Of Darkness and Crowns (12 page)

With a level breath, I seal my fate. I tell her of Carina’s suspicious behavior the day Cavan was invaded. Of Councilor Herna’s, and of the discord I sensed between them through the bond. Of Carina’s dying declaration of a traitor, but that she left this world before she could divulge her full confession.

After carrying this burden for what feels like forever—only Caben to share in its weight—my soul feels lighter. I just pray…
hope
…that I’ve done the right thing.

♦
13
♦

Caben

T
HE URBAN LIGHTS OF
Sydian, a territory southeast of Perinya, brighten the thin wisps of clouds over the cliffs. Their luminescent greens and purples filter into my loft, casting the dark room in a soft violet-gray hue. Just to enjoy their brilliance more, I douse the fire in the pit and program the windows to drain all color from the glass.

I used to hate mornings. Spoiled prince that I was, I had to have my late starts, cocooned in down blankets and served breakfast off silver trays. I’ve been exceedingly hard on myself lately. But I’m seeing myself in a whole new light these days. Granted, I did work hard, pursued grappling from an early age and advanced to become one of the top fighters in my league. It’s not enough, though.

I don’t know whether it’s Bale’s influence in my head, scrutinizing my every thought and move…but I feel the need to prove I am not a spoiled prince. That I’m worthy of the power I now possess, and the greatness I’m to obtain.

Greatness. Something that should take a lifetime to achieve, Kal was bestowed at such a young age. Does she even appreciate her gift? I think back on how she hid the mercury, how ashamed she was. Even though it came at a difficult price, her father’s wrath, the outcome should’ve been enough. It’s never enough. Not for anyone.

Silencing my ridiculous thoughts, I tint the windows, blotting out the magnificent, Sydian sky.

My Otherworlder detail are in rare form this morning. Milling about, rowdy, loud. Boisterous. The war has been stalled, all units stationed to their camps, and the reprieve has fuelled their confidences in winning.

Loud bangs and shouts fill the central room as I enter. It seems they’ve been feasting and celebrating ever since the invasion on the palace. There was no punishment from Bale after we were overthrown, so I suppose they assume it was a job well done.

Fools. The only thing worth celebrating is the capture of Bax, which will ensure Kal, and possibly the relic, will be at our doorstep directly. And they had nothing to do with that. The Cavan Councilor plopped that gift right onto our lap.

I could scold them, bring them back to the dim reality that we’re still so far away from our goal, but then I’d have to reprimand myself, too. I got just as sidetracked at the palace.

Instead, I allow them to enjoy what little triumph they can. Who knows what hell Kal will bring with her when she arrives. I grab a mug of blackberry ale from the toasting Otherworlder and tip it to my lips.

The Otherworlder looks startled at having his Liege so near, drinking his beer, but then he cheers me on as I guzzle.

The room echoes his chant as I down the rest of the bitter alcohol, then hold the tin mug in the air. “Drink up, swine!”

Hollers roar, ricocheting off the wood and glass walls, and stomping rises from the floor. The treehouse rumbles with the celebratory quake.

Our message has arrived, Prince. She comes soon.

A smile splits my face. But beneath the anticipation, a nagging spear of dread sinks in its talons.

♦
14
♦

Kaliope

“C
OUNCILOR HERNA IS NOT
the traitor.”

Empress Iana levels me with a solemn look, and I’m torn over whether her invested belief in her council has blinded her to the truth, or whether I’ve just put a permanent wedge between my empress and me. Maybe both.

She releases my hand and sits back, her shoulders loose. “I’m aware of the events that happened prior to the invasion, and I know how it all must look from your perspective. I’m sorry that you’ve been struggling with the right action to take, I appreciate its burden.” Her pink lips lift in a faint, sad smile. “But I hope in the future you will always come to me, Kaliope. On any matter. You shouldn’t have had to wrangle this doubt for as long as you did.”

I nod, confused. “Thank you, Empress. But what about what Carina said? If it’s not Councilor Herna, then who?” I want to add,
how can you be sure?
But I’ve already overstepped my bounds. I don’t want to question my leader and lose her trust in me. Even though I fear I might be losing some of mine in her. Curse everything.

“Protector Carina was retired early because she was believed to be consorting
with
the traitor.”

I take a moment to process this, realizing that, possibly, everything I saw and heard could’ve been the exact opposite. I did question Carina’s loyalties at first. Only her last words…

Empress Iana allows me to think it over before she continues, not needing any prompting. “I think Carina may have had a change of heart right before her death, and that is what she was trying to tell you. She was killed by Otherworlder invaders, after all. Her services to the Bale informant were ended the moment they deemed her useless.” She bows her head for a moment. “She did die with honor, Kaliope. She died defending me. That I can at least say.”

I remember the bloody scene in the empress’s quarters—Carina indicating toward Empress Iana, trying to warn me, trying to save
her
. Maybe she didn’t realize the empress would be harmed. Maybe she only discovered the truth of things when it was too late.

