Anais of the Protector's Path: Blood Mage Chronicles, #4

By Jamie Wilson

Placed into the service of Lady Mediera, Sister Anais settles into her new life. The war in the south continues to brew, but Anais is distracted by the social intricacies of court life. She helps Mediera through the birth of her first child and must protect them both against a mysterious threat. With a new power source at her disposal, Anais finds herself more than capable of battling even her most sophisticated of foes. The fourth book of the blood mage chronicles continues Anais's saga, following Anais of Gable's House.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jamie Wilson
• Release date: Mar 25, 2016
• ISBN: 9781524235185

Jamie Wilson

Jamie Wilson lives in Massachusetts with her husband and son. They enjoy swimming and playing at local parks during the summer, apple picking in the fall, smelling the new flowers and splashing in puddles in the spring, and sledding and making snowmen in the winter. During naptime, Jamie loves reading and writing fantasy novels. Want to keep up-to-date with Jamie's books? Check our her website: www.jamiewilsonbooks.com Join her mailing list: http://eepurl.com/bvt11L

Book preview

One

The feast was desperately extravagant. Wild duck, roasted quail, seared boar, sweet breads, fresh greens, and candied almonds abounded. Gold banners streamed along joists and ramparts as candles of many colored flames twinkled. Harpists, lutists, drummers, and bell ringers lined the walls, creating a melody of merriment. Dancers in sheer tights and pastel flowing silks twirled across the floor in fluid steps, weaving intricate patterns through the air. The dancers pulled the guests onto the floor in turns and danced around them. I couldn’t help but wonder if the gold spent on the festivities was meant to offset the dire circumstances of the war.

Sitting at a long bench with the other sisters of mercy, I possessed a perfect view of the head table. Colin laughed while feeding Mediera a slice of cake slathered with honey wine frosting. She radiated happiness, exposing not a shred of concern. Melise sat beside Mediera, a relieved smile on her face. Cedric, seated beside Melise, stared glumly at his plate. He was the only one at the table who looked unhappy. Colin had three men at his side, all outfitted in highly decorated red-coated uniforms, indicating high-status positions in the military. I was glad not to see Carenhail amongst them, for he was the captain who had treated my team so badly in the field.

I wonder when Lady Melise will depart the Great House, Zilla, who was sitting on my left, mused. Zilla was my only friend amongst the sisters who lived at the Great House, perhaps because we were close in age, or perhaps just because she was infectiously and sincerely nice. She was pretty in an exotic way, although I only rarely noticed it, for a sister’s headdress and robes had a way of masking any individuality of appearance. Although I had not asked, I often wondered at her origin, for her honey colored skin and eyes were not typical of a citizen of Barriershire.

I didn’t realize she had already made up her mind to leave.

It’s not safe here. Colin and Mediera must stay. But now that Mediera has married, Lady Melise could travel to Courtshire and take up residence in the family estate. I think they will leave before the weather turns cold again.

They? Wouldn’t you go with her as part of her retinue? I had assumed that Melise would take all of her sisters, for she wasn’t the sort to travel alone.

I would prefer to stay. But I’m not certain I will have a choice in the matter.

I fear we are rarely free to act as we wish. I touched her hand. I will miss you if you do have to go. I couldn’t understand her attraction to this place of war. Courtshire, in contrast, had a reputation of civility and comfort.

Hopefully, I will find a way out.

Here, here, Colin shouted. It’s time for the wedding gifts. The chattering and music slowed at the sound of his deep voice barreling through the room.

One by one, a parade of merchants and landholders approached the table bearing assorted trinkets, treasures, and trappings in attempts to ingratiate themselves with the new Lord of Barriershire. There were no nobles. No visitors from the western shires, as one would expect for a wedding of such importance. But, one couldn’t blame those for staying away from Barriershire.

When Gailin Fairweather, the wool merchant, approached, I had a momentary fear that he would rip the necklace off of Mediera’s throat. I had stolen it from his estate, after all. He couldn’t be happy about losing his leverage. But he only offered bolts of silk and finely woven cloth. A footman helped him walk, and another carried the offerings. I noticed Melise sigh in relief as he stepped away from the head table. She must have been relieved to escape the public embarrassment of having let the heirloom fall into Gailin’s hands.

