The Right Side of History (Schooled In Magic Book 22), Christopher Nuttall [books to read romance TXT] 📗

She took a seat and waited, folding her hands on her lap as the door opened. Prince Hedrick stepped into the room - he’d lost the swagger, part of her mind noted - and bowed deeply to her. There was no hint of reluctance, no suggestion he thought he should be bowing to a king instead. And yet, as he straightened, he looked nervous. His eyes flickered from side to side, as if he expected assassins to teleport into the chamber and jump him. His magic felt barely leashed. Alassa hadn’t intended to offer refreshments, let alone alcohol, but she was tempted to do just that. Hedrick looked like someone who needed a drink.

He was handsome enough, she supposed. The unfinished cast to his features she recalled from his unsuccessful courtship was gone. His face suggested a strong character, his short blond hair suggesting a martial mindset. Or, perhaps, martial ambitions. Hedrick was old enough to have fought in the last battles of the war, but Emily hadn’t mentioned him in her letters. His father might not have let him go. Losing one prince would be bad. Losing both would be a disaster.

“Your Majesty.” Hedrick didn’t stumble over the words. “On behalf of my father and brother, I must plead for your help.”

Alassa’s eyes narrowed. She would have understood the younger generation rebelling against the elder. She would have understood Hedrick waging war on his father and older brother. But... asking for help on behalf of both of them? What had happened? And why was he so fearful?

“Your Majesty, I...” Hedrick swallowed and started again. “There has been an uprising in the streets. We have lost control of Jorlem City and many smaller cities. The rebels have my father and stepmother prisoner, along with my half-sisters and many others. I... I barely escaped with my life. The Crown Prince is assembling his troops to retake the cities, but... we need help.”

Alassa kept her face carefully blank. Zangaria was quite some distance from Alluvia. It would be tricky to assemble troops and dispatch them to the other kingdom, even if it wasn’t politically impossible. She knew there were factions within her government that would flatly refuse to send help, and others that would use it as an excuse to demand crackdowns at home... hell, just sending troops would cause problems with other kingdoms. The Necromantic War was over. Alassa was uncomfortably aware that the Allied Lands were starting to fracture, as old grudges came back to life. She didn’t regret the end of the war, but... she had to cope with the problems of victory.

“Zangaria is a long way from Alluvia,” she said, carefully. “Why do you require my help?”

Hedrick looked down. “The rebels claim to have been inspired by one of your noblewomen,” he said. “The rebellion is in her name.”

Alassa raised her eyebrows. “Emily.”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” Hedrick said. “They claim to have risen in her name.”

“Emily would not have set out to trigger a rebellion,” Alassa said, flatly. “She’s been... busy.”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” Hedrick repeated. “And yet the rebels claim to have risen in her name.”

Alassa wasn’t sure how seriously to take that. Hedrick was describing literally world-shaking events. Alassa should have heard something, beyond vague rumors, well before the younger prince arrived at her door. Alluvia was a long way away, but still... she sighed, inwardly. The tale had probably grown in the telling. Emily wouldn’t have set out to overthrow a kingdom, but...

“I will discuss the matter with my trusted advisors and then get back to you,” Alassa said, slowly. “I do not believe, however, that she is behind your rebellion.”

“They claim she inspired them,” Hedrick said. “Our councilors advised us to request that you bring her to heel.”

Alassa hid her amusement. Emily was, technically, a liegewoman. She was supposed to support her queen in all things. But Emily didn’t really accept the responsibilities - or half of the rights - of a liegewoman. She didn’t even understand them. Alassa knew Emily couldn’t be pressured into doing anything. King Randor had tried and the result had been an utter disaster. She could see how Hedrick, and his advisors, might think Alassa could control her...

Which means I might get the blame, if Emily is credited with starting the uprising, Alassa thought. Shit.

She stood, signaling that the interview was over. She’d have to discuss the matter with Jade - and then Emily herself. Emily’s last letter had said she was going to Laughter Academy... quite some distance from Alluvia. That was meaningless, of course. Emily could teleport. And she’d figured out how to craft an enchanted device that allowed anyone to teleport, too...

“Your Majesty!” Hedrick looked stunned. “I appeal to you...”

Alassa bit off a sharp response. Hedrick didn’t appeal to her, not really. Instead, she summoned Mouse and directed her to show Hedrick to the guestroom. The servants would take care of him - and, also, keep an eye on him. It would be useful to know just what sort of person he was, although... Alassa shook her head as he followed Mouse out the door. He’d just dropped a massive hot potato in her lap...

... And, for the first time in far too long, she was unsure how to handle it.

Chapter One

“LADY EMILY,” MASTER LUCKNOW SAID. His voice was very cold. He never took his eyes off Emily. “In the name of the White Council, and the Allied Lands, I am placing you under arrest.”

Emily stared at him, caught completely off-guard. She could sense powerful wards shimmering into existence, surrounding the inn. Wards designed to stop her from teleporting, wards designed to confuse her and conceal the enemy positions... her mind raced as she looked at Master Lucknow. There were four combat sorcerers facing her... four potential enemies and Jan. Her boyfriend hadn’t moved. He was caught between her and his master, unable to take sides without alienating one or both of them.

She