“Prince is the key word there, I think.” Marion sighed, padding across the carpet to take a seat on one of the straight-backed, carved wooden chairs under the window. “With the king gone, Mellinor’s been headless. Since our founding, we’ve never been without a king for more than a day. There’s no precedent at all, so it’s no wonder the masters are in a panic. I shouldn’t say this, but they’d probably follow the king’s dog at this point if it could prove a royal lineage.” She glanced at the door. “Lord Renaud sure picked the right time to come back. Only in a situation like this could his status as a prince outweigh his stigma as a wizard.”
“How very convenient for him,” Miranda said thoughtfully.
Marion paled. “Please don’t take offense, lady. Stigma’s the wrong word. I—”
“It’s fine.” Miranda smiled. “Don’t apologize. You’ve given me a lot to think about.”
“It’s just…” Marion pulled at her dress. “I’ve never had to think about things from a wizard’s—Spiritualist! Spiritualist’s point of view, and—”
She stopped midbabble and sprang out of her chair. Miranda looked at her, confused, but Marion shook her head fiercely and pointed at the door before dropping into a low curtsy.
A second later, Prince Renaud himself swept into the room.
CHAPTER 8
He was alone, which struck Miranda as unusual, and he bowed as graciously as any servant as the door drifted shut behind him.
“Lady Spiritualist,” he said, “I’ve very much looked forward to meeting you.”
Miranda stood up and bowed as well, hoping Mellinor had no special deviations from common court etiquette. “Lord Renaud, I appreciate your taking the time to see me. There are several things—”
“Shouldn’t you be resting?” Renaud said, rolling right over her. “The masters told me you’ve been up since you got here.”
Miranda stiffened. “I appreciate your concern, but time is of the essence. If we are to save your brother, I must have access to the king’s original ransom note.”
“Oh, it’s far too late to question the spirits, if that’s what you’re after.” Renaud smiled sweetly.
“I’ll make my own decision on that,” Miranda said flatly. “The spirits in that note are our only connection to Eli. If you will not give it to me, then tell me where to find it and I will fetch the note myself, but do not waste my time, or your brother’s, with assumptions about my methods.”
Renaud’s smile did not waver. “I’m afraid that simply won’t be possible.”
“Excuse me?” Miranda’s glare seemed to lower the temperature in the room. Lord Renaud continued as if nothing had happened.
“The court of Mellinor was in a panic when you arrived, and the officials you bullied into permitting your free reign of this kingdom had no right to grant you the freedoms they did. Now that I have restored order, I’m afraid your assistance in this matter is no longer needed.”
“Forgive me, prince,” Miranda said, “but it is not your place to decide my duties. Panic or no, my aid was requested by officials acting on the king’s behalf. My duty lies with Henrith now, and only his rescue or death can relieve me of it.”
“Your dedication is admirable,” Renaud said. “But Mellinor will deal with Mellinor’s problems.”
“A bold statement.” Miranda eyed him. “But how will you go about it? A wizard dangerous enough for a twenty thousand gold bounty is not one to be taken lightly. No matter what boasts you make, you are going to need my help if you plan to face him.”
Renaud paused and flicked his eyes pointedly to Marion. The girl, who was trying to make herself as small as possible, froze. He made a slight shooing motion with one finger, and Marion, palace trained as she was, leaped to obey. After a series of overly polite curtsies, she hurried past him and out of the room. Only when the door was shut completely did Renaud continue.
“That’s better.” Renaud smiled. “As I was saying, your statement might be true, if we intended to fight him. The masters and I went over the ransom note as soon as it arrived, and we found Eli’s demands to be quite reasonable.”
Miranda stared blankly at him. “You’re joking.”
“I can assure you I am not,” Renaud said, meeting her gaze levelly.
“Five thousand in cash and thirty-five in bounty pledges? In what world is that reasonable?”
“Is my brother not worth five times as much?” Renaud’s glare sharpened.