He bowed. “Of course, Your Highness. We can leave for his estate whenever you’re ready.”
“I’m ready now, and I can mistphase us. It’ll be fastest.”
He smirked. “All right. If you’re sure you can transport me too?”
“I can. I’ve mistphased others many times before.”
His smirk increased, and Royden held out his hand. I took it and could only hope the visit to my uncle’s would be brief. In all likelihood, it would only take a few hours to translate what he’d found, as long as it wasn’t an entire book’s length. Then I could return to the palace and check in with Kole to learn what the Council had decided. And if needed, I would speak to my parents.
I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. Focusing on all that I’d learned, I disentangled my mental magic, then called upon it for my mistphase. In a rush of power, the realm dropped outfrom beneath us, and we disappeared in a blast of mist and shadows, air and wind.
I concentrated on where I wanted us to go, thinking of my uncle’s home library and how I wanted to travel us directly into it, but when the realm solidified around us, and I opened my eyes, it wasn’t to a library. Instead, a breeze blew across my cheeks, and morning sunshine streamed upon my forehead.
“What in the realm?” I spun around. “This isn’t right.” We were outside of a vast estate, right at the gate, but when I glanced upward, I sagged in relief. The gate’s header readManafold Estates. “Stars, we’re here, but I didn’t get us past his wards.”
“But you did mistphase us right to his home. I’m impressed.” Royden studied the area too, his expression a bit nauseated, but he quickly shrugged it off.
“I guess that’s true.” I placed my hands on my hips and frowned at the gates, wondering how we’d get in. At least it was a lovely day and not raining. Instead, the pale-green sky shone, not a cloud to be seen, and around us, only a meadow grew, and just beyond the perimeter of my uncle’s vast lawn, the Wood waited. Thick trees swamped the area, and when another breeze picked up, the leaves parted to reveal a distant stone structure too.
Regardless, thiswasn’twhere I’d wanted us to rematerialize.
I slapped a hand to my forehead, and the reason why that was hit me like lightning. “I know what happened. My uncle was expecting me andKoleto arrive this morning, not me and you. You probably aren’t cleared to pass through his wards.”
Royden shrugged. “That explains it, which means we’ll have to find your uncle.”
Facing the estate, I reached toward it to touch the magical ward that encased his home. But whereas Royden would likely encounter a spark or zing of my uncle’s wards if he touchedthem, my hand easily slipped through them, and the gate opened readily for me.
I huffed in frustration. “I’m sorry. I’ll go find him so you can get in.”
Royden stepped forward, blocking me. “Princess Primelle, you’re not to go anywhere without me.”
“I know, I know, but it’s just my uncle.”
As if my touch on his wards alerted him to my arrival, down the gravel walkway leading to my uncle’s large home, the front door opened.
My uncle stepped out and waved, beckoning us. “Good morning! Come on inside. I’ve been expecting you!”
Even from the distance, Arnel’s fresh appearance and alert demeanor were evident. I chuckled lightly. He obviously hadn’t been kidding when he said that he slept just fine in his carriage.
I waved back and said to Royden, “I’ll let him know you’re locked out.”
I rushed toward my uncle even though Royden called for me to stop, and when I reached the front door, I was slightly breathless. “Good morning, Uncle. We just got here, but Kole’s not with me today.” I waved toward where Royden waited. “Another warrior is accompanying me, but he needs clearance from your wards to get in.”
“A different warrior?” My uncle cocked his head.
“Yes, so if you’ll just let Royden in, we can venture to your library. I can’t wait to see what you’ve found!” I beamed.
He chuckled. “Of course, of course. I’ll have to get my spellcaster.” My uncle’s smile increased, and he opened the door wider, then cupped his mouth with his hands and called to Royden, “I shall find my spellcaster so you may enter. One minute, please!” He beckoned me inside, then closed the door behind us. “My library is just down the hall on the main floor. I’llshow you to it, and you can get to work on the translation while I find my spellcaster.”
“Wonderful!” I fell into step beside him. “And how was your journey home last night? You look quite refreshed.”
Arnel laughed, and his mustache twitched upward. It struck me again how similar he looked to my father. “It was just fine. Rather uneventful. Exactly how I like it. The rocking carriage soothed me to sleep in no time.”
“Perhaps I should try that next time I visit.” But then I frowned, because it was a long carriage ride from here to Whiteolf, and who knew when I’d be allowed to leave the palace after dark. It was unlikely I could make it here and back in one day.
“Ah, here we are.” My uncle led me to a large set of black double doors. He opened them to reveal a huge library filled with books. At the center was a tall table, high enough to lean on while standing. Surrounding it were several armchairs and a long sofa. “I have the book here.”
He led me to it, and on the table, a large tome sat open. Its spine looked freshly crafted, and its pages were crisp.
