Page 40 of Queen of Legends and Lies
“Kerrymean?” Dalya’s eyes widen, her short magenta hair almost purple in the moonlight. “The herb used to put dragons and alicorns to sleep for surgeries?”
“It was all I could get my hands on.” The confident woman of a moment ago has vanished. Celeste wrings her hands together, visibly nervous before the Royal Council of Tirene. “It was the only thing I could think of to control him while I brought him to you.”
Trying to ignore the fact that she used a tranquilizer on the love of my life, I blow out a slow breath. “And then what?”
“She came and got us.” Elijah glides forward, admiring our former instructor.
Helene nods. There’s no malice in her eyes. She’s clearly supportive of this decision too. “It was Celeste who led us out. Without her?—”
“We wouldn’t have made it through the corrupted.” Elijah shudders, his normally arrogant face haunted by memories of whatever he saw. “There were so many. Still, she knew where every troop was. We were able to dodge them all. Didn’t see a single black-eyed person the whole trip here.”
Vicar Moise leans in, curiosity sharpening his lean features. “Celeste, do you know what plans Xenon has laid out?”
Around us, the air thickens with anticipation. Other council members lean closer, too, their eagerness almost palpable. This could be the information we’ve been hoping for. Something that will force them to finally take action.
“I do.” She has the audacity to wink at the vicar, a sly edge to her voice. “As his chief lieutenant, I was privy to more than most. I was the one in charge of training recruits and intelligence gathering.”
“How did you manage that?” I ask Celeste as I watch the council turn their backs to me and bunch together. They don’t like me questioning their hopeful ally.
“By pretending I was on his side. Lots of sucking up. Plus, I knew the place, as well as everyone’s strengths and weaknesses from my time as an instructor. I’ve been integral in training many of the soldiers in the fields.”
I nod along, but most of my attention is focused on the council huddle. They’ve just crowned me queen. Their leader. Appointed by the gods. And yet, with them, I’m still on the outside looking in.
Serle catches my eye and beckons me closer with a subtle tilt of his head.
Maybe they do remember their manners.
Without bothering to excuse myself, I leave the trio behind.
“Perhaps Celeste should join the council.” Serle glances over my shoulder before his pale blue eyes narrow on me. “Her knowledge could prove invaluable.”
Moise nods, a faint smile twisting his lips. “She could help us assess our plans.”
Most of the others mumble their agreement. Though there’s skepticism on a few faces, no one outright vetoes the request.
“Queen Lark, you know these people better than anyone else here. Do you think she could be of use?” Duke Bron doesn’t hide the wariness in his eyes.
“I think…”
The council’s murmurs fade into a distant hum as I wrestle with the choice before me. I don’t have a reason not to trust Celeste. She was an excellent instructor, and Sterling seemed to think highly of her.
Still, something doesn’t sit right in my stomach.
Or maybe it’s jealousy. After all, Celeste is a gorgeous, leggy blond, and I can still picture Sterling comforting her following her near-death experience when the dragon she was riding fell from the sky. Plus, there were those moments at Flighthaven when he feigned interest in her to keep me at bay. Brief moments, yet I remember them well.
Yup. It’s definitely the jealousy talking.
“Queen Lark?” Vicar Moise prompts, his voice pulling me back.
“I think she’ll be an asset to the council. Let’s do it.”
My first official act as queen.
Gods, I hope I didn’t screw thisup.
Their collective sigh weaves through the air, a tapestry of relief and expectation. I hope they don’t see the way my fingers tremble or the doubt clouding my eyes.
“Then we’ll take them away, Your Majesty.” Serle breaks the circle by stepping back. “We’ll debrief them, learn everything there is to learn, and ensure they have food and drink after their journey. You stay and enjoy the festivities. After all, we’ve put a lot of planning into it.”
