The Dragon Nimbus Novels: Volume III: Volume III

when Queen Mikka held his hand.
    “We will discuss this further, when all of us have had time to reflect on all of the options.” More likely when Darville had a chance to discuss the alternatives with Mikka. “Remember, Laislac, the plight of Lord Andrall’s son is well known. This marriage and his impending paternity would generate more scandal than were Lady Ariiell to give birth to an illegitimate child. Do you really want this?”
    “I insist that Lord Andrall and his son honor their obligations to my daughter. They will marry!” Laislac screamed loud enough for the entire court to hear.
    A few moments later all of the combatants exited. Lady Lynnetta in tears, comforted by the supporting arm of her husband, Lord Andrall. Their son, Mardall, tripped along in their wake, drooling slightly, smiling happily at Jack’s familiar wave. He clutched a stuffed toy—perhaps a well-worn spotted saber cat—and seemed oblivious to the storm that had threatened his quiet, predictable world away from the court. He’d been so quiet, Jack had not realized he’d been in the room.
    Lord Laislac looked as if he’d spit thunder and lightning. His wife, Ariiell’s stepmother, held her chin up and pursed her mouth in a disgusted pout.
    But Lady Ariiell smiled and patted her slightly swollen tummy.
    She was up to something.
    Jack needed to follow her and find out what.
    He also needed to inform the king and queen that he had a possible answer to Mikka’s problem. After tonight, Queen Mikka might very well negate Lady Ariiell’s ambitions.
    Jack slipped into the study and locked the door behind him, both physically and magically.
    “Something else that requires my attention?” King Darville asked impatiently, lifting one golden eyebrow. He barely looked up from the documents that he read most intently. His leather queue restraint had slipped, and he looked in need of a shave. The last confrontation had taken its toll on him since Jack’s witch-sniffer report a few hours ago.
    Still the king maintained his gentle smile and politeness while his eyes narrowed in slight disapproval. Better to risk the king’s irritation than brave the wolflike smile and bared teeth that betrayed his anger. He glanced at his wife, clearly anxious for a moment alone with her to discuss that touchy situation Laislac had thrown at his feet.
    “Your Grace, I believe I have a solution to a recurring problem.”
    Darville half rose from his chair, his full gaze intent upon Jack’s face. “Do we have privacy?” he asked quietly.
    Mikka came to his side and clutched his arm. Darville tucked her neatly against his side in a loving and companionable gesture. Her eyes became huge in her too thin face; not daring to hope.
    Jack closed his eyes and breathed deeply, listening to all of the small sounds around the palace with extra as well as mundane senses. He heard the shuffle of many feet within the building and out in the courtyards. The murmur of many conversations drifted close to his ear. He sorted through them and dismissed all but one. Just above the subtle shift of stones and kardia settling into each other, he detected a whisper, two heartbeats, the sputter of a rushlight . . .
    He held up two fingers and pointed beneath the floor.
    Darville cocked his head and pursed his lips in consternation. “The tunnels,” he mouthed the words and pointed to his massive desk.
    Jack had heard about the numerous secret passages that riddled the residential wing of the palace. They dated to the earliest construction of the old keep, intended to give the original lord of the islands an escape in time of war. Only one tunnel remained open and well known. It provided a quick trip between the palace and the University complex on an adjacent island. Now that the University served as a barracks, the guards used the tunnel to move quickly between duties, protected from the weather.
    But the other tunnels. The older ones were supposed to remain secret from all but the king’s closest family and confidants.
    Jack drew his sword, actually his staff in mild disguise.
    “Fred?” Darville said quietly.
    “No time,” Jack replied equally quiet.
    “Ready?”
    Jack nodded.
    The king pressed a hidden lever. The desktop slid sideways. He withdrew from the opening quickly, taking Mikka with him.
    Unnatural yellow flame tinged with blue lighted the dark hole where the desktop had been. Witchlight!
    Mikka gasped and held her hand over her mouth to stifle any further