Rebel Spring

CHAPTER 11

MAGNUS

AURANOS

The palace had been in an uproar for hours, ever since the carriage returned from Hawk’s Brow without Princess Cleiona. She’d been taken from a private room in the dressmaker’s shop and a note had been left behind, addressed to the king himself, tucked into the folds of the wedding gown she’d been there to see.

I have the princess. If you wish her returned unharmed, you will immediately cease construction on your road and free all those you’ve enslaved to work on it.

“Will you do as the rebel demands?” Magnus now asked the king. He and his father were in Lucia’s chambers, standing on either side of her bed, the sleeping princess between them.

“No. I need my road finished, and soon. It will stop for nothing, especially not the demands of a rebel.”

Magnus’s gaze snapped to the king. “Then he’ll kill her.”

A nod. “Most likely.”

Even for the king, this utter lack of emotion was surprising, at least until Magnus realized that this played well into his father’s plans. Such an end for Cleo would gain him great sympathy from the Auranian citizens. And it would paint the rebels as abhorrent villains who would harm an innocent young girl loved by thousands of her subjects.

Still, it troubled him.

“There was no need for her to travel to another location for such a trivial thing,” he said. “The fitting could have happened here.”

“Yes, it could have.”

Magnus frowned. “Did you know this would happen?”

The king’s expression grew thoughtful. “I thought it a possibility that the rebels might act.”

“So you put her in danger with the knowledge that there might be an attack?” Rage, still controlled, boiled beneath his skin at the very thought of it. “Mother was also on that journey!”

“And your mother is fine, only shaken. Magnus, you think me so cold that I would put my wife and the princess in harm’s way without a single care about their safety?”

Magnus managed to hold his tongue. “So now what? We wait for the next letter to arrive listing further demands you won’t meet?”

“No. I’ve already sent out a search team. There are rumors a Paelsian rebel group has set up camp in the Wildlands not many hours’ journey from here. If they find her, your upcoming marriage can be a grand event to continue to distract the masses. But if they don’t. .” He leaned over to absently stroke a lock of dark hair off Lucia’s pale forehead. “Then it’s fate. The rebels will be seen as the murderers of Auranos’s golden princess. They will be outcasts, hated by every person in this kingdom and beyond. Either way, we win. They lose.”

Magnus flicked a glance at the attendant, Mira, on the far side of the room. She cleaned the balcony railing, running a rag along it. Her plain gray dress, the innocuous outfit of a servant, allowed her to move about dim rooms without notice, hiding in the shadows, available when needed but otherwise unnoticeable.

But Magnus couldn’t help but notice that the girl’s face held both worry and outrage. She knew of Cleo’s kidnapping. Her brother, Magnus remembered, had gone along with the carriage as additional protection.

Some protection. Magnus personally would have taken the opportunity to have Nic punished for such a failure if the boy hadn’t looked absolutely destroyed when he’d returned with the rest of the guards.

“Kill me now,” Nic had spat at him, his voice breaking. “I deserve it for letting this happen.”

“And interrupt your misery?” Magnus had studied his tortured expression for a moment before turning away. “Not today.”

Magnus would not admit it to anyone, but the idea of the rebels capturing the princess disturbed him greatly. He didn’t want to care what horrors she might be experiencing at this very moment. Besides, the princess’s death would put an end to this ridiculous betrothal his father had insisted upon. It would be for the best.

But, still. . it bothered him.

Irrelevant.

There was only one beautiful girl he gave a damn about and she was the one that lay in this bed.

“Do you know someone named Alexius?” the king asked after silence fell between them for a time.

“No. Who is that?”

“I visited Lucia yesterday for a few moments after your mother left her side. She murmured the name in her sleep.”

Magnus’s shoulders stiffened. Lucia had spoken in her sleep? “Did she say anything else?”

“No, only the name.”

He wracked his mind but came up blank. “I don’t know anyone named Alexius.”

“Perhaps it’s a boy she was enamored of back in Limeros.”

“Perhaps.” His mouth was suddenly dry. He reached for the nearly empty pitcher of water on the bedside table and poured himself what was left. He’d never heard of an Alexius before. And now this boy resided in Lucia’s dreams? A ribbon of jealousy twisted within him.

