Page 75 of Queen of Legends and Lies
I force a smile, shoving my grief and regret into a neat little box before clamping the lid. “I appreciate your concern, Celeste. And I’d be grateful if you’d keep our conversation between us. The council?—”
“Say no more. They mean well. Most of them. But some have never been in battle, never had any formal training with weapons or fighting. And others seem content to blindly agree with the majority.” With a final, enigmatic smile, she disappears down the corridor.
I stand there for a second, watching her go, my thoughts churning.
Despite my lingering suspicions, I can’t deny that Celeste offered valuable information about the caves. Maybe, just maybe, my misgivings about her were unfounded. Shaking my head, I turn to leave with quick and purposeful steps.
But as I round the corner, I catch sight of Celeste again. She’s heading down the hall that leads to the royal wing, and to my surprise, the guard at the doors lets her through without hesitation.
I frown, puzzled. As a council member and royal advisor, Celeste certainly has access to many areas of the palace.
But the royal wing? At this early hour? Sure, she’s allowed, but something about it is…off.
For a fleeting moment, I consider following her and demanding answers. A twinge of guilt stays my steps. Maybe she just took a wrong turn, unfamiliar with the palace’s labyrinthine halls. Gods know I got lost enough times when I first came here. Even now, there are areas of the palace I have yet to explore.
I sigh, pushing the thought aside. I have more pressing matters to attend to, and Celeste’s whereabouts are hardly my concern.
With one last lingering glance down the empty corridor, I spin and almost mow down a second guard. A little surprised yelp escapes my mouth. “Sorry, I didn’t see you there.”
Where had he come from? I swear that guard wasn’t here a few seconds ago. He’s broad-shouldered and short-haired andfamiliar though. I think I’ve seen him speaking with Sterling a couple of times.
The guard bows. “My apologies, Your Highness. I didn’t intend to startle you.”
“It’s okay.”
He bows again before striding away.
Odd. Or maybe I’m just jumpy.
My thoughts return to my discussion with Celeste as I head the opposite way down the hall. The caves, the Mountain God’s message, the fate of Tirene itself. All of it rests on my shoulders.
My steps quicken as I navigate the palace’s winding halls, determination burning in my veins. I’m not going to put this off. I’ll follow Hallr’s clues, wherever they lead.
But I will do so alone.
The idea of dragging Sterling or anyone else into this madness, of subjecting them to the dangers that lurk…it’s unbearable. I won’t be responsible for more deaths.
Never again.
Besides, Hallr came to me and me alone. Nyc came to me alone as well. Each time, they ensured Sterling was asleep. Unaware. There has to be a reason for that.
I take a shuddering breath, my resolve hardening. Now is the perfect time to act. Agnar is here, safe within the palace walls. Bastian, Leesa, Eldor, and Alannah are all in Tirene, far from harm’s reach. Even the council members are accounted for.
And Sterling…my heart clenches at the thought of him, a bittersweet ache blossoming in my chest. He’s here, ready and able to assume the mantle of king, should anything go wrong.
I shake my head, banishing the morbid notion. It won’t come to that. It can’t.
But the knowledge that he’s prepared, that Tirene will endure even if I do not…
It’s a cold comfort, but a comfort nonetheless.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
The rising sun bathes the fire paddock in a soft glow, and the gravel and sand muffle the sounds of my boots. I’m able to slip slowly into the midst of the creatures—some slumbering, a few stirring—unnoticed by the palace guards.
They never think to check the paddock, and apart from cautious caretakers and riders, no one would dare intrude on the dragons.
And if someone did, they’d become a snack in short order.
