The Runaway Queen (The Bane Chronicles 2)

Magnus did all he could to avoid the Parisian vampires and the vampires who appeared on the edges of the court at Versailles. No good ever came of an encounter.

But enough of that. Time for the bath, which Marie was already filling. Magnus kept a large tub in his main salon, right by the window, so he could watch the street below as he bathed. When the water was ready, he submerged himself and began reading. An hour or so later he had dropped his book bathside and was watching some clouds pass overhead while absently thinking about the story of Cleopatra dissolving an invaluable pearl in a glass of wine. There was a knock on his chamber door, and Claude entered.

"There is a man here to see you, Monsieur Bane. "

Claude understood that in Magnuss business it was not necessary to take names.

"All right," Magnus said with a sigh. "Show him in. "

"Will monsieur be receiving his visitor in the bath?"

"Monsieur is considering it," Magnus said, with an even deeper sigh. It was annoying, but professional appearances had to be kept. He stepped out, dripping, and put on a silk dressing gown embroidered on the back with the picture of a peacock. He threw himself petulantly into a chair by the window.

"Claude!" he yelled. "Now! Send him in!"

A moment later the door opened again, and there stood a very attractive man with black hair and blue eyes. He wore clothes of an obviously fine quality. The tailoring was absolutely delicious. This was the sort of thing Magnus wanted to happen more often. How generous the universe could be, when she wanted to be! After denying him his balloon ride and giving him such an unpleasant encounter with Henri.

"You are Monsieur Magnus Bane," the man said with certainty. Magnus was rarely misidentified. Tall, golden-skinned, cat-eyed men were rare.

"I am," Magnus replied.

Many nobles Magnus had met had the absentminded air of people who had never had to take care of any matters of importance. This man was different. He had a very erect bearing, and a look of purpose. Also, he spoke French with a faint accent, but what kind of accent, Magnus could not immediately place.

"I have come to speak to you on a matter of some urgency. I wouldnt normally . . . I . . . "

Magnus knew this hesitation well. Some people were nervous in the presence of warlocks.

"You are uncomfortable, monsieur," Magnus said with a smile. "Allow me to make you comfortable. I have a great talent in these matters. Please sit. Have some champagne. "

"I prefer to stand, monsieur. "

"As you wish. But may I have the pleasure of learning your name?" Magnus asked.

"My name is Count Axel von Fersen. "

A count! Named Axel! A military man! With black hair and blue eyes! And in a state of distress! Oh, the universe had outdone herself. The universe would be sent flowers.

"Monsieur Bane, I have heard of your talents. I cant say whether I believe what Ive heard, but rational, intelligent, sensible people swear to me that you are capable of wonderful things beyond my understanding. "

Magnus spread his hands in false modesty.

"Its all true," he said. "As long as it was wonderful. "

"They say you can alter a persons appearance by some sort of . . . conjuring trick. "

Magnus allowed this insult to pass.

"Monsieur," von Fersen said, "what are your feelings on the revolution?"

"The revolution will happen regardless of my feelings on the matter," Magnus said coolly. "I am not a native son of France, so I do not presume to have opinions on how the nation conducts itself. "

"And I am not a son of France either. I am from Sweden. But I do have feelings on this, very strong feelings. . . . "

Magnus liked it when von Fersen talked about his very strong feelings. He liked it very much.

"I come here because I must, and because you are the only person who can help. By coming here today and telling you what I am going to tell you, I put my life in your hands. I also risk lives much more valuable than mine. But I do not do so blindly. I have learned much about you, Monsieur Bane. I know you have many aristocratic friends. I know you have been in Paris for six years, and you are well liked and well known. And you are said to be a man of your word. Are you, monsieur, a man of your word?"

"It really depends upon the word," Magnus said. "There are so many wonderful words out there . . . "

Magnus silently cursed himself on his poor knowledge of Swedish. He could have added another witty line. He tried to learn seductive phrases in all languages, but the only Swedish he had ever really needed was, "Do you serve anything aside from pickled fish?" and "If you wrap me in furs, I can pretend to be your little fuzzy bear. "

Von Fersen visibly steadied himself before speaking again.

"I need you to save the king and queen. I need you to preserve the royal family of France. "

Well. That was certainly an unexpected turn. As if in reply, the sky darkened again and there was another rumble of thunder.

"I see," Magnus replied after a moment.

"How does that statement make you feel, monsieur?"

"Quite the same as always," Magnus replied, making sure to keep his calm demeanor. "With my hands. "

But he felt anything but calm. The peasant women had broken into the palace of Versailles and thrown out the king and queen, who now lived at the Tuileries, that broken-down old palace in the middle of Paris. The people had produced pamphlets detailing the supposed crimes of the royal family. They seemed to focus quite heavily on Queen Marie Antoinette, accusing her of the most terrible things-often sexual. (There was no way possible she could have done all of the things the pamphleteers claimed. The crimes were too gross, too immoral, and far too physically challenging. Magnus himself had never attempted half of them. )

Anything relating to the royal family was bad and dangerous to know.

Which made it as appealing as it was frightening.

"Obviously, monsieur, Ive just taken a great risk in saying that much to you. "

"I realize that," Magnus said. "But save the royal family? No one has harmed them. "

"It is only a matter of time," von Fersen said. His emotion brought a flush to his cheeks that made Magnuss heart flutter a bit. "They are prisoners. Kings and queens who are imprisoned are generally not freed to rule again. No . . . no. It is only a matter of time before the situation grows very dire. It is already intolerable, the conditions under which they are forced to live. The palace is dirty. The servants are cruel and mocking. Every day their possessions and natural entitlements are diminished. I am certain . . . I am quite, quite certain . . . if they are not freed, they shall not live. And I cannot live with that knowledge. When they were dragged from Versailles, I sold everything and followed them to Paris. I will follow them anywhere. "

"What is it you want me to do?" Magnus said.

"I am told you can alter a persons appearance through . . . some kind of . . . marvel. "