The Ring Keeper, page 16
“An excellent suggestion. I saw a pry bar near the door.” He retrieved it, and they moved to the back of the room, selected a crate, and pried off the lid.
Allia’s eyebrows lifted in surprise as she saw stacks of books inside. She’d assumed he had been making that part up. “Are they the ones you’re looking for?”
Together, they examined the spines.
“I don’t recognize any…”
Allia drew in a sharp breath, as some of them were familiar to her. “Grandfather…” she murmured. Her grandfather had shown a few of them to her.
He looked at her, his eyebrows raised. “You know them?”
“Some of these were my grandfather’s books. Zarekathus.”
His eyes widened in disbelief. “Your grandfather was the wizard?”
She nodded, running her fingers along the spines of the books.
“Did you know he was my father’s best friend?”
“I knew they were friends, of course, and I knew he spent a lot of time here, but… his best friend?” Allia shook her head. “I didn’t know that. I guess that explains why some of his belongings were left here.”
He pointed to her hand. “You said that ring was a gift. Did Zarekathus make it? Does it have magical properties?”
“He did, and I’m not sure of everything it can do. I’ve noticed that I am more aware of what others are feeling around me since he gave it to me. I’ve never seen any other sign, except that it won’t come off my hand, and it always seems to fit even though he gave it to me when I was twelve.”
His eyebrows raised in surprise. “You can’t take it off?”
“No.”
“I wonder why that is? It’s truly fascinating, as was all his work. I’m sure my father will want to meet you.”
Her stomach clenched. “But… he’s the emperor. There are much more important people who need his attention.”
“Even so, how could he not want to see the granddaughter of his best friend?” Callonen put his hand over hers on the books for a moment and then took it away. “Maybe you’d like to keep your grandfather’s books?”
“Your High—Cal, they’re books of magic. They’re dangerous.”
“Spell books?” Callonen began opening the surrounding boxes and looking through them.
Allia heard him give an exclamation of surprise and wonder. She turned to see him staring into a wooden box. He pulled out a finely crafted dagger in a sheath. Strange symbols were carved into the hilt. Callonen held it up. “This should not be here. It should be safely locked up.”
Moving to stand beside him, Allia looked closely. She thought the weapon had belonged to her grandfather years ago. Recognizing it, she brushed her fingers along the symbols on the hilt.
“Can you read them?” he asked.
Zarekathus had given her only the most basic explanation. “It’s not really a language exactly, but the symbols have meaning. This blade is meant to defend against dark magic.”
Callonen’s drew the blade, and it glowed a faintly green color. “Incredible,” he murmured. “My father doesn’t know what’s down here. These things must be moved somewhere secure. I’ll give this dagger to him at once.” He replaced the blade in its sheath and stuck it into his belt.
Allia peered behind a stack of crates and found a large box with a wooden frame and glass sides. Across the top was a metal grate. Something moved inside. Staring in horrified fascination, she crept nearer and reached out to touch the glass. As something inside struck the glass opposite her hand, she shrieked and pulled away. Looking inside again, she saw a grotesque, dark shape with a large, round body and too many legs.
Callonen was at her side at once. “Allia, are you hur—” He broke off, staring at the box. “What is that?”
No ordinary spider grew that large. It easily equaled the size of a dinner plate. What had they stumbled upon? How had it come to be here? Allia stared at its dark hairy legs, clustered eyes and fangs.
Confirming that the creature remained firmly caged, Callonen turned back to the other crates and rummaged through them. He took out a book and opened it. “Look at this. A spell that will cause someone to die of old age in one year? All you need is a lock of their hair, two drops of blood, three drops of spider venom, and four—”
“Stop!” Allia’s hand went to her mouth in shock. “Don’t say any more out loud.” She bent to look into the box and saw more spell books, strange objects, and pieces of bone and crystal. Some of the items she could identify, others she only remembered her grandfather describing to her. Things he would never use because they belonged firmly in the realm of dark magic.
She took a step back, her chest constricting.
Callonen placed a hand on her arm. “Are you all right?”
“I don’t know much about magic,” she said. “But enough to know that none of this is good. These things are used for spells that bind and control or kill. My grandfather never performed magic of that kind, but he told me a little about it. He kept many books and objects collected from other wizards so he could study them. But it’s been six years since he died. Who could have put these things here?”
“I will find out at once,” Callonen promised. “There would never be a good reason to perform magic such as this. Do the spells really work?”
Allia nodded. “I’m sure they do. There will be instructions in the book and necessary ingredients.”
“I can’t think of anyone who I would want to have die in one year.”
“I hope not.” Allia smiled at him.
He began replacing the lids. “Allia?”
“Yes?” She looked up into his eyes and felt her insides twitch. There was something about the way he said her name. It felt… special, intimate. Why couldn’t he be an ordinary man instead of the prince? They could have been friends without worrying about his rank… or hers.
“Please don’t tell anyone about this for now. I will speak to Mara and to my father. These things are dangerous. We need to find out who is responsible.”
“I won’t say anything.”
