Page 92 of Queen of Legends and Lies
A glimmer of hope ignites in my chest.
“There’s more.” Eldor keeps his gaze on mine, almost as if he doesn’t care about the council’s opinion of him. “In my research, I also found references to merged magic.”
Celeste’s eyes light up, a satisfied smile playing on her lips. “This only reinforces what Lark and Knox discovered. Despite the danger, their trip to the caves yielded valuable information, however dubious it may seem.” She turns to me. “And you successfully merged your magic, proving it does work. Now we know for certain that merged magic produces great power. You just need more practice to control it.”
“Yes, thequeenandcrown princeare powerful indeed.” Fenton’s voice is laced with skepticism. “But practice? They might burn the whole kingdom down in the process. Then we won’t need the drachen or the corrupted to do the job for us.” While he might not like what we’re doing, he clearly finds her familiarity inappropriate.
But my grandfather’s comments spark an idea. “So what you’re saying is that merging is how we used to perform our magic? These are the true old ways? I’ve seen ancient magics tied to physical objects that are still functioning. Yet I’ve never heard of such a thing being cast.”
Sterling’s demeanor remains calm and reassuring.
Eldor, though, frowns. “Yes. I found mention of such things in several histories. Including some personal journals of kings past. It was such a normal occurrence among the stronger magic users, they didn’t even bother to explain it. The same way we wouldn’t explain what a table is. It was just part of everyday life.”
“Perhaps they can practice farther away.” Celeste glances around the table, her blue eyes wide. “That will remove the risk of magical misfires on the palace grounds.”
Vicar Moise inclines his head, wings rustling.
Serle nods with a little too much enthusiasm, his lips curling into a smile. “An excellent idea, Lady Celeste.”
Of course he’d agree. He’s been her number one fan ever since she landed.
The council members murmur in acquiescence, their voices blending into a hum. Celeste’s face lights up with triumph. “You can both start tomorrow.” Turning, she flashes me a placating smile, as if she’s just told a child they can have a sweet.
Swift, hot anger flares within me. Sterling tenses beside me, his disapproval palpable.
Enough.
Before I can even open my mouth to speak, Sterling rises from his seat. “You’re overstepping your role, Celeste.” His clipped words brook no argument. “And you’re being quite rude to thequeen.”
Moise clears his throat, his arrogance evident in the set of his shoulders. “Lady Celeste is a foreigner, Your Majesty. She does not understand our ways.”
Alannah’s voice cuts through the growing tension, her tone sharp. “Her Highness was raised in the same foreign land, Vicar Moise.” She arches a brow, her dark eyes flashing. “And she has never overstepped so rudely. To tell a monarch what they are or are not allowed to do? Only weeks ago, even the semblance of doing so would’ve ended with an execution. The late King Jasper, gods rest his soul, never would’ve allowed such an insult to go unaddressed.”
A ripple goes through the council, some nodding their assent while others all but squirm in their seats. Eldor begins to sharpen his dagger, a hint of wry amusement on his face.
Celeste looks like she’s swallowed a rock. “I meant no offense, Your Majesty.”
Fatigue weighs heavily on my shoulders, the recent events taking their toll. The thirst, ever present since my battle withXenon, claws at my throat, a persistent reminder of how hard I fought to get free.
I draw in a deep breath, the air in the council chamber suddenly stifling.
“None taken. But let me be clear.” One by one, I lock eyes with every person in the room. “We,” I clasp Sterling’s hand in solidarity, “will continue to do what we believe is right for Tirene, and we won’t hesitate to assist other kingdoms in need. You’re dismissed.”
The following silence is broken only by the rustling of clothes as the council members take their leave.
Sterling lifts my hand to his lips and presses a soft kiss to my knuckles. “I’m going to speak with my mother. I’ll see you soon?”
“I won’t be long.” I shift toward Eldor, who’s testing the blade of his dagger. “Can you add the Palace of the Gods and Narc’s death to your list of things to research? I can arrange for scribes to assist you.”
He nods before sheathing his newly sharpened blade. “What the library truly needs is someone to straighten it up, to bring order to the chaos. I’ve started arranging things as I go, but sorting through everything would be a full-time job.”
Unfortunately, we don’t have that kind of time.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Golden sunbeams stream through the tall palace windows, gently rousing me from slumber. I blink, orienting myself.
The last few days swirl hazily through my mind. The conflicts, the revelations, the heavy weight of the crown.
