Page 50 of Iris of the Crowned Flame

My nervous energy continued to rise. I stood up to pace. My emotions caused the flame on the torches to flare up.

“I can’t do this anymore. We need to manage this. I hate living in fear of my life. Why in the blazing HELL is this goddamn God targeting me?” I turned to Juniper and Emberly. “Please, what can I do to end this?”

The plea kicked everyone into motion. We brainstormed, and we planned. I practiced my breathing to keep the magic at normal levels as each step of this plan fell into place. By nightfall, Denenbaum will be in one of our deepest dungeons, hopefully isolating him from the god. In a few days, Emberly would join one of the best interrogators to talk to him. They would also restrict the movement of his family and advisors. Emberly and Spencer will work to clear them one by one, using their abilities, and working with interrogators.

And Father and I would brace the kingdom for war.

CHAPTER 33

Just a few days later, I met with Father, Juniper, Emberly, General Kellen, and General Simms in Kellen’s office. Emberly and Simms had just finished interrogating Lord Denenbaum, and they were updating us.

“He revealed his connections, though he doesn’t realize he did.” Emberly stated. “He was not very talkative, but his mind was completely open.”

General Simms interrupted. “Grubby bastard just kept taunting that I’d find nothing out. He really got on my last nerve, lucky to be alive.”

I smiled before redirecting back to Emberly. “What did he share?”

Emberly sighed, clearly frustrated with Simms. “He provided quite the clear picture of meeting with the Priests of Bel when he was last at Scoria Bay, and the plot that the King and God of Death shared with him to murder the Queen and use Ethan to get to the throne. Scoria Bay wants this land, and they won’t stop at anything for it.”

“Do you know if he was the murderer, or did he just help the one who did?” Father asked. His face had tightened, his lips pressed into a thin line.

“He didn’t direct his thoughts to that night, so I don’t know yet. I know they planned to kill Lyla if Ethan wasn’t the heir.The God of Death stressed it was important to do that as soon as possible if Ethan wasn’t heir.”

“Are we able to trust his thoughts? What if he was intentionally misleading?” I asked.

A rapid knock sounded on the door, followed by royal guards entering without permission. Normally this would be an egregious error on their part, and the guard that spoke bowed to show his contrition as he interrupted. “Pardon me, we have an urgent matter at the front gate. A stranger, unable and unwilling to produce credentials, is demanding an audience with Princess Lyla. She calls her the Queen. She says that the Princess is expecting her.”

Everyone turned to me, but I didn’t know what was going on and shook my head slowly.

“I’m expecting no one. Did this woman travel with anyone? How big is her traveling group?”

“She came alone, on foot. She’s also wearing peculiar clothes, not from around here.” The guard answered.

I looked around at the others. “This is unfamiliar territory for me. I don’t know what to do.”

General Kellen spoke up. “Disarm her if she is armed and escort her into the meeting space next to the dining hall. Station four men inside and double up every door into the room. Have someone bring her warm food and water.”

General Simms nodded, motioned to the guards to follow him, and left. The guards closed the door behind him.

“We should postpone Denenbaum’s interrogation so that I can attend this meeting.” Emberly announced. “We don’t know who this is, and I will gather significantly more information than anyone else present.”

“I agree. I will not enter the room until Emberly confirms it’s safe. Send a guard for Spencer and for Zoya. Have them meet me in my chambers. If she’s calling me a queen, then I need my king around, and Zoya can help defend against any potential dangers.”

“Your chambers?” Father questioned.

“I am not dressed to meet a guest calling me a queen.Amyra and Ivy will help me look the part while Emberly investigates.”

Father smiled. “It’s those details that will make you successful.”

We stood and ended the meeting, agreeing to meet later.

In my chambers,Amyra and Ivy helped me find a dress. We selected a honey hued dress with gold and brown embroidered ivy leaves around the bodice and down the upper half of the skirt. Amyra braided some of my hair to pull it away from my face while still leaving it flowing down my back. While she was working on my hair, Spencer and Zoya both arrived.

“The guards wouldn’t tell us what’s happening. Is everything ok?” Spencer asked, concern dripping through his tone.

“Yes, I’m sorry. They likely weren’t told themselves. I was in a debrief from Denenbaum’s interrogation. Someone walked up to the gates of the castle and asked for Queen Lyla. She told them I was expecting her. Emberly went to meet her right away while I presented myself more like a queen before going to meet this woman.”

Spencer nodded, like this is a normal, everyday occurrence. “Getting used to these events?” Amyra teased.

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