Page 110 of Queen of Legends and Lies
I fight the urge to scream.
Moise, that treasonous snake. “Captain, spread the word. Celeste has escaped, and Vicar Moise is now a traitor to the crown. He’s to be arrested on sight.”
“Right away, my queen.” Fitz gives quick orders to the other royal guards, sending two of them running to raise the alarm.
I stand frozen as they disperse, my mind whirling with dark possibilities. How long ago did Moise release Celeste? Where could they have gone in that time? And most chilling of all, what horrors will that vicious pair unleash upon my kingdom now that they’re free?
The sound of flapping wings echoes through the dungeon stairwell as the two royal guards take flight, racing to spread the news of Celeste’s escape. My heart pounds as the implications hit me. The Tirene use their wings to get around the sprawling palace complex so quickly, soaring through the vast halls designed for flight.
How could I not have realized?
I turn to the remaining guard. “Please, take these two to the infirmary. Healer Luci needs to check them for signs of eyril-induced corruption. She’s the one I trust most to know about this condition.” She’s also someone I trust implicitly not to be a traitor. I fix the afflicted guards with a stern expression. “You are not to return to duty until Luci herself clears you, understood?”
They nod solemnly. “Yes, Your Highness.”
As the remaining guard escorts them away, Captain Fitz opens his mouth, then snaps it shut.
I raise an eyebrow. “Something to add, Captain?”
A wry grin spreads across his face. “Just damn glad you and Prince Knox are fighters, my queen. Makes my job hells of a lot easier.”
His words are a reminder that my people believe in me, in my strength, in my ability to lead and protect them. Thegnawing self-doubt that’s plagued me since assuming the throne eases just a fraction.
Perhaps the council’s constant patronizing words and attitudes intended to do just that, leading me to second-guess my every thought and action before making my own choices.
High above, the blaring of warning horns splits the air, and the palace springs into action. I turn to Sterling.
He rests a hand on my shoulder. “We need to search Moise’s chambers for clues about what he’s planning or where they’re headed.”
“Lead the way.”
As we race through the palace corridors, my mind whirls with unanswered questions and worst-case scenarios. I can only pray we find Moise and Celeste before they enact whatever twisted scheme they’ve concocted.
Boots pounding against the stone, we emerge from the dungeon into the main palace halls. Two more royal guards, having heard the alarm, sprint over to join our group. Captain Fitz has one fall into line behind us and sends the other off to find more soldiers.
Safety in numbers.
Determined, we hasten toward the council members’ private wing.
Captain Fitz stops in front of one door and gestures toward it.
I throw the door open, hoping against hope Moise might still be inside.
No such luck.
Empty.
Spartan, even. The open floorplan has no doors to separate the receiving room from the sleeping area. The only other door must lead to the private bathing chamber. There’s one table, three chairs, and a single bed under a brass chandelier. Thewhitewashed walls reflect the light streaming through the single window.
The chambers are immaculate, not a scroll out of place, the bed made with infirmary precision. Nothing’s stored on the shelves or tables, almost as if the vicar was never here at all. It’s eerily similar to how we found Celeste’s room.
Sterling goes to check Serle’s quarters across the hall.
As rapid footsteps approach, I whirl around, wings flaring, magic surging to my fingertips. But it’s Agnar and Leesa who round the corner behind three royal guards. Both are slightly out of breath, worry creasing their brows.
“We came as soon as we heard the horns. Followed these guys once we knew they were coming to you.” Agnar’s usually jovial expression turns solemn. “What’s going on?”
“Celeste escaped.” I’m already moving off, planning to search the Council Tower next. “Moise is the one who broke her out. They must be working together.”
