The boy pouted but complied. When his figure was a mere dot at the far end of the street, I went back inside and opened my envelope. It was a note from Queen Cordelia, summoning me to the palace.
Lana descended from the stairs just as I read the letter twice over.
“Well,” she said, tucking her hands behind her back. “I suppose investing in a horse and cart isn’t a bad idea after all.”
36
After bidding Lana goodbye and telling Papa about my royal summons, I hopped onto a chaise to the palace, wondering what the queen could want with me. We hadn’t been in contact for months, not since my hearing. Had something gone wrong with her recovery?
Queen Cordelia sat across her great mahogany desk when I entered her study. The light streaming in through the stained glass gave her a blue-green halo, a welcome contrast to the sickly scarlet I had gotten used to. Her expression was serene, but there was a sparkle in her eye.
“Your Majesty,” I said, curtsying. “You wanted to see me?”
“I did. You’ve come just in time for tea,” the queen said, pushing forward a plate of biscuits as I sat.
I thanked her and took a biscuit. She looked well enough. It couldn’t possibly be the antidote, could it?
Queen Cordelia smiled. “You’re doing well, I hope?”
“I hope you’re doing well too, Your Majesty,” I said quickly.
She laughed. “Rest easy, I’ve never been better. I wanted to propose an opportunity.”
“Opportunity, Your Majesty?” I asked. I recalled the offer of marriage to the crown prince. Last time I asked, Ash said his brother decided to postpone his matrimonial affairs for another few years after the trauma of the masquerade.
Queen Cordelia nodded. “But before I talk about that, I must ask you a question,” she said. “How do you feel about my son?”
My mouth gaped open before I could stop myself. A few biscuit crumbs tumbled out. I brushed them away, flustered. “I hardly know the crown prince, Your Majesty, and frankly it seems a bit silly to marry him to me, of all people—”
“Not Bennett, Amarante,” Queen Cordelia said, laughing. “I meant Ash.”
“Oh,” I said. I closed my mouth, lest I spewed crumbs at her face.
The last few months, despite being busy, had given me more time to think. The royals have been working nonstop on policies to restore witchkind to Olderea. It ate up quite a bit of time, especially for Ash who was by far the most eager. He and I hadn’t been able to see each other quite as frequently, but whenever we did, he was more attentive than usual. I didn’t miss the looks he gave me, or the friendly hugs that lasted a touch longer than proper.
“I...don’t know, Your Majesty,” I said honestly. I had been avoiding the topic. It made me far too nervous for my liking. What could the queen mean by bringing it up?
“He fancies you,” Queen Cordelia said, shocking me with her frankness. “I’m merely curious if you feel the same, but it seems I’ve made you uncomfortable.”
I merely blushed.
“I’m asking because of the opportunity I mentioned,” she continued. “If you accept it you won’t see him for a long time.”
My curiosity peaked. “What is the opportunity, Your Majesty?”
“As you know, Captain Greenwood is grateful for what you’ve done for him and insists on rewarding you.”
“I thank him, but my Papa and I have refused,” I murmured. After Narcissa returned to his care, he had begged to send me a reward. Neither Papa nor I thought it was proper. I still had the five pounds of gold that went unused, which he refused to take back.
A corner of Queen Cordelia’s lip twitched ever so slightly. “So he said. But I’ve decided to take a trip to Aquatia next month to reunite with my sister Nerissa, and my nephews, Noah and Gabriel. They’re about your age now,” she said, a wistful look in her eye. “Plus, it’d be a wonderful opportunity to see how magic is incorporated into their kingdom. Olderea could learn a lot. I wish to have a traveling companion. Captain Greenwood is more than happy to fund your trip if you join me.”
“Me?” I said, appalled.
The queen nodded.
“But why not His Majesty, or the crown prince, or Ash?”
“Alas, they’re busy with the kingdom. I trust they can hold Olderea together for a year while I visit my family.”
I let the information wash over me. The last time I had traveled outside of the kingdom was with Papa as a child. He would tell me stories of how I assisted him in selling his wares and charmed merchants with my laughter. This time, I’d be with Aquatian royalty, experiencing a kingdom full of magic. No doubt it’d be exciting. But far away. Very far.
“My Papa just came home,” I said slowly. “My sister is engaged to be married. And my aunt is setting up her shop.”
Queen Cordelia nodded. “Understandable,” she said. “It can be daunting, leaving everything and everyone you know. Sometimes a call to adventure isn’t quite enough to convince someone to leave home.”
I polished off my biscuit and thought about what Lana had said about Aquatia. Clearly, it was a world of knowledge when it came to magic. There was no saying what there was to learn. The longing in her eye was enough for me to understand that she wanted to go. I shifted in my seat. Wherever Lana went, I went. At least it had been that way for the past few months. I was her apprentice after all.
“Do you think I could bring my aunt?” I asked.
“Of course,” Queen Cordelia said, smiling. “Is this a yes?”
A tingle of excitement shot through my spine when I thought about exploring what Aquatia had to offer with Lana. Of course, I had to tell everyone first. And one person in particular.
“I’ll have to think about it,” I said, smoothing the nonexistent
