Page 74 of Queen of Legends and Lies
As the council continues to deliberate—weighing pros and cons in an endless cycle—my patience wears thin. I want to scream, to shake them until they understand the gravity of the situation. But I remain silent, my face a mask of composure even as my insides churn with frustration. The council may not approve of my plans, but I’m not going to sit back and do nothing.
What they don’t know won’t hurt them.
Finally, Duke Bron speaks, his voice heavy with finality. “Your Highness, while we appreciate the potential significance of the mountain god’s message, we cannot in good conscience approve this venture. The risks are simply too high, and your presence is required here to maintain our security.”
And the rest of the world be damned? How can they think we’ll be safe if all the other kingdoms are corrupted and turned against us? Are they really this stupid?
The other council members nod in agreement, their faces ranging from apathy to sympathy to resolute determination. My heart sinks, my stomach boiling with anger. They’ve decided already, and I have no hope of swaying them.
I rise from my seat with stiff and controlled movements. “Very well. I accept the council’s decision.” The lies don’t even slow me down anymore.
They might be the royal council.
ButIam the queen.
Opening the window, I step out into the air. The sooner I can get away from them and their arrogance, the better. And if I had to walk down the stairs with them, I might just give a few of them anaccidentalpush.
My wings unfurl, decelerating my fall as my mind races with possibilities. Just because the council overruled me doesn’t mean I’m defeated. One way or another, I will find those caves and uncover the truth. For the sake of my kingdom, for the sake of those I love, I’m not resting until I have answers.
Even if it means defying the very council meant to advise me.
Frustration courses through my veins as I storm through the palace corridors, my footsteps echoing off the polished marblefloors. The council’s dismissal of Hallr’s message plays on repeat in my mind, fueling my anger with each passing moment.
“Your presence is needed here in Tirene to maintain our security.”
How can they be so shortsighted? So unwilling to take a chance, even when the fate of our kingdom hangs in the balance? I clench my fists, my nails digging into my palms as I navigate the familiar route to the Royal Archives.
They act like the drachen haven’t already attacked once. Or like they can’t do the exact same thing again.
“Lark? Could I speak with you?”
The sound of my name brings me to an abrupt halt. I spin around, my eyes narrowing when I spot Celeste hurrying toward me, her blond hair billowing behind her like a golden banner.
“Celeste. I didn’t see you at the council meeting.”
“I was otherwise engaged. My apologies.” She takes a deep breath, her blue eyes wide and her hands clasped before her in a gesture of earnestness. And yet, her lips are pinched tight in a placating smile, as if she’s indulging a bratty child. “I heard about their decision. I wanted to tell you that I believe you’re onto something. The Mountain God’s message shouldn’t be ignored.”
I study her face, searching for any hint of deception, but find only sincerity. Could it be that Celeste is truly on my side? “Thank you, but the council has made their stance clear. There’s not much I can do.”
“Perhaps not officially.” She leans in closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “But I may have some information that could help. There’s an extensive network of caves about twenty miles north of Flighthaven.”
My heart quickens at her words, a flicker of hope igniting within me. “How do you know this?”
She beams. “I stumbled upon them when I was an instructor and did a little exploring. Not much, just enough to make sure there wasn’t anything in there that could disrupt the school. They go insanely deep and far. I never found an end to them. It’s possible that’s where Hallr meant.”
My mind’s already racing with the possibilities. If Celeste is right, those caves could hold the key to unlocking the Mountain God’s cryptic message. I find the thought both exhilarating and terrifying.
“I appreciate you sharing this with me.” I meet her gaze, my voice firm. “Truly.”
“Of course. And I know you don’t need a reminder about safety, but as your former instructor, humor me. Perhaps it would be wise to take a team with you.” Her light words carry an undercurrent that gives me pause.
“Buried alive.” That line from the prophecy keeps coming back to haunt me. It could mean so many things. Including going into a cave and getting trapped within.
“Though,” she shrugs, her voice soft with concern, “you’ve run into trouble before with a team. People can get hurt. Still, I have every confidence that you know what you’re doing.”
The memory of Olive plunges a sharp blade into my gut. Even after everything that’s happened since that ill-fated Flighthaven trial, the pain of losing her is still raw. Nick’s face appears in my head, and the knife sinks deeper. I’m responsible for their deaths. And nothing I can say or do will ever bring them back.
But I can stop putting people I care about in dangerous situations.
