Page 38 of The Last of the Dark Lords

I sat up straight in bed, scanning the bedroom for the source. But I wasn’tinCyrus’ bedroom anymore. It retained some similarities, but the angles were all off, and strange sprays of blue and purple formed an ever-changing film over the floor and walls.

"What is this place?" I mumbled under my breath.

"We are sharing a dreamspace, love." I jumped out of bed at the voice, turning to see the one person that couldn't be here in Ashfuror.

"Grandmother!" I ran to her, wanting to wrap my arms around her small frame, but as I tried they passed right through her.

"I'm not really there, Skye.” The kindness in her voice soothed my soul. “One of the artifacts that Vazzart has gifted us over the years allows me to communicate in this way."

"Oh." I stepped back. There was something about her that was unsubstantial, like she could fade away at any moment. "I’ve missed you so much."

"And I you, my love." She smiled, but her eyes were sad. "Do you know why I'm here?"

I nodded unhappily. I had hoped that I had more time. The contradictions between what I’d been told of Cyrus and what I’d experienced next to him loomed large in my mind, and my conflicting emotions complicated the matter.

"Will you do it then?” she asked. “Tonight?"

I glanced over at the desk, where Cyrus had casually set his crown down. He didn't suspect me of any betrayal. He had embraced me as a husband and an equal. Would I really hurt him in this way?

"I have questions."

She squinted at me, her face growing hard. I'd only seen this side of her once or twice before. It struck fear in me, but I brushed it off. I wouldn't be a clueless tool.

"We were ambushed on the road. The villagers attacked us because they recognized our weapons. They claimed their town had been raided by the Archers, with Athard at the vanguard. Did you know about this?"

"I sent him." My stomach clenched at her answer. There was no tone of guilt in her voice.

"Why?"

"He was supposed to build relationships with the surrounding towns and villages,” she said, all business. “It is something that I've neglected over the years. He...did not do it in a compassionate way."

"He didn't do it at all! He assaulted the town and murdered their mayor." My face grew hot with anger.

She didn't answer.

"Will you allow him to become Prime?” I pressed. “He’s obviously unfit to lead."

She sighed. "You are gone, Skye, and you never wanted to be Prime anyway. I have no other grandchildren. I must sharpen the tool in my hand, rather than build another from scratch."

"Make someone else the heir. It wouldn’t be the first time the Prime was adopted into the family. Give it to Jelenna. She’s as loyal as they come."

Grandmother stayed silent for a long moment, then replied. "I will consider it."

It wasn't the definitive answer I'd hoped for, but it was something. Not that that was the end of my questions.

"Cyrus said that Greatfalls is hoarding water, that the Crown of Seeing showed him that. That we have far more than we need, that we are responsible for much of the suffering from the drought."

"It's not true."

"Grandmother—"

"Child, I have never lied to you. We have only ever kept the water needed to allow the city to survive. I would not cause suffering needlessly."

"But he said—"

"The crown is a deceptive tool." She gripped her staff. I was trying her patience.

"What do you mean?"

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