I consider her words, my own suspicions about Mazus’s motivations resurfacing. “I’m not convinced he’s being sent to spy, actually. It seems too obvious. Mazus wouldn’t be so straightforward, though I also think he believes us incapable of determining his real plans with our tiny female brains or whatever it is he thinks makes females so inferior.”

She chuckles, though it’s more reserved than her earlier laughter. “Why do you think he’s sending his son?”

I shake my head in confusion and let out a heavy breath. “It’s almost like—like he wants the two of you to meet for some reason. Or maybe he wants his son out of the way in Velmara. Maybe both. I haven’t worked it out yet, but those are my two leading theories.”

Her eyes narrow as she falls deep in thought. “You may be on to something. Either way, I don’t plan to meet him at all. I’ll let the Council handle him entirely, like you suggested. He can stay in his chambers, meet with the Council, and gallivant around the city. Arberly has plenty of pubs for him to drink in and find whatever willing females he wants to take to his bed. He’ll report back to Mazus only what he can glean from those meaningless interactions.”

“You really think you can get away with never meeting with him?” I ask, and she shrugs.

“It’s worth trying, especially if Mazus has some secret reason for wanting us to meet.”

I consider her plan. “You’re the Queen, and he’ll be in the kingdom of his enemy. A kingdom that none can reach without your consent. I think you can do whatever the hell you want with him. It’s a good plan.” She breaks into a smirk.

“And if he finds out more than he should? If he somehow sees something that puts Thayaria at risk, or discovers the declining thayar? What should I do then?” she asks.

“You should kill him.”

Hawthorne

Light channelers are considered the highest order of magic users, and for good reason. Their power is considered the closest to the raw power of the aether, as both light and aether are currents that can be directed and shaped. Light channelers can brighten or dim the light around them, the strongest able to cast large areas in complete darkness in the middle of the day. Few take this risk, however, as most light wielders are greatly weakened or even completely powerless once darkness descends.

The Unabridged History of Magical Orders, Volume I

I enter my father’s Council chambers at his summons, the smaller ones he uses for intimate meetings. At least I won’t have the entire kingdom watching whatever news he’s about to drop on me.