The Void of Muirwood (Covenant of Muirwood Book 3)(73)

He gave her another scowl and muttered something under his breath.

“You must let me go,” she pleaded.

“I will on one condition,” he said, folding his arms over his chest.

“What is that?” she asked.

“Call off your hounds. I am weary of being hunted. I know you ordered them to find me. Stop it. I am trying to help you. I am loyal to you, Maia. Only to you.”

Maia frowned at him. “You murdered my parents.”

He shrugged, looking unconcerned. Then his gaze sharpened. “Your father was going to murder you. I could not allow that. I would not allow that.”

“I will abandon the search for you,” she said. “I promise. Right now, it is more important to begin evacuating the city.”

“To where?” he grunted contemptuously. “Muirwood? That place is even more vulnerable than the palace. True, the swamp will slow Corriveaux’s army down, but the outcome is inevitable. They will bring enough drunk Naestors to do the job, my lady. They will not give you a moment’s reprieve. I have fought in a war band. That is how I got this,” he said, gesturing to his severed ear.

Maia did not want to confirm his hunch, but she sensed he already knew. “The abbey will defend us,” she said firmly.

He bit back a laugh. “As you say. Now for my second condition. You are not safe. Corriveaux is determined to butcher you. If you fall, so does the realm. Your guards could not protect you from me, let alone another kishion sent to murder you. I want Tayt by your side during the day. Do not leave his sight. I will guard you at night. We will take turns watching over you, as we used to do. No more hiding in Muirwood at night.” He leaned back against the wall by the window, folding his arms. “Those are my demands. I know you will keep your word if you promise me something.” His lip quivered with a suppressed smile.

Maia knew she did not have time to argue. Besides, what he said made sense. “You will go with us when we abandon the city?” she probed.

He nodded. “You do not always see me when I am near you, Maia.”

She felt a mix of dread and reassurance at the thought. He had been part of her life for a while now. They had shared many experiences. Despite her complete disapproval of his choices, she cared for him as a friend. Still, she was concerned about the look she saw in his eyes when he looked at her. She thought about Collier, so very far away, and wished again that she could see him.

“Very well,” she said, wondering if she would come to regret her decision.





Maia found the palace in an uproar. Every guardsman, servant, and guest was frantically searching the grounds for her. When she was discovered walking in from a remote part of the castle, there was a gush of relief. Suzenne, who had taken part in the search effort all night, burst into relieved tears upon seeing her. No one from Claredon had seen her enter the abbey the previous night, and concern for her had risen to a fever pitch when a man was found dead in the corridor connecting the palace with the abbey wall. Maia called an emergency meeting of the Privy Council and explained exactly what had happened and her new understanding with the kishion. She would not go back on her word.

The lord mayor was ordered to summon the city watch and begin a manhunt for Corriveaux. Searching both sides of the river—as well as every boat in the harbor—would be arduous, and Maia was far from certain Corriveaux was still in the city, but she did not want to make it easy for him to walk into her kingdom with impunity. After all, the Dochte Mandar had been expelled from the kingdom, which was one law of her father’s she did not plan to change. She warned Justin that Corriveaux had a habit of traveling with men who impersonated soldiers from whatever realm he was infiltrating, and requested that a watchword be created to help identify friend from foe. She also sent word to Muirwood to summon the Aldermaston’s steward to Comoros. The Privy Council would prepare to implement the evacuation plans immediately.

It was a long and difficult day, and Maia could not banish the kishion from her thoughts. She had summoned Jon Tayt after the council meeting to tell him what the kishion had demanded of her. Jon Tayt had frowned fiercely, and his anger toward the kishion had barely cooled by nightfall. He insisted on going everywhere with her, and she found his constant companionship a reminder of the voyage they had made together.

Later that day, as Maia ate in her private chambers, Suzenne arrived with Doctor Bend to report on the condition of the Prince of Hautland. The night before, Prince Oderick had come down with a mild fever. During the day, the fever had grown rapidly, and other symptoms had manifested themselves. He was isolated from all but his most loyal servants, who refused to leave his side but still pressed linen napkins to their mouths whenever they stood near him. The doctor’s report made Maia cringe, and she found she could not finish her meal. Jon Tayt happily devoured it.

As soon as the doctor had left, Suzenne came over to her and whispered in her ear.

“I know you are tired, Maia, but there is one person who came after nightfall for an audience with you. I tried to find out what she wants, but she says she will only tell you.” Suzenne pulled back and looked into Maia’s eyes. “It is Maeg Baynton. She claims it is important Cipher business.”

Maia looked at Suzenne in concern. She had not given much thought to her erstwhile enemy Maeg, who had tormented her while they were studying at Muirwood together. She was the daughter of the dead sheriff of Mendenhall. Maia had heard nothing about her since they had both left the abbey—she had been too consumed with the troubles of her kingdom to worry about a girl who could not stand her.