The Heart Forger (The Bone Witch #2)(37)

“That’s…” I opened my mouth and closed it again, remembering. To you, seeking Blade that Soars’s path: take that which came from Five Great Heroes long past and distill into a heart of silver to shine anew.

“Mithra the Protector.” Fox ticked them off with his fingers. “Ashi the Swift. Anahita the Mighty. Rashnu the Just. And Sraosha the Obedient. But how can the Heartforger be so sure?”

“Because he can see their bloodlines in their heartsglass.” Khalad touched his. “So can I. It’s difficult but not impossible. Master had long suspected that someone was targeting their descendants, but he didn’t know why. The only Great Hero descendant left untouched by the sickness is Anahita the Mighty.” Khalad sighed. “My father, King Telemaine, isn’t a direct descendant however. Neither was Vanor or Lance, the Duke of Holsrath.”

“But Prince Kance is!” I burst out, remembering. “And so are you!”

Khalad blinked. “My master had reason to examine both Vanor’s and Telemaine’s heartsglass in the past. They—”

“Do not have your mother’s ancestry,” Fox broke in. “Remember when Tea accidentally resurrected King Randrall? Randrall claimed that the crown prince was not his son but the son of the commander of the Odalian army. Vanor’s and Telemaine’s lines did not spring from his, but your mother was also a descendant of Anahita.”

“I hadn’t thought about my mother’s line,” Khalad muttered, looking embarrassed. “But surely that would not have escaped my master’s notice.”

“Could it be that he said nothing to spare you the worry?” I asked.

“It’s possible. He was terribly secretive about his conclusions until I pestered him.” Khalad leaped to his feet and began stuffing papers and other equipment into a large sack. “But I have to be sure. I need to take a look at my brother’s heartsglass!”

“Can you cure him?”

Khalad shook his head, despairing. “Master talked about having tested one, but he gave few specifics.”

“Do you know where he is?”

“He’d gone to Daanoris to take another look at the sleeping princess. He found her death the most suspicious of the lot.”

“Why?”

“Daanorians don’t wear heartsglass. They’ve always been suspicious of magic, although their current emperor is quite keen on asha and has been infatuated with Inessa for years. Someone would have needed to draw Heartsrune for the Daanorian to fall sick in the same way the others had.”

“For now, let’s return to the castle to ensure Khalad’s safety as well,” Fox decided.

“Me?”

“Might I remind his Lordship,” Fox told him quietly, laying stress on the last word, “that though you have officially abdicated from the royal succession, you are still Kance’s brother, so you can still be reinstated. Should anything happen to the prince, I doubt that your father will allow you to remain the Heartforger’s apprentice for much longer.”

? ? ?

I was shocked to see the throne room full of soldiers as we entered. It felt like the whole Odalian army was waiting for us.

“Tea!” Kalen’s voice rang out. He was being restrained by some of the soldiers. “Get out of here!”

I took a step back but found my path barred by swords. Two men stepped forward to place their hands on my shoulders. Two more took hold of my wrists.

“What’s going on?” Fox asked, stunned. “Albie? Parviz? Why are you doing this?” I felt his anger, felt him struggling behind me. His eyes flicked to his commander. “General Lode?”

The older man shook his head. His heartsglass showed me his reluctance, his implacability. Good soldiers obeyed orders.

The Duke of Holsrath stepped forward. He was smiling, and his heartsglass glittered a bright, malicious red.

“We haven’t been properly introduced have we, Lady Tea?” He bowed to me. “King Telemaine has elected to remain by his son’s side. He left me in charge of the palace while Kance recuperates.”

“I don’t believe you!” It was inconceivable to think that the king would willingly turn over the reins of his kingdom to a brother he had imprisoned for conspiring to take it from him. “I demand to see him!”

“You are not in a position to demand anything, milady. Telemaine made the announcement in full view of the soldiers. Kalen himself witnessed it. Didn’t you, Kalen?”

The boy gritted his teeth. “Go to hell.”

The duke regarded his son carefully and then casually punched him.

I lunged forward, white-hot rage searing my vision. I felt Fox leap after me. Hands pulled us back, and I heard more swords being drawn from scabbards as the tip of one rested against my throat.

“You may hate me, Kalen,” the duke said coldly, “but I am still your father. I will not tolerate such disrespect.”

My fingers twitched, Compulsion already half-formed.

“Would you really do that, Lady Tea?” There was a slickness to the duke’s voice that repulsed me, like grease that clung to skin. “Would you compel all these soldiers, your brother’s own comrades? Will you force these soldiers to commit treason against their will, a crime punishable by death? How very little you must think of life, milady. After all, you have always dealt in death.”