Out of the corner of her eye, Allia spotted motion. Her head whipped around in time to see something scuttle out of sight between the boxes. Callonen had seen it too. “Let’s get out of here.”
Allia dashed toward the door. But a dark brown spider blocked her path. It was at least as big as the one in the container, only this one roamed free. It raised its front legs, displaying black fangs, and skittered a few steps toward her.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Year of Warding 21, White City, Sarine
Allia
ALLIA STOOD FROZEN, her teeth clenched, while she stared at the spider. Callonen stepped in front of her. The spider came nearer, and he took a swing at it with the pry bar. It retreated out of reach. They paused, watching it warily. It rushed at them. Callonen waited until it nearly reached his boots, then struck it squarely with the metal bar. It twitched and struggled, but he kept it pinned to the floor until it finally stopped moving, and its knobby legs curled up under its body.
Allia clamped her jaws firmly shut to keep from screaming. Her eyes searched every corner of the room. Were there more? Callonen offered his hand, and she clutched it. They edged past the dead spider and ran for the door.
They slammed it behind them and stood leaning against it, breathing hard. “Thank you!”
“Are you all right?” he asked.
“No! I’m never going to be able to sleep again!” She shuddered and felt his hand grip hers reassuringly.
“I’ll send someone to… take care of this immediately. We will make sure it can’t escape, and that any others are destroyed. Please don’t say anything about it.”
He released her hand and walked with her back the way they had come.
“I hope to see you again soon.” He meant it sincerely. She could sense it.
“Me too, Cal.”
He smiled at her as they parted, with him heading toward the stairs while she returned to the kitchens—her mind churning with questions.
Callonen
CALLONEN KNOCKED on the door of his brother’s study.
“Enter.”
He opened the door to find his twin lounging in a chair, legs stretched out comfortably in front of him, feet on his desk. “Ah, it’s my elder brother. To what do I owe the pleasure? Come in. Sit down.”
Callonen crossed the room and took a chair across the desk from Haldreth. “Do I need a reason to spend time with my brother?”
Haldreth smiled. “Of course not. But lately, your visits seem to be occasions to point out my many failings.”
This conversation already wasn’t going well. Callonen felt his jaw clench. If his brother was already irritated with him, it would be best to be direct. “Have you been experimenting with magic?”
Haldreth’s eyebrows raised in surprise. “Magic is dangerous. Why would you think that? And if I had, Father would know about it.” Haldreth leaned back in the chair and laced his fingers together behind his head.
“I found the remains of a few of your… projects.”
“And why do you think they’re mine? We are in the Warding after all.”
“Are they?”
“You just can’t wait for it, can you?” Haldreth broke in.
“For what?”
“To own the Warding. For the day when you have your own magic, and you know everything about everyone. For someone who craves control like you do, that will be the best day of your life.” Haldreth put his feet down and leaned forward to look at his brother. “Isn’t that what you really want? When the Warding is yours, you’ll know everything I do without having to ask.”
Callonen refused to let his brother divert his attention. “Don’t you realize how dangerous magic is? If Father hasn’t prevented you, you should stop on your own. I’m concerned for your safety.”
“My safety?” Haldreth laughed. “Really? I thought you were just worried that I might wield a little power of my own someday.”
“It’s not worth it, Haldreth. Zarekathus knew a lot more than you do, and even with all his knowledge, another wizard killed him.”
Haldreth slammed his hands down on the arms of his chair and jumped to his feet. “You have no idea what I know!” He circled the desk to face his brother.
Callonen stood and studied the face so very like his own, except for the bitter expression, which he hoped he never wore. Why did his brother have to be so difficult?
Maybe Callonen was wrong in his assumption. It was true that, through the Warding, the emperor should be immediately aware of anything like this.
“You might not believe it, but I care what happens to you,” Callonen said. “You and Father are all the family I have. Please don’t work any more magic.”
“I’m touched by your concern,” Haldreth said, the words edged with sarcasm.
His stomach churning with irritation, Callonen turned toward the door. “Even if you don’t believe me, I really am concerned. I know you aren’t content here, but Sarine isn’t so bad,” he said, turning back to his brother.
“Father is a tyrant!” Haldreth protested. “And you are just like him. Don’t you think it’s wrong to live in a place where he knows everything you think and do? Don’t you ever want to be free of it?” He crossed the space between them and put his hand on Callonen’s shoulder.
Callonen answered honestly. “Sometimes I do. But Father is a good man, and he needs our help.”
Haldreth looked back at him and slowly nodded. “You’re right. I’m sorry, Cal.”
Callonen smiled. “You’re the only brother I have.”
Haldreth mirrored his smile, and Callonen felt a remnant of the bond between them that had been so strong when they were boys.
Allia
THE NEXT DAY, when Allia and Tess finished a morning of cleaning and got back to the kitchens, Mara handed them each a tray of food. “Take these to the private garden next to the north tower.”
Allia was grateful she hadn’t been sent alone. She didn’t know exactly which garden Mara meant, but Tess led them confidently. When they opened the door and entered the garden, they saw no one.
