Page 2 of A Hunt Bound in Blood
“Blue Harbour is no small distance,” Segrew said. “It’s at least a two-week ride, three weeks or longer on foot. You would need to traverse hard terrain, dangerous foes. Dragons.”
I swallowed as I considered the geography I’d memorized from my many maps. The Doldemy Peaks split the country not far from the eastern border, and since there was only one way around them—a road that would take me at least two weeks off course to reach—I would need to go over them. Many kings had attempted to build official roads through the mountains over the years, but the dragons who called them home had put a quick stop to it. According to Mage Tersey, a single, narrow track cut across the mountain and around the edge of the central peak. My only option would be to move quickly and pray I wasn’t noticed.
“As you know, Sir Segrew, I am a tempest mage. I believe I have the capability of defending myself against most foes. And I’m not frightened of hard travel.”
“You’re a tempest mage who cannot cast,” he pointed out, and my mouth went dry.
“Not exactly true,” I corrected him gently.
A knowing expression mixed with curiosity passed over his eyes. I recognized that look. It was the one I received from most people when they learned about my rare heritage and the limitations I suffered with it. As a tempest mage, I had the ability to channel all four elements instead of the standard one with a minor second. Unfortunately, my magic was also blocked, leaving me with only two states of being: unable to cast or wildly uncontrolled. If I let loose, I could bring down a storm strong enough to wipe out the entire city of Golth. Segrew’s curiosity was less about what I was capable of and more about what it would take to make me unleash my power. And what the consequences might be if I did.
I didn’t like to think about it. Or to think that my position on the mages’ council wasn’t because of my considerable research abilities but because of the fact that, in the case of a national crisis, King Evaniel might want to use me as a weapon.
Say, against the fae country if they declared war.
What neither man knew—or at least, what neither man had ever hinted at knowing—was the reason for my magic block. That particular secret had been my greatest burden since I was born, and it would continue to be until the day I died—a day that would come immediately if said secret got out.
After all, vampires were outlawed by Golthwainian law, and it didn’t matter that I was only half, I was still as good as a criminal doomed to execution. Which was why I’d learned to follow the rules, adhere to every social norm, and stick to unremarkable fashion. Anything to avoid attention.
It was why I was here, arguing for the opportunity to prove myself… and hopefully earn a reward in exchange.
King Evaniel’s gaze never shifted from my face. I held still, waiting.
“In her briefing,” he said, “Healer Istan mentioned you have a request of me if I give you permission to find this amulet.”
I didn’t overlook the way he worded that statement, as though my search for the amulet would be as much an act of generosity on his part as whatever I asked of him, but I refrained from pointing out the obvious benefits to the country if I succeeded.
“Yes, Your Majesty.” I took a quick moment to steel myself. This was it, my chance at security. “The position of royal researcher is currently available, and I would like to claim it.”
Surprise flickered in his eyes, there and gone, his usual indifference back in place. “You want a position that’s been empty for two decades because no one wants it?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” My heart raced, and I tightened my grip on my satchel. “As you know, I love history, piecing together the past to see our way forward. I believe I could benefit the throne more with advanced research than I can sitting on the mages’ council.”
He didn’t need to know that benefiting the throne was my secondary reason for wanting the job. My primary reason was the tiny office tucked away in the back of the library where I could avoid people for most of the day. No more pretending, no more hiding everything I was from my fellow mages who looked down their noses at me for my inability to cast.
I could disappear and remove any chance of someone finding out the truth about me. I could survive.
“Hmm.” His attention skimmed over me, and I stopped myself from rubbing my clammy palms on the thick fabric of my skirt. “Over the years, Mage Dolan, you’ve impressed me with your insight and advice on my council, and so far, you’re the only person to have presented me with a solution to the kingdom’s problem of its ailing future queen. Such efforts deserve reward. But reward, you understand, must be earned.”
“Of course, Your Majesty.”
My heart raced faster, now with exhilaration rather than nerves. He hadn’t refused me. He was going to approve this mission, and I was going to show him that filling the position would be worthwhile and that I was the best candidate for the job. Princess Brynna would be saved, and I would be safe. The best outcome for everyone involved.
I couldn’t breathe as I waited for him to voice his decision.
The fingers of his right hand twitched, and Segrew went to the desk to grab something from between the neatly stacked piles of correspondence. He brought it to the king, then stepped back, and King Evaniel spun a small white crystal between his fingers.
“A ship will be waiting for you in Blue Harbour in exactly four weeks’ time to bring you home, Mage Dolan. We estimate it will take you a little over three weeks to walk there, giving you five days to sail home, leaving space for changes in the wind.”
As he laid out these details, I realized this meeting had never been about me convincing him to let me go. He’d already made up his mind.
My heart soared, until it was tempered by him adding, “If you are not on the ship with the amulet when it sets sail, there’s no need to rush your return.”
My unfettered joy crashed at the meaning behind his words. If I didn’t find the amulet—or I didn’t find it before his deadline—I could say goodbye to my position and possibly my welcome in the royal circle. The Nightfall King was not known for his understanding when people disappointed him.
“You may depend on me, Your Majesty. I’ll find the artifact and return it before we risk losing Her Highness.”
He pressed his lips together and assessed me with those piercing grey eyes. I stood firm. The map of Golthwaine unfurled across my mind, and I scanned it with confidence. After all my years studying Mage Tersey’s notes, I believed I could do this. Even if I met with the occasional delay, I would make up my time elsewhere. I’d ensure it.