Gailin looked toward the sisters’ table, caught my eye, and glared at me. He must have known it was me who had taken the necklace. But he couldn’t do anything about it. At least, I didn’t think he could.

My lip curled in a grin. I shouldn’t have done it. I should have tried to appear confused. But today was a day for victories.

The sisters of mercy were the last to bring their gifts to the newly married couple. Each sister approached in turn bearing either a beaded necklace or a book for Colin and Mediera to add to the library. I wondered if the books would be returned to the sisters at some point, for how could Colin and Mediera possibly need so many copies of The Tome of Endless Light.

Like most of the other sisters, I gave Colin yet another book. But I had wanted to give Mediera something different. I had no skill at crafting or needlework, so I had resorted to buying her a gift at the market. I had found a small dove gray drawstring purse with a row of pretty black pearls sewn down the seam. It wasn’t much of a gift, but it reminded me of the little bag I had bought for myself when I lived in Brightshire.

Oh Ani, thank you. Mediera left the table and grabbed me in a tight hug. It’s lovely. As she held me, she whispered in my ear, And thank you for the necklace. You saved me.

You’re very welcome. Congratulations. The wedding was lovely. You were perfect.

As she held me, Cedric’s gaze fell on me, and a look of confusion lit his eyes.

Anais? he mouthed the question.

I felt frozen under his scrutiny, but I nodded silently. There was no point in denying that I was myself.

I followed the other sisters away from the head table and stood silently as the music started up again. Wine was poured generously in all of our goblets. I wondered if Colin had to deplete the Great House’s entire cellar to host this wedding feast. Given that most of the wine produced this side of the mountains came from Brightshire vineyards, he couldn’t have much hope of replenishing his collection anytime soon. I took a sip of the rich plum wine. It was very sweet, likely a Brightshire vintage.

Soon after the gifts, Mediera and Colin tried to slip away from the table quietly, but were interrupted with cheers and jibes about the consummation of their vows. Mediera blushed at the comments, but Colin seemed to appreciate the interest, for he offered one last toast to commemorate his wedding night.

Most of the sisters left en mass to take carriages back to the abbey soon after Colin and Mediera fled the hall. Zilla left with Melise, who had grown tired and groggy from too much drink. I considered departing as well, for I didn’t have a place amongst the revelers who were becoming less and less civil as the hour grew late. The floor filled with drunken dancers. There were shouts from a far corner of the room, and I worried that the high spirits of the night might lead to brawling or worse.

Cedric stepped away from the head table. I moved to approach him, but a flock of women, all seemingly eager to bask in his attention, surrounded him before I could reach his side. I watched him for longer than I should have, and by the time I decided that I really ought to leave, all paths seemed blocked, as people were streaming in from several entrances. Perhaps these were townsfolk and soldiers who had not been invited to the feast, but were now here to join in the dancing and drinking.

A man stepped in front of me, dressed in the livery of a footman. He was massive. I tried to side step him, but he caught my left shoulder.

Gailin desires to speak with you, he said.

But I have no wish to talk with him. I slipped my hand inside my cloak and fingered the hilt of my blade. Killing this man would be unfortunate with so many people about. I would have to be quick about it.

Your wishes are not my concern. He started pulling me toward him.

Before I could unsheathe my knife, a figure stepped in front of us.

The lady said no. It was Cedric. Somehow, he had been able to escape his admirers and come to my rescue.

The footman eyed Cedric’s uniform and then nodded and stepped away. So Cedric appeared more intimidating than I did. Little did he know.

Would you care to dance? he asked.

I hesitated and considered saying no. For it wasn’t that I was angry with him, but I certainly wasn’t happy with him. At the same time, I needed to clear the uncertainty that had built between us. And I couldn’t be sure another opportunity would present itself. He might have to go back to the field tomorrow. I nodded, let him take me by the hand, and then pull me onto the floor.

