Page 47 of Mistress of Hours

“I saw what Dominique and the queen did to Léhiona after she arrived here,” Evienne began. Her mentor, if she was surprised, didn’t show it. She just sat in her chair, sipping her tea, her eyes locked on Evienne’s.

“They bound her, Hestia. With her wedding band tattoo. I thought Aldith loved her, but she used her, Hestia. I saw the dark magic they worked, and Dominique said something about Ichorna going dark? And some sort of connection? I heard Aldith say the Valsang she worked had been in her family for generations,” it all came tumbling out now.

“They meet under the Centrale Lumine still; I saw them there just this morning in Dominique’s memory. There has to be something going on there…I know there’s a secret guard rotation at the facility, so it must be for whatever is held in that room.” Her mind raced, trying to piece it all together.

“And I know the Tuanadair’s magic began to fade around the same time their first noble came here to be our consort.” Tears gathered in Evienne’s eyes as she spoke; it all made sense.

“I see,” Hestia said, sighing and turning to look into the flames in the hearth.“So Aldith did something—and presumably her forebears did as well—to her consort that has caused Beitar’s magic to go out,” Hestia said softly, deep in thought. “I think, Dove, that you ought to make your way to that secret room; seems like it shouldn’t be a secret any longer.”

Evienne had known from the moment she saw Dominique’s memory that she would have to infiltrate that space somehow. It was unlikely Aldith or Dominique would expect her to go poking around, but regardless, Evienne knew what she must do was incredibly dangerous.

“Let this be the start of your training as a Contrapensa, Dove. You must face this danger not only because it is the right thing to do to free the Tuanadair, but because balance must be maintained at any cost. You will go to any lengths necessary to achieve this goal. Do you understand?” Hestia’s intensity was unsettling. She had always been an unwavering teacher, but Ichorna’s rules had centered their blood magic training in the past. This was different.

“I understand, Hestia,” Evienne said quietly. Her tea had gone cold but she took a sip anyway, not sure what else to do with herself.

“You’ll teach me about my time magic though, right? It seems like it’s actually quite dangerous.” The thought occurred to Evienne and was out of her mouth a split second later.

Hestia laughed, “Of course, Dove, we’ll hone your memory walking, your husking, glancing, and even spell-cleaving when this crisis has passed. For now, trust your intuition to get you through; finesse will come with practice, as it does for all things.”

“So the horrible life-draining thing I’ve done has a name too?” Evienne rubbed her temples, all of this new information overwhelming her.

“Most certainly,” Hestia answered with a chuckle. She rose from her seat then. “Well, I think it’s time you go find that Tuanadair mate of yours and restore balance to Ichorna.”

Chapter Thirty-Six

Evienne made itback to the palace in time to dress for the evening’s formal events. The crowds had grown larger as they edged closer to the final day of the year; tomorrow night, the celebration would culminate as everyone gathered to ring in the new millennium.

Tonight’s ball was truly a spectacle—a show of Ichorna’s abundance and elegance. Despite the night chill, the ball was to be held outside in the palace gardens. A warm glow was cast in puddles here and there throughout the rows of hedges and graceful evergreens; Queen Aldith had arranged for a network of temporary mage lights to be constructed across the garden. Her intent was, no doubt, to show off to all the foreign dignitaries in attendance.

Evienne wore a black velvet gown that had a corset built into the bodice. It hugged her waist, but the skirts floated out away from her hips, moving gracefully as she walked. The neckline was a pronounced sweetheart, and she wore black diamond earrings. Her hair was swept back away from her face only on one side, her natural curls on full display tonight.

She casually began to scan the garden for Orion and Solon, but instead found Queen Léhiona floating toward her with a tired smile on her face.Prince Sylvain was at her side, looking dashing as ever. He steadied the Queen Consort on his arm, providing her support in more ways than one.

Evienne would never get bored of watching her friend move through the world; she had such a delicate grace about her, even in her exhaustion. The world could never be all bad if somethingas lovely as Léhiona was in it.Images of Aldith’s memory, of Léhiona’s binding, flashed through Evienne’s mind, and sadness for her friend nearly took her breath away. She wondered if she should tell Léhiona what she had seen, though she knew she couldn’t say anything here amongst all these people.

“Evi, are you quite alright?” Léhiona asked as she stepped up to Evienne’s side. “I was so very worried when you disappeared this afternoon so suddenly,” she added.

“Yes, thank you my friend, I’m quite well.” Evienne smiled at her reassuringly. Léhiona didn’t look convinced, but she wasn’t one to press. She glanced up at Sylvain, who clearly shared her skepticism but decided to change the subject.

“I think I’ll be quite glad when this is all over,” Léhiona said quietly. “I’m so tired these days, Evi. I just don’t have the energy for all this.”

“I understand. It’s all a bit overwhelming,” Evienne responded, her heart breaking; she now suspected the true reason for Léhiona’s exhaustion. How someone who supposedly loved Léhiona could use her so was beyond Evienne’s comprehension.

“Did you enjoy getting to sit with the Beitarans this afternoon at least? You haven’t seen anyone from your homeland since you left, right?”

Léhiona’s face flashed a sad expression before she recovered her detached, pleasant mask. “Yes, they’re very kind,” she answered.

“Léhiona?” Evienne asked, her voice barely a whisper. Léhiona looked into Evienne’s eyes, her brows creasing slightly with concern and curiosity at what her friend might say. “Do you ever wish you had been able to use your magic and shift? Do you feel like something is missing?”

Evienne could see the tears spring to Léhiona’s striking eyes, and she wondered if she would be able to speak of it, even if she wanted to. “Oh Léhiona, I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to upsetyou; please do not hurt yourself because of my clumsy curiosity,” Evienne added, taking her friend’s hand and squeezing gently. Her hand brushed over the tattooed wedding band on Léhiona’s slight finger, and Evienne nearly recoiled.Sylvain watched the conversation quietly; Evienne knew that he had no notion of what his sister had done to Léhiona, and she trusted his kind heart.

“No, it’s quite alright,” Léhiona said, laughing a bit as she delicately dabbed at her tears before they could escape. “No one has ever asked me that,” Léhiona said, thoughtful. “I do feel like something is missing, every day. The deepest longing of my soul is to know my magic. But it’s not to be, I suppose,” Léhiona said, looking at her friend.

“I am glad to know you, Léhiona,” said Evienne. “I am glad you are my friend.”

“Me too, Evi.” Léhiona gave Evienne’s hand a gentle squeeze in return before letting it go.

Sylvain finally spoke then. “I am very happy to be here at home with both of you—it’s been too long,” he said, emotion coloring his voice.

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