'So what happens when the queen has one of her Turns?' Valens asked, his leather case swinging between them as they walked.
'I don't know exactly,' Piro confessed. 'I only know she can't sleep and Seela's been giving her dreamless- sleep but it isn't working — '
'Because it's addictive and you need higher doses for the same effect,' he revealed. 'I'm sure I can mix up something more powerful.'
Piro nodded and opened the door, entering the room. Her mother sat at the writing desk. There was no sign of Springdawn. Piro sent the queen a searching look.
Her mother put her pen down and greeted them. 'Thank you, Pirola. Come in, Valens.'
'I explained how your Turns were getting worse, mother,' Piro said, gesturing to the manservant. 'And he thinks he can help.'
'Thank you, Piro.' Her mother did not miss a beat. 'Valens, I understand you use a special cream on Rolen to help his joints? Could I see it?'
'I do, but it won't help with your problem, Queen Myrella.' He put his leather case on the desk and opened the straps with a practised flick of his wrists. Before he could open the lid, the queen grabbed the case and shoved it under her desk.
Startled, he took a step back.
Springdawn came out from behind the tapestry that covered the servants' stair.
Piro darted out of the way, but did not leave. She did not want to miss this for anything.
'Valens of Ostron Isle, you have been accused of practising unauthorised Power-working on the king,' Springdawn announced with relish.
'Send for King Rolen,' Valens insisted. 'I have been nothing but a faithful servant — '
'Then you won't mind if I search your mind for untamed Affinity,' Springdawn countered.
Valens lifted his hands palm up. 'Do it, if you must.'
Springdawn stepped forwards.
Something was wrong here. Piro went to protest, but Springdawn, eager to make a name for herself, reached for Valens. The moment her fingers touched his temples he pressed his hands over hers.
She gasped.
Piro's nostrils stung and she tasted power on her tongue as her sight shifted to the Unseen. Valens pulsed with radiant Affinity. With each pulse, he drew off more of Springdawn's power, just as he had been drawing off her father's… only the king didn't have power. No, but his innate life force animated him and, recently, he had been only a shade of his former self.
The nun dropped to her knees. Valens bent over her. Piro sprang forwards.
'Don't touch,' her mother cried, the words echoing hollowly down the long tunnel of Piro's altered perception.
Piro grabbed a foot stool and slammed it down on Valens' shoulders. The timber joints squeaked in protest. The stool rebounded from her fingers, gone numb from the impact. But Valens did not fall. Instead Springdawn collapsed at his feet.
Valens released the nun and caught Piro's arm, swinging her around. Before she could react, he had her back pressed to his chest, a small dagger digging into her throat just under her right ear.
Piro clenched her fist and drove it into his ribs. She heard him grunt with pain, but his grip didn't slacken as he backed towards the door to the corridor.
His panting and her ragged breathing were the only sounds in the solarium.
Her mother stood absolutely still. 'Let Piro go. I won't call for the guards. Just let her go.'
But Piro knew he wouldn't. He'd touched her, tasted her Affinity. When she was no longer any use to him as a hostage he'd drain her too.
Piro felt him tense as he went to reach for the door. Then he made an odd strangled sound and hot fluid ran over her shoulder, down her arm. She stared at the bright red blood.
Valens released her.
Piro stepped away, turning around to see a gaping tear in his throat under his right ear. Even with one hand clasping the wound, blood pumped between his fingers.
Valens pitched forwards. Piro only just slipped out of the way in time.
Seela came in, shut the door and wiped her dainty little knife on his back, then crossed and pushed it into the coals of the brazier for a moment.
'Fire purifies evil Affinity, remember that, Piro.' This was said in the same tone her nurse had used to remind her to wear her woolen under garments.
Piro couldn't find her voice.
'Thank you, Seela,' her mother whispered.
'Power-workers always forget a knife is just as deadly to them,' Seela remarked. She withdrew the knife, tested the blade for heat, then tucked it into her belt sheath where it had always been kept, ready to peel fresh apples and pears for hungry children.
Piro blinked. The world contracted to a single, bright spot of light reflecting off the knife hilt. She felt the floor come up towards her.
When the mists cleared her hearing returned first.
'There, love,' Seela was saying. 'Just lift your shoulder.'
Her bodice peeled off down both arms and Piro opened her eyes to find she was lying on the day bed near the tiled warming stove.
'This is ready,' her mother said, bringing a bowl of steaming water to the low table.
Seela handed the bloodied bodice to the queen and dipped a cloth in the warm, scented water. She began to sponge Piro's arm and shoulder. 'There, you don't want his nasty blood on you. You're lucky it didn't go through to your chemise.'
Piro bit back the urge to giggle, then struggled to sit up. Valens still lay in a puddle of blood on the floor and… 'Springdawn?'
'Dead. She underestimated him.' The queen held up Piro's bodice. 'Do you think we can save this, Seela?'
'Burn it,' the old nurse advised. 'Burn anything touched by his blood.'
'Of course. What was I thinking?'
'You've had a shock, dear. Send for Autumnwind. He'll have to settle the Affinity released by their deaths and ensure their bodies are properly disposed of.'
'Springdawn's death will have to be reported to the abbess,' the queen said, as she tossed Piro's bodice into the brazier and stirred it until the material caught. 'As for Valens, I don't — '
'Now we can banish Cobalt.' Piro made the connection.
'We can't confront him.' Seela put aside the wet cloth and dried Piro's shoulder. 'He's grown too powerful. Your father has named him Protector of the Castle.'
'But Valens was Cobalt's servant.'
'Cobalt will say he did not know,' the queen pointed out. 'He'll be horrified and terribly sorry.'
Her mother was right, Piro could just imagine Cobalt's reaction. 'But Valens is dead. How do we explain that?'
'I'll remove his belongings. We can say he ran away, back to Ostron Isle because he feared the Merofynians.' Seela winked at Piro. 'You know what cowards, Ostronites are. They never fight, not if they can wheedle their way out of trouble.'
'Cobalt will suspect, but what can he do?' The queen took off her woolen over-wrap and passed it to Piro. 'You'll have to run down to your chamber and put on another bodice.'
Piro tied the wrap. It smelt of her mother's favourite perfume and made her feel warm to the core. She came to her feet. 'Very well. Is there anything I can do to help?'
Seela and her mother exchanged looks.
'Wait down by the stables,' Seela said. 'Rolen still trusts you. If he comes back too soon, distract him until we can get rid of Valens.'
Piro nodded. She didn't ask what they were going to do with the renegade's remains. He would have to be
