Free Veilspeaker (Pharim War Book 2) by Gama Ray Martinez

and the lord narrowed his
eyes.
    “This is easily resolved,” Villia said. “We need only
go to Varin’s quarters. If my apprentice was able to find the circle, I can do
so as well.” He turned to Varin. “Provided you have no objections, of course.”
    “I most certainly do,” Varin said. “I will not stand
here and be accused.”
    “You will permit us to look.” Varin’s eyes practically
bulged at the king’s words but Haziel continued. “From what I’ve been told,
what Dusan did was foolish and dangerous. We both know you aren’t half the mage
he was, and I won’t have you taking such a risk in my keep.” The king motioned
to Villia. “Let’s go.”

CHAPTER 19
    “That went better than expected,” Jez
said.
    He was walking alongside Villia. Haziel, Varin, Lina,
and half a dozen guards followed a few steps behind. The other nobles had tried
to follow, but a curt command from the king dissuaded them. Once again, Villia
had formed a barrier so they could speak without being overheard.
    “Only because it was before the other nobles,” Villia
said. “We forced the king’s hand, and he won’t soon forget that.”
    “But once we show him the circle, he’ll have to
forgive us, right?”
    Villia sighed. “You still don’t understand, do you?
Officially, there’s nothing for him to forgive us of, but this will severely
damage our influence at court, though yours more than mine.”
    “You know, I really don’t care about that anymore.
Once I get Osmund out of trouble, we’re going back to the Academy. If I have my
way, I’ll never come back here again.”
    Villia snorted. “Well, I can’t say that I blame you,
but it’s not wise to dispense with court politics entirely. If you’re not
careful, you might find pieces of Korand taken from you and given to your
rivals.”
    Jez grumbled under his breath that they were welcome
to it. His rank had brought him nothing but trouble. Then again, he might not
be able to get back into the Academy without it. He sighed and shook his head.
He just couldn’t win.
    They made their way through the keep until they came
to Varin’s quarters. A pair of guards stood watch, but a gesture from the king
dismissed them. Villia turned to Varin and motioned for him to let them in. He
scowled but pushed open the door. He stepped inside and spread his arms.
    “There. You see? There’s no summoning circle. Can we
get back to dealing with the actual murderer?”
    “It was hidden by an illusion when we were here
before,” Jez said.
    Haziel nodded at Villia. “Mage Villia, if you please.”
    Villia inclined her head and closed her eyes. Jez did
the same, trying to find some sign of the working hiding the circle. He had
tried to learn illusion at the Academy, but he was hopelessly inept at it, and
he had no sense of it. He opened his eyes, giving the effort up as pointless.
Villia spoke after a few seconds of tense silence.
    “There are a few illusions here,” she said without
opening her eyes. “I’m going to start taking them down. I would recommend Lady
Lina leave.”
    “You will not give me commands in my own quarters,
mage,” Varin said.
    “I was not intending to be rude nor was it a command.
It’s the nature of illusions to be difficult to tell apart, and I wouldn’t want
to take hers down by mistake.”
    Lina paled a little, and her fingers went to her
cheek. She removed them a second later and clenched her teeth. The scar
appeared, though almost instantly, she returned her hand to face to cover the
mark.
    “You may continue, Mage Villia. I have removed my
illusion.”
    Jez and Osmund exchanged glances, and Lina grew red
when she saw the expressions on their faces but didn’t say anything. Villia
nodded. She splayed her fingers and violet motes appeared around her hands. The
gold frames of the paintings dimmed, and the sunlight streaming through the
window suddenly didn’t seem so bright. The entire room faded. All the changes
had been subtle, and the