They walked farther in. Allia looked around, enchanted. Multitudes of beautiful plants surrounded them, and the scent of flowers filled the air. “This is amazing.”
They rounded a large tree and saw a young man sitting at a table under an arbor covered with flowering vines. When he glanced up, they recognized one of the princes. By the time they placed the trays on the table in front of him, Allia had come near enough to be sure it was Callonen.
“Thank you,” he said, leaving his chair to stand facing them. He wore a soft white shirt under a dark coat—a serious expression on his handsome face.
“Is there anything else you require, Your Highness?” Tess asked with a proper curtsy. Allia, distracted by looking at Callonen, belatedly imitated the gesture. Had he asked for the food specifically so he could see her? Or had it just been a coincidence?
“No, thank you. That will be all,” Callonen said.
They curtsied and turned toward the door.
“Allia, wait!”
She turned back.
“May I speak with you for a moment?”
She nodded, not sure what to say.
Tess squeezed her hand and murmured, “I’ll see you later.” She slipped out the door, and Allia found herself in the middle of the garden with the prince.
For a long moment, they stared at each other. His serious expression vanished into a smile that caused her insides to shiver.
“I thought you might want an… update after our adventure yesterday.”
“Did you find out who’s behind it all?”
“Not yet,” he admitted. “We checked every room and found no more spiders. I wanted you to know that we haven’t given up, and we’re still looking for answers. My father forbids dark magic in Sarine. If someone is practicing it, he should know through the Warding.”
“How does he not already know?” Allia asked curiously.
“I’m not sure,” Callonen said. “Maybe he will soon.” He gestured to the table and the two trays. “In the meantime, will you join me?”
“Join you?” He said it to her just as if she were an elegant lady. How should she answer? How could she refuse?
Hardly daring to breathe, she took the chair he held out for her, and he took the seat across from her.
She sat very straight on the edge of her seat. “Your Highness, I’m sure I’m not supposed to be sitting in your presence. Mara would throw me out if she knew!”
But Callonen only smiled. “She won’t. I asked her to send you here. And I told you yesterday to call me Cal. What makes you think that my company is any more valuable than yours? Maybe I shouldn’t be sitting in your presence, Lady Allia.”
She wanted to stay there forever, enjoying his smile. But she shook her head. “I’m not a lady. Despite who my grandfather was, I’m still an ordinary girl from a farm. You’re the prince. Everyone here must obey your commands.”
He met her eyes. “I wanted to see you again. You have complete permission to refuse if you don’t want to sit here with me. Please don’t interpret my humble request as a command. I only wanted to talk with you.”
She could sense how worried he felt about this, but he wanted to be with her. Callonen could have the company of anyone he wanted. No one would refuse him.
His attraction to her was obvious. And that couldn’t end well for her. A prince and a servant might have a few stolen moments, but that was all. Two people from such different stations never ended up together. But what harm could there be in talking to him?
“Will you dine with me?” he asked.
Allia couldn’t imagine the tray of food she’d carried was intended for her. But she didn’t want to refuse Callonen.
“Thank you very much… Cal,” she said.
His smile lit up his face. He removed the covers on the trays and set a beautiful plate of food before her. Meals in the palace kitchen were casual, and Allia felt out of place sitting with him in her plain gray dress. She took the snowy white napkin and placed it on her lap.
“So you’ve been here three weeks already,” he said, picking up a fork. “Do you like it?”
“Other than the spider!” And your brother’s anger. It wasn’t time to say that aloud.
“I didn’t realize I’d need a weapon to enter the storage room,” he said, grinning. “I never have before.”
Allia shuddered at the memory. “Me neither. But I’m very grateful I didn’t have to meet that thing alone.”
“If I hadn’t been there, you would have had Tess.”
Allia smiled. “She appreciates spiders even less than I do, if you can imagine. Have you ever seen anything like that?”
He shook his head. “Never! And I’ve lived here most of my life. My brother and I explored every inch of the palace together when we were younger.”
“Do you have any other family?”
He shook his head. “It’s just my father, brother and me. Our mother died when we were seven.”
“I’m so sorry.”
“It was difficult to lose her. I know my father still misses her, but he’s done a good job of raising us.”
“Was she ill?” Allia asked.
Callonen stared down at his plate for a moment. She saw the muscles of his jaw tense, as she sensed a deep well of old sorrow and pain that made her wish she hadn’t asked.
He lifted his eyes to meet hers. “We were attacked by the Shekkar.”
Allia drew in a shocked breath. “I… I’m so sorry.”
“Losing her was the reason my father went to search for the sword, Blackbane. Haldreth and I were very young. We’d just lost our mother, and when our father left, we were so afraid he’d never come back either. It was a difficult time.”
Allia laid her hand over his on top of the table. “It must have been. It’s never easy to lose loved ones. I understand how that feels.”
Callonen nodded. “Father came back with Blackbane and killed the Shekkar with the enchanted sword. Your grandfather helped him. Did he ever tell you the story?”
