The Empress's Revenge

Chapter 24

I slowly settled into a new life in the Northern lands.

My wardrobe was heavy furs and thick skirts, fitting against the brittle wind and the heavy temperatures.

I was getting into the role of queen thanks to a royal tutor, but I couldn't act yet as I didn't have the title.

As I continued with my studies, I continued to try and learn magic.

Illie had encouraged me along the way, but I was still conflicted. What type of magic would I try? Could I do more than one?

And then there was the trip to the East. My heart grew heavy at the thought and I hadn't received any letters from my friends or old acquaintances. It bothered me.

On the day before departure, I was drinking my coffee and going over the divorce contract when Barvoscha slammed his telegram down on the table causing it the shake and some of the contents to tip over, creating a mess.

"Your husband is going to create major problems." Barvoscha growled thrusting the paper at me.

I held his stare. "He is not my husband."

But I picked up the paper and read it.

NEWLY DIVORCED KING HARLOW HESOLI GIVES LOCAL SPEECH ABOUT FORMER EMPRESS.
"Of her own will, our beloved empress has left this empire for some tramp country. She turned her back without a second glance and now I will unleash the consequences."

I reread the paper several times before turning to the Northern King.

"What does this mean?" I breathed, my voice barely audible.

Barvoscha sighed, rubbing his forehead.

"It means the Emperor plans to create a war with the North. This won't end well and he's planting you in an ungodly light for your former people."

A war? I remebered the war from when I was younger, but surely Harlow wouldnt do that. He must have suffered the impact of the Old War like the rest of us, so surely he knew what it would do to the world?

I finished my breakfast quickly and left the dining hall, a migraine building in my temples.

As I made my way up the familiar steps to the mages tower, I kept trying to clear my head.

Step 1: clear your head.

Easier said than done.

Illie was waiting for me when I knocked on the door.

"Ello there, lass! Ye ready to practice?"

I nodded and she let me in.

"Have you decided on your course yet?" Illie asked as she crossed the room to her bookshelf.

I sighed. "Each course is powerful which is what I want to represent. Im just not sure."

Illie plucked a book from the shelf and thumbed through it. "Why do you need power, lass?"

"Because I want the Northerners to respect me like they do to the King."

Illie handed me her book with a smirk. "You need not worry about respect. Just keep trying to practice the beginner course."

I had the urge to sigh again. The beginner course was just light. You bent it, seperated it and summoned it, but it wasn't a tool.

As I mumbled my thanks, I took the book and left the tower to find a better spot to study.

_______

"Shadow course requirements..." I breathed as I flicked through the pages of the book. Illie had given me a book with information about each course and the requirments and basic spells. It was slightly dull.