“The mages,” I began to say.
He continued, “Are all in the castle, and we will decide what to do with them after the ball. Of course, I cannot allow two of the children of my oldest friend, the King of Dire, stay at an inn. Suites will be prepared for you.” He looked at his son. “See to it when you can slip out for a moment. You know which to use.”
We were almost ready to leave the small room when an odd feeling swept over me. My knees went weak. Inside my mind, I smelled the rot. A foul stench that sickened me. I sat heavily and reached out in my mind, *Anna!*
*Yes.*
*Help with what is in my mind. Can you?*
*It is close to you. Reach out with your mind and follow it to the source.*
My eyes were closed, but inside my mind was swirling red, like a red mist in a storm, and in that mist was a single spot of blackness. I followed it and found a tiny place where essence was stored, not much, just a drop or two. It was in the neck of the king. My eyes flashed open.
The three of them were administering to me, trying to help. I threw my arms wide and leaped to my feet. They backed away as if scared.
Anna declared, *That is the source of it. Evil. It smells like death.*
I said, “Before we go out there, you should know there is a small amount of what we call essence, a substance that allows mage’s magic to work, and it is located inside your neck. It is what makes you ill.”
“Can you remove it?” Elizabeth asked.
“I don’t know,” I said.
The king said, “Removing it might be a bad idea. I’ve had it for who knows how long, so a while longer won’t hurt. Removing it will tell whoever put it there you are on to him.”
Elizabeth nodded once and snapped at me, “Give me back my golden crown. We have work to do tonight.”
*We are fine. I’m going back to sleep unless you need me again.*
I thanked Anna and restored Elizabeth’s crown. If we had been alone, I’d have poured myself a tall glass of cool water from the tip of my finger and relaxed. Or maybe something stronger. I walked outside the door as the other three stepped onto the raised dais, a woman intercepted me.
I thought my abilities at hand-to-hand combat were adequate, however, they failed to compare to her snatch-and-grab of me as she clutched me whirled me onto the dance floor. It was funny. She got me there, but couldn’t keep me, as another beautiful young woman managed to slip between us and spin me away. She whispered in my ear, which was moist, damp air, and she nuzzled my neck. I don’t remember the words.
I did my best to escape her clutches. That is a lie, but saying it seems the right thing to do. Nearer the truth is that every unattached, and probably some attached women, wanted their time alone with me. Resisting was futile. I let them have their way with me, spinning, swooping, whirling, and dancing until late. I ignored their suggestions and blushed at several.
Elizabeth stole a dance with me, during which she hissed like a snake, “It is time for you and me to disappear. Dance us closer to that door below the stairs.”
I did as she commanded. The door opened at our approach and we danced through, where we were greeted by the prince. He said, “Quickly, this way.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
The prince hurried us down a narrow hallway, up a flight of stairs that looked seldom used from the amount of dirt and debris lying about, and into a section of the castle that had expensive carpets so thick the sounds of our passing was silent.
He opened another door and ushered us inside but didn’t stop there. We crossed a sitting room, a dressing room, and then he moved aside a tapestry that hung from ceiling to floor. Another door was hidden behind it. He opened the door and inside was a small suite of windowless rooms, a musky smell, and dust.
“Sorry, I didn’t have time to clean it up,” the prince said.
“You? Clean?” I asked.
“This is one of a few safe places in the palace, known only to a select royal few, and yes, I clean it—or should have. People will know you entered the rooms outside, and we will create the impression you are staying there. Clothing, food, wine, and water will be placed there.”
I understood. “You think someone is going to come after us.”
“The mages. But their magic will do them no good if they cannot find you. A guard will stand outside the door to the outer suite of rooms, food and such will be delivered there, and word will spread that you are living there. But my father is more than angry and there will be hell to pay.”
“We need to talk. The four of us, and of course, your brothers as well,” Elizabeth said.
The prince paused, pursed his lips and said, “We will not invite them, and I will not attend but promise my support for whatever my father agrees to. I will share this information with my brothers.”
I saw what had been unsaid and headed off Elizabeth’s further questions, “Your father is scared to have all six of us in the same room. The ceiling might fall in on us, or the drinking water might contain poison. He’s smart.”
The prince turned to me. “You and I need to talk about our swords one day. There is a third, and I’d like to hear about it, how you met, and there should be a bottle or two of wine between us.”
“We will do that. It’s quite a story.”
He stood for a moment, and then said, “I am meeting individually with two of our top generals tonight, ones we completely trust as much as family. The first of them awaits me.”
He left and I used the heavy iron bar on the door behind him. A tiny hole at eye-level gave me just enough sight to see who stood at the door the next time someone wanted in. Elizabeth sagged on wobbly legs to the bed nearest her, with no attempt to clean it first. At Crestfallen, she had been immaculate in her apartment, so it was a major difference.
I felt the same.
She said, “What about Bran?”
“I asked the prince to send him home and to pay him well.”
She closed her eyes and I realized the luminous crown still sat on her head. I shut it off and looked at the three candles burning. That was all the light we had, but a dozen more unlit candles were in the bedside table.
“I have never been this tired, not even when we walked across the desert south of Dagger.”
“It has been a long exhausting day,” I agreed. “But you should be proud of yourself. I never would have believed you could gain a private meeting with a king in a single day.”
“Your crown was the last key.” Her voice trailed off in volume and the last words slurred as she slumped sideways.
I went to her and lifted her legs on to the bed and covered her. A sofa was against one wall, and I decided to sleep on it because it was closer to the only door. As I closed my eyes, a stray thought entered as if on cue. The only door? What sort of “safe” apartment has only one way in and one out?
I used one of the lighted candles to light another, a fat candle intended to last the night. I’d hardly closed my eyes when a tapping came from the door. At the peephole, I found the prince and the king. I threw the iron bar aside and let them in.
The prince supported his father. He placed him on my sofa. Elizabeth leaped to our side, “What’s wrong with him?”