As we joined the other dancers, a few eyes turned to me with looks of surprise. I imagined that a sister of mercy in full regalia dancing with a soldier was not an ordinary sight. And Cedric was hardly common looking as soldiers went. He was tall and broad-shouldered, with dark unruly hair, a strong square jaw—only slightly lined with stubble—and was dressed in a fitted uniform decorated with marks of prestige. I couldn’t help but notice that women were eyeing me with displeasure, as if I had stolen him unfairly. How odd.

In the center of the dance floor, the noise became overbearing. Any attempts at holding a conversation were squashed before they could even start.

Can we go somewhere quieter? I asked. This is too much.

He nodded and maneuvered us to a room annexed to the Great Hall, away from the musicians and most of the dancers. Those around us now, were others seeking a stolen moment. More than a few couples were locked in steamy embraces. It almost made me blush.

A slow haunting melody drifted in through the cracks, and I let Cedric lead me in an unstructured waltz.

You’ve changed, he whispered. Ever since Mediera told me you were here, I was looking for you, but I didn’t even recognize you. I knew you had joined the sisterhood, but it’s still so surreal to see you this way. I keep thinking I’m supposed to find the little girl I was friends with in Brightshire. And here you are, entirely different, and all grown up.

You’re different, too. You must be a foot taller.

He laughed. Yeah. Everything’s changed.

Sometimes it feels like we were just playing in the gardens yesterday. Is it possible to be more than one version of yourself at the same time? We’re not really different people. We are still us. Aren’t we?

He laughed. You’re right. I’ve missed you. I was so angry with you I could barely stand it. I thought our being found out would mean I would have to go west with Thomas and Clara. And I hated the idea of leaving. It seemed so unfair.

I didn’t feel I had much of a choice, when the time came. I had to leave. I want you to understand. At least you were able to join the army as you wished. I wanted to tell him that I hadn’t abandoned him, at least not voluntarily. But, how could I without revealing my abduction and initiation into the skins? And if he were anything like the other soldiers, he would despise me for being part of something he didn’t comprehend. I didn’t have a choice. I couldn’t tell him.

Yes. I got exactly what I wanted. I’m a soldier.

I’m surprised that Colin was so quick to help you.

He was surprisingly supportive when I told him I wanted to enter the military. He said there would be trouble if I tried to go across the mountains. I’m technically in the line of succession for Kinshire. As my father was the second born son.

How is that possible? Wouldn’t that mean that Thomas is also in line? He is your elder brother. And how could he be in line for two lordships? That doesn’t seem possible.

He’s not. My father gave up his place in the succession when he married the Lady of Brightshire, and his children by her were also removed from Kinshire’s line. But, I am not a child of that union. If my father had not married my mother, and I was illegitimate, I also would not qualify. But my father did marry my mother, and so I was registered into the Kinshire line of succession and there is nothing I can do to remove myself.

Did you know this before? Shouldn’t your father have told you?

I didn’t know, and yes he should have told me. Perhaps he didn’t want me to get it into my head to make my way to Kinshire and try to make a claim. The way Colin explained it, I would be considered an interloper, an usurper, since I wasn’t raised there. They would not take kindly to my presence. Even though my father’s elder brother has two sons who will inherit before me, I would be considered a threat. Colin said that if I went to Kinshire, I would likely not survive a month.

We turned quiet as we spun around the floor.

Do you enjoy being a sister of mercy? I have to admit that I never imagined you would choose that path. I liked thinking of you as a scribe, or just as you. You never seemed particularly devout. But then again, my father prohibited the sisters from setting up an abbey in Brightshire, so perhaps I just didn’t notice.

I grimaced. I’m hardly devout. But I have to see it as an opportunity. Being a sister provides me freedom, and I’m able to be here with Mediera. Trust me, my situation could be worse.

He nodded. I’m glad you’re here with her. She’s fond of you.

I’m fond of her.

You’ll have to protect her. She’s not as strong as she seems. And I worry about her. She’s alone here. There are very few people left in her retinue that aren’t employed by Colin. And I know she feels her freedoms have been stifled and that Colin controls every aspect of her life. And it’s hard for her. I know that she appears happy, but I’m convinced it’s a façade—a show she offers to her people. Inside, she suffers.

I’ll do everything in my power to be there for her.