Page 79 of The Oracle of Dusk

“It was not I who slaughtered Viridian soldiers on Viridian soil!”

“No, you simply tried to start a war on Aurean soil…and failed miserably.”

Heat crept up her neck as her knuckles whitened on the arms of her throne. It was a beautiful sight.

“And yet, only one of us has the ignominious reputation as a blasphemer. I may have warred against Aurean soldiers, but you attacked an avatar.”

Theron stood straighter.

“The avatar has forgiven me my transgression, and the goddess has punished me. Interesting though, that the horrible fate the goddess bestowed on me was to send me to Viridis. To Boreas.”

A few of the courtiers blanched. He smiled. If being sent to Viridis was divine punishment meant for him, then it tarnished both himandViridis.

“Is it not obvious that Justice is favouring me? Placing my enemy in the palm of my hand seems like a fitting reward.”

“I wasn’t aware we were enemies, Flora,” he said, examining his nails.

Rage had her flushing anew. Yes, that’s it. Let her lose her head. Let her come out from this insulting audience the loser. Let her know she wasn’t even worth the title of enemy.

“One cannot expect all kings to know basic history, it seems. But the fertile valley belonged to Viridis. Aureum transgressed first.”

The fertile valley, known as the Dragon’s Flank, had been contested between Viridis and Aureum back as far as the times of myth and legend. But Aureum had ruled it for generations now. No one still living remembered a time of Viridian rule.

“Perhaps the Viridian royal tutors forgot to teach you the last two hundred years of history where the Dragon’s Flank is concerned, but I must inform you that it has been Aurean for some time now.”

“Then that changes today.”

She snapped her fingers, and a servant bearing a tray with a document in parchment approached her.

“Read it,” she commanded.

One of her toadies dutifully picked the document up and read it aloud.

“For the undisputed crime of murdering fifty Viridian soldiers on Viridian soil, the blasphemer King Theron of Aureum will cede the entirety of the Dragon’s Flank from The Colonnades of The Colossus to Dragon’s Talon port to Viridis as compensation. By signing this document, both Queen Flora and King Theron agree to these facts as true and these terms as just and fair.”

His magic rose like a tempest inside him. That filthy, godless whore. The entirety of the Dragon’s Flank?! Did she actually believe he would let her have it? Lightning flashed in the distance, thunder echoing in the humid hall. No. Calm. If she wanted him to sign it, that meant she hadn’t used his stolen seal ring to falsify his agreement. More fool her. She really was useless without Orithyia.

“I will never sign that,” Theron said.

“You will if you ever want to leave the guest palace.”

“I’m not one of your helpless prisoners, Flora. I remain in your guest palace as a courtesy, not out of necessity.”

“If you’re so powerful, where are your servants? Why is it you wear the clothes of a commoner, without even a single ring on your finger? At least accept your loss with a shred of dignity.”

“As you did, all those years ago? Teach me your ways, Queen Flora.”

“You will learn respect, or you will never wear a crown again.”

“My respect is reserved for those who earn it, and my crown was bestowed by the ancient magics at the heart of Aureum. It cannot be taken by the grasping hands of a mortal queen.”

“Your dominion ended the moment you stepped into Viridis. I could have your head for your atrocities.”

“You could,” he conceded. “But then Aureum will be ruled by Batea, and you’ll face both a cycle of chaos and possible war. Do you think you alone, contrary to every other overly ambitious monarch throughout history, will survive both?”

“Is that a threat?”

“Merely some well-meaning advice.”

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