend. You will not regret this.”
I ducked my head so that he could not see that I already did. As I drew away from him, he clasped both of my hands, his face lighting up. “This will be just like the old days. The two of us scheming together, plotting some daring adventure.”
“Just not too adventurous, I hope,” I murmured.
“I would never let you do this if I thought I was putting you in any real danger. I will map it all out with great care and devise protections to ensure your complete safety.”
“Protections like what? A full suit of armor?”
Mal chuckled. “I don’t think chain mail is in fashion among the ladies. But I will supply you with the most beautiful gown ever seen.”
“You are going to design a dress for me?”
“Not me personally. But I do know a very good seamstress whose discretion I can trust. Your gown will need to have a hidden pocket to conceal the orb.”
“I am skilled enough with a needle that I could manage to do that myself,” I said.
