Page 66 of Conspirators' Kingdom

“You’ll taste it, for one,” Bas replied.

Taisiya still jumped slightly at the sound of his voice, so crystal clear, as if he were speaking directly into both ears at once. She knew it was one of a shapeshifter’s magics, his mind speak. It took some getting used to.

She petted his furry head as he sat under her chair on the deck of their ship. He’d transformed into a grey tabby cat that morning, explaining that Mereruka had spelled the fae aboard the ship to forget him during the night. It was a spell that had taken him two full days to construct. Now, Bas could reprise his role as an undetected spy.

In the distance, Maat loomed, a hazy outline wavering above the sea. The breezes, while cool, had lost any real chill while the sun seemed to burn hotter and brighter by the hour. She was beginning to understand the rationality of wearing the gauzy fae fashions while simultaneously doubting the sanity of their hairstyles, as they almost universally wore their hair down. Sweat trickled down her back even now, with all her copper locks piled atop her head. She was going to be a veritable puddle by the time they disembarked.

“Bas is right, taste is a giveaway for raw fae magic. But only if the spell is being used on you. If it’s being used around you, or as a ward of some sort, I’m not certain you would know, unless you’re adept at sensing magic. Did you notice anything at the wedding?” Mereruka asked.

Taisiya shook her head. Even surrounded by fae magic, she’d not sensed it. The very idea of sensing magic was a strange concept. So far as she knew, no mage had that ability. It didn’t give her much confidence for protecting herself against magical mischief. Though at least that niggling worry that Mereruka had used magic on her was put to bed. It left her with other, more embarrassing, concerns, but she had bigger problems at present.

Bas hissed under her chair.

Speaking of mischief…

“Vasilisa,” Taisiya warned.

“It’s training.”

She could hear the childish glee in the darkness mage’s tone.

“It is not! Make her stop!” Bas whined.

Mereruka pinched the bridge of his nose.

“How old are you, Vasilisa?”

“Thirty-five,” she answered primly from the shadows.

“And when do mages reach adulthood?”

“Physically or culturally?”

“Vasilisa…” Taisiya groaned.

“Both,” Mereruka said.

“Twenty and thirty.”

“Then you’re old enough to stop acting like a child. Stop harassing Bas.”

“Why don’t you make me?” Vasilisa taunted.

Mereruka gathered a ball of harsh light in his hands, made copies of it and directed them to dance around the table and chairs, erasing and chasing shadows this way and that. Vasilisa swore and shrieked.

“I can keep this up all day,” Mereruka warned.

Taisiya doubted that. He’d all but fallen into his seat on the deck this morning, exhausted from casting the memory spell. Still, she kept her counsel. Vasilisa appeared out of the shadow of the mast some distance away and stalked up to their group.

“Fine,” Vasilisa sniped as she rolled her eyes. She thumped down in an empty chair and crossed her arms.

Bas crept out from under the chair and leapt into Mereruka’s lap. Pulling a small collar from the pocket of his open robe, Mereruka secured it around Bas’ neck.

“You actually put a collar on him?” Vasilisa snorted.

“It ensures he’s treated especially well, and it’s spelled with protective charms,” Mereruka explained. When he grinned, it was a touch savage. “I’ve made one for you as well.”

“Kinky,” Vasilisa deadpanned.

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