Page 68 of Reign

The exhilaration of my newfound literacy quickly gave way to dread.

“His resentment for his sister will be the death of us all,” I murmured, setting down the parchment.

“I’ve a plan,” Fitzroy announced. “One I’ve not shared with my advisers or the esquire, for I fear they’d report my deviation to my father.”

“What’s your plan, my liege?” I asked, deliberately using his title to affirm my loyalties.

“Do you know if any of the men have magical abilities?” he asked.

I nodded cautiously. “I know of one other.”

“Who?”

I hesitated. Only Bash could decide whether to trust someone with such a dangerous secret.

Fitzroy nodded, as if understanding my reticence. “Magic’s stronger in groups. Incantations, divinations—when performed by multiple sorcerers—are often unbreakable,” he explained. “I’m tasking you, Smith, with assembling an army of wizards—a group of men whose abilities can fortify our forces.”

“How would that work?”

“They could enchant weapons and shield our soldiers, casting incantations covertly during battle. Who knows, there might be a sorcerer among us stronger than Regina—someone capable of ending this war.”

“Hm,” I murmured as I recalled Red and Godwin’s dark conversation about trialing suspected wizards in water. Though I doubted either of them possessed abilities, I didn’t know how to conduct my own witch trials.

“How am I supposed to identify the wizards among the men?” I asked, hoping Fitzroy had already devised that part of the plan.

“Your expertise is in concealing your true self. If anyone can spot someone hiding who they really are, it’ll be you,” he said confidently.

I scoffed, disliking that he was right. “And how am I going to convince them to expose themselves?” I pressed, knowing no man willingly admitted he was a wizard.

“It will remain a secret,” Fitzroy reassured me. “Only those within the wizard army will know of one another’s abilities. I’ll secure a private place for meetings, far from prying eyes.”

I sighed heavily, wrestling with whether I wanted to be involved.

“I’m not asking if you’re willing,” Fitzroy said, as if reading my thoughts. “I’m telling you that you are—this is an order from your commander.”

Rolling my eyes, I offered him a patronizing salute, mocking his bidding. I despised the way he asserted his authority over me.

“Good girl,” he teased, though I was too preoccupied to retort, already mentally sorting the soldiers into two categories: definitely nonmagical and possibly wizards.

“I’ll inform Red that I require your assistance for the next few days,” Fitzroy added.

I nodded.

Then he grasped my shoulders and pulled me close. “I know I can trust you with this,” he said, his tone as much an affirmation to himself as to me.

He patted me firmly before returning to his desk.

For a moment, I watched him filter through the parchment as the flickering candlelight highlighted the strong contours of his handsome face. Stripped of his usual grandeur, he looked all the more charming.

“My liege,” I called.

He glanced up from his papers.

“I like your less regal look,” I admitted, almost blushing—though I couldn’t understand why stating a simple fact had stirred such a reaction within me.

Fitzroy narrowed his eyes in skepticism. “Are you speaking in jest?”

“I swear to the gods, you look modest and approachable,” I said. Rugged and strapping, I thought.