Page 4 of Mistress of Hours

“Thank you for sharing, Léhiona,” Evienne added, her face apologetic as she held Aldith’s gaze.

Aldith quickly pushed the conversation forward. “We can’t take any risks with so many members of Domhan na Rùin’s leadership in attendance.”

“Of course not. You have my word, they will have my undivided attention during the celebration. I’ll work with the other Sangviere to delegate my other responsibilities temporarily,” Evienne stated, her voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through her.

She was to be responsible for the Beitaran visitors. She shouldfeel nervous with so many unknowns at play, but all she felt was a sense of wonder and excitement. She would have to watch them, yes, but she would also get to talk to them. She would get to ask them about their people and customs in a way that no one really had for a generation. She wondered what they would be like.

Lost in her thoughts, Evienne’s mind drifted out of the conversation, only focusing when Aldith called her name in question.

“Evi? Are you still with us?” Aldith’s voice held a note of laughter.

“Yes, apologies!” Evienne smiled and laughed at herself. Her friends knew her well enough to expect this sort of thing; her mind wandered often.

“I was saying that Dominique will be increasing security around the Centrale Dellumine for the event, but I want you to make sure the Beitarans stay away from the facility. The last thing we need is those recluses stealing the technology that has finally coaxed the rest of the continent into trade with us,” Aldith said coolly.

The mention of Dominique’s name had the muscles in Evienne’s shoulders tensing. She knew her friends couldn’t cut Dominique out of their lives because of what had happened between the two of them, but their tolerance of her still stung.

“Understood. I will ensure they don’t get too close to any of our proprietary equipment,” Evienne said, hoping that was the end of this conversation.

Aldith nodded; it was settled.

The way Aldith spoke about the Beitarans in front of Léhiona left Evienne uneasy; she attempted to regain a shred of normalcy. “Aldith, will Sylvain be joining us for the celebration?”

Aldith rolled her eyes and chuckled, her features lightening. “Yes, my wayward little brother should be here tomorrowmorning, actually.” She had a soft spot for her sibling. The now twenty-four-year-old prince was often away, traveling Domhan na Rùin and enjoying his total lack of responsibilities.

“I am glad to hear it. I am sure he will be the life of the party,” Evienne said with a smile. Léhiona was smiling as well; she and Sylvain were very close.

“Right, I should begin making arrangements,” Evienne said as she rose, setting her plate back on the serving cart.

“We will see you very soon, Evi.” Léhiona turned her warm gaze to Evienne from her place on the chaise.

Evienne smiled at her queens before bowing slightly at the waist and turning for the door.Her steps carried her across the palace to her own rooms, where she promptly collapsed into the massive plush armchair by her fireplace which, thanks to the palace staff, already held a crackling fire.

She stared into the flames as she tried to gather her thoughts, her exhaustion finally catching up with her. She hadn’t used her magic so extensively in quite some time, and it came at a cost.

She was grateful, though, to have gotten out of the city, despite the reason for her trip. Ichorna was about to host the largest celebration in a generation, so her duties would keep her here for the next month.She knew her assignment with the Beitarans would require a lot of meaningless conversations with nobles, and she already felt drained at the thought of it.Drained and excited.

She sighed, rising to change out of her uniform. With heavy eyelids, Evienne quickly washed—feeling more grateful than usual for the magically heated water the capital provided—and slipped into an impossibly soft black silk nightgown. Her position as High Sangviere came with healthy compensation, and she shamelessly enjoyed the nice things she was able to buy for herself, this incredible nightgown included.

Evienne settled into the plush pillows, closed her eyes, and wasasleep in mere moments, letting the day slip away from her as she retreated into her dreams. Tomorrow’s problems would be there for her when she awoke.

Chapter Two

Orion surveyed therolling, foggy hills that surrounded him from atop his horse. He and his companion had stopped to admire the view behind them, to the north—the dramatic peaks of Beitar, their homeland, they were leaving behind. The craggy, ancient mountains seemed to shift suddenly into this landscape of softly rounded slopes. Orion found it unsettling after a lifetime amongst Beitar’s peaks.

“I think I see Mulhouse on the horizon; we should try to make it there before nightfall,” Solon said, interrupting Orion’s train of thought. He nodded and urged his horse forward.

Mulhouse was a small but important town just on the border between Beitar and Ichorna. They would not be staying long—only passing through on their journey to the Ichornian capital of Lucinne.

“Are you ready to be the furthest away from home you’ve ever been?” Orion asked Solon.

“Are you? You’re the one who’s been dreaming of it your whole life,” Solon answered with a chuckle. “I just hope the food is good.”

“I’m sure it will be; they’re famous for their bread. Makes sense with all those fields,” Orion answered.

“I intend to try at least one of every type of pastry I can get my hands on,” Solon said. Orion smiled at Solon, who was about the same age as Orion’s father. Solon was usually so formal with others, but Orion felt lucky to reallyknowSolon. Their journey would be long indeed if Solon refused to engage in meaningful conversation.

Since the waning of Beitar’s magic had begun a few centuries ago, the various kings had kept the people on a tight leash because a lack of magic made all of Beitar vulnerable amongst the other nations of Domhan na Rùin—each one a magical powerhouse in their own right. Journeys outside the borders were strictly limited to diplomatic trips once a decade. Even imports and exports were handled directly on Beitar’s border and only at sanctioned trading posts. Orion, despite all his studies, could never fully understand their rulers’ desire to remain separate. Protection alone did not seem reason enough for this total isolation.

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