The Mirror King (The Orphan Queen, #2)(65)

He glanced toward the fore of the convoy. “Yes, of course. But there was something I needed to discuss with you.”

I straightened my shoulders and lifted my chin. “Yes?”

“Walk with me to your wagon.” He gestured forward, and James and Sergeant Ferris took up their places behind us. “There are two things. First, I’m sending James with you.”

I turned my head so sharply my neck stung. “James?”

Tobiah gave a stiff nod. “Sergeant Ferris will stay here with the Aecorian nobles. He will be their guard.”

I hated when plans changed at the last minute.

As we strode down the avenue, soldiers and maids hurried out of our way. A few bowed or curtsied, but toward Tobiah, who wore a mourning gray suit and nothing to denote his rank. They simply knew.

Several rude looks and little fingers were aimed my way, but I ignored them.

“I have found Sergeant Ferris a more than adequate guard, and I’d hate to deprive you of your cousin,” I said at last. I kept my tone even, but I knew why he’d switched my guard: both the captain and sergeant would spy on me for him, but this way he could keep the Ospreys feeling secure. By leaving them with someone they knew, they’d speak more freely. After all, he’d been my guard. He was a trusted figure, as far as members of the Indigo Order went.

Tobiah eyed me askance. “Captain Rayner is an officer in the Indigo Order. His duty is to go where he’s needed.”

“I appreciate the consideration. I know Captain Rayner is valuable to you.” The question was, what was he looking for? What more did he think I would do, surrounded by enemies?

“In here, Your Highness.” Tobiah opened the door to my wagon. “You’ll find your belongings in order, I think.”

I hesitated. “I was brought to the Indigo Kingdom imprisoned in a wagon. I wouldn’t like to return to Aecor in the same manner, no matter how fine the accommodations.”

“I thought you might feel that way.” Tobiah waved to James, who vanished around the other side of the wagon. A moment later, he returned with a familiar chestnut horse, already saddled. “I had him brought in from West Pass Watch.”

“Ferguson!”

“He was given a real name, you know.” James tied the lead to the wagon. “But I suppose you don’t care.”

“His name is Ferguson.” I petted the gelding’s forehead as he nosed my stomach in greeting. At least on a horse, I’d have freedom of movement in case of an attack. I turned to Tobiah. “Thank you again. Ferguson will be a welcome companion.”

Tobiah offered a small bow. “I’d like to speak with you on the final matter in private. Inside your wagon?”

He’d said two things, so now what? “It won’t be private. The wardrobe is inside.”

“That’s all right. It doesn’t matter if he hears, as long as he doesn’t tell anyone, and you can order that, correct?”

“I can.” I checked the busy avenue, but if people were still watching us, they were doing a good job of hiding it.

The interior was set up like a bedroom, with a foldable partition to dress behind, and a second wardrobe with mirrors reflecting the doors. Most of my belongings—well, the things the Indigo Kingdom had given to me—were in crates pushed against the back wall. Another large mirror was propped against those.

They didn’t want to take chances. Good.

I dropped my pack on the small bed and knocked on the side of the wardrobe.

“My queen!” The wraith boy’s voice was muffled through the heavy wood. “I’m glad you’re here.”

“Cover your ears and hum. I don’t want you to overhear what anyone is saying.”

Immediately, a deep humming came from within the wardrobe, followed by a double thud as his elbows hit the wood.

I turned to Tobiah just as James closed the door, cutting off the flow of cold air. They’d left Sergeant Ferris outside. Interesting. “What is it you wanted to speak about?” Even though the wraith boy wouldn’t hear us, I kept my voice low.

Tobiah pulled a pair of notebooks from his jacket, not the ones I’d taken for the Ospreys and myself. These were pale blue, with silver foil mountains stamped into the leather. Flat braids decorated the edges, and silk bookmarks peeked out from the pages. They were identical. Pre-wraith, definitely.

“Thank you?” I lifted an eyebrow and didn’t touch them. Considering what I’d done last night, this couldn’t be a coincidence.

“I know about your entangled notebooks.” He offered these to me. “Perform the same magic on these two.”

“Why?”

When I didn’t take the notebooks, he placed them on the small writing desk at the foot of my bed. “You’re going into Aecor with my uncle. He’s threatened you. You’ve made it clear that you will not give up Aecor, so who knows what he’ll do? And Lien is there, waiting. What does he have in mind for your return? Not to mention that.” He motioned at the wardrobe. “Why do you think I’m sending James? Ferris is a good man. James is better. But I still need a way to communicate with him, quickly and securely. Only you have the power to offer that.”

So he hadn’t meant the second notebook for me. The realization fell halfway between relief and disappointment. “How did you know about the ones I animated for the Ospreys?”