Tam sat, staring dazedly out at the courtyard, Mr. Howard was at his side while Hannah had already left to resume attending to her duties for the reception, and Eli waited back in the corridor out of earshot.

“Tamlin, I’d like to think we’ve become good friends throughout the years… You… You are diligent about your work, and we’ve always had good rapport together, so if you could-”

“How long?” Tam interrupted the assistant with a deceptively light tone.

“Now, Tam, there isn’t really a reason for me to share that with you.”

The young lord turned and stared at the assistant.

Mr. Howard cleared his throat and looked away. “I don’t exactly keep track but maybe a decade…?”

“A decade?!”

“SSHH!” Mr. Howard hushed frantically while eyeing their surroundings worriedly. “Please, it is a private matter! I’m only telling you as you and I have done good work together over the years, and I know you tend to keep things to yourself!”

“Hannah’s like a sister to my father,” Tam reminded weakly.

“I’m aware, but again, it isn’t. His. Business. We aren’t a couple. We have no designs to get married, this is simply an… An arrangement that works for us given our chosen lifestyles!”

“You both think and do nothing but work?” Tam supplied while once again looking away.

“Yes. Exactly.”

Tam closed his eyes and dropped his chin to his chest while starting to run his hand over the back of his neck. “Mr. Howard, as you said, I do like to keep to myself, and I know I’m like my mother in that I tend to not cause… excitement in the way my father and sister do, but how can I not-”

“This is Hannah’s preference as much as my own, and I will expect you to respect us both.” Mr. Howard’s tone held firm, and there was a glint of seriousness in his eyes that was more severe than usual.

Tam closed his mouth and took in a deep breath through his nose while opening his eyes again.

“You’re right. Absolutely. You’re right… And I suspect now that you are retiring that it won’t continue– Never mind. I don’t want to know.” Tam waved off the rest of his words despite it seeming as though Mr. Howard was going to say something on the matter. “I’ll have to tease you both though.”

“I can accept that,” the assistant nodded in acceptance.

“Also. My new assistant over there? Accidentally insinuated to a couple noblewomen that I’m cursed.”

“What?! After all we went through assuring the coven that was not the case?!” Mr. Howard burst out in a far more typical manner.

“Sh- He didn’t mean to. Eli has been in Troivack the past seven years, and before that, Gods know where. He had no reason to know about Daxaria’s history with curses, so let’s stay on top of this and have a quick meeting with Louise Riddel before I depart for Xava so it isn’t a big deal.”

Mr. Howard let out a groan. “Here I thought I’d finally get to rest properly in the morning…”

“Sorry. But I have a feeling the king’s current assistant is already too deep in his cups to take on the task.”

Mr. Howard sighed glumly; wordlessly accepting that Tam was correct.

“See what you can do about filling Eli in about the situation with the coven. I know he heard a bit during that meeting– Sorry that things aren’t looking to be going well with your inheriting the dukedom,” the assistant added sincerely.

Tam’s mood instantly darkened. “About that… Are they really going to refuse to permit Antony to inherit the throne because he is a witch?”

Mr. Howard’s expression turned stony, then sad. “It is something that is being handled very carefully. I’m sure you know your sister, Her Majesty, is not at all pleased with this. If it were up to her she would say all manner of things to the coven before insisting Antony should inherit the throne, but I will confess… I can see it building a greater divide between people and witches if not only do they have the powers of the Gods, but they also rule the kingdom… It can breed a great deal of contempt and unrest.”

Tam considered this view.

Mr. Howard was a cautious man, and he had lived through enough controversy to speak from experience…

“I understand. I think the boys need to start being told about what is going on, though.” Tam paused as a new idea struck him. “What if we introduce a vote? If the people of Daxaria are made aware a vote could help gauge their feelings on the matter and we all go from there.”

“It’s a reasonable idea, though it would then open up the monarchy to criticism, and would subject your nephews to a great deal of hardship if I’m to be blunt.”

Tam’s frustration cracked under the heavy weight of reason.

Things really were a headache to sort out…

“What do the covens of Lobahl and Zinfera believe?”

Mr. Howard’s eyebrows lifted. “Now that… Is a wise idea. Perhaps they have insight into this dilemma. Tomorrow, why don’t you discuss this idea with Louise Riddel. You’ll be going to Zinfera regardless, so you may as well see if they have any texts or insight. Maybe we even have you venture to Lobahl before returning home.”

Tam unsuccessfully tried to not grimace at the idea of spending even longer away from the comforts of home. Then again… if it meant finding an answer for Antony, and solidifying his own position that could offer his sister and her sons support, then perhaps an extra year abroad would be worth it.

