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 Rh iminee 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.”
“I don’t like it, Thero. The longer I keep this from Phoria and Korathan, the worse it looks for me.”
“I know, and I’m sorry. But do you really want a repeat of what happened with your mother, with the falsely accused traitors being executed? We could have lost Seregil then.”
“Very well. But I want regular reports!”
“Of course. It could be that Reltheus is merely being
cautious, considering you potential competition for the throne. My fear is that you may be in danger, one way or another. Do you have spies of your own?”
“Yes, but they’ve never been called to spy on their own comrades.”
“I’m afraid it’s necessary now.”
“But what am I supposed to do about Danos? He’s a damn good captain, and I’ve never had any reason to doubt his loyalty to me or the regiment. Sakor’s Flame, Thero, it was his people who were killed the night the assassins came after me.”
A ruse to throw off suspicion?“Watch him. And you and your spies will need the key to the code.”
Klia reached under the bed for a wax tablet and a stylus and copied down the specifics of the offset code. When they were done, she set the tablet aside and ran a hand over her chestnut widow’s peak. “Once again, I wish you were here, my friend.”
“So do I,” Thero replied, heart beating a little faster at her words. “I miss our peaceful time in Aurenen.”
“I do, too, very much. But this war can’t last forever. If nothing else, I’ll be back in a few months. You still owe me a round of cards, you know.”
Thero smiled. “Of course. I look forward to it.” Then he paused. “How is the war progressing?”
“Well, I think. We crossed the Folcwine two weeks ago and are in southern Mycena. Resistance is hardening against us, but Phoria believes we can break through.”
“Sakor’s luck to you all. Be careful. I can’t bear finding you wounded every time I look in on you.”
She grinned. “I’ll try, but no promises. Good night, my dear friend.”
Thero closed the spell and sat for a moment, trying to hold her image in his mind a little longer, and the sound of her voice as she called him “dear friend.”
It was all he dared hope for, but when he slept that night, his dreams were filled-as they so often were-with that sweet voice and lovely visage, and, tonight, the sight of a bandage encircling a slender bare leg.
CHAPTER 17. Intrigue
WHEN Thero was gone, Klia lay there for a moment, picturing his face and, as always, missing the wizard more for having had such a fleeting glimpse of him. During those precious, peaceful months together in Aurenen, she’d come to first like Thero, then something more began to develop-or so she thought. One moment they’d be laughing together, the next he’d be his old stiff and formal self again. But tonight, just before he’d broken off the spell, she was sure she’d seen him color when she called him “friend.”
She had no time for such thoughts now. Pulling the blanket around her, she limped to the tent door, where two of Beka’s men were on guard duty. “Rider Yonus, send a runner for your captain. Where’s the major?”