*THIS NOVEL IS A SEQUEL TO WILD CARD & CANNOT BE READ AS A STANDALONE*
There is a legend that one in four royal advisor-mages will betray their monarch, overthrow them for power.
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Gwenore, the new Queen of Acewood, is on a throne most would kill...
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"I agree; I can find them," said Arden, after several arduous moments of silence, with us all staring at them. "But I must be isolated in the lair in the basement, that I was promised would be mine. I must be far from distractions. These powers are unusual, and I've yet to control them."
"Majesty?" Sir Sym peered at me, solemn. "Do you allow this?"
I scrunched my eyebrows. "What do you mean?"
Lady Ossenna lowered her voice, though everyone gathered at the table could hear her. "You have to approve. This is a drastic decision, and though we're teaching Arden the ways of magic, it's up to you to allow them to dig deeper and faster than advised."
I blew out an exhausted breath as I sank into my seat. "Do you both think it's necessary?" I knew nothing about their processes, and to be frank, the less I knew, the better.
As long as they weren't betraying me like Otho and Luned had.
Lady Ossenna nodded once, though I detected hesitation in the gesture. Sir Sym was more intentional, adding, "it's necessary."
I returned their nod. "Then do it, Arden. The faster the better. Are you up for the task?"
Arden rose, their thick layers of black material billowing out like a storm cloud expanding through the sky. "I have no choice. And there's no better way to learn than to get to work, no?" They pushed their chair in and bowed. "I hope it takes no longer than a day or two."
They hurried out of the chamber to reach their underground bunker; a place no human was allowed to visit. Only authorized mages had the ability to travel through the spell-work indented in the doorway.
I'd seen the entrance once or twice, but never got close enough to view exactly what hid within. I didn't really want to know.
As yet another sensation of unease settled in my stomach, I also got up. "Well, if there's nothing else, I would like to adjourn this meeting."
Sir Sym cleared his throat. "There is something, Majesty." He peered at the table, and Lady Ossenna, across from him, did the same. Both kept their chins dipped, and I had a feeling they were about to say something they knew would upset me. "There are visitors who wish to consult with you in the throne-room."
"Visitors?" I muffled a yawn and took Ysac's arm as he offered it. Picturing my fluffy pillows and weighted blankets, I smiled. "I'm quite tired. Can they wait until later? Tomorrow, perhaps?" My riding corset itched, my boots were tight around my calves, and the pounding in my scalp grew worse the longer I kept my eyes open.
Lady Ossenna winced. "Well..."
Sir Sym coughed into his hand while continuing to avoid my gaze. "These visitors are important. They can't wait, Majesty."
He cowered as I walked behind his chair. I was more and more curious about his and Lady Ossenna's strange behavior. Hunching and avoidance; that wasn't like them at all.
