It was weeks before Heath found the opportunity to follow up on his idea. It soon became clear that Percival’s inflammatory words in the market had been reported back to the castle, because the power-wielders of Heath’s generation were all called to a meeting with the Chief Counselor.
The incident wasn’t specifically mentioned, but Heath could almost see the thought of it simmering underneath Lord Niel’s furious expression. Heath could only wonder at the tactlessness which led the king to delegate the task of meeting with the power-wielders to the Chief Counselor, who was one of the most outspoken critics of their family and was universally unpopular among the group.
There was no real substance to the meeting. It seemed to basically be an opportunity to remind them all of the rules—as if anyone was likely to forget them—and to warn them to stay in line. Percival, of course, was openly furious. Heath noted that Brody and Bianca were making little effort to hide their anger, and even the more timid of his cousins showed signs of defiance in the tilt of their chins.
If there remained any desire on the king’s part to bring the two groups together amicably, he was definitely going about it the wrong way.
The result of it all was that Heath, along with the rest of them, found himself watched much more closely in the weeks that followed. Consequently, it wasn’t easy for him to slip away and meet Reka. His training had to wait, and although he could have communicated with his draconic friend via farsight, he thought it best to save his questions until they could discuss them in person as well. It wasn’t as though he had any great expectation that his inquiries would yield anything substantial enough to make them urgent.
For the first week or so, he thought he would be driven mad by being stuck in their city manor with an irate Percival. Percival showed no hint of remorse for his comments, even when the duke roundly took him to task for making light of treasonous talk in the marketplace. Percival held to the view that the king was at fault, and refused to acknowledge any responsibility for the increased surveillance on his brother and all his cousins.
Fortunately, before either brother could murder the other, a distraction occurred in a very unexpected form. The family was sitting down to a somewhat dreary dinner when there was a bustle in the small courtyard out the front of the manor, and a servant appeared in the doorway looking flustered.
“Lord Edmund and Lady Laura are here,” he said.
“What?” The duchess stood, looking astonished. “Surely not.”
But the entrance into the dining hall of a familiar, if very flushed, face soon dispelled any doubt.
“Laura, what in the kingdom were you thinking?” Heath’s mother demanded, hastening to help her daughter into a chair.
“Not quite the reception I hoped for,” Laura said, her voice cheerful in spite of her evident weariness.
“You know we’re always glad to see you,” said the duchess. “But you shouldn’t be traveling about the kingdom when you’re mere weeks from delivery!”
“I tried to tell her.” The long-suffering voice drew everyone’s attention to the doorway, and Heath rose with the others to greet his brother-in-law.
“I got your letter, Mother,” said Laura firmly, ignoring her husband’s words. “And exceptions for my condition be hanged. If all the power-wielders of my generation are to be caged here like criminals—when we all know no one but Percival’s done anything reprehensible—then I’ll be caged here with them.”
“Oi!” Percival’s outrage was predictable, as was Laura’s response.
“You know I love you, little brother,” she said soothingly.
Heath could feel the gentle touch of her power as she sent a wave of cheer over the whole room. He felt suddenly more optimistic about life, and he leaned into the feeling, not caring in the least that it wasn’t a natural response to the situation. Dragon’s flame, he’d missed having his sister around!
“I love you, too, Laura,” said Percival gruffly, still not quite ready to let go of his offense. “But that doesn’t mean you can say anything you like and not be called up on it.”
“Of course I can,” Laura assured him pleasantly. “In addition to being your only sister, I’ve just had a grueling journey, and I’m heavily pregnant with the most enormous baby in Valoria’s history. I can say whatever I like, and I’m sure no one will dare to criticize me.”
“But I haven’t done anything reprehensible!” Percival protested, ignoring her jokes. “I’m the one who was almost killed.”
“Well, I’m very glad you weren’t,” Laura reassured him, positively coating him with her magic. “It’s a very good thing Heath reached you in time. I’m sure you’ve been exhaustive in thanking him for racing to your rescue, but I’ll take the opportunity to thank you as well, Heath, for not letting our brother die.”
Heath shook his head slightly at her, amused by her audacity. If he’d dared to draw attention to Percival’s utter lack of gratitude for Heath’s intervention, Percival would have sulked for days, but he actually looked a little chastened at Laura’s light words.
“It alarms me how well you’ve learned to weaponize your magic,” muttered the duke, as he leaned down to kiss his daughter on the forehead.
She grinned up at him. “You use yours for the good of the kingdom, Father. Why shouldn’t I?”
Heath chuckled, and she sent him the ghost of a wink.
But the duchess wasn’t interested in these distractions.
“Stars above, Laura, if I thought it would bring you racing across the kingdom like this, I never would have written to you about the latest tension.”
“Don’t worry, Mother, I’m fine,” Laura said, her smile more genuine. “And I still have several weeks before the physician expects the birth. Time enough to get home again, if all goes well.”
She made no attempt to use her magic on their mother, which made Heath think she really was telling the truth about being all right.