Page 118 of Shadows of Winter

Yes, and the cork had been removed.

Kaylina froze, noting how Jana’s eyes sharpened. Did she want Kaylina to drink it and collapse on the rug? What had Kaylina done to her to make the woman want her dead?

“If you will not sample from your own bottle,” Petalira said, “I must assume that you know it’s poisoned and sent it as part of the Virt plot to assassinate my husband and me. I understand witnesses have also seen you speaking with a young woman who works for one of the freight transportation companies and is a known Virt operative.”

Witnesses? How many people had been spying on the castle? Targon knew about Milzy, but he wouldn’t have helped frame Kaylina. He wanted to use her.

“The punishment for attempting to poison royalty,” Petalira continued, “is death for you and exile for your entire family.”

Kaylina shook her head. How had this gone so wrong so quickly?

“What is the name of the messenger service that brought the bottle to the royal castle?” Vlerion asked. “The rangers will visit them, find out who delivered the mead, and question the person to learn who dropped it off and paid the fee. I will visit them.”

“Why are you involved in this, Lord Vlerion?” Petalira asked. “The rangers aren’t known for defending commoners.”

“The rangers defend the innocent, no matter what class they’re in. Also, my taybarri likes her.”

Jana grunted. “More likely, he likes her. He is ruled by his penis, as all young men are.”

For the first time, Vlerion’s back stiffened, and his jaw tightened.

The guards remained between Vlerion and Kaylina and the two women, their swords out. They noticed Vlerion’s reaction and lifted those blades, though they also glanced at each other, not looking like they wanted to fight him.

“You will not harm Korbian,” Vlerion stated. “The messenger will be found and questioned.”

“With a ranger hand wrapped around his throat?” Jana asked. “If you’re looming over him, he’ll say whatever you want him to say.”

“He will be questioned under the influence of kafdari root to ensure he speaks the truth.”

Kaylina leaned forward with hope. Yes, that could work. If the messenger was found and could point to Jana or, more likely, someone she’d hired, it might save Kaylina. Maybe the underling could even be traced to Jana.

“Seek him out if you wish.” Jana waved her hand airily, not looking concerned by the idea.

That was unsettling. Had she already anticipated someone would want to question the messenger and arranged for the man to leave the city? Or… He wasn’t floating dead in a canal, was he?

“You could, however, simply drink the mead if you wish to prove your innocence.” Jana turned to the queen. “That is the most logical course, is it not?”

“Not if you’ve poisoned it,” Kaylina said.

“Do not compound your foolishness,” Petalira told her, “by accusing an upright kingdom subject of plotting murder.”

Kaylina clenched her jaw.

“Lord Vlerion,” Petalira said. “If you wish, go out and seek the messenger. I am familiar with kafdari root. Your people may question him under its influence. I will refrain from passing a death sentence on this girl until you’ve concluded your investigation.”

Kaylina blew out a slow breath. That was something.

Vlerion looked at her, his face still grim. Did he not see this as a victory? Or did he also suspect the messenger had disappeared?

He glanced toward the window overlooking the harbor, and Kaylina remembered that he wanted to speak to Targon about positioning more rangers in the royal castle. Being forced to spend time here with her was keeping him from a far more important duty. She grimaced with guilt.

“I will find him and bring him for questioning in front of whatever witnesses you choose, Your Majesty,” Vlerion told the queen. “It may take some time to ferret him out, especially on a holiday. Until her innocence can be proven, Ms. Korbian may be held in one of the cells in ranger headquarters. You can trust it as secure as any other cell in the city, including the castle dungeon.”

Kaylina almost groaned at the revelation that the castle had a dungeon, but she couldn’t be surprised. Even before the queen spoke, her gut told her she would end up held there.

“Your offer is magnanimous,” Petalira said dryly, “but she will stay here under the supervision of guards who are not motivated by…” She glanced at Jana.

“Their penises,” Jana offered.

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