Mystic's Touch Read Free Page A

tongue.
    “You’re one to talk.” Danet smiled warmly at Hesina. “So
tell me. How bad is it around here, really?”
    The woman shook her head. “It’s a sad state of affairs,
child. Come.” She motioned for Danet to follow. “Let’s step out into the
gardens.”
    The area Hesina spoke of was not the royal family’s lush,
cultured grounds but the functional space that grew herbs and a few fruit
trees. Despite its utilitarian purpose, it was a lovely space. Danet and Hesina
often sought refuge and quiet there.
    “Has your father been summoned?” Hesina asked.
    “Not that I know of.”
    Hesina grunted as she sat on the edge of a raised flowerbed.
She had chosen a shaded spot far enough away from the doorway to allow privacy.
“Probably won’t be long before he is. Darius is frantic with worry that he
won’t be able to save the prince.” She paused. “So is the queen.”
    “Understandable.”
    “And so soon after the king’s death.” Hesina shook her head.
“I do not like the things that are happening here. Too much death. It should
not be so.”
    “What do you mean?”
    Hesina lowered her voice. “I mean something is not right
about all of this.” She tapped her chest with her fist. “Something tells me the
king’s death should not have happened.”
    “It was an accident, wasn’t it?”
    “That is what they say.”
    “Who declared it to be so?”
    “The council.” Hesina grunted. “Those weak-kneed old men who
wouldn’t raise a hand if the Zarenthia were beating down the palace doors.”
    “Didn’t Darius have a say in it?”
    “He did, but he had been to the southern border to check
into reports of some kind of outbreak. It was two days before he could be
reached and return to the palace.” Hesina looked Danet in the eye. “A lot can
be hidden in two days.”
    “Strange that Darius was sent when Father was already there
and had sent word to all of his colleagues there was no outbreak. It was one
isolated case.”
    “Strange indeed,” Hesina agreed.
    “Do you believe the prince is in danger?”
    Hesina glanced around the area. “I will say this. A council
meeting has been called in three days time. That meeting is to appoint an
interim ruler until it is determined if the prince will be capable of assuming
his rightful place.”
    “Is the queen not the interim ruler?”
    “She is, but only upon the prince’s authority. If he is no
longer capable of assuming his place, thus granting his authority, then it falls
to the council to appoint someone.”
    “Oh Gods.”
    “If my queen were of childbearing age, I would worry for
her. A posthumous heir might have put her life in danger as well. The council
has already asked her maids about her woman’s cycle.”
    “Someone could be after the throne,” Danet whispered.
    “I may be seeing things that are not there, but it worries
me greatly.”
    Danet grasped Hesina’s hand. “Your worry may be
well-founded. I will talk with Father.”
    Hesina nodded. “He will know where to look for answers.”
    “In the meantime, how may I get in to the prince’s chambers
so I can examine him myself? I assume he is under guard.”
    “Most definitely. The queen chose the men herself.” Hesina
stood. “But I believe we can get you in. Let’s find the girl who was assigned
to his room for today. I believe she may be feeling ill and should go home and
rest. That means someone else will need to take care of the prince’s linens.”
    Danet smiled. “I seem to have a free moment to spare and
could help with that problem.”
    “I thought you might.” Hesina winked at Danet.
    In no time, Danet found herself on the way to the prince’s
chambers with a basket of fresh linens and a pitcher of water. As she drew
closer, she relaxed her mind to allow herself to pick up his thoughts. They
came through with alarming clarity.
    Damn all the hydotcha in the kingdom. When I am on my
feet again, I’m having every one of those blasted flowers cut down. My