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

Emily rubbed her forehead as she turned and looked over the city. She could see the flickering light of a fire, far too close to the walls for comfort. A homeless encampment? Or a burning house? The mob was still looking for royalists. If she was any judge, a bunch of people had already reported their neighbors in hopes of ensuring their neighbors wouldn’t have time to report them. The mob wouldn’t give a damn about guilt or innocence. It just wanted someone to kill.

She opened the hatch, then froze as she saw an explosion in the distance, followed by a peal of thunder. She cursed under her breath as the fireball rose into the air. It would be clearly visible all over the city. The terrorists - whoever they were - were still out there. And it was just a matter of time until they struck again.

Lady Barb met her as she dropped through the hatch and returned to the kitchen. “Any luck?”

“No,” Emily said, sourly. She heard another explosion in the distance and winced. “I think I made a mistake.”

Chapter Twenty-Five

“THERE WERE TWO BOMBINGS LAST NIGHT,” Aiden said. She’d arrived shortly after noon and hinted, none too subtly, that she wanted to be invited in. “Both of them targeted guard patrols.”

Emily made a face. She hadn’t slept well. She’d had to meditate for hours, just to keep Jair’s memories from overwhelming her. He had a powerful presence, she had to admit, although he was nowhere near as charismatic as Althorn. It was no wonder, she told herself again and again, that he was so bitter. To be treated like that...

She dragged her attention back to Aiden. “What happened?”

“Oh, the guards searched for the bombers, but found nothing,” Aiden said. “A handful of suspects were taken and imprisoned, yet... there’s no proof of anything. There were a few other attacks as well, all minor. The streets are no longer safe.”

“That’s what happens when you destroy the rule of law,” Prince Hedrick said. He sat at the table, eying his lunch as if it were a poisonous snake. “The streets are no longer safe.”

“They weren’t safe beforehand,” Aiden snapped. “Your guardsmen were happy to ignore crime as long as it didn’t impinge upon you.”

Emily held up a hand. “What are things like on the streets?”

“Right now?” Aiden shook her head. “People are staying indoors, unless they absolutely have to be outside. The guards are searching everyone who tries to enter the marketplaces or shopping streets, just to make sure they’re not carrying bombs. And rumors are spreading like the royal pox. They’re saying you were actually killed in the bombing and that we have to avenge you.”

“Ouch,” Emily commented. She briefly considered making a speech, but she was all too aware no one who’d not already met her would believe she was the Emily. They’d expect someone who lived up to the paintings and they’d find the real person disappointing. She’d never realized that could become a problem until it was far too late. “Can’t the council do something?”

Aiden shrugged. “Right now, there are too many other crazy rumors flying around,” she said. “I doubt any of them can be put to bed anytime soon.”

“That’s what happens when you let everyone talk,” Hedrick said. He sneered. “You get people talking nonsense because no one slaps them down.”

“There are people who allege you were having sex with your stepmother,” Aiden said, sardonically. “And they were doing that before the revolution...”

Hedrick rose, half-drawing his sword. “How dare you?”

“Sit down,” Emily said, sharply. Hedrick would have no trouble gutting Aiden, if Emily didn’t step in. Whatever his flaws, he was a practiced swordsman. “We can’t afford another diplomatic incident!”

Hedrick glowered at her, then sat. Silent placed a mug of bark tea in front of him, then refilled Emily and Aiden’s cups. Emily was almost relieved, even though she knew Aiden’s remark was going to fester. Hedrick would never be able to disprove the rumors, no matter what he did. Too many people wanted to believe the story or say they did, just so they could hold it up as an example of royal depravity. It was going to linger until everyone involved was safely dead.

Aiden sipped her tea, then leaned forward. “Can I ask a question?”

“Of course,” Emily said. She remembered what Void would say and smiled. “I don’t promise to answer.”

“I know.” Aiden met her eyes. “Do you” - she hesitated, as if she wasn’t quite sure what she wanted to say - “do you believe your mission is likely to succeed?”

Hedrick snorted. Emily wasn’t sure how to answer. The first part of her mission had failed, unless something changed radically. There was little hope of convincing the royalists and the rebels to come to an agreement both sides could accept. The second part... she grimaced. She was going to have to check out the remainder of the council, as well as their aides, to see if they were under outside influence. And if they weren’t...

“It hasn’t failed,” she said. “Not yet.”

“Not yet,” Aiden echoed. She hesitated, again. “Can I trust you?”

“... Maybe,” Emily said. She wasn’t sure how to answer that either. “I... anything you tell me in confidence will stay in confidence.”

Aiden didn’t look convinced. She glanced at Hedrick, then scowled. “Do you not have duties to the White Council?”

“I have to try to carry out my mission,” Emily said. Void had said she’d been set up to fail. Emily had a nasty feeling he was right. Master Lucknow might have calculated there was no hope of convincing both sides to come to terms and... she put the thought out of her mind. She didn’t have time to worry about it. “I’m not obliged to tell them everything.”

“I see.” Aiden played with her hands, twisting them over and over. “Emily... there’s a meeting this evening. I think you should attend.”

Emily blinked. “A meeting? Between whom?”

Aiden, very visibly, took the plunge. “Some