On the morning of the second day, Taggie and Jemima attended the mass funeral service for all those who’d perished at what was now known as the Battle of Majpan Bridge. The soldiers of both armies were buried alongside each other with full honours in a field beside the river. The only exception to the burial were the corpses of the rathwai, which were dragged away and burned in an old stone quarry.
After the funeral, the restoration of the palace began in earnest. Teams of builders and artisans arrived to strip out the foul fixtures which the Karraks had installed. They were aided by mages who dispelled the dark enchantments that still lingered in many of the artefacts before they could be safely taken down and destroyed. It was clear the renovation would take months, but Prince Dino was absorbed by the task, striding around and explaining how the whole place was to be restored to the splendour he remembered from his own childhood.
Jemima certainly couldn’t complain at the suite of rooms traditionally occupied by the Blossom Princess. There would be maids and other staff, Dad promised, just as soon as things returned to normal; a timetable nobody was clear about. And besides, he pointed out, they were due back at Mum’s in ten days. After that it would be the end of the summer holiday, and time to go back to school.
‘School?’ the sisters had bleated incredulously that morning at breakfast in the palace’s sumptuous banqueting hall, which had a table long enough to seat a hundred people.
‘But . . . but, I’m the Queen of Dreams!’
‘And I’m the Blossom Princess!’
‘And nobody in this realm wants uneducated people occupying the palace,’ Dad replied. ‘So school it is.’
‘Quite true,’ Mr Anatole had said as he helped himself to another slice of toast.
Taggie’s mouth had dropped open in shock at that betrayal.
‘Both of you are going back to school. End of discussion.’
‘Dad, you’re being so unfair.’
‘Would you like to try and argue that with your mother?’ he had asked calmly.
‘No, Dad,’ they had chorused, hanging their heads in dismay.
Passing trees that had lost their leaves, and bushes that were thawing out to resemble clumps of bare wire, Jemima finally found the big garden with the tree house where they’d met their grandmother that one and only time. It had survived the whole ordeal untouched, though its veranda was sagging a little and the windows now resembled sleepy eyes. She was glad about that, but her smile wasn’t as broad as it should be. She sighed.
‘What’s the matter, Jem?’ Felix asked.
‘Nothing.’
His sharp little teeth chittered as if chewing an invisible nut, and he cocked his head to one side to study her.
‘Well,’ she admitted, ‘it’s just that Taggie’s the Queen of Dreams now . . . Not that she doesn’t deserve it,’ she added hurriedly. For the last two days, the palace had been besieged by people from the nearby towns and villages; all of them desperate to see Taggie – to thank her, to discuss what was to be done next. To ask about the sun and the seasons. To offer help. They brought gifts, too. Oh they smiled and made a fuss of Jemima, certainly, but she had suddenly become very aware of her little-sister status. And that was going to last for the rest of her life. Not that she resented it. But . . .
‘You are the best seer I have known,’ Mrs Veroomes told Jemima firmly. ‘Your ability is without equal. Your gift is just as great as that of your sister. I will help you polish it, never fear.’
‘I know,’ Jemima said glumly. ‘But she’s the one they all want. Oh, I know I’m being unfair.’
‘They have started asking for you, too, Princess,’ Felix said, his tail standing straight. ‘Your father has arranged many appointments for later this afternoon.’
‘Yeah – to pat me on the head or give me another gold necklace.’ Not that she didn’t like all the presents – although Dad had forbidden her to take any back to the Outer Realm.
Felix and Mrs Veroomes exchanged a puzzled glance. ‘The countryside folk need you desperately now the Karraks’ false winter is lifting,’ Felix said.
Jemima frowned. ‘What? Why?’ She adored Felix, but he could be really annoying at times.
‘You are the Blossom Princess, Jemima.’
‘Yeah, I know that.’
Felix chattered his teeth again. ‘In this realm, titles are given for a reason.’ His paw gripped her arm, and he gently turned her round. ‘Look,’ he said, gesturing. ‘Look where you have walked.’
