What happened to your laboratory?
Sound of water running. That is a folded space, not part of this hotel suite.
Is that where we are, in a hotel? Shed thought, for some reason, that they were at one of his lesser estates, a hunting lodge or a summer cabin.
The sound of even more water running. We are less than two miles from where you were when you came out of the trunk.
We are still in London ?
Very much so.
Now that he mentioned it, she saw that real flamerather than light elixirshone behind the frosted glass mantles of the wall sconces. Shed have noticed sooner had she been less preoccupied.
He emerged from the bath with a towel. Crouching before her, he pressed the damp towel against her temple.
Oww!
Sorry. The blood is a bit caked on by now. But you should not need more than a good cleaning.
She endured the discomfort. Will you please tell me whats going on?
Why was she here? Why was he here? Why was the sky falling today of all days?
Later. I would be remiss as your host if I did not offer you the use of a tub first.
Shed forgotten the state she must be in, dirty and battered.
Your bath is filling as we speak. You will be all right in there by yourself?
Hed asked a perfectly legitimate question, given that hed had to carry her a great deal of late. But all the same, what a thing to ask.
And if Im not all right?
She immediately regretted her question. It was far too cheeky. And before her sovereign, no less. She might not have received much parental guidance of late, but she still liked to think of herself as better brought up than that.
He tapped his fingers against the armrest of the chaise. Then I suppose I will have to watch over you.
There was no inflection to his tone; not even a flicker of anything in his expression. Yet the air between them drew taut. She heated.
Now, will you be all rightor will you not? asked the prince.
She became aware for the first time that his eyes were blue gray, the color of distant hills.
Now she had no choice but to brazen it out. Im sure I will be fine, she answered. But should I need you, sire, please dont hesitate.
The gaze of her sovereign swept over her. Shed seen that look of interest from boys. But his was so swift that she wasnt quite certain she hadnt imagined it.
Then he inclined his head, all pomp and formality. I am at your service, madam.
Even without the caked blood, when Iolanthe finally caught sight of herself in a mirror, she still flinched. She looked awful, her face filthy and scratched, her hair coated in dust and bits of plaster, her once-white blouse the color of an old rag.
At least she was safe. Master Haywood . . . Her heart tightened. Her intuition had been exactly right: it had been on her account that everything had gone wrong for him.
She washed quickly. Afterward, she dressed in the change of clothes the prince had suppliedslippers, undergarments, a blue flannel shirt, and a pair of matching trousers, everything for a boy four inches taller and a stone and a half heavier.
When she came out of the bath, her battered clothes in a bundle in her hand, there was a tray of food waiting in the parlor and a fire in the grate. So it really was true, fireplaces were not mere decorations in the nonmage world.
The prince looked at her oddly, as if seeing her for the first time. Have we met before? You look . . . familiar.
Every year there were children selected to meet him, but shed never been among the chosen. No, we havent, sire. Id have remembered.
I could have sworn . . .
You are probably thinking of someone else. She extended her hand. Heres your pendant.
Thank you. The prince shook his head, as if to clear it. He pointed at her clothes. If you do not mind, we need to destroy themI would prefer as little
evidence of your mage origins lying about as possible. Same with the contents of the satchel. Is there anything you particularly wish to keep?
A reminder that she wasnt quite as safe as she would like to be. She didnt know how the prince remained so calm. But she was grateful for his aplombit made her less afraid.
He motioned her to sit down and handed her the satchel. Master Haywoods letter she set aside. Digging through the clothes, she found the pouch of coins shed felt earlierpure Cathay gold, acceptable tender in every mage realm.
I think there is a false bottom, she said, feeling along the linings, her fingers discerning the shape of something cylindrical.
The prince produced a spell that neatly removed the cover of the false bottom to reveal a hidden tube.
He astounded hernot so much the spell, though it was deft, but his demeanor. Had he been an orphan whod had to fend for himself from the youngest age, perhaps she would not be surprised at his maturity and helpfulness. But his must have been the most privileged upbringing in all the Domain; yet here he was, always thinking one step ahead, always anticipating her needs.
Thank you, sire, she said.
Could he detect the admiration in her voice? She did, and it embarrassed her. Hurriedly she reached for the tube, which indeed contained her rolled-up birth chartshe recognized the elaborate painted night sky at the top of the scroll.