Page 54 of MidKnight
“Yes. Our last mage had a bit of an accident.”
Ember’s eyes widened. “What happened?”
I held out my hand so Blue could perch on my finger. I stroked his belly and kept my answer deliberately vague. Not even all the nobles in Evaness knew exactly what had happened to Wyle. “You know mage towers can be dangerous,” I said. “So many explosives and magical potions in one place.”
Ember nodded sympathetically. “Just takes one mistake.”
I led her toward the orchards to the side of the castle grounds. I figured the two animals might prefer running in the open instead of walking the evergreen maze.
“So, what have you been up to?” I asked.
Ember shrugged. “Working. It’s always a struggle, you know? Tolls and protection fees and—” She gave a brief laugh. “I mean, never mind. I’m speaking to a queen. I still can’t believe you’re a queen!” she playfully tapped my arm. Blue twittered and flew off ahead of us.
“Yes, well, queens know about struggle, too,” I said, watching the sun set. “We all live and die constrained by a million rules.”
“What if we didn’t have to?” Ember asked.
I gave a bitter laugh, “I tried leaving all the rules behind. And yet, somehow I ended up back here.” I glanced up at the palace. The grey stone was cold and unyielding as winter. I shivered as the sun dipped lower and the air chilled around us.
“Your knights must be some consolation,” Ember said. “They say you have some of the most powerful knights in history.”
I shrugged. “I suppose.” They were powerful. I could see how Ember would say that as an outsider. But my men were so much more. My husbands were so sweet and thoughtful. I thought of Declan’s massage; I thought of Connor’s silly confessions about pretending to lose to me when we were young; I thought about Ryan’s hot tongue and Quinn’s silly teasing. My heart swelled. “But they’re wonderful, too.”
“Even Declan?” Ember’s face was full of innocent curiosity. “I haven’t met many Sedarians who didn’t think they made the moonlight.”
I laughed, “Well, his family chuffed him off, ashamed of a bastard, I guess. So, I don’t think he’s too much like other Sedarians I’ve met. He’s really pretty wonderful.” My cheeks warmed as I thought of Declan and Ryan and how I’d left them. I couldn’t wait to get the two of them alone and see what they’d decided.
My naughty thoughts were interrupted by a loud rustle in the bushes to our right. My guards, ever-present shadows, started and pulled their swords.
“Shiter?” I called. “Is that you? Are you and Blue being snots and trying to scare me?” I wouldn’t put it past the stupid bunny. He seemed like the kind up for trouble.
But it wasn’t Shiter who stumbled out of the bushes. It was worse.
I screamed at the top of my lungs. Ember scrambled backward. My guards ran forward with swords; one of them grabbed me and started yanking me back toward the castle.
Because a massive grizzly walked out of the bushes into the light of the setting sun.
My heart squeezed so hard I was certain it collapsed in on itself.
I watched the scene unfold and it was as if time slowed. A pimple-faced guard raised his sword and charged the beast. The bear stood on his hind legs and swatted the sword down. The kid, his bravery at an end, backed away and ran, flat out toward the castle, leaving us behind. Another guard stepped toward me and Ember. He took up position in front of me and backed me out of range while a third guard tossed a knife. The bear—ducked. My guards cursed and another drew and threw. The bear ducked again.
Realization set in.
One of my guards raised his sword.
“Wait!” I yelled.
Everyone, including the bear, froze.
I took a step forward but the guard in front of me held out an arm and blocked me.
I sighed and settled for making eye contact with the bear. “Sit.”
The bear sat.
A murmur went up amongst the guards. This time, when I stepped forward, no one stopped me.
“Are you under a sarding spell? Nod if you are.”
