Page 113 of The Oracle of Dusk

But Flora regained her composure and smiled in a way that had Theron doubting his advantage.

“Very well. You may retire until after the court has consulted with High Priestess Orithyia. In the meantime, my daughter, Princess Epicasta, will keep you company while I speak more with paladin Itonus.”

“Your Majesty, respectfully, I must escort His Majesty while he’s outside the temple.”

“Is your highest duty to watch him, or to uncover heresy, young paladin? I should think the latter more deserving of your attention. If you fear he will flee, I understand. I shall keep my most capable guards on his person at all times.”

The paladin seemed torn between his two duties. But if Theron wished to appear confident in his innocence before the court, he had to cede this minor victory to Flora.

“You have my oath as King of Aureum that I will not flee these accusations. I swear it on my honour.”

The paladin nodded, and was ushered towards the queen while Theron was taken away by the palace guard for what he could only surmise was another round of threats. Once seated before the woman in question, dressed as always in Passion’s deep red mourning robes, the guards swiftly abandoned the room. Lit with flickering candles, the first droplets of rain percussing the gardens below her open window, the room was otherwise quiet.

She was silent for some time, and Theron refused to be the first to break the impasse. Silence was preferable to speaking with the vile creature. She sipped tea, her gaze drawn to the window. After what felt like a lifetime, she spoke.

“Tea?” Epicasta asked as she sipped from her cup.

Knowing her, his cup was probably poisoned.

“No.”

As if seeing through his thoughts, she rolled her eyes and leaned back in her seat.

“I take it you were surprised by the new accusations.”

“Offended, actually.”

“Naturally.”

“Naturally.”

“You realise this is only the beginning, don’t you?”

“This ludicrous farce will be over soon enough. Your mother will be lucky if it doesn’t strip her of whatever credibility she still clings to.”

“You erred when you made that poor girl your paramour. Her Majesty will use her to come after you. And it won’t stop until either the girl breaks and betrays you, or you break and give Her Majesty what she desires.”

“As I’ve said before, she will never have Aureum.”

Epicasta shook her head.

“You should have ceded the flank when I gave you the chance. Here.” She reached into a pocket of her gown and tossed the letter at him. “Be grateful my people intercepted it before Her Majesty’s.”

“And have your little spies already read the contents?” he asked, bored.

“I don’t need to. My ‘little spies’ have already given me a good guess as to its contents without the need for such discourtesies.”

It was Canthus’ seal, his trusted general. Theron opened it and prepared to school his face.

Greetings to the sun of Aureum.

Please forgive my impertinence, Your Majesty, but you must return home with all due haste. Bandits continue to harass all shipments of grain, and dualists are attacking outlying settlements, forcing your esteemed cousin Batea to chase after them. Given the circumstances, the war faction is questioning her suitability as acting queen. I fear they may goad her into imprudent action, or seat one of their own on your throne.

Triad preserve the sun of Aureum.

Your loyal servant,

General Canthus

---