Jemima’s breath caught in her throat. The winding path she’d taken through the palace gardens was now dusted with colour. Leaf buds were shining green on the branches of the empty trees. Flutterseeds were opening on the twigs of the bushes, their petals beginning to flap. Wildflower stalks were pushing up out of the ground’s icy crust. ‘Did I do that?’ she gasped.
‘Yes,’ Felix said. ‘It is your blessing to bring colour and life wherever you go. And with that comes hope and happiness. Always.’
HOME TO MUM
Dino Paganuzzi’s ancient green Land Rover turned into the prim, brick-paved drive, and he grated his way up a gear.
Taggie resisted rolling her eyes heavenward. Her father had spent over fifty years in the Outer Realm, but he’d still not got the hang of gears. Another squeal of anguished metal, making her wince, and they came to a halt in front of Mum’s house. It was an ultra-modern new-build in a village just outside of Stamford, with solar panels on the roof and half the walls made out of glass. A little automatic mower edged slowly along the front lawn.
Taggie had hated saying goodbye to the First Realm and all the friends she’d made there, even though Dad assured her that she would only be away while she was at school. ‘You will return – it is your duty and destiny,’ he promised. He would sit on the shell throne in her absence, until she finished school and grew up.
‘But I can visit in the holidays,’ she persisted.
‘You will be required to visit in the holidays,’ he assured her.
So yes, it was awful coming back. But seeing Mum’s house brought a small lump to her throat. It meant her life would be calm and ordinary for a while. Which, she was beginning to realize, was no bad thing either.
Jemima was first out of the Land Rover. She sprinted round to the back of the house and slid the big glass door open. The kitchen inside was perfectly neat, with every work surface polished to a gleam, and all Mum’s amazing cooking gadgets in their proper place. ‘Mum, we’re home,’ Jemima yelled. She thought she heard Mum moving around upstairs.
A big silver-edged card on the mantelpiece caught her eye. She went over and took it down, reading with growing excitement.
THE CHIEF EQUERRY TO
HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II
CORDIALLY REQUESTS THE PLEASURE OF
MISS AGATHA PAGANUZZI
AND
MISS JEMIMA PAGANUZZI
FOR TEA AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE
Jemima’s eye shone with wonder. ‘She remembered!’ And wasn’t Taggie going to be so cross when she saw her actual name written on the invitation! Jemima giggled in delight.
There was a soft rustling sound behind her and she turned round . . .
Taggie carried two of her bags, while Dad sagged under the weight of all the others.
‘Did Jemima bring some of her gifts back?’ he grumbled. ‘These certainly feel like they’re stuffed with gold.’
‘No, Dad,’ Taggie said, hoping he didn’t spot the necklace she was wearing. But it had come from Earl Maril’bo – the pendant was a spark of starlight from the Fifth Realm, he’d told her when he’d given it to her. No way was she leaving that behind. And the same went for the friendship braid of bright red hair from Sophie that was currently swishing gently round her right ankle. Thankfully Dad agreed that she could wear the charmsward in the Outer Realm. ‘Just in case,’ as he put it. ‘It’s not just the denizens of the Dark Universe that are dangerous these days.’
‘This is a nice garden,’ Felix
said as he bounded along at their feet. ‘I think I’ll enjoy camping here.’
‘I’ll open the window so you can get into my room,’ Taggie assured him.
‘That’s very kind, Majesty, but I promised the Blossom Princess I’d sleep in her room.’
‘Oh,’ Taggie said, only slightly put out. ‘OK then.’
‘You can look after yourself,’ Dad said. ‘I’ll be happier with Felix keeping an eye on Jem.’
‘Sure,’ Taggie said as they went round the corner of the house on to the patio. ‘Seriously, though – how are we going to explain what happened to Mum? I didn’t phone her once. She’ll be so cross.’
‘Leave your mother to me,’ Dad said.
‘Well, all right,’ she said, and shoved the kitchen door open with her elbow. ‘That’s nice, but I’m the one who’ll have to—’ She jumped in shock.
Jemima was standing perfectly still at the far end of the kitchen. Lord Golzoth stood behind her, holding a glowing violet blade to her throat.
‘One word,’ he hissed through his silver-tipped teeth, ‘and I slit her throat. If any of you move, I slit her throat. If I see that diabolical bracelet begin to turn, I slit her throat. Do you understand?’
Taggie nodded. She could see the fear and misery in Jem’s eyes. It was all she could do not to rush over to her sister.
‘You . . .’ Golzoth growled dangerously. ‘Weldowen skunk. Don’t think I don’t see you skulking about down there. Get up where you’re in full view.’
Felix hopped up on to the kitchen’s shiny marble work surface, his little black eyes glaring at the Karrak Lord.
‘What do you want?’ Dad asked calmly.
Taggie heard someone coming down the stairs. Her gaze flicked to the door to the hall. There must be something she could do to stop Mum coming in. But she knew how intently the devilsome Karrak was watching her.
‘What do I want?’ Golzoth asked. ‘Your daughter slaughtered my brothers and sisters, and you ask what I want? My only sorrow is that I cannot extend your pain as I originally promised.’
‘Really?’ Dad said in a voice that was almost mocking. ‘Look, you’ve still got time to get out. Be smart – forget all this, just walk away. That way, no one gets hurt.’
Lord Golzoth’s teeth started to stretch out into silver fangs as he hissed in annoyance.
‘Let Jem go,’ Taggie blurted. ‘Please. It’s me you want.’
‘Indeed I do,’ Lord Golzoth said. ‘And my dearest Queen of Dreams, making you watch your family die in front of you will be no small gratification for me. One I intend to fully enjoy. Almost as much as I will enjoy your death. Ah, now who is this come to join us?’
‘Don’t do it,’ Dad urged.
The door handle turned, and Taggie watched helplessly as her mother walked into the kitchen. Mum stopped abruptly and looked at the Karrak Lord in his swirling smoke cloak the way she stared at their cat whenever it left muddy paw prints across her clean floor. ‘What is going on here?’ she demanded. ‘Who are you?’
The Karrak Lord laughed. ‘I am death,’ he snarled, and brought his arm round and up, to point his long, bone fingers at Mum.
‘No!’ Taggie screamed.
The Karrak Lord’s blue death spell spat across the room. Taggie watched in horror, unable to do a single thing to stop it. But the flare of deathly wizard light crunched to a halt centimetres from her mother. And suddenly Mum wasn’t dressed in a pretty summer dress and pink cardigan any more. She wore imperious robes with a jewelled collar that rose above the top of her head – a head that was crowned in a tiara carved from a single diamond. Taggie thought she looked utterly breathtaking.
The death spell withered away.
Lord Golzoth managed to grunt: ‘Oh.’
And Mum was just Mum again. ‘Go away,’ she said. And clicked her fingers.
There was a flash of darkness, sucking all the light out of the kitchen. Taggie blinked. There was no Lord Golzoth any more. Instead, soft twinkling ash was drifting down everywhere. All Taggie could think was how cross Mum would be about so much dirt messing up her precious kitchen.
Dad winced. ‘I did try and tell you,’ he said to the thin sparkly cloud which was now all that remained of the Karrak Lord.
Felix’s teeth were chittering in astonishment. A Third Realm sorceress!’ he gasped. ‘Your mother is a Third Realm sorceress? When were you going to tell me that?
Jemima let out a yelp, and ran across the room to Mum, who folded her arms around her. ‘There, there, darling. It’s all right, that dreadful buffoon won’t be annoying anyone again.’
Taggie was so stunned she simply couldn’t move.
Mum smiled reassuringly at her. ‘Now then, young lady, I think you’d better tell me what you’ve all been up to. Start at the beginning, and don’t leave anything out.’
THE END . . .
. . . of The Secret Throne. What happens next to Taggie, Jemima, Felix and Sophie will be told in The Hunting of the Princes, the second book in The Queen of Dreams trilogy.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
My thanks to St Ives Surf School (www.stivessurfschool.co.uk) for their patience teaching me the basics of surfing. Any mistakes made converting their solid techniques to the way Earl Maril’bo goes boarding are all mine.
