Page 21 of A Court of Truth and Thorns
“Have you any notion of how I might go aboutabsorbingmagic, short of stim crystals?”
“No. But no need to get ahead of ourselves.” Rune straightens his tunic. “I would like you to start training the way a novice whisperer would. Do the basic exercises, attempt to tune the magic that is within you. Perhaps the translation of skills will only be partial, but anything that might prevent an uncontrolled instinctual outburst is beneficial.”
A bloody royal decree. I want to shove Rune on his princely arse. I wonder whether training with Prince Rune will be as delightful as working with the captain of the Dansil Royal Guard, Trace. Regardless, it appears our relationship has come full circle and we are back at meeting for the first time. “All right,” I say finally. “Your schedule is the busier one. When would you like to start?”
“Work with Alexa,” Rune says, turning to leave. “It is unlikely that you will master the basics so quickly as to require my intervention before a more advanced tutor is located.”
14
KALI
“What can possibly be taking so long?” Wil demands, throwing down his cards. “It’s been a week, and every day Bahir holds the throne makes the bastard more entrenched. You’d think His Majesty King Owain might condescend to see either us or his long-dead son before now.”
“I cannot say,” says Calvin from his now-usual place on the sturdiest of the chairs. “But perhaps Master Luca might spend the time in a more productive activity than teaching you how to cheat at cards, Your Highness.”
Luca looks up. “I already tried dice and Wil is terrible. Cards are better.”
“I do believe you missed the salient point,” Calvin says dryly.
“The salient point is that we are trapped here.” I set aside the light crystal Alexa is attempting to teach me to tune. So far, I’ve only managed to wrap my hand in darkness, the shadows creeping up to my elbow. “At least when we were in the forest, it felt like we were making progress.” I scowl at the crystalRune located for me to practice on. He should have saved himself the trouble and brought me a rock instead. I’ve tried every exercise Alexa can think of, and still, the only thing I can make the light crystal do is hit Luca between the eyes at three paces.
Luca squints at my shadowed hand. “That’s a neat trick, for dice especially. Is it difficult?”
I sever the flow of magic and my hand returns into view. “Unfortunately, yes.” I sigh. “And until I discover a way to absorb additional magic, once my reserves are gone, they’re gone. I wish I knew how Bahir does it.”
“What else can you do so far?” asks Luca.
“Nothing,” I groan. “I think absorbing light to create darkness is instinctual for me, but who knows what will happen if I replenish the magic from another breed of crystal.IfI’m ever able to.”
The tent flap opens, inviting in light, silence, and Rune. His silver-blond hair is brushed and tied back with a leather thong, leaving his square jaw exposed. He is dressed in full Everett uniform now: black pants, green jacket with golden buttons, a braid of gold ribbon encircling his shoulder. It looks good on him. Stars, everything looks good on him.
“Jasmine’s fever broke,” Rune says by way of greeting. “She should make a full recovery.”
Alexa squeals, covering her mouth with her hands when Rune smiles at her. The smile fades as he turns to me and holds out a bundle. “It’s for you.”
I take the parcel tentatively, unwrapping the cloth to find an embroidered blue dress inside. The top is tight fitting but soft, with small gems sewn around the low neckline, while the skirt flares gently at the waist, whispering with the promise of easy movement and even riding. A pair of blue sapphire earrings, a matching necklace, and silver slippers complete thepackage. “It’s... beautiful.” I can’t help the words. The truth. It is beautiful. Not fancy like the evening gowns Lady Lianna wore, but more of an everyday elegance designed to bring out the prettiest version of its wearer. My fingers brush the fabric as I look into Rune’s face and catch a small blush rising beneath the skin. “Where did you find this?”
He shifts his weight. “There are some women in camp. Officers’ wives... some others. I had one of the lieutenants ask around.”
“And to what do I owe the pleasure?” I ask, my breath stilling.
Rune’s eyes meet mine, so intense that my chest heats. Rune opens his mouth, but no words come and he closes it again. Shakes himself. “It is customary for women in Everett to dress like women,” he says gruffly. “Your only clothes are of a guardsman trainee. This attire will be more appropriate.”
A chill settles over us, and I gather up the garment. “Is there anyone specific we will be trying to avoid offending?” I ask, putting the dress into my bedroll. “Since I’m confined to the tent, it seems superfluous to actually change clothes. You can just tell the guards you saw me wearing whatever you think proper, and we’ll leave it at that.”
Rune tugs down on his uniform jacket, pulling his shoulders back as he surveys the room. I wonder what it’s like to become a prince after years as a guard, whether he shifted into the role as smoothly as I turned into Lady Lianna, or whether each motion, each measured word, came at its own price.
Our eyes meet again, and in the split heartbeat before Rune catches himself, I have my answer.
He clears his throat. “We will be leaving tomorrow for River Manor.”
“Is that what you call the palace?” Luca asks.
“No. River Manor is a family estate a few days’ ride from the capital. My parents will meet us there.”
“Hmm.” Calvin makes a thoughtful sound in the back of his throat but asks nothing.
Rune draws a breath, raising his chin. “The men will travel by horseback and the ladies will ride in the wagon. Master Calvin, you may wish to ride in the wagon as well.” Rune turns to me. “I apologize, Kalianna. The arrangement has no flexibility.”
