The room emptied. I hadn’t realized until then that there was anyone else in it but the king, Jade Eyes, and me, but a number of mage robes passed by my eye.

When they were gone, Jakoven pulled up a stool and sat by my head so I could see him. The Tallvenish king who ruled the Five Kingdoms including my own Shavig was, in many ways, the epitome of what a king should be. His voice was rich and carrying, the kind of voice that could encourage armies in battle. His face was regular without being handsome—the face of a general, perhaps, or a . . . well, a king.

“Arten tells me that you’ve amazed my Jade Eyes, who thinks you’ve happened upon a new form of magic.” The king shook his head with a kingly smile. “He’s young yet, and hasn’t met many self-taught mages—as I have.” He reached out with a clean white cloth and wiped my cheeks, but I continued to cry without knowing why. “When a mage teaches himself magic, he has little control, leaking power he should capture and use. Your father really should have sent you out for training. I doubt you even know when you set up your magic guardian to watch your sleep—that’s what gives it the feeling of sentience he received.”

“But—” protested Jade Eyes.

“Quiet, my lad. You’re young yet and convinced you know all the answers. I know the guardian spell is advanced—but someone thought it up once. I imagine they did it in much the same way our young friend here did. Poor boy.” He crooned to me and kissed me.

I gagged and jerked, but the king was thorough and the bonds that held me were tight. Fear shook me, sweeping up from my feet and to my head, leaving me light headed and dizzy. Fear of the king, fear of the pain, fear of what new thing they were going to do.

I heard Jade Eyes say something, but I didn’t pay attention.

“Jealous?” asked the king, pulling away from me. “Foolish boy. Now get me that bag on the top shelf—no, not that one. The small one. Thank you.”

I couldn’t see the bag with my head restrained. And the king settled back so I couldn’t hear him, either, just felt the feather-light touch of his fingers on my forehead.

“Did you know thatHurog means dragon in old Shavig?” said the king. My stomach wove itself another knot. “Why do you think that is?”

I didn’t say anything, but Jade Eyes answered, “Because when there were dragons, they nested near Hurog, I suppose.”

“Mmm,” said the king. “There are stories about Hurog. That the dragons are drawn there by a magical stone, deep in the heart of Hurog.”