Page 27 of Queen of Stars and Shadows

After a moment’s pause, one of them ducks inside the tent. A moment later, he reemerges, gesturing me inside.

I duck beneath the thick flap of the tent and straighten once inside, taking in the sight before me. Avonia is sitting on a pile of furs in the center, drinking something nearly black in color from a silver goblet. One hand is wrapped around the growing curve of her belly. Several torches in iron sconces dot the space, casting flickering, golden light across her. My brother sits at her side, holding a plate of food. As I enter, she plucks a piece of fruit from the plate and places it into her mouth, eyes locked on mine.

After a moment to swallow, she says, “You’re alone. Why?”

Jonavus smiles. “We’re of course delighted to see that you escaped the Eldarian warriors, brother.”

“The chaos caused by the attack on the palace made that fairly easy,” I say, keeping my tone neutral despite the feeling of wrongness rising through my chest. “But I have to say, I’m confused as to why the Court of Memory is attacking Eldare. We got separated at the ruins, and next thing I know there’s an army at the palace gates.”

“Sarielle was going to do the same to us, so we decided to go on the offensive,” Avonia says. “She’s from Eldare, remember, and she made an alliance with the king and queen. They were preparing to attack Valaron.”

I am careful to keep the confusion from my face. Sarielle had been gone at most an hour from the prison. Why would she have been imprisoned in the first place if she knew the king and queen? But I remember then how she told me they’d let her go, how she seemed so casual about it. Perhaps she was imprisonedby mistake, and that’s why the guards took her before them. Had she planned this attack all along?

A rumble of thunder enters my voice. “If I’m going to assist the two of you in tracking our enemy, it’s vital I be informed of your plans, especially when it comes to attacking armies.”

“Relax, brother,” Jonavus says, waving a hand at me. “We just didn’t want to tax you, what with your memories being erased. You’ve gone through an ordeal lately.” He pauses. “We have to ensure that Eldare is under control and won’t attack us. Eldare, or any other realm in Aureon.”

Avonia takes another piece of fruit and chews it thoughtfully while she stares at me. Her gaze is all predator. The beast within me can feel it, and it struggles to the surface again.

“Again, where is the one you are supposed to be tracking? Why have you come back empty handed?” she asks.

I stare back at her, my gaze unflinching. “Well, since you chose to leave me in the dark about your invasion of Eldare, that caused complications in getting Sarielle alone and delivering her here.” My brother may be wrapped around Avonia’s finger, but I certainly am not. “Now that I know what’s going on, I’ll begin tracking her again. She won’t get away next time.”

“For a warrior of your renown, Zyren, it’s somewhat shocking she ever got away in the first place.” Avonia drums her long nails against her thigh. “Remember what we told you, since you don’t remember—she isincrediblycunning and her magic strong. Be careful not to fall under her spell.”

“I should know,” Jonavus adds. “I fell under her power all too easily, I am ashamed to admit. She’s a seductress, that one.”

Images flash through my head. Sarielle’s glowing golden eyes. Her lips, parting for me. That sigh, how she melted against my touch. The feeling of her hip pressing against mine…

“I willnotfall for her,” I snap. “I’ll find her, and I’ll bring her back.”

“Actually,” Avonia says, “there’s been a change in plans.”

“Oh?” My brows lift.

“It’s clear now that she’s opened the rift that Sarielle intends to continue finding allies here in Aureon to help her take over Valaron. She’s too great a risk—we want peace with our new neighbors, not endless wars, never knowing what’s going to come through one of the rifts.”

Jonavus locks gazes with me. “It pains me to issue such an edict against my own wife, but we no longer want her brought back here. We want her dead.”

Chapter Sixteen

Sarielle

Istare up atthe gates to the Amethyst Palace. It’s so surreal to be back here. I’ve been gone a little less than two months, but it seems a lifetime has passed.

In the distance, the crystalline dome of the cathedral rises in the late afternoon sky, shining a pale lavender hue. Beyond, I can see the gaudy golden spires of the palace. The entrance to the palace grounds is similarly ostentatious, golden spikes wrapped with silver flowering vines. Each gate is set in a huge white marble block, atop which sits a golden statue of the High Priest.

It’s shocking no one saw through his façade all these years.

But I’ve ended his power, and now I’m going to take that stolen power and give it back to Eldare.

Lilette, standing on my right, draws in a breath that shakes ever so slightly. I reach out and take her hand. “I’m sorry we had to come back here,” I say. “If you want to wait outside, you can.”

“No,” she says after a moment’s hesitance. “I want to be a part of his undoing. One day, if I ever see him again, I want him to know that I helped. His last High Priestess, bringing about the end of his reign.”

I nod. “Let’s get it done, then.”

Owyn steps around us and pushes the gates open with a small flux of magic. They swing inward silently, and we step through into the palace grounds. It’s strange how quiet it is, how hushed. It was always somewhat quiet, being as how the priestesses were supposed to be well mannered and obedient and devote themselves entirely to their work. But still, you could always hear the sound of voices talking or raised in prayer, or the sound of a broom sweeping or pots and pans clanking.

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