Page 103 of Queen of Legends and Lies
Bastian shakes his head, his brows furrowed. “No, we stayed up researching the histories Eldor mentioned. There’s some fascinating information here about how to merge magics and what can be done with it.”
Though learning more about merging is critical, I have to find that conniving bitch first. “Keep at it. Eldor mentioned that he discovered something important. We’ll check in with you as soon as we get a chance.” I turn to Sterling and the guards. “Let’s keep hunting.”
As we leave the archives, the weight of Leesa’s and Bastian’s concerned gazes land on my back.
I continue down the hallway, asking every staff member I encounter about Celeste’s whereabouts. Each negative response fuels my frustration.
Finally, a young page boy pipes up. “The last time I saw her, she was heading toward the apothecary, Your Majesty.”
My heart leaps at the lead. “The apothecary? Are you certain?”
He nods, his mop of blond hair falling into his eyes. “Uh-huh. She seemed to be in a hurry.”
I address the guards, who’ve caught up with me. “The apothecary. Let’s go.”
Minutes later, I open the apothecary door with care, releasing the scent of herbs, oils, and woods. Celeste leans over a worktable, carefully measuring liquid into a beaker. Several of the tiny drawers along the back of the table are open.
She’s pouring a shimmering liquid into stoppered bottles, her golden hair cascading down her back in its typical fashion. Boxes, jars, and unfolded wax paper packets clutter the workspace. I don’t spot any notes pertaining to the concoction in the beakers, yet my blood still freezes to ice.
Betrayal sharpens my voice. “Seize her and summon an alchemist at once to identify the substances.”
The alchemist will only confirm what I already know. The faint reek of oily, sweet decay reveals the truth.
Eyril. The bitch is messing with tainted eyril.
The guards sprint forward, their armor clinking.
Celeste spins around, eyes wide with surprise. “Lark? Knox? You’re up? What’s happening?”
I step closer. “You know exactly what’s happening, Celeste. You’ve been working against us this whole time.”
She struggles against the guards’ grips, her face contorting with desperation. “No! I would never betray you. Please, you have to believe me.”
I glance at the bottles on the table. “Then what are you doing here?”
Tears form in her eyes. “I heard Eldor’s words about the corruption. I thought I could find some sort of cure here, even a temporary one, since your tears are often depleted.” She shifts toward Sterling, her eyes beseeching. “Knox, you know me. You know I’d never do anything to harm anyone.”
Sterling’s jaw tightens, eyes hardening. “We worked together, Celeste, but we never truly knew each other. I waspretending to be someone else when I taught with you at Flighthaven.”
Celeste’s shoulders slump, her facade crumbling.
How could I have been so blind? So trusting? I should’ve seen through her deceptions long ago. “Take her to the dungeon. Lock her in a cell and ensure that two guards are with her at all times.”
The guards nod, dragging a protesting Celeste toward the door.
Sterling places a comforting hand on my shoulder. “We’ll get to the bottom of this, love. She won’t get away with her betrayal.”
With a heavy sigh, I drink in the shimmering potions before me. The kingdom is at stake, and I will do whatever it takes to protect it, even if it means confronting the lies of those I once trusted.
The door slams shut behind Celeste and the guards, leaving Sterling and me alone in the apothecary. The soothing scent of herbs does little to calm my racing thoughts.
I pace the room, struggling to clear my head. “I should’ve seen it sooner. Ever since she got here, Celeste has been a little too eager to help, too quick to offer advice.”
Sterling leans against the workbench, his muscular arms folded across his chest. “You can’t blame yourself. You were the one who figured it out.”
“Not soon enough.” I pause, swerving around to face him. “I’m the queen. It’s my job to protect Tirene, to see through the lies and deceptions.”
“And you will.” He pushes off the bench, closing the distance between us in two long strides. His hands find my waist, pulling me close. “We’ll figure this out together. But you’re human. