Page 76 of Kingdom of Dance

“What’s all this?”

“Nothing,” he said gruffly, his thoughts unformed as they rested on the Entolian royal family, whose dynamics he’d become intimately familiar with. “I just appreciate you, that’s all.”

“What a lovely thing to say,” said his mother, still sounding insultingly surprised at the compliment. “Now see to your poor horse so you can come inside and have some food.”

Obsidian complied, joining his mother in their little kitchen half an hour later.

“That’s a nice cloak,” she commented, as he laid it carefully across a chair. “Just how much is King Basil paying you?”

Obsidian smiled. “I didn’t buy it. It was a gift from Prince Amell, and it’s not really for me. It’s for King Basil…sort of.”

She raised her eyebrows but didn’t pry. “Did your business in Fernedell prosper?”

Obsidian nodded, already distracted by the hot soup he was ladling into his mouth. It took him a moment to realize that his mother wasn’t eating, just swirling her soup around her bowl.

“Sid.”

“Mm?” He looked up, his brow furrowing at the troubled look on her face.

“You’re not in any trouble, are you?”

He stared at her. “Of course not. What do you mean?”

She considered him for a moment before nodding, apparently satisfied. “And you’re notcausingany trouble, are you?”

“Not that I’m aware of,” he said blankly. Driven by an impulse he couldn’t name, he added, “Except with the maids, of course.”

His mother’s look became fierce at once. “Obsidian! If I thought you were trifling with the maids up there in—”

“Mother,” Obsidian laughed, waving her off in genuine amusement. “This is me we’re talking about! Do you really think I’m having dalliances with the maids?”

Her lips twitched. “It would certainly be a surprise.” Her eyes narrowed. “So explain yourself.”

He laughed again, unable to help it. “I was only making a joke.” He hesitated, suddenly self-conscious and wishing he’d never said anything. “I’ve been told,” he said at last, “that the maids think I’m…dark and brooding, or some nonsense like that.”

His mother stared at him for a moment, then let out a peal of laughter. “Of course they do,” she chortled, when her mirth had mostly subsided. “They’re probably all daydreaming about you swooping in to rescue them from some desperately dangerous ruffians or something.”

Her words hit too close to home, and Obsidian fell silent. His mind was assaulted with the memory of Zinnia, running on swift feet from that leering group the first night, stabbing the drunken man in the arm on the second night…even worse, in the clutches of Lorne in the warehouse. He’d come to her aid all three times, in some form or another, but the memory brought him no pleasure.

After all, there’d been nothing romantic in any of those rescues. At least, he assumed Zinnia had never thought of it in such terms. The question unnerved him, and he tried to push the matter from his mind.

“Are you all right?” his mother asked, eyeing him in confusion.

He nodded quickly. “Why did you ask if I’m in trouble?” he pressed. Was his mental turmoil so clear?

“Because of the visitor I had yesterday,” she said, “from the guild.”

“The Enchanters’ Guild?” Obsidian demanded. “Who was it?”

“Master Enchanter Roan, I think he said. I’d never met him before, but he was sent by Master Enchanter Hughes, the one who collected you.”

Obsidian scowled. What was the guild doing bothering his mother? “What did he want?”

She gave him a searching look. “He was asking after you. Wanted to know where you were, and if you were here. I admit, I was a little taken aback to discover that the Enchanters’ Guild didn’t know about your supposedly official mission to Fernford.”

Obsidian’s scowl deepened. “They don’t know because it’s none of their business. I’m working for King Basil, not for them, and he’s the one who sent me. He wanted to be discreet.”

She searched his eyes, seeming satisfied. “All right. No need to eat me. I know it irks you, but it’s not really surprising that the guild wants to keep a finger in, is it? They’ve always wanted you to join. Now that you’re in the castle, working directly for the king, they’re only going to be more eager than ever.”

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