Page 128 of The Unlikely Heir
I furrow my head. “Ravens?”
“Oh, don’t you know? There are resident ravens at the Tower because of the famous legend that if the ravens leave the Tower of London, the Tower will fall, and the kingdom with it.”
Nicholas arches an eyebrow at me. “So it’s definitely in your best interests to ensure they’re safe.”
“I think it’s in all our best interests,” I say.
We descend the stairs of the Tower housing the crown jewels. At the bottom, the Ravenmaster bustles over, dressed in a black suit with red trimmings and a hat.
“Your Majesty, a pleasure to see you as always,” he says, bowing. Then he bows to Nicholas, Amelia, and me.
“I was just telling Prince Callum about the legend behind the ravens in the Tower,” Gran says.
He turns to me, his beefy face lighting up with a smile. “It’s believed Charles II was the monarch who was warned of the dire consequences of ravens leaving the Tower. Since then, ravens have always been in residence.
“We currently have seven resident birds in the Tower. Here’s John now.”
A large, glossy black raven waddles over to us, head held high with regal confidence.
John tilts his head, eyeing me with a mix of curiosity and judgment.
"We’re having to warn visitors about John as he’s developed a fondness for shiny trinkets.”
I think of the crown jewel display we’ve just looked at.
“Just like some of our ancestors,” I say.
We watch John as he flies up to the tree above us.
“Did you know a flock of ravens is called an unkindness or a conspiracy?” the Ravenmaster asks.
“Really? A conspiracy? That seems very fitting for a flock of ravens in the Tower of London,” I say, looking up at John, who perches on a branch directly above me.
Unfortunately, he takes that moment to demonstrate that his digestive system works impeccably.
I don’t move fast enough, so my shoulder receives a direct hit.
Nicholas can’t hide his smirk and even Amelia appears to be covering up a smile while the Ravenmaster stammers his apologies. He quickly retreats to find me a cloth to clean up.
“I’ve told you before,” Gran says to me in a low voice. “Never trust birds.”
* * *
There are dark shadows under Oliver’s eyes when he calls me that night.
“You look tired,” I say.
“It’s been a long day,” Oliver replies.
A day that began with us together in my bed but has ended with me in Buckingham Palace and him at 10 Downing Street. Like usual.
“Is everything okay at the embassy?” I ask.
The news broke mid-morning that our embassy in Nigeria had been attacked and a counterstrike was launched to save the hostages. It was fairly obvious that was the emergency Oliver had to leave me for this morning.
The only good thing about it was it nudged my date with Rose off the front page.
It was another reminder of the stark contrast between our jobs.
