The Ciphers of Muirwood (Covenant of Muirwood #2)(100)

“When I was quite small, I climbed up on some wine barrels. It was Whitsunday, I think. Some celebration. As I stood there on the barrel, I felt so tall and proud of myself. And then I had the notion that I could fly. If I just believed enough, I could jump off the barrel and soar back up the stairs and startle everyone, especially my little brother.” He smirked and shook his head. Maia smiled at him, imagining what must have happened next.

“I leaped,” he said, chagrined. “I leaped as high and hard as I could, and for just a moment . . .” He paused for effect and winked at her. “For just a moment it felt like I was flying. I saw the ground rushing at me . . . the cobblestones, really. I hit them hard and knocked myself senseless. There was a broken bit of wood or a small nail on the ground where I fell. It could have taken out my eye, but it only scarred my cheek. When most people ask, I tell them it was a badge of honor given from a Paeizian fencing master. But to you I give the whole truth, unvarnished.”

He paused for a moment, chuckling to himself. Then his expression became serious again. “About my other oath,” he murmured softly. “I said I would let you continue on your mission to Naess that night without first consummating our marriage.”

“I do recall you promising that,” Maia said, nodding sagely, though it felt like her insides were being burned with a hot brand.

“I regret letting you slip away from me so easily.” His whisper purred in her ear. “We are husband and wife, you and I. Would it take much persuasion to start acting like it?”

She looked into the intense blue fire of his eyes. “I might be convinced,” she quavered. “If . . .”

The door to the gardens opened, the Leering swinging wide. It was the gardener, Thewliss, with his rickety cart. Maia was surprised she had not heard him approach. It embarrassed her for him to find them in such an intimate position, but Collier did not seem concerned a bit.

“You were saying?” he whispered, grinning at her.

“He is in here,” Thewliss said, turning to someone who was following him.

It was Owen Page, and he seemed shocked to find Maia sitting on Collier’s lap. The boy had damp hair and was gasping for breath. Maia and Collier both scrambled to their feet, sensing the grave urgency in the air. Owen beckoned to someone behind him and a tall man entered, wearing a merchant’s tunic, several bags of coins buckled to his belt, and a rapier.

“My lord,” the man said in Dahomeyjan, bowing stiffly. He had a golden goatee and his hair was receding up his scalp. “Fox sent me.”

“What is it, Piers?” Collier asked, replying in the same language. Maia was grateful she knew Dahomeyjan as well.

“I did not spare horseflesh to come,” he stammered. “Think I killed my mount to get here fast enough. My lord, news from Comoros. There was a quick and shabby trial, and Lady Deorwynn was found guilty of treason.”

Maia gasped, and the servant gave her a startled look, as if surprised she understood him.

“Say on,” Collier muttered darkly. “She is to become your queen, so you can say what you must in front of both of us. I trust her.”

“Very well, my lord,” the servant said, then glanced at Owen and Thewliss.

“They do not understand us,” Collier said, gesturing with impatience for him to continue.

“Lady Deorwynn is to be executed tomorrow at dawn. The king has divorced her and has announced his impending marriage to Lady Jayn Sexton, his wife’s lady-in-waiting.”

“No,” Maia whispered in dismay. “Not Jayn!”

The servant nodded vigorously. “It is a hard ride from Comoros. I barely just arrived. Simon is going to attend the execution and send word. I think the king is planning to renege on his promise to share his rule with his daughter. No one from the Privy Council spoke in favor of Lady Deorwynn, not even her own uncle, Aldermaston Kranmir.”

“Is Kranmir still part of the Privy Council?” Maia asked him forcefully. He nodded yes.

Collier frowned. “This is not just,” he said, shaking his head. “I have no compassion for Deorwynn, but it is the height of hypocrisy to execute her for adultery when he himself is guilty of it.”

The spy nodded vigorously, stroking his goatee. “Indeed. Though the charge is treason. She and her children have been imprisoned in Pent Tower. Simon wanted you to know in case you were planning to travel through Comoros or Doviur to return to the kingdom. The ship is still waiting for—”

Collier held up his hand sharply, silencing him.

“What ship?” Maia asked.

He shook his head, muttering to himself. He sighed and turned to look at her. “I had a plan to abduct your father here at Muirwood and hold him hostage in Dahomey,” he said in a very low voice. “If the abbey fell, I was going to abduct you as well, unless you came willingly. The mist the morning of Whitsunday thwarted my plans and prevented my soldiers on board from coming. Another testament to the Medium’s powers, I daresay. I have a ship waiting to take us to Dahomey.” He looked at Maia pleadingly. “Come with me.”

Maia stared at him in disbelief. “No,” she said. “Now is not the time. I must go to Comoros and stop this murder.”

“You just heard the man,” Collier said, his color rising. “Even if we rode immediately, we could not prevent it. It is midafternoon and there is no way to reach Comoros until after it is done.”