Peter F. Hamilton
Read an exclusive extract from
The Hunting of the Princes
Book two in Peter F. Hamilton’s
The Queen of Dreams trilogy
Coming in summer 2016
1
A QUIET RIDE HOME
Taggie Paganuzzi was cycling home when her mobile rang. It was a four-mile ride from Stamford back to her mum’s house. The tiny country road just outside the lovely old market town cut a winding route past fields guarded by ancient stone walls. Nobody else was using it.
Today was a warm sunny day, and now Taggie was thirteen her Mum was quite relaxed about her being out on her own. It probably helped that Mum was a Third Realm sorceress and Taggie had inherited that side of the family’s magical strength. So while a lot of parents these days were fussy about allowing their daughters out by themselves, getting permission to go swimming at the municipal pool with her school friends was no problem for Taggie.
The mobile kept on ringing with the annoying tune she’d deliberately chosen for her younger sister, Jemima. It was the only sound she could hear. Taggie squeezed the brake and came to a halt beside one of the big oak trees lining the narrow road.
There was the faint noise of an engine in the distance as Taggie took off her backpack and started rummaging through it for the mobile. Her charmsward bracelet caught on the bag’s big zipper. The charmsward was made up with several slim bands of brass and wood that were twined together. They were engraved with symbols which even after a year of wearing it Taggie wasn’t completely familiar with. But it was what the charmsward contained that was truly important, the memories of all Taggie’s First Realm ancestors who’d sat on the shell throne. It was like having a dictionary of spells permanently in her head.
Finally she pulled her mobile out of the bag, disentangling it from the wet towel. The sound of the engine was growing louder now. Taggie looked over her shoulder to catch a glimpse of a huge black motorbike slicing along the road towards her. The small rider was dressed in black leather with a matching shiny black helmet.
She tapped the ‘accept call’ icon.
‘Death Spell!’ Jemima’s voice yelled out of the mobile. ‘Duck!’
Taggie looked up, her mouth opening to grunt: ‘Uh?’ The motorbike was twenty yards away, rushing headlong at her with incredible speed, its rider sitting up in the saddle, an arm raised high with deadly blue magical light flaring around each finger.
Taggie instinctively shoved her own arm out towards the black rider. The charmsward bands spun smoothly, their slender engravings shining violet as the wave symbol lined up with the moonstar and a shield. ‘Elakus!’ Taggie bellowed, and felt the shielding enchantment coi
l protectively around her.
A vivid-blue death spell flashed out from the rider’s hand like a hostile comet. It hit Taggie’s enchantment shield. The impact was like being struck by the boulder at the front of an avalanche. Taggie was knocked off the bike’s saddle to fail about in mid-air before crashing painfully on the shaggy grass verge. But the shield enchantment held and the death spell sizzled down into the ground, killing the grass as it went.
Taggie was badly frightened and she was in a lot of pain. And she was incredibly angry that someone should just come along and try to murder her like this. Even before she hit the verge the charmsward bands were sliding round again, aligning rock with wind. She landed on her side, skidding along through grass, nettles and brambles. Her hand pointed a rigid forefinger at the back of the rider who had zipped past. ‘Israth hyburon,’ she growled furiously, and her arm lit up like a neon orange sign. The hot summer air in front of her warped as if she was looking through a giant magnifying glass. It became a big translucent fist that surged forward. The motorbike was punched up into the air, its engine shrieking wildly, wheels spinning. And the rider went flying over the drystone wall, legs and arms waving frantically.
The motorbike thumped down, banging and scraping along the tarmac until it finally came to a halt and its noisy engine stalled. Silence reclaimed the country lane.
Taggie staggered to her feet, wincing at the sharp pain in her bleeding knee. Now the shock was fading she realized how strong that death spell had been; even Jothran, the Karrak Lord who had tried to steal the shell throne from her last year, hadn’t been this powerful. ‘So who in all the heavens is the rider?’ she asked herself with growing worry. Her instinct was to get back on her bicycle and get away as fast as she could, as the idea of fighting some crazed killer was terrifying. But she suspected attempting to flee wouldn’t be any use. This had to be faced down.