The Theft of Sunlight by Intisar Khanani (story reading .TXT) 📕

Zaria who says softly, “They say he’s here to build relations with the royal family. But what I heard is that it really was a curse that took the queen, and he’s come to see it doesn’t take anyone else. When the prince went missing, it was the Cormorant who joined the search party. But then the prince came back of his own accord, so maybe the curse is just a rumor.”

A chill sweeps up my spine. I do my best to stifle my shudder. Not that such a curse makes sense magically speaking—enchantments require power to continue. Curses usually feed off the person they are set upon, drawing from their natural reserves in a parasitical relationship. A curse dies with the person it is attached to, assuming it isn’t stripped away by a mage first. A curse doesn’t pass from one person to another, generation upon generation. Which I suppose means there are likely more mundane reasons for the royal family’s dwindling numbers.

“I don’t believe there’s any sort of a curse at play,” Jasmine says, her voice firm. “And it’s best if you don’t mention such things, Zaria. We don’t need any more rumors causing trouble.”

Jasmine defending the royal family from rumors rather than starting them? The foreign prince’s attack really has had an impact on her.

Zaria looks away guiltily. “As you say.”

Chapter

22

We return to the palace in the same carriage we arrived in. The Menaiyan royal party gathers in the main courtyard before continuing to the royal wing together.

“A word with you, verayn,” Alyrra says as we come to her door.

Kestrin dips his head and motions one of his attendants to stay with him. Alyrra nods to me and steps into her rooms. I follow after her, leaving the rest of my fellow attendants looking slightly put off.

Kestrin’s attendant takes a seat on one of the sofas, off to the side, so I do the same opposite him. Alyrra doesn’t sit. Instead, she turns to her husband and says, “Will you tell me what you said to my brother, after the ceremony?”

Kestrin hesitates, watching her, and then admits, “I told him that if he ever touched you again, I would see his entire land gutted before he was ever made king.”

I stiffen, glance desperately at Alyrra. Surely she won’t allow such a threat to stand against her people? Even if it is meant to be against her brother?

Her jaw hardens, and she says, harshly, “You wouldn’t. I know you wouldn’t.”

“No,” Kestrin agrees. His smile verges on tender. “You know me better than that. But he doesn’t.”

“It’s an empty threat?” Alyrra asks. “That doesn’t seem like something you would do either.”

I’d have to agree.

Kestrin shrugs. “It was the only threat he is likely to understand. I had to give him fair warning.”

“What do you intend to do, then?” Alyrra asks, as if it’s a certainty her brother will come after her again.

“I think you will agree that no one but he, himself, should pay the price of his decisions.”

Alyrra considers him. “I believe that is so for most crimes. But you haven’t answered my question. What will you do?”

Kestrin looks away, toward the window. “Whatever it takes.”

“Verayn,” she says. She’s only said my lord, but it sounds like an order. “Did we not agree this is my battle to fight?”

His expression hardens, but after a moment he nods. “We did. I will not act without your blessing. You can trust me that much.”

“I trust you a great deal more,” Alyrra says, smiling wryly, the tension gone out of her. “And you know it. Now, I had best freshen up before dinner.”

He blinks and then grins at her, amused to be dismissed so casually.

After he and his attendant depart, Alyrra turns to me. “This conversation . . .”

“What conversation?” I ask brightly. “Did someone say something?”

Alyrra laughs. “I’m glad I have you, Rae. You’ll come to dinner?”

“Of course, zayyida.”

“You can take tomorrow to check on the house of healing, and whatever else you might need to do. I’ll need you again at dinner, but otherwise I should be fine.”

“Thank you,” I say, grateful for the reprieve she’s offering me. Now that I’ve proven I’m not hiding, it will be a relief to step out of sight.

I wake sometime after dawn, light filtering in through the curtains. I stretch my arms and wiggle my toes, testing the muscles of my feet. My blisters are still a little raw.

I turn my head and spy Mina asleep, her hair spilling across her pillow. I ease myself out of bed, wrap a shawl about my shoulders to ward off the chill, gather my writing supplies, and slip out of the room. Whether or not I can sleep, there’s no reason to wake her. In the common room, I pour myself a cup of tea and set to work on the letter I promised I would write my parents.

I’ve already sent them two—one upon my arrival in Tarinon, and a second upon my appointment as attendant, as well as a separate letter to Ani. With the distance and the fact that Sheltershorn lies on one of the less ridden routes serviced by the royal couriers, I haven’t received any reply from them. But I should hear something soon.

Finished, I send for Moonflower and then return to my room to change into a riding outfit from home. I add my story sash and a cloak to keep off the light spring rain, and slip out once more, looking forward to escaping the palace altogether.

My visit to the house of healing reveals only that the work continues, the overseer assuring me that all is progressing as promised. He shows me around the ground floor once more, and then ushers me out. The rain has left off for the moment. Still, there’s no sign of any thieves skulking about outside.

I walk over to where Moonflower waits. The boy I left to watch her happily accepts the pair of copper coins I promised him and runs away. I