Pressing my forehead into my hand, I massage the building ache between my eyes. I’m not sure how any of this changes our situation. And I can consider what the empress told me later, because right now, I have to gain all information and tell her about my choice. No matter who the traitor is, she’s aware of them. I’ll make sure to give Lilly and the other Nactue explicit orders to be cautious around
all
Council members. I still don’t trust Councilor Herna completely.

“Councilor Herna suspected Protector Carina early on, and that was the reason for their falling out,” the empress says, and I look at her. “And once she found proof, she thought retiring her early would hinder the informant’s plans, force them to make a mistake…something that would reveal them.”

I shake my head. “Why not just question all the Council members? Or remove them from their seat of power until the traitor was uncovered?”
Or ask Goddess Farrah to point them out?
But I keep that to myself, though I don’t understand why our empress, who is the closest link to the goddess, hasn’t done so already.

A small smile spreads on her face, like she’s heard my thoughts anyway. “That’s not our way. Once we bring someone into our circle of trust, we do not remove them unless we have undoubtable proof.” She sits straighter. “Carina was discovered with Bale contraband, ritualistic items, and a missive containing coordinates meant to be delivered. We just didn’t comprehend at the time that the Otherworlders were the intended recipient. It had been over a century since they were last seen.” She sighs heavily. “Everything happened so quickly. I would say I regret not taking different actions, but I can’t. I trust the will of the goddess. Things are as they were meant to be.”

And at that, my defenses go up. “Empress, obviously this traitor has had a hand in Bax’s disappearance. Bax wasn’t captured during the raid, and he didn’t just walk away. Not from his family. We should be focused on finding the traitor before they do any more damage.”

“We have.”

My chest prickles. “Is this why you were summoning me? Is the traitor the new discovery?” My mind whirls, anxious to hear which one of the councilors have betrayed us. If she’s already been apprehended, I could question her. Find out where she took Bax—where Caben is.

Empress Iana stays silent, and it causes my unease to grow. Then, with a forceful jerk of her head, she says, “No. That is not why you’re here. Although be comforted that I’ve taken every precaution with Councilor Teagan”—my eyes widen, and she hurries on before I can question—“I know. She’s the last person anyone would’ve suspected.”

I didn’t know her well, hardly at all. Councilor Herna was the liaison between the Nactue and the empress. Teagan was always quiet, reserved, dedicated. The perfect cover for a conspirator.

“Has she given up the Otherworlders’ location…where Bax has been taken?”

“Kaliope, I promise, we’re doing everything we can for Bax. His family has already been informed, the Perinyian Council has moved them to a safer location within the palace, giving them every comfort, and Councilor Herna has made it her personal mission to garner information from Teagan.”

As if perfectly timed, the empress’s transmitter emits a loud
bleep
, and Councilor Herna’s face appears in the blue dome after she accepts the communication. “Everything is ready, You Highness. Am I to proceed?”

Empress Iana regards me quickly, her face etched in concern, then addresses the councilor. “Yes. Join us.”

Craning my neck, I watch Whip move from the corner of the room to the door. I’d almost forgotten she was here; she’s been so still and discreet. She opens the door, and as Councilor Herna acknowledges her briefly, I hear a loud commotion outside the chamber.

Shouting and angry rants fill the room. Whip hurriedly shuts it out, closing the door at Empress Iana’s command.

I turn my attention toward the empress. “What was that? What’s happening?

“A protest of sorts,” she responds distractedly. “It’s been gathering force in Court all morning. Seems the Perinyian citizens have moved it to the palace doors. But it’s their affair, Kaliope. Allow Julian to handle it.”

I nod, only I don’t feel reassured in the least about Julian’s ability to
handle
anything. But soon my thoughts are on Councilor Herna as she removes her vissa display to give the empress her full attention.

I was already defensive, dreading the conversation to veer toward the goddesses, and now that the woman who I’ve had little trust in has been called to this meeting, I want nothing more than to leave. Be on my way to finding Bax and Caben. But apparently, there’s some issue that needs to be addressed first. And I’ll most likely need the details.

Even if the mercury is growing hot in my veins, like a warning.

I’m unsure if it’s my unease…or the unease I sense in Empress Iana through the goddess bond.

The councilor reports to the empress first, protocol and procedures. When Whip steps out of the room at Empress Iana’s instruction, my stomach knots.

“You’re here with me, Kaliope,” Empress Iana says.

Still, I feel the empress is safer with two Nactue verses one…especially since I don’t know why Herna is here.

Finally taking a seat on the couch opposite us, Councilor Herna sets her bag on the floor, smooths out her beige robe, and says, “I won’t bore you with the details, as I’m sure you’re anxious enough, and Her Highness has already filled you in on most. So I’ll get right to it.” She clears her throat. “You ruined Bale’s plans.”