Thana pulled out of her memories and then out of her mind, hopingvery little time had passed. She couldn’t afford to be caught.
Lucia slumped as people often did after having their minds read.Thana shifted her in the chair so she wouldn’t fall out, then left the room.
“Well?” Earnhilt bellowed from where she waited just outside thedoor. She stuck a finger in Thana’s face. “You were checking to see if she’s apyradisté, weren’t you?” She tapped the side of her head. “I’ve got a brain,you know.”
“Sorry, Majesty. I didn’t want…” Thana looked to the bedroomdoor.
“Didn’t want her to scream the place down thinking you wereinsulting her with commoner’s blood?” She snorted. “If I had any spirits-cursedpower, you can bet I’d tell you.”
Thana nodded, and her mouth went dry. She still had to suggestit. She raised the pyramid. “If I may?”
Earnhilt’s face went still, dangerous.
Thana spoke as quickly as she could. “Just a quick moment, andit’s done. You won’t even lose consciousness…probably, since your mind isstronger than hers.” Yes, that would cover Lucia’s sleeping state nicely.“She’ll nap for a little while. But as for you, Gunnar will be here the wholetime. Majesty, please, you might not even know—”
“Oh, just do it if it’ll shut you up.” She crossed her arms andplanted her feet as if Thana was going to try to push her over.
Thana lifted her pyramid, fell into it easily, saw that it couldeasily swamp the queen’s mind, and fell out of the power. “You’re not.”
“Told you,” Earnhilt muttered. She glanced at Gunnar, who noddedas if telling her that Thana had done nothing else to her. Even the queendidn’t fully trust her pyradistés.
Thana didn’t know whether to laugh, yell, or weep. None would bewelcome. “I need to know if any other pyramids have malfunctioned.”
Gunnar smiled. “I’ll make some discreet inquiries. Any ass upswill be reported.”
With a snort, Earnhilt turned toward the bedroom. “I want areport tomorrow.”
“And the traps in the hall, Majesty?” Thana asked, envisioningthem going off.
“Better disable some of ’em. I can keep an eye on myself.” Thenshe was through the door, and Thana didn’t want to linger and listen to whatmight happen.
“We’re lucky there aren’t many,” Gunnar said as he followed herout.
Thana nodded. “I’m only going to do those closest to the roomsand leave those at the entrance to the royal quarters.” Installing trappyramids in the walls had been a project of her predecessor’s that had neverbeen completed. Thana tried not to feel too happy that she would have todismantle part of it now instead of finishing it. Making pyramids inert waseasier than creating them. She had a little while longer before her ineptnesswas known. And she planned to figure out what was happening before then. Maybesheer knowledge would save her this time.
And it would save Sylph as well.
Chapter Four
Trying to calm her pounding heart, Sylph stared at the note,reading, “Had minor emergency for a few days. First appointment tomorrow. T.”
Sylph was grateful it didn’t mention pyramids or teaching. Eventhough Thana clearly disapproved of Sylph wanting to subdue her power, shestill kept it secret. That boded well. She knew how to keep things to herselfwithout being told. But Sylph didn’t let her hopes rise too high. She’d thoughther former maid would keep her secrets, too.
When her current maid had delivered the note, she’d waited asSylph took it, probably expecting discussion or response. Sylph had waved heraway before she broke the wax. She’d known it was from Thana. Suitors sentgifts with their notes. Would-be friends used signet rings to seal their wax.Only Sylph’s raven would write such as simple note on plain paper with athumbmark as a seal.
Now, with shaky hands, she burned the letter. She had no doubther father would hear of the delivery. She already knew what she would say, acourtier had tried to get her attention with a simple missive, and she’d burnedit, the best such an attempt rated. It didn’t deserve to sit with the othernotes and gifts awaiting her father’s perusal.
And now that she knew her plans with Thana were moving forward,the room seemed much too small. She usually enjoyed hiding from court, but shecouldn’t stand the thought of waiting for an entire day, both dreading andanticipating her first session with Thana.
After a last check of her hair and clothing, she took to thehalls of the palace, losing herself in admiring the works of art, tapestries,and sculpture. Courtiers thronged the halls as they always did, but Sylph didher best to stay away from the gossiping gaggles and turned at even the hint ofvoices. She’d been to the palace at Marienne enough times to know it by heart.
One quick escape took her into an alcove, and she paused to waitfor some courtiers to pass, but they stopped as they met another group. Ahwell. She’d just have to study the tapestry hanging in the alcove’s center. Itdepicted some battle she couldn’t place. If history lessons didn’t involve herancestors, she never learned them. Still, she could admire the artistry andwonder about the weavers, how long they’d labored, the pride they must havefelt when their task was finished.
What did that feel like?
“The pyradisté?” one of the courtiers cried.
The others shushed him, but Sylph turned an ear toward theconversation and sidled closer to the alcove’s edge. Her anxiety peaked at the thoughtof them gossiping about her. But how would they know? Were they talking aboutThana, the one pyradisté they were certain to have heard of?
For some reason, that angered her.
“He killed the entire family,” another voice said. “He claimed helost control, but who knows with these peasants?”
Not her or
