Delphinium, or A Necromancer's Home (TCoLaD Book 2)

Magic of Death

~ Iunday, 27th of Aprilis, 11831 ~

Pierre had never plotted a murder before. He had committed them, yes, but the target had always been found by another or chosen scarce moments before the deed was done. He had practiced on the ill, the criminal, and those already in some form condemned by forces outside of his own power. To kill the brothers was to judge and execute without sufficient proof; the mark on his soul alone.

Pierre had thought to ask Elwin to not only capture the brothers but to kill them for him as well, yet that did not feel right, as much as the margrave had offered his services in assassination. They had threatened his life, and if the connection to the doctor was true, his people as well. The lord of death wanted to be the one to end them.

A letter found the duc late in the afternoon of the new moon. It was tied to the leg of a black pigeon that flew straight to him, having come in through an open window somewhere on this warm day and causing a bit of a disturbance if the shrieks were anything to go by. The universal magic bred into carrier pigeons usually let them find their way to several buildings, but a more expensive sort could find people specifically if there was a tie to the receiver, usually hair. He wondered how Elwin had gotten the necessary component to reach him.

The note was brief.

I have it. Midnight. Your forest.

Pierre burned it without sending a reply.

That night, he met with Lord Elwin in the same spot where they had taken the fay. The margrave sat atop a white horse with a large bundle in the back. Magec stood beside his master, looking back to the tied-up man and growling, though his tail wagged in excitement for the hunt they had been on.

Elwin tossed the wriggling bag down.

"It's the elder brother," he said. "The younger was too smart to leave camp late in the night. I replaced Jourdain with a friend that will on the road to Eichel begin an argument and then decide to return home. He will disappear on the way back. Perhaps the fée will be blamed, or perhaps it thought him killed by a highwayman. It at least leaves Renaud to complete the task you sent. For the next hour, he will be invisible, so hurry and do as you will with him."

"Thank you, Grandpère."

Not having Elwin's strength, Pierre helped Jourdain to his feet and walked with him back to the château. The advisor was either gagged or bespelled, or both, for he walked without much noise or fight.

***

Elizabeth could not sleep. Something woke her and would not let her rest, even after much tossing and turning. Deciding it impossible, she got out of bed, dressing quickly and taking a lamp with her out into the corridors.

There were more guards than on other nights past, with the time being so close to Midspring. In Eichel, the days would involve some celebration and festivities, and in Cœurs, they would go on as normal. In Piques, there was a wariness and edge to the nights.

A pull in her chest took her down the hall. It was not towards the library, but a way that lead to the gardens and then out into the forest. As she turned a corner, she saw Pierre in the candlelight. His clothes were wrinkled and, she bit the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing, a twig rested in his hair.

"Your Grace," she called softly, lifting her lamp to illuminate herself.

He must not have realized she was there, for he looked up, surprised, and then smiled.

"Lady Lizzy," he said, changing direction and going to her. "Why are you up at this dreadful hour?"

"I could not sleep. Yourself?"