Beneath the Ink

by Tannara Young

Table of Contents

Table of Contents
parts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

conclusion

When Lucas woke, he was back in his own bed. The curtains were drawn and the crystals lit. Mattias sat beside him, silently reading a book. It was the quietest Lucas had ever seen him. Lucas tried to speak and managed only a croak.

Mattias dropped his book and grabbed up a glass of water to help him drink.

“Are they gone?” asked Lucas.

“Yes, the demons!” said Mattias. “They searched everywhere and questioned all of Adrin’s friends, but they couldn’t turn up any evidence against him. That was yesterday. You’ve been asleep for ages. Everybody thinks that it’s Lord Balthius who started the rumors that Adrin was a rebel in order to force the forfeit of his estate. No one believes that Balthius was mentally distressed. We all know the truth.” He squeezed Lucas’s hand. “Are you alright?”

Lucas laid back on the pillow. “I have no idea,” he said. “I can’t even think.”

“They really bungled this one,” said Mattias. “I mean everyone knows Lord Balthius and his group are cronies of the emperor’s friends and family, but Adrin was known all over the city, and he even counted some of the Imperial family among his friends. I hear that Princess Iyassa herself has called for a review of the case.”

“Gods, I hope not,” mumbled Lucas, wondering if he could manage to lie through a truth spell again. It was only luck that they had not worded their questions very well.

“You should try to rest again,” Mattias said, frowning. “You look no better than a corpse yourself. Should I send for your sister to come and stay with you?”

Lucas’s eyes jerked open and he gave an involuntary gasp. “No!”

“Lie back,” urged Mattias. “Just rest. We can send word to her later, if you change your mind. I’m going to have Dallan call the doctor again. I don’t like how pale you look.”

* * *

As Mattias had predicted, it was a scandal of epic proportions. As Lucas dressed for the memorial service, he bitterly thought that in his death Adrin had managed to do more to sour the public’s opinion of the Padronelle than any work he had done for the rebellion. He pulled on his boots and considered his appearance. The stark black outfit made him look like a corpse as well.

So many people wanted to pay their respects that, after the service in the graveyard at St. Otheal’s Cathedral, Mattias had kindly arranged for a lavish reception in a nearby hotel. The day was cool and overcast and, after accepting condolences for as long as he could bear it, Lucas slipped out into the small, heavily manicured garden, desperate for a breath of fresh air.

He groaned a few moments later when the door opened. Then he stared. He was sure that figure who came through was the cloaked woman he had seen on the boat with Adrin, though he could not have said why. Her royal blue hood was deep but, this time, she wore no mask. Then she lifted her hood away, and he caught his breath. He managed to remember to go to one knee, for he knew who she was: the only scion of the imperial family who was universally adored.

“Princess Iyassa.”

She was almost inhumanly beautiful, with smooth, golden skin, dark hair and large brown eyes. Gold shimmered on her brow and at her throat.

“Lucas Atallis. I wanted to tell you how sorry I am for your loss.” Her voice was low and soothing.

Lucas thought, rather wildly, that if the Padronelle had sent her to question him, it would have all been over quickly.

“I wonder if I might speak to you for a moment.”

“I am at your command, your highness.”

“I hope so.” As she spoke, he felt a faint brush of power against his skin. Damn, was she going to question him after all?

She crossed to a wide stone bench and sat in a rustle of gold silk skirts. “Come sit with me.”

Lucas perched on the edge of the seat, wishing he had never come into the garden. What would she do if he suddenly rushed back inside?

“I was hoping you could help me,” she said. “But first, I have something for you.” She held out a letter on which the seal had already been broken.

Puzzled, Lucas opened it. It was from Adrin’s cousin, Marcus, a short missive, thanking the princess for her personal letter of condolence over the death of his kinsman. Lucas began to shake. Under the polite words lay another message that his fingers read as he brushed the paper. “Tell the twice-bereaved that the blind mage has found her way.”

Lucas made a small, choked-off sound before he could control himself.

“Ah,” said the princess, “you can read it without spells. Fascinating. Lucas, though it is my fault that your husband is dead, I am hoping you will take his place in my service. I am in desperate need of another to replace him.”

Lucas stared at her. Surely, she couldn’t mean...? An imperial princess was part of the rebellion. Do you know Adrin’s contact? The Padronelle’s question rang in his ears. No wonder Adrin had not hesitated to give his life rather than be questioned. He swallowed.

“Is my sister known to be dead then?” he asked.

“Officially, she died in an attack by bandits as she rode to Yverna. I think your friend Mattias has avoided giving you that particular message due to your current fragile state.”

“Unofficially?”

“For her safety, not even I know where she has been sent, but I suspect she has gone north, where the rebellion is strongest, and she will be protected from the Padronelle.”

Lucas took a shuddering breath. “I never got to make up with him.” The words burst out of him. “I was wrong, and I never got to tell him.”

She smiled. “You lied to save me. It was the best gift you could have given him. Lest you hear it from some other source, he and I were lovers years and years ago. But he loved you and married you despite his reservations about the danger of leading a double life. I can’t say I approved of his choice to do so at the time, but I am more than ready now to admit he was right. It may be unfair of me to ask you now if you will serve our cause. I will give you a few days to think it over.” She rose.

“No, wait,” Lucas said. “My answer is yes. Yes, I will.”

She smiled, both radiant and sad. “Then I owe you a debt that cannot be repaid,” she said. “We will speak again soon.”

“Your highness — if I may. The lady, Lady Yestara, she is innocent, and her husband...”

The princess’ smile froze and then grew a little fierce. “She was granted a divorce and, on my advice, has traveled to join the Sisters of the Moon in Souvin. I am sorry, Lucas, that I cannot do more to bring Lord Balthius to justice, but I dare not push too hard.”

Lucas swallowed. “I understand.”

She looked at him appraisingly. “Be careful, Lucas. Your face and actions tell me you are a man unaccustomed to lying. The double life you are choosing is difficult.”

Lucas raised his chin. “I will learn.”

“I have no doubt,” she said and left him in the cool garden with a soft rain beginning to fall.