“Would Lobahl even accept my visit? I think I’ve only ever met one nobleman who was welcomed into the kingdom. Though at least Lobahl has become more communicative in recent years…”

Mr. Howard leaned back and folded his arms as the evening chill started to find its way through his thick coat. “There is a chance that they will permit it as it pertains to the changing world and wanting to uphold the sanctity of the purpose of witches. Again, a question to ask Louise Riddel in the morning.”

Tam felt drained just thinking about all the work that would need to go into such a widespread endeavor, and he hadn’t even made it to the late night snack time…

Pressing himself up to once again stand, Tam rounded his toes toward the courtyard exit, though, a streak of his Ashowan bloodline peeked through as he looked back down at his father’s assistant and said, “You know… I can’t help but wonder how the knights that used to serve in the kitchen with Hannah would feel about your relationship. I mean… Captain Taylor may be getting on in years, but he’s still quite strong…”

Mr. Howard curled in on himself as Tam then stepped away from the assistant.

The fact that the head of housekeeping was close friends with not only two dukes and the captain of Daxaria’s military, but also two other knights with large families with sons that adored Hannah just as much was a sharp reminder that the assistant best be on his toes at all times.

*

Tam approached the coronation reception purposefully.

Eli fell into step beside him, her footfalls impressively silent.

“New plan, Eli. We’re getting out of here. I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for a glass of wine in my own chair in front of the fire with one of my books. You’re welcome to stay if you like, but-”

“I’ll have a cup of tea instead of wine, but I would like that a great deal.”

Tam shot a conspiratorial smile at her. “Great. Now… I didn’t want to have to go this route, but we’ll have to have a pretty drastic reason for leaving, so be prepared. Things are going to move quickly.”

“What is it you are going to do, my lord?” Eli asked, unable to hide her hesitation in her tone.

Tam faced the nearing glow of the banquet hall with a smile and a disbelieving shake of his head. “I’m going to call on my last resort…”

“My lord, are you certain that it is absolutely necessary? Surely in a few hours-”

“I know what we just learned about Mr. Howard doesn’t mean the same thing to you as it does me, but… My father is very protective. Especially of Hannah. And he has far too much fun tormenting the king’s assistant as is… I’ll be honest, it’s beyond tempting to tell him just to see what will happen. So I have to do two things.”

The pair stopped a short ways in front of the doors. “The first? I have to make Hannah be the one to tell my father. The second? I need an excellent reason to leave after that news breaks.”

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“I’m not sure I understand your plan, my lord. What even is your last resort…?”

Tam and Eli stopped in front of the packed banquet hall where everyone they laid eyes on save for the servants were absolutely knackered.

“We don’t have much time.”

Eli looked at Tam, confused, until she noticed he was staring straight ahead, and so followed his eyeline until she found herself staring at…

The three princes. Who somehow were standing together in a line, and were already nodding their understanding at their uncle when he jerked his chin upward.

Then, with the seriousness of soldiers marching to battle, they dispersed through the crowd.

Eli slowly turned back to Tam. “Do you know what they are going to do?”

At least the future duke had the decency to look grim when he answered with, “I don’t. That’s why they are a last resort. Whatever they do will be a success, but I never can ask how, or what. I just have to accept the consequences.” Tam then turned toward a discreet corner to the far right of the room, and made his way through the crowd. Eli stuck close to him, unsure of where they were going given that she was not blessed with his height.

However, when they stopped in front of the duke and duchess, Eli was left once again baffled as to what her strange employer could have in mind.

Finlay and Annika were dressed finely for the occasion, with Fin wearing a dark emerald coat and black tunic, while his wife wore a black dress with silvery embroidery and emerald jewels draped over her chest and earlobes. They appeared to be in the middle of a rather intimate conversation… As though the duke had just been about to kiss the wife he infamously adored.

“Da, mum, are you aware that the boys are still here?”

The duke and duchess pulled apart at the sound of their son’s voice, blinking themselves back to the present.

“Then why doesn’t a kind uncle put them to bed?” Annika asked patiently while facing Tam with her chin lifted expectantly.

“You know it isn’t my place to say anything!” Tam was suddenly shouting the words, and Eli winced at his side, wondering just what in the Green Man’s antlers he was doing that for, when an abrupt halting of movement drew her attention to the left, where she saw Hannah, the Head of Housekeeping, in the middle of loading up a steward’s tray with fresh goblets of wine.

She locked eyes with Eli, her face tensing before she hurriedly finished her task and then rushed over to Tam.

“While everyone is in here, Gods know what they are doing!” Tam shouted again, and both his father and mother frowned at his peculiar behavior, when Hannah reached them and placed herself directly in between them.

