Page 119 of A Kingdom Restored

“Truly?” Laura cried.

The king nodded gravely. “The restrictions did not serve their purpose as intended. They are no longer necessary. Naturally,” his tone was dignified, “that does not affect the requirement that all magic be registered, for the benefit and protection of everyone.” He glanced down at Germain. “The appropriate records will be updated to reflect your son’s remarkable gift.”

“Hm.” Laura’s lips were pressed in a thin line, but the duke cleared his throat meaningfully, and after a glance at her father, Laura stepped back, Germain in her arms. Heath reached out to touch her arm gently. It was progress—huge progress—and everyone was going to have to give a little if they were going to keep moving forward.

With a sigh, she nodded, letting it go for the moment.

“I had not intended to raise the matter of the Winter Solstice Festival today,” King Matlock said, his eyes on the duke. “But since you are present, Norik, perhaps this is as good an opportunity as any.”

Heath’s father nodded, and the king’s attention moved to Heath. “A great deal has passed between us, Lord Heath. Although I will never approve of your decision to take the prisoner’s fate into your own hands, I have certainly not forgotten your actions in saving my life from that same enemy’s attack. And I accept the testimony of the dragons that the capacity of your magic exceeds that of any others in your own generation or the generation above you.”

Heath waited, with no idea whatsoever where the speech was going.

“Your ability to see hidden things, both literally and more subtly, has particular promise,” the king went on. “Your father and I have discussed it, and I would like to make another announcement at the Winter Solstice Festival, if you are willing. I think it is time for you to join the tradition of service established by your father, and by Lord Leo.”

Heath frowned at this mention of his uncle, who, thanks to his ability to detect danger, had overseen the king’s royal guard for as long as Heath had been alive. It was similar to the way in which Heath’s father used his magic for the kingdom, certainly, but Heath wasn’t sure what that had to do with him.

“Tradition of service?” he repeated, looking between his father and the king in confusion. “What announcement do you mean?”

“I would like you to train to take over your father’s position in my court,” King Matlock said. “Not as Duke of Bexley, of course,” he clarified. “I’m not suggesting you become your father’s heir. Merely that you take on his advisory role when the time is right.”

“But…” Heath struggled for words, stunned. He looked at his father. “I can’t do what you can do.”

“On the contrary,” his father said calmly. “You have already surpassed me, and you are only beginning to exercise your magic. I would fully support you taking on such a role.” His eyes bored into Heath’s. “But only if that’s what you want.”

What he wanted. Heath opened his mouth, then closed it again.

“Take some time to think about it,” said the king. “You needn’t give an answer right away. If the festival is too soon, we can make the decision at a later time.”

Heath nodded gratefully, eager to be away from the royals and with his own thoughts. He hurried from the room, Laura and his father close behind him.

“What do you think, Heath?” Laura asked. She screwed her face up a little as she tested him with her magic. “You don’t exactly feel excited. Do you want the role?”

Heath gave a helpless shrug, too thrown by the unexpected offer to immediately know what he thought. His father’s position in the court was an incredibly influential one, far above the liaison role Heath had so reluctantly filled.

“I believe you’d do a good job of helping us all work through the tensions we’ve endured,” the duke said. A frown creased his forehead. “But only if you wanted the role.”

Heath said nothing, his thoughts still too jumbled.

The king’s offer played constantly on his mind in the week that followed. When the day of the Winter Solstice Festival arrived, his thoughts were still in a mess. He’d given the king no answer, so could only assume the matter wasn’t to be formally raised. Part of him didn’t know why he was hesitating—wasn’t it the best way for him to serve both his kingdom and his family? Wasn’t it as good an opportunity as he’d ever receive to use his magic well, and to good purpose?

Merletta had been offered a new purpose, a new way to effect the change she so desperately wanted to see in her world. Shouldn’t he be glad to receive the same chance?

His mind was so full of the dilemma, he struggled to share the excitement of everyone around him when the dragons showed up as promised. It was good, of course, that they were once again willing to publicly claim friendship with Valoria. Heath smiled in response to Reka’s silent greeting, glad to see his friend. Friendship between humans and dragons was what he wanted, after all. Everything was back as it should be.

What he wanted…his father’s words rang through his mind.Only if that’s what you want, he’d said.You’d do a good job…but only if you wanted the role.

Some realization danced on the edge of Heath’s awareness, not quite bursting into full view. Elddreki was lighting the Flame of Friendship this year, Rekavidur watching with the other dragons. Heath saw it all in a detached way, his mind not really on the scene before him.

Suddenly, his ever-present awareness of Merletta took central place, and he realized with a start that she was leaving the triple kingdoms. She was already outside the barrier, a sizable group accompanying her as she started on the familiar journey to Vazula.

Quite suddenly, everything fell together in Heath’s mind, and he let out an amazed laugh that caused his neighbors to glance curiously at him. He’d been struggling to even know what he wanted, because that hadn’t truly been the question he’d been asking himself.

He’d asked every other question—what was best, what was responsible, what waspossible?

But none of those were the question he was supposed to be answering. Andthatquestion was the easiest one in the world.

What did he want? The same thing he’d wanted for years. Since the moment those dark eyes had claimed him, never to let him go.

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