Page 106 of Queen of Legends and Lies
Dalya’s gaze snaps to Sterling’s. “I was at the tavern one evening and overheard a couple of patrons. I’m fairly certain the guy there is selling it for money.”
Rafe scrunches his brow in confusion. “What I don’t get is why any Tirenese would buy eyril in the first place. We don’t need it to use our magic.”
“No idea.” Dalya shrugs, once again picking at her nail. “One of the guys said something about a rumor he heard. Claimed eyril protected people from the drachen. Or at least enhanced their magic while fighting them.”
My blood runs cold as realization slams into me like a physical blow.
My mind races, piecing together the fragments of a sinister puzzle. If eyril tainted our water supply before the drachen attack, the entire kingdom could be at risk of corruption. And let’s not forget Celeste tinkering in the apothecary with what was almost certainly eyril.
“Someone’s been spreading those rumors intentionally.” I lurch to my feet, Sterling’s arm slipping from my shoulders. “Dalya, would you recognize those men if you saw them again?”
She shoots me a glance that saysdo I look like an idiotbefore nodding. “Of course.”
Ignoring that expression, I start to formulate a plan. “Excellent. Tonight, I need you to find those men and confiscate their eyril. Take Rafe with you.”
For once, Rafe doesn’t argue, and though I can’t be certain, I think admiration flickers across his face as he and Dalya agree.
I scan the room, meeting the gaze of every other council member. “Does anyone else have an idea of where to search for additional eyril stores?”
“Perhaps the gods will give us wisdom.” The vicar gestures to the heavens. “I will petition their assistance.”
By some miracle, I manage to cover the snort that threatens to escape. I’d be willing to bet all the jewels in Tirene’s coffers the vicar has never called on the gods a day in his life.
The meeting continues as we discuss where any contraband eyril could be.
It’s not until my head hits the pillow later that night that I realize I never spoke with Eldor about his research.
Tomorrow. It’ll have to wait until tomorrow.
Chapter Thirty-Six
Early the next morning, I call a meeting with Leesa, Bastian, Agnar, Alannah, and Eldor. They begin filing into our sitting room, each of them appearing comfortable in the space. These are the people I trust implicitly.
My real council.
I glance sidelong at Sterling and find him already watching me, his thoughts clearly running parallel to mine.
Eldor is already perched in a plush armchair, his slightly crooked nose buried in one of his many books. He glances up as we enter, peering through the curtain of wild hair that’s fallen around his face. “Lark, I came as soon as I received your summons. What’s happened?”
I pace the length of the room, hands clenching and unclenching at my sides. “We arrested Celeste early yesterday morning. On suspicion of espionage.”
Eldor’s eyebrows shoot up. Agnar mutters a curse under his breath.
But before they can ask for details, I drop the second bombshell. “And according to a council member I trust, eyril is being bought and sold on the black market.”
Stunned silence greets this revelation.
Late last night, Dalya and Rafe located a man by the name of Simon Hale who’d been running a black market eyril ring. When Sterling and I questioned him, he’d confessed to selling the illegal substance to a blond woman whose name he didn’t know.
Later, we’d sent Captain Fitz and a few guards to confiscate Simon Hale’s eyril stores and take him into custody for more questioning.
Leesa steps forward, hands spread in confusion. “Is Celeste involved with the black market eyril? And do you know if she’s working alone?”
“She’s involved, but we don’t know who she’s working with. The man who sold her the eyril swore he knew nothing about her plans, only that he was desperate for money to feed his family.” Something in the man’s pleading tone and earnest face suggested he was telling the truth. “We found nothing in her rooms when we searched them, only a small vial of eyril that a maid discovered while cleaning. That’s what prompted the arrest and our search for the seller.”
My mind whirls with suspicion and paranoia. Who else has betrayed us? Who, outside this room, can I trust?
The sharp knock at the door makes me flinch.
