Page 18 of Kingdom of Spirits
She abruptly cut herself off, glancing at Ophelia and appearing to decide not to mention Marius. At least, that was Tahlia’s guess.
“I thought the only magic came from the crystals and the vaguely understood power stirring in the dragons’ blood and in yours,” Tahlia said.
Justus raised an eyebrow. “We used to work Unseelie magic here.”
“You did?”
“It was outlawed and for good reason,” Maiwenn said. “But you need to know these things. Our sacred days. The proper way to behave as a representative of our mountain. The dangers hiding in our history.”
She was mean-spirited, but Tahlia couldn’t fault her logic. Ignoring Ophelia’s insanely creepy stare, Tahlia addressed Maiwenn. “You’re right. I am trying.”
“Try harder.”
Tahlia glanced at Ophelia who was now looking at her own hand. A red scar, like something she’d received recently, marred her palm.
“Can I go now?” Tahlia asked, directing the question to whomever was really running this show.
Maiwenn gave Ophelia a frown, then faced Tahlia. “Yes, but don’t get comfortable. I might send for you.”
Justus glared, his gaze like a burn.
Fantastic. Tahlia would probably be in the bathing rooms when Maiwenn popped up again to torture her. Surely, theriders who weren’t thrilled with Tahlia’s presence would all get over it soon, right?
During Tahlia’slaundry time an hour later, alarm bells rang through the castle grounds.
Chapter 8
Tahlia
In Tahlia and Fara’s bedchamber, Fara threw down the tunic she’d been folding. “What is happening?”
“How would I know?” Tahlia asked, tossing a neat stack of socks onto the bed before rushing to the door. “I’ve been with you, dear friend. Or did you forget I was here in the excitement of our laundry party?” She squeezed out her damp hair with a square of linen as they hurried into the corridor.
Most knights had a servant in addition to a squire, but Tahlia didn’t have the funds. Payday hadn’t come up yet, as she’d only been a knight for a handful of days, so they had to do their own chores either before sunrise and training began, well after the dinner hour, or during the rare instance of free time.
Fara ran beside Tahlia, her dark lavender face flushed. “I thought maybe you would know something about the emergency through your dragon.”
They pounded down the stairs.
“Sadly, no,” Tahlia said.
“Maybe it’s only a drill. Just to see if we can exit the keep quickly and safely.”
“Sure. The order is usually all about keeping everyone safe and cozy.”
Fara let out a groan that was part whine as she grasped Tahlia’s arm. “Slow down. I’m not as fast as you.”
“You should be,” Tahlia said. “If you consider your blood versus mine.”
Fara narrowed her eyes and cocked her head. “Your training is already showing. Plus, I think bonding to a dragon makes you faster.”
“Huh. I had no idea.” That was fantastic.
The trumpets sounded again and Tahlia’s happy mood dropped away.
They hurried through the foyer, jostled by others doing the same. In the courtyard, all the other knights, squires, and castle staff had gathered. Heads were close together and the buzz of worried conversation was nearly as loud as the wind that buffeted the greenery growing along the walls.
Marius stood at the opening in the low wall, talking to two Healers—one of whom was Albus, the male who had saved Tahlia from the poison and who had discovered she was half-human. Tahlia tried not to resent the fact that Albus had reported her. It was his job, after all.