“Tam! Mind if we have a word?” Hannah insisted with a strained smile.

“Sorry, Hannah, not right now. They need to hear this!” Tam continued seriously while shaking his head.

“Tam, are you feeling alright…?” Fin’s hands found his hips as he eyed Hannah and his son with growing suspicion.

“I’m fine! But this needs to be dealt with sooner than later!”

“Tam! By the Gods– It isn’t your business who I bed!” Hannah snapped furiously, her eyes flashing.

Despite the music and revelry of the rest of the room, the five people present for Hannah’s outburst fell quiet.

“What does your romantic life have to do with our grandsons being put to bed?” Fin wondered dazedly from behind Hannah.

The head of housekeeping’s furious expression froze, then slowly thawed to pure bloodthirst.

“You arse,” she bit out toward Tam, her voice low.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Tam murmured back. “Though you have teased me quite often yourself. Remember, it was you who ousted me about the study wall incident.”

“They were going to figure out eventually you did something to an entire wall!”

“What is going on?” Annika’s voice was sharp behind Hannah, drawing Tam’s eyes upward to her.

“Ah, Hannah was misunderstanding our discussion,” he explained with a shrug.

“What did you think Tam was talking about?” Fin’s blue eyes dropped to the back of Hannah’s head, who cringed as she took her time turning around.

“You don’t need to worry about it, Fin. I’m a grown woman and I can handle myself.”

Fin didn’t look away from Hannah, but he addressed his son. “Taaam? What did you see exactly?”

“I saw what I shouldn’t have! But I–” Tam was shouting again, and Eli was about to tell him to knock it off herself, when Mr. Howard crashed into the discussion, seizing Tam’s shoulder.

“You bloody traitor!”

Annika’s jaw dropped.

Fin stared dumbly at the assistant, then back at Hannah.

“You… You two… Are…”

“For the record, Kevin, I wasn’t the one who ousted you,” Tam informed the assistant who gulped as Fin’s eyes practically crackled when they moved to look back at him.

Hannah turned her chin over her shoulder to glance at Tam, and said through gritted teeth, “I’ll get you for this, Tammy. Mark my words.”

“Is something burning?” Eli spoke suddenly while wrinkling her nose.

Startled into remembering that she was there, everyone stared at Eli, and then the first shout echoed out.

“LORD TAM! YOUR HAIR IS ON FIRE!”

Jolting in alarm, Tam whirled around, though in doing so the flames spread and one licked his neck making him yelp.

In the next instant, a bucket’s worth of water was doused on him, putting him out entirely.

The room fell collectively silent, and once he’d wiped the water from his face, Tam looked down just in time to see his three nephews darting back into the crowd.

The smell of burnt hair filled the room.

Once he had overcome the shock of being aflame and then drenched, Tam returned his attention to his parents, and, with a sigh, said, “I told you they should be in bed. Now… I think I’m going to go home to treat this burn and see how much hair I still have left. Eli, shall we?”

Hannah, Mr. Howard, Fin, and Annika couldn’t bring themselves to speak as Tam lowered his eyes to the floor, and then made his way out of the reception, dripping wet, and wounded… But victorious.

Once they had made their way back toward the front of the castle and sent for a carriage, Eli at last spoke.

“Are you… alright… my lord?”

Tam let out a breath while reaching behind himself and pulling forward his long black hair that was more ash than hair at that point.

“Fine for now, though I’ll be waking up one of the maids to cut my hair tonight when we get back. Sorry you have to wait for that cup of tea a little longer,” Tam added with genuine sentiment.

Eli studied her employer once more without bothering to pretend she wasn’t until he faced her.

“Honestly, it wasn’t as bad as it could have been. Though it was painfully obvious I planned the whole thing, it was bold enough they couldn’t say anything about my leaving. Though I’m relatively certain Hannah is going to break one of my bones…”

“My lord, to be blunt, you are… Very weird.”

“I told you I was, didn’t I?”

“It’s much worse than you led me to believe.”

Tam chuckled. “Well… Sorry. You’re stuck with a very strange person as your employer for a little while, but hopefully, you don’t hold it against me.”

Eli didn’t say anything in response, her true thoughts unknown.

So Tam allowed the silence to take over. Though he had to silently confess… In a strange way, it was nice that someone could be an accomplice to his occasional bout of mischievousness. In the past it had always been himself in a supporting role for his sister’s pranks and wild tendencies… And then she had gotten married and it hadn’t been the same.

This meant that his mother had been right about it being good for him having someone at his side…

And it was bloody annoying to admit.