“She’ll wake soon,” said the king.

“How can you sound so certain?”

“Because it’s her destiny to help me reach my destiny.”

There was something in the way the king said this, an absolute confidence that resonated like an echo in a canyon. “Who told you this?”

The king’s dark gaze flicked to Magnus, sweeping the length of him as if assessing his son’s worth. “Her name is Melenia.”

“Let me guess. Your mysterious new advisor.”

“That’s right.”

“Tell me, Father, will I ever meet this Melenia?”

“Perhaps one day. For now, it’s impossible.”

“Why?”

The king again hesitated before replying. “Because I see her only in my dreams.”

Magnus blinked. Surely he had misheard. “I don’t understand.”

“Melenia is a Watcher, one with great knowledge about the Kindred and how to go about finding them. She is over four thousand years old but blessed with eternal youth and incredible beauty.”

“Your new advisor is a beautiful four-thousand-year-old Watcher who visits you in your dreams.” The words were heavy in his mouth.

“Yes.” The king smiled at this, as if recognizing the absurdity of what he claimed. “Melenia has confirmed for me that Lucia is the key to finding the Kindred and harnessing its power. That before this, before she existed, it was simply not possible to find it. That’s why no one has ever succeeded in such a quest.”

This was one of those moments that Magnus had come to recognize. A test. The king was giving him a test. How he responded to something so fantastical would set the tone for the immediate future.

Would he assume his father mad for making such statements? Believing such things? Would he be unable to hold himself back from laughing?

Once he would have, earning the king’s wrath and perhaps another scar.

No more.

His entire life, he’d denied the existence of such a thing as magic, but Lucia had proved to him it was true. It was real. Elementia, according the books he’d recently read here in the Auranian palace library, tied back to the immortal Watchers. And Watchers, so legend told, could sometimes visit mortals in their dreams.

Magnus knew his father was dangerous, vengeful, and remorseless. However, there was one thing the king was not.

He was not stupid enough to believe in imaginary things that served no true purpose.

If his father said this, if he admitted such a thing aloud, then it had to be true. And Magnus needed to know more.

“How is Lucia the key?” he asked evenly.

“This I don’t yet know.” The king’s brows drew together slightly. “All I know for certain is she will wake.”

“Then I believe you.”

The king’s eyes lit with approval and he reached across the bed to pat Magnus’s scarred cheek. “Very good, my son. Very good. Together we will find the Kindred.”

“With Lucia.”

“Yes.” He nodded. “With Lucia.”

Four crystals holding the essence of elementia. Magnus saw their worth, just as his father did. Such incredible and endless power and strength. If he possessed them, even one of them, he would feel equal to Lucia in more ways than he did now. He would be more than just a prince, more than just a brother. They would have magic in common and she would see and appreciate this. Appreciate him. And such strength would show the king that Magnus was not a boy any longer; he was a man who went after what he desired most, no matter the cost.

It was everything he’d ever wanted.

Mira had approached to refill the water jug, making eye contact with neither Magnus nor the king. She moved quietly as if hoping to remain unnoticed.

“What is your name again?” the king asked her, his voice soft.

Her shoulders went rigid as she straightened, and her gaze moved from the ground next to the bed to meet the king’s directly. “Mira, your majesty.”

“You haven’t, by chance, been listening to anything my son and I have been discussing, have you, Mira?”

“No, your majesty,” she said immediately. Her brows drew together, as if surprised by the question. “I focus on the room, cleaning, and tidying, and taking care of the princess. That’s all. I don’t listen.”

The king nodded. “I’m very glad to hear that. With the rebels so active now, we must be very conscious of what we say and to whom we say it. Spies could be anywhere, couldn’t they?”

“Of course, I completely understand.” Her shoulders relaxed ever so slightly. “Was there anything else, your majesty?”

The king scratched his chin, as if considering. “I’m curious to know if my son believes you.”

Magnus tensed.

His father easily wore the mask of indifference that Magnus currently struggled with. “I know you’re familiar with servants who develop unhealthy habits of overhearing information by accident,” the king continued, “so I’d like your opinion on the matter.”

Magnus remembered the icy walls of the tower where Amia had been restrained, beaten, and questioned about her crime of eavesdropping-which she’d done on his orders. He’d sent the girl away so she’d have the chance at a better life-at any life-but his father had her hunted down and killed anyway. Magnus chose his next words very carefully.

“We were speaking quietly and this girl was on the other side of the room. I believe she heard nothing that would cause any problems. Besides, even if she did hear something, she would take it no further if she knew what was good for her. Am I right, Mira?”

The girl glanced at him, distrust in her gaze that he might say anything to defend her. “Yes, your grace.”

The king let out a long sigh. “Of course you’re right. Listen to me. I’ve become an old man convinced that enemies are hiding in every shadow.” He laughed as he moved around to the other side of the bed so he could pat her cheek affectionately, just as he’d done before to Magnus. “Mira, my dear girl, please accept my sincere apologies for alarming you.”

The hint of a smile appeared on her pretty face. “No apology is necessary, your majesty.”

The king regarded her a moment longer. “However, I do believe in taking certain precautions.”

With unexpected speed, he took hold of her head with both hands and twisted sharply. The girl’s neck broke with a loud crack. She crumpled to the ground, her wide eyes now blank and glazed and absent of life.

It had all happened in an instant.

Magnus stared at his father, unable to conceal his horrified shock. “You didn’t have to do that!”

The king wiped his hands off on the front of his black surcoat. “Meaningless servants can be replaced. She was nothing special. I’ll find another to attend your sister.”

Nothing special. Only a friend to Princess Cleo. Only a sister to Nicolo Cassian. Only another whose life had been snuffed out by the king while Magnus stood idly by.

He wanted so desperately not to care about this-not to care about anything but finding the Kindred for himself and for Lucia-to be as cold and ruthless as his father found it so easy to be.

If only that were possible.

• • •

After the king left Lucia’s chambers, Cronus entered. Wordlessly, the large, brutish guard swept Mira’s lifeless body up into his arms and departed the room.

A beam of sunlight shone in through the balcony window, illuminating a small patch on the floor. Otherwise, the room was in shadows. A collection of candles next to the bed lent their flickering light to the princess’s tranquil face.

Magnus held on to the edge of the silk sheets, squeezing hard and trying to concentrate on nothing but the smooth feel of the fabric. His heart still thundered from what had happened. The girl hadn’t meant any harm, he was sure of it.

Yet now she was dead.

His legs weakened and he sank down to his knees next to Lucia’s side. He squeezed his eyes shut and pressed his forehead against the edge of the bed.

Then he heard something. A quiet moan. Then a deep intake of breath.

He opened his eyes. Lucia’s eyelids fluttered, as if she was having another dream-perhaps one about Alexius. Whoever he was.

Then he caught a glimpse of her bright blue eyes beneath thick black lashes. Slowly, she turned her head to face him.

“Magnus?” she whispered, her voice hoarse.

His breath caught. Surely, he had to be the one who was dreaming now. “Lucia. . is this true? Are you really awake?”

She squinted at him as if the meager amount of light in this room was too much for her to bear. “How long have I been asleep?”

“Far too long,” he managed to reply.

A frown creased her brow. “What about Hana? Is Hana all right?”

It took him a moment to understand what she meant. Hana was Lucia’s pet rabbit, a gift from Magnus that he’d brought back to her at the Limerian castle after a hunt. “Hana is fine. In fact, Mother brought her along for you when she journeyed here to be with us. She arrived a few days after we took over this palace.”

The worry that had been in her eyes lessened. “Good.”

“This is incredible.” He pushed himself up to his feet, wanting to pinch himself to prove he wasn’t asleep. “I didn’t think you’d ever open your eyes again, but you’re here. You’re back!”

Lucia tried to raise her head off the pillow but failed. Her gaze slid around the room as if she was searching for something. For someone.

“You didn’t answer me before,” she said. “How long was I gone?”

“Forever. Or it seemed like it to me. It’s been almost a month and a half since the siege upon this castle.” The joy this moment should summon was dampened as Magnus remembered the girl who’d just lost her life and how she had dutifully attended Lucia for much of the time she was comatose. Lucia would never meet her, could never thank her.

Lucia’s eyes widened. “That long?”

“Father insists on staying here in Auranos as a physical reminder to everyone of his claim upon this kingdom and throne. All of Mytica is now his after. . after his alliance with the Paelsian chief fell through.” Actually, the king had murdered Chief Basilius during a celebratory dinner. All part of King Gaius’s master plan.

Magnus sat down on the edge of the bed and gazed into Lucia’s eyes. He wanted to pull her into his arms and hold her tight, but resisted the urge. Given the strain between them from when he’d kissed her before, he knew that wouldn’t be wise.

He didn’t believe his heart would recover from her rejection, but here he was, and his pulse pounded hard and fast now that she had finally returned to him. Another chance to prove himself to her. He would not act so impulsively again.

“You’re awake now and all is well,” he said. “How do you feel?”

“Weak. And. . horrible.” She drew in a shaky breath. “I killed people with my magic, Magnus.”

More than two hundred had died in or because of the explosion, but he chose not to share such distressing numbers with her. “No one blames you for anything that happened. It had to be done. And had it not, we wouldn’t have won. We would be the ones who died. It’s not your fault.”

“That’s what he told me too-that it wasn’t my fault.”

He looked at her sharply. “Who told you?”

She pressed her lips together and looked away. “No one.”

“Who is Alexius, Lucia?”

Her eyes, now wide, returned to lock with his. “Where did you hear that name?”

“I’m told that you whispered it in your sleep.” Something dark and endlessly unpleasant stirred within him.

“Alexius, he’s. .” Lucia shook her head. “No one. Just a dream. Nothing more than that.”

Before Magnus could ask another question, the door creaked open and the queen entered, alone.

She greeted Magnus with a smile. “I wanted to check on Lucia, to see if she’s-” She gasped and closed the distance to the bed in only a few steps. “Lucia! My darling! You’ve come back to us. Praise the goddess!”

Lucia’s distressed expression froze away. “My, my. What a greeting. I must truly have been close to death to elicit such devotion from you.”

The queen flinched. “I suppose I deserve that.”

Lucia’s face paled. “Apologies, Mother. I–I didn’t mean such poisonous words. I’m sorry. It’s as though I couldn’t hold them back.”

“Nor should you, my darling. You must always give voice to how you feel. Don’t hold it inside.” The queen quickly composed herself and sat down on the edge of the bed. “Do you remember the last time you rose from your slumber? This has happened before.”

Magnus’s gaze shot to her. “It has?”

She nodded. “Twice before when I was here. Alas, it never lasts more than a few minutes and then she falls asleep again.”

He fisted his hands at his sides. “Why didn’t you tell me this?”

His mother turned her head at his sharp and angry tone, her expression patient. “Because I knew you would only be disappointed. I know how deeply you love your sister.”

There was something in the way she said it. Did the queen know Magnus’s dark secret as Lucia did?

He wished that they might wipe the slate clean. To return to how it was when everything was simpler between them. To start again.

Impossible.

“I don’t remember waking before,” Lucia said, confused, as she pushed herself up to a sitting position.

“You still should have told me, Mother,” Magnus growled. “And told Father, too.”

“And risk one of his rages when she slipped away yet again? No, my son. I certainly shouldn’t have. We will see how this goes, if she stays with us this time, before we say a single word about it to him.”

“I will stay awake,” Lucia insisted.

“Go now,” the queen said, standing up and squeezing Magnus’s hands in her own. “I’ll attend to my daughter.”

“But, Mother-”

“Go,” she said, her tone firm. “And say nothing to the king until I tell you otherwise.”

The anger that had risen inside him at the thought that his mother would keep such secrets from him hadn’t yet lessened, but he did understand why she’d chosen to do so. After all, he would have done exactly the same to protect Lucia.

“Fine.” The word was uttered through clenched teeth. “But I will come back.”

“Of course you will. You’ve never been able to stay away from her for long. She’s the only one you’ve ever truly cared about, isn’t she?”

A muscle in his scarred cheek twitched. “Wrong, Mother. I cared about you. And I could again, if you let me.”

His words had succeeded in bringing a glistening to the queen’s eyes, but her only reply was a shallow nod. He shifted his gaze to Lucia. “I’ll return soon. I promise. Please. . don’t fall asleep again.”

Then he left them alone just as the queen commanded.