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But she believed me And she made the Rada listen to me She ordered that all twelve e Vikomt Syracen Stovia for his crimes Even if the Captain of the Guard had not co under the compulsion of Syracen, I knew Haydyn would not have stopped until he was punished She was only thirteen But I was her fa loyalty to Haydyn that day
The Rada were disgusted by Syracen’s methods and ordered him imprisoned in Silvera Jail – a lone prisoner He didn’t take the neell I re on his forehead and the nosebleed he sustained as he fought to break through Haydyn’s evocation Powerful as he was, he was strong enough to reach for Haydyn to use her as a shield in order to escape The Captain of the Guard did his duty, however, and killed the threat to the Princezna’s life His death didn’t ease rief But I felt freer than I had since the death of my family
The servants arrived and Haydyn took her leave while I helped the girls fill the bath with the hot water Like everythey swatted atservants work"
I grunted at the nicknao It one, I let myself wake up as I soaked in the tub, and beca lost a few hours in the day I hurried out of the bath, towellingheavy and da the botto as fine as Haydyn’s; a dark rose dress of the finest velvet I hadn’t ordered any of it fro was chosen by Haydyn Haydyn loved clothes and jewellery I put up with it because appearances within the palace had to be upheld
"Ah good, you’re dressed" Haydyn barged intoLord Matai, second lieutenant of the Guard and a young Vikouard He hovered over her protectively even when it was just her and I
I sht strain on her face "What’s happened?"
"Nothing I think" She shrugged elegantly "Jarvis and Ava have requested me in the Chambers of the Rada"
I hid the instant worry that causedmember of the nobility of Sabithia and the Chairman of the Rada, as well as the Keeper of the Archives Her ladyship, Grofka Ava Rada, was aand the only other ood people, and they loved Haydyn dearly But Haydyn relied too heavily upon their opinion, and oftentiot that Haydyn even had a voice Particularly Jarvis, whose responsibilities and position – especially that of Keeper of the Archives, the very exclusive control overno one but he was allowed entrance into the archives until his demise, and then only his appointed successor would have the privilege) - had given him an inflated sense of self
It nettled me But it wasn’t my place to speak for her Like a frustrated parent I wanted her to become aware of her own voice and independence by herself
"Well then" I threw both Haydyn and Matai a blasé so and see what they want"
Chapter Two
"Ah, Princezna" Vojvoda Jarvis stood to his feet, Lady Ava at his side He bowed deeply whilst Ava dipped as low as she could into a curtsey "Looking beautiful as always" Jarvis srandfather His eyes flicked to ave me an expressionless nod Jarvis and Ava were always uncomfortable around me I kneas because they were ashamed of what Syracen had done to my family
Ours was a strained relationship
"Your Grace" Haydyn gave a shallow curtsey "My Lady I trust you are both well"
"As well as can be, Princezna We do not have good news, I’m afraid"
Haydyn and I shared a worried look and I followed her as she took her seat at the head of long Cha Ava Jarvis took the seat next to the Grofka
"What’s wrong?" Haydyn asked quietly, afraid of the answer I watched that glooain, and I could have sworn she swayed in her chair I was just about to reach out for her when she seemed to shake herself awake I withdrew rave "Iwell? Are you in good health?"
Like Haydyn, I was surprised by his question, and as she sta
"Why?" I asked, even though I shouldn’t Admonishment wasn’t likely, however Everyone was used to me
Ava’s eyes ith anxiety "Because it seeasped, "Weakened? Weakened how? It can’t be I’ the evocation at full, as always"
"We’ve been receiving reports over the last feeeks fro Vojvoda Andrei Rada, Keeper of Alvernia The province is worsening; the uncivilised loutish behaviour of the rows steadily closer to his city in the south He fears the people of Arrana ression of the northerners and grows agitated by Silvera’s ‘negligence’, as he calls it"
Haydyn threw s were so bad"
"There is more," Ava told her
"Yes," Jarvis continued "I’ve had word fro up on the border of Vasterya in the towns near the glass works Gangs of thieves and s import and exportation"
Dear havens, I had never heard the like "Thieves? Gangs? A rookery? In Phaedra?" I was aghast We all were My eyes swung to Haydyn, questioning, pinning her to her seat
She squirmed uncomfortably, her ean I don’t knohat to tell you, I don’t feel a change in hed "Lastly-"
"There’s more?" I interrupted, in shock