“Perhaps it’s not only Klia they’re worried about. Perhaps there’s a rival cabal who favor Klia for the throne. I hate to say it, but the letter from Malthus, and the fact that Reltheus has it, suggest that he may be part of one.”
Thero frowned down at the messages. “Two warring cabals. That doesn’t bode well.”
“Not with the unrest already brewing in the city. I can’t help thinking of that list Alec found, the one with us and a number of our acquaintances, including Malthus, on it. I think it’s safe to say that Reltheus’s cabal has taken an interest in us, though I have no idea why. But we’re going to need a lot more than we have here to prove anything one way or the other.”
Thero turned back to the messages regarding Klia. “Even by the royal courier service, it takes at least a week by land to get a message back to Rhiminee, and nearly that long by sea,” he mused. “These messages could be old news by the
time they get here. And by the time any kind of answer was sent, things could have changed completely.”
“I’m afraid this is as far as I can take you for now,” Seregil told him, “unless we find more of these.”
“This is frustrating. Without names, interpretation is impossible. And he has letters from Elani, as well. What is he doing with those? They don’t contain anything particularly sensitive. Do you think it’s connected with the cabals?”
“If Malthus had them, then I’d be more inclined to think so, but with it being Reltheus? He’s very anxious for Danos to marry Elani. Could be he’s looking for signs of favor, or mention of rival suitors.”
“I’d like to know who in Elani’s household is doing the copying.”
“I’m working on that.”
“If you’re right, then Reltheus is taking a terrible risk. If word of this ever got out, he’d be ruined at court, if not worse!” Thero paused, drawn to the coded messages again. “Why would anyone think that Klia would betray her sister and niece in the first place?”
“Because someone other than Klia is thinking of doing it? Reltheus clearly knows something we don’t.”
“Klia simply wouldn’t involve herself in something like that!”
Seregil clapped Thero on the shoulder. “I don’t believe it, either. But there could be a faction building that plans to put her on the throne, even without her knowledge of what they are planning.”
Thero ran a hand back through his black curls. “You must get me more than this. There’s nothing that proves that Danos is the one, other than supposition.”
“Don’t you think it’s time we communicated directly with Klia? I’m guessing you can do that.”
Thero nodded. “I will, after you and I are done.”
“I see.”
“Don’t give me that look.”
“What look?”
Thero scowled. “Like you know something.”
Seregil held up his hands, grinning. “I don’t know a thing, and I’m not asking. I’ll leave you to it.”
When Seregil was gone, the wizard went to his bedchamber, shut the door, and retrieved the marble box containing Klia’s handkerchief from the wardrobe. Opening it, he held it to his nose for a moment, imagining that the scent of her perfume still lingered there. Her fingers had brushed his when she gave it to him, one of a hundred such innocent touches that heated his body-
Stop it! he told himself sternly. A princess and a wizard? It was impossible, but that didn’t cool his passion, just made him ache to the center of his being. Seeing her wounded so recently had only made it worse.
Pressing the precious handkerchief between his palms, he spoke the spell softly and waited for the vision to take shape. His unruly heart was racing again at the thought of actually seeing her.
The vision came almost instantly. Klia was lying on a cot again, grimacing as a healer bandaged a wound on her leg. Her breeches were off, leaving her in just her linen, and he felt a rush of heat through his body at the sight of those smooth, slender legs.
He waited while Myrhini covered her with a blanket. The tall, dark-haired woman’s face was solemn as she looked down at the princess and asked, “How is it?”
Klia flexed her leg under the blanket and gave her friend a wincing grin. “I’ll be able to ride tomorrow.”
“You heard what the healer said.”
Klia snorted as she folded her arms behind her head. “I’ll be fine.”
Choosing his moment, Thero opened a small window spell a few feet from the two women and whispered, “Your Highness.”
Myrhini’s hand flew to her sword hilt as she looked around, instantly alert to possible danger.
“It’s all right. It’s just Thero coming to call again,” Klia said with a chuckle as she found Thero’s face floating in midair. “Hello, my friend. Do you have some news for me?”
“May we speak alone?”
“Since when do I not speak openly before Myrhini?”
“It’s all right, Klia,” Myrhini said, stepping out of Thero’s view.
Klia waited a moment, watching her go, then turned back to the wizard. “Well?” she asked, keeping her voice low.
How to couch it? thought Thero. “Seregil and Alec have been working for me. I believe they’ve uncovered a spy in your regiment.”
Her bright blue eyes widened. “A spy? Who?”
“Captain Danos.”
“That can’t be right!”
“We have some evidence, Klia, but not enough, and it’s not completely clear what he’s up to. It appears that he’s been sending his father coded messages about your movements.”
Klia’s expression darkened. “Impossible! Why would he be doing that?”
Thero paused, not relishing what he had to say next. “We think that his father, Duke Reltheus, believes you might be plotting to supplant Elani for the throne.”
The incredulous look she gave him eased his heart considerably. “On what grounds?”
“Again, we’re not quite sure, except that there may be a cabal unknown to you who want you on the throne. But Reltheus definitely means to marry Danos to the princess royal.”
“Thero, are you asking if I am plotting against Elani and the queen?”
“I don’t believe it.”
“Thank you for that. But if it needs to be said, I’m not. I have no reason to.”
“I know. But Duke Reltheus seems to think there is a cabal working on your behalf. He could be right about that. Alec found a list of names, including his, mine, Seregil’s, and Duke Malthus’s. And yours.”
“If word of this got to Phoria-”
“I understand. We’re working as quickly as we can to learn more. We haven’t even spoken to your brother yet. In one of Danos’s coded letters, he mentions someone called ‘the
hawk,’ someone close to you. Does that mean anything to you?”
“That’s what the riders call General Moraus.”
“Is it unusual for him to visit you?”
“Not at all. He’s my commanding officer, and he’s known me all my life. He’s been concerned about my losses.”
“He is not alone. There are those in Rhiminee who think Phoria is trying to get you killed.”
“That’s ridiculous. We’re stretched thin this year. Every officer is doing all they can with what they have. You know the Queen’s Horse has always been in the forefront.”
“In one of the messages Seregil found, it sounds as if the queen was considering making you general of the regiment, then changed her mind?”
“There was some concern about General Moraus’s health-a summer fever-but he recovered. I have no hard feelings over it, Thero.”
Thero feared that Klia might be too trusting, but he kept that to himself for now. “The messages also mentioned ‘wolves.’ Seregil thinks that may refer to Urghazi Turma. They’re referred to as being too loyal.”
“To whom? The queen or me?”
“We don’t know for certain, but I assume to you.”
“Do you think Elani is in any danger?”
“There’s no evidence of that yet, but Seregil and Alec have recently been taken into the royal circle, thanks, ironically, to Reltheus himself.”
“She must be protected at all costs! You have to go to Korathan with this.”
“We need to gather more evidence before we risk implicating anyone. Seregil and Alec won’t be much good to me in the Tower, or me to you.”