A Clash of Magics by Guy Antibes (read this if txt) 📕

“It would have too. You are too bold. What prompted you to come to Tarviston after so many months?” Lilith said, still staring at her mother’s body.

“To stop the next assassination attempt. I married a week ago, and assassin-magicians attacked me on my wedding night. My wife was injured.”

Lilith closed her eyes as she worked to control her anger. “Mother, how could you do such a thing!”

“Believe me when I say I don’t seek to regain the throne for the Arcwins,” Trevor said.

“Why should you, Duke of Listenwell?” Lilith said. “I have kept track of your exploits. I would have never guessed my brother would be Dryden’s messenger.”

“You also know about that?” Trevor asked.

“I am the head of state until Mother decides to do something stupid. You have been an interesting person to follow as Des Boxster and as Trevor Arcwin. I lost you for a while until you reunited with Brother Yvan in Jarkan. I never did figure out how you got there. I don’t know much detail other than occasional reports from those I trust in the army.”

“All I want is to live in peace. If you know of Listenwell, it is far away from Presidon.”

“I know,” Lilith said.

“What about Ginster’s payment for helping Mother depose my father?”

Lilith took a deep breath. “That is a matter that has been discussed many times. It is outside the regency agreement,” she said.

“It is time to put all the provisions of the regency agreement aside,” Trevor said.

“Is that Dryden speaking?” Lilith said, almost sarcastically.

“It is me speaking on behalf of your people. Everyone knows what the queen does and what the princess does afterward.”

Trevor hugged his sister. “Call the guards. I’ll leave by the secret passage. No one will know I ever appeared. I’ll try to make it to your coronation. Make sure you take care of Ginster. They are thinking of taking what they earned by helping Mother. It would be better if you gave it to them first. Another thing, I’d appreciate it if you could hire Marin Fenton back as the head cook. Consider that a message from Dryden.” Trevor gave his sister a smile and another hug. “Be strong,” he said as he disappeared back into the secret passage.

After waiting for a bit, Trevor teleported to the hallway in front of Marin Fenton’s flat.

“Time to leave,” he said to Win. “I have to get Snowflake back to Jilgrath, and I think we will both get invitations to a coronation.

Chapter Thirty-Five

~

“W

e think the two Maskumite magicians had been secretly advising your mother before the transfer of power, but it appears the invisibility spell was recent,” Lilith’s personal minister said to Trevor before Lilith’s installation. “It is a nasty development, but Presidon will gain much, much more with the new queen than the one it just lost.”

Lissa held Trevor’s hand as they looked on from the front row of the Tarviston Cathedral as the bishop of Tarviston crowned Lilith as Queen of Presidon. It had been two weeks since the death of Trevor’s mother. He was glad that Lilith had handled the transition well. As Trevor heard more about the misdeeds of Queen Hyra, he could imagine that her mother’s noxious activities mitigated Lilith’s heartbreak.

The new queen presented Trevor as her brother and prince of Presidon to the assemblage.

Can I now come and go as I please?” Trevor asked Queen Lilith at the reception following her coronation.

“I will clean up your room in the tower and give that to you as permanent guest quarters. I will never want to use that tower again,” Lilith said.

“I can understand,” Brother Yvan said, who Trevor had teleported to Tarviston from Collet. “I recommend interviewing for another seer. Some good ones are waiting for assignments.”

“What about you?” Lilith asked.

“Reena and I have decided to impose on Trevor and spend a few seasons in Listenwell. I suggest you find someone you can develop your own history with.”

Lilith laughed. “I do understand what you mean. I wish you all the best.”

Brother Yvan gave Lilith a bow worthy of a queen.

“We will be leaving,” Trevor said. “I can always come here at a moment’s notice. I suggest that you follow Brother Yvan’s advice and get a seer as soon as you can. You’ll be able to communicate with me much more quickly that way.”

Queen Lilith took Trevor’s hand and squeezed. “I will follow your advice, little brother.” She put her hand to her mouth, her eyes getting a little misty. “I didn’t think I’d ever call you that again.”

“I’ll give you more opportunities in the future,” Trevor said with a smile that he really felt.

Lissa bumped him. “I think I’m ready to go.”

Trevor gave his sister a bow. “My wife has had enough excitement for her healing body.” Trevor turned to Win and Siranda, who had traveled to Tarviston via Trevor’s teleportation skill, and Marin Fenton, the newly rehired royal cook. “I’ll be back in two days to get you back to Jiksara.”

The couple teleported to the house on the square in Jilgrath.

Glynna and Custik had moved to their own dwelling and gave the newlyweds the house to use as their own until Lissa was well enough to travel overland to Listenwell.

After Trevor had returned to Presidon and took Brother Yvan and Reena back to Collet, he returned to Jilgrath, where he and Lissa finally sat together in the sitting room where Trevor had tried to solve the ancient dog case.

“Is it finally over?” Lissa said, holding Trevor’s hand.

“The Desolation Boxster part of my life has finally ended,” Trevor said. “The Duchess and Duke of Listenwell phase has just begun.”

The End of A Clash of Magics,

the last installment of the Desolation Boxster series.

Desolation Boxster