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I scrambled away from the cell door, snatching up a growling Ember as I went. I stared at him as he deposited the tray on the ground just inside the cell.
“What’s going on?” I asked. “Why am I—?”
“You will remain silent!” he said in the same commanding tones, cutting across my question. But as he relocked the cell door, he relaxed a little, apparently caught in a moment of compassion.
“We have all been forbidden from speaking to you. But try to have patience. All will be explained in time.”
I stayed frozen in place away from the door, hoping for more, but he simply sighed and strode off back down the corridor. I rushed to the bars in time to see him take his seat and pick up the bowl and plate he had left for himself.
Seeing him eat the same food I had been left gave me enough reassurance to consume the surprisingly appetizing meal on the tray. But I still monitored my body closely for hours afterward, watching for any sign I had ingested something unsavory.
Eventually, however, I found myself wishing there might be something secreted in my food. At least driving out the poison would have provided some alleviation from the boredom. Ember alone kept me sane, and I wished Phoenix could have been with us as well. For his sake, I was glad he wasn’t, though. The falcon would have hated being restrained for so long without enough space to take flight.
My cell didn’t afford any glimpse of outside light, but the regular meal deliveries kept track of the passing hours. Between the food and the two long stretches of slumber from the man in the chair—both punctuated by loud snores—I guessed I had been imprisoned for two days before something new happened.
I spent those days thinking longingly of Nik, Amara, and my other friends and brooding over Grey and his final words, which now felt like a curse over me. Had he known this would happen?
Gia had been convinced her parents would be pleased to meet me, but she hadn’t known all the facts. We had never told her that with Grey gone, I was the only one left who could do mesmerizations.
Gia might not have known, but Amara and Hayes had obviously reported the full truth to the Triumvirate, and they would certainly have told the king. Once again, I had been recklessly sure of myself, only to find Grey had been one step ahead, even in death.
My thoughts ran in horrible circles, making it hard to sleep, so I jumped at any opportunity for variety, however small. The opening door had become familiar at mealtimes, but it had been only an hour since the last delivery when it opened again.
I immediately raced to the bars.
When I saw who was standing at the top of the stairs, I almost fainted with relief. Amara had finally arrived.
“I’m here to see my apprentice.” She looked wrathful, commanding, and powerful, and my heart lifted just at the sight of her.
The man heaved himself to his feet, and I held my breath. Would he give way before her or attack—even if only with words? He did neither, however, instead sighing sadly.
“No one is permitted to speak to her.”
“What sort of ridiculousness is that?” Amara snapped. “She needs physical touch to influence someone’s mind. You might not be a healer, but don’t pretend you don’t know—”
“Their Majesties are not willing to take any chances.” The man sighed again. “I know you’re biased toward her. She’s your apprentice, so of course you are. But you yourself reported that she has exceptional skill at using her power from a distance—more so than many master mages.”
Amara snorted. “Yes, she’s skilled in that area, but that doesn’t mean her power can operate inside someone without physical touch. She’s still a regular healer!”
“I’m sorry,” he said simply.
Amara drew herself up, fury sparking in her eyes. “Delphine is my apprentice and therefore a member of this Guild! Does that really mean nothing, Master Drake?”
I stifled a gasp. Master Drake? The man on constant watch outside my cell was the Master of the Elements?
I shook my head. One of the affinity heads and a member of the Triumvirate had been on full-time guard duty outside my cell. For the first time, I realized just how dangerous they thought I was.
When Master Drake remained silent, Amara continued on. “She’s done nothing wrong! We owe her our protection.”
“Do you think I don’t know it?” Drake spoke in a heavy voice. “It has been weighing on me the whole time I’ve been stationed here. But we cannot deny the very real danger—not just to the throne or the Guild but to the whole kingdom. You know what just two of those Constantines did to us.”
Amara’s shoulders slumped. Seeing her give in made me grip the bars until my knuckles turned white. I pressed myself against them, reaching out with one hand.
“Amara!” I shouted.
She jerked and turned, staring at me with wide eyes. It was obvious from their reactions that neither of them had realized I was hovering there, listening. Her weight shifted, as if she meant to rush toward me despite Master Drake’s earlier prohibition.
But he moved to place himself in her way, his face growing stern. He no longer looked tired or old but instead full of the same inexorable strength as the tide.
