Prince, 93

“Kenneth is still insisting that he’s innocent,” said Boey, looking at the reams of paper Kieran had shown Franz’s people how to find. “No matter the evidence that gets put in front of him, he won’t stop repeating that he’s being framed.”

“Is he being framed?” Franz asked, because it wouldn’t be the first time.

“No,” said Frederick. “He has a network of spies and informants, he has years of documentation, he even has correspondence that Lord Orwell sent him. If he’s being framed it’s because he commissioned a self-portrait.”

“Shouldn’t you be in wizard school?” Franz asked him.

Chosen One, 106

Isaac was on his way back from lunch when Jacob ran up to him, looking alarmed. “I need your help,” he said, out of breath.

“Okay,” Isaac said. Jacob had been at the palace at work, as far as he’d known. “What do you need? Is something wrong?” His mind went immediately to Matthias. Maybe he’d been in touch with Jacob.

Jacob nodded, then changed his mind and shook his head. “Yes,” he said. “Something is wrong with Dragon’s mate.”