Total pages in book: 210
Estimated words: 200096 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1000(@200wpm)___ 800(@250wpm)___ 667(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 200096 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1000(@200wpm)___ 800(@250wpm)___ 667(@300wpm)
Zander’s eyebrows pop. “She witnessed the murder. And by Neilina’s own hand.”
“There was no Islorian assassin in sight. Needless to say, Serenis was terrified of what she had seen.”
“Did she tell anyone?” I ask.
“Yes. Me. And I instructed her to remain quiet until such time as it made sense to speak. There was no point, other than to get herself killed.”
Given all that I just read in that journal—about the lengths Neilina would go to, to hide her crimes—it was good advice.
A slow smile touches Brigitta’s lips. “Now, I think it might be time to speak. People should know the truth. They should know Islor is not to blame.”
Zander dips his head. “Thank you for your help, Master Healer.”
She answers with a bow. “As you’ve so wisely put it, we must all look ahead.”
“And on that note, it is time Romeria named your new Prime.” He turns to me, his expression determined.
Solange meets Jarek, Zander, and I outside Allegra’s room. All traces of blood from last night’s ordeal with Lorel have vanished, and the Shadow leader moves as if it never happened. “She is awake but weak and traumatized. She does not remember much. Certainly not what happened in the guild council chamber.”
“Is she aware the Prime is dead?” Zander asks. “And of her new role in Mordain?”
“She is aware of the former. As far as the latter is concerned, she seems to think I have coerced my way into the position.” Solange smirks. “I did not correct her false assumption yet, as I felt that news would be best coming from Her Highness. You may speak to her and decide she is not the right one.”
“My options are limited.” And this ring sits heavy in my pocket.
“What about Mordain? Any word from there?” Zander asks.
“Gaian sent a message early this morning, to inform Her Highness that Ybarisan villages are coming under attack by Nulling beasts. Several in the past days. They have little defense, given the bulk of our army is fighting at the rift.”
“We can assume the same is happening in Islor.” Zander curses. “Do you trust this caster?”
“That his reports are accurate? Yes. But he is no fool. Gaian is attempting to separate himself from his predecessor but also to curry favor with Her Highness and the new Prime. But it is not a bad thing to have Gaian attempting to please you. He is well respected among the messengers and likely has cultivated as large a network of informants as Barro himself.”
“And he would have heard the same rumors and did nothing,” I add. But he wouldn’t be the only one. There was an actual eyewitness to King Barris’s murder who also said nothing for fear of her safety. It’s becoming clear that everyone, including the Prime herself, seemed to know that speaking out against the queen would earn them a death sentence.
“We spent the night addressing letters to the lords and ladies of Ybaris and Islor,” Zander says. “We must be certain they are delivered with both urgency and accuracy. Can we trust your messengers to do that under this Master Gaian’s direction?”
“Yes, I believe you can,” Solange says with grim certainty. “Especially if the request comes from the new Prime.”
“Then I suppose we should get on with it.” Zander reaches for the door handle.
Allegra is standing in front of the window, dressed in robes, her focus outward.
“You have guests,” Solange announces, startling the Second enough that she jumps before turning around to face us.
I hadn’t realized last night how young she looked compared to the Masters. She must be in her early forties, at most, with caramel-colored hair that sits loose and unkempt at her shoulders. Her complexion is still pale, but her evergreen eyes are lucid as she assesses each of us, stalling on me.
Allegra may have helped Agatha and Gesine, but what does she truly think of having a key caster not only breathing but as Ybaris’s queen?
It’s a moment before she seems to catch herself and bows. “Your Highness.” She nods out the window toward Caindra, still on her perch, basking in the sunlight. “I heard there is a sylx lurking about the castle and that an ancient beast returned to serve as ally.”
“I wouldn’t let her hear you call her that, if I were you,” Jarek warns, drawing Allegra’s attention to him, fleetingly.
“I recall a tale or two but never imagined any truth in it. Childhood stories, you know.” Her gaze drifts to Zander. “Just as I could never imagine witnessing an Islorian king standing beside Ybaris’s queen in Argon’s castle.”
“Or an Islorian king standing across from two of Mordain’s highest guild members. You are no more surprised than I,” Zander responds evenly. “But I suspect you will witness a great many things you never imagined possible in the coming months.”