The Mage's Familiar

18. First Assignment

When she woke only a few short hours had passed and the dawn had only just begun to warm the palace. Nas still slept beside her and she could hear the sweet sounds of birdsong in the garden beyond her chambers. It was so peaceful that she nearly forgot her encounter with the Emperor the night before. But as she sat up, sweeping her hair away from her face, the memories flooded back as she came face to face with Cefrin. He was laying on the sofa, languidly stretched out with his arms behind his head. Unexpectedly his eyes were open and he was watching her closely. She gasped in surprise, instinctively pressing herself against the headboard. Her movement woke Nas and he jumped as well, climbing protectively onto her lap.

"Your Majesty," she said hesitantly. "You are awake."

"I am," he replied, leaning forward into a sitting position. "You seem surprised. Did you not bring me here yourself?"

Olwen observed that his illness had improved with sleep and was gratified that her healing had been so effective. She rose to her feet and bowed before approaching him.

"I did. I must heal you once more, Your Majesty, before you depart."

"So you ask me to leave now? Once I am healed will you banish me?"

"I must, Your Majesty."

She reached forward and took his hand, pressing her mana through his skin. He watched the ringlets of light as he always did, sneaking glances at her face as relief spread through his aching body.

"You have my thanks," he said gently.

She did not look up at his face, fearing the softness of his tone. It sounded too familiar, too much like the Cefrin she had met in the garden. She felt acutely aware of her position as he sat on the sofa in her chambers. She felt that his attention was not in her best interest. But it was too late to avoid him. Nas was uneasy at her side, his tail flicking to show his displeasure. He watched the two of them closely, aware of the affection on the Emperor's face. It felt dangerous.

"I will need to report to my post soon, Your Majesty," Olwen said in an attempt to urge him to leave on his own. "I must prepare."

"Where have you been assigned?" he asked.

"To your palace, in the Eastern wing."

"You will be reassigned to my study. I will inform Kari."

Olwen looked down at him in confusion and nodded.

"As you wish, Your Majesty."

He smiled up at her but could think of nothing else to delay his departure. His wish to remain in her presence for only a minute longer pulled at his heart. But rather than linger he strode past her to the door. He turned back to look at her once more before slipping out of the room and into the daylight beyond.

Olwen collapsed onto the sofa, sighing deeply. She was exhausted. Her lack of sleep muddled her mind as she tried to justify what had brought her to this point. There was no way to evade Cefrin. She could only accept her fate. Nas sat beside her in his human form and pulled her into his lap.

"He covets you, Master," he grumbled, burying his face in her hair.

"I have no interest in him, Nas," she replied sleepily. "I only wish we could return to our cottage."

Nas smiled widely, leaning towards her and resting his forehead on her shoulder.

"As do I."

His smile faded as he remembered the shadows still clinging to the Emperor as he left Olwen's chambers.

"Will you tell that man why he is ill, Master?" he asked. His lips brushed her temple and she jumped.

"Yes," she replied, pushing him off of her. "It is my duty."

"Why not let the shadows have him? Then we would be free to leave. If there is no Emperor there is nothing to keep us here."

Olwen looked back at him, her expression full of disdain.

"That is cruel. I should ignore a dying man?"

Nas frowned and avoided her eyes.

She was suddenly keenly aware of the shape of his body against hers and pulled away. The night had been long and she had gotten so little sleep that her eyes had trouble focusing as she peered at the bed longingly. Nas guided her back to him and ran his fingers through her hair, brushing curls out of her face.

"Rest here, Master," he murmured, pulling a blanket over them. "I will wake you soon."

Olwen nodded and drifted quickly back to sleep but Nas was restless. Having her so close was frustrating though he couldn't identify why. Her scent was intoxicating in close proximity and he could feel the renewed strength of his magic with their skin touching. The closer she was, the stronger he felt. It was an exhilarating feeling. His heart raced as she shifted in her sleep, turning so that her cheek was against his chest. The sensation was new and addicting. But he was determined to let her sleep undisturbed. She only had an hour until the first bell tolled and she had to report to the Emperor's side.

When it did he roused her as carefully as he could. Olwen begrudgingly crawled off of the sofa to wake Anya in the next room. They readied themselves quickly as they tried to push away their anxiety. It was their first day on duty. Anya would accompany Olwen to and from her post but was expected to attend training for much of the day. Olwen couldn't help but feel disappointed. She had hoped the two would spend more time together. But with her proximity to the Emperor she was relieved Anya would be spared his attention. After bidding Nas goodbye they departed, following the complicated path to Kari's office where they would receive their first assignment. When they arrived Olwen knocked briskly on the door and Kari called them in. He was in a sorry state. His desk was piled with unorganized papers and files and he appeared disheveled as if he was under stress. He motioned for them to sit and rubbed his temples in frustration.

"His Majesty insists you are to be reassigned to his office," he whined. "Some of the knights have already come to complain about being transferred. New knights are never given this post."

"I have no objection to being placed elsewhere," Olwen said with disdain. It was not a position she coveted. She would be happy to give it up to a more eager knight. But Kari shook his head.

"His Majesty would not compromise. I am only trying to explain my current predicament."

He lifted his eyes to her face as if seeking sympathy but her expression was cold. Anya, who stood beside her, was even more icy in her assessment of him. He frowned, pressing his face into his hands.

"I will lead you to your post," he grumbled, pulling on his suit jacket. He slicked his hair back and adjusted his glasses, grabbing a stack of papers as he breezed past Olwen and Anya and beckoned for them to follow.

They walked quickly down corridors and through halls until they arrived in the Western wing of the palace and stopped in front of two large oak doors inlaid with golden filigree.

"You will stand guard here," Kari explained. "His Majesty might call on you to run simple errands, to fetch a maid or butler, or to have you deliver paperwork. This position is coveted because of the intimate nature of this post. It is among the safest places in the palace and you may be required to interact with the Emperor directly. You should have received some training before being assigned here. But it is too late now. Just do the best you can."

Olwen nodded coolly. Kari stared at her hard for a moment but turned away when she met his eyes. She could see his ears reddening as he gave a small bow and turned on his heels to leave. Anya gave her a wave and a smile of encouragement before following him down the hall and out of sight. Now she was alone. Cefrin was so close, but she was calm with the door between them. She stood stiffly on the spot she was left, her right hand gripping the hilt of the sword on her hip. It felt strange to wear such a weapon at all times but it was a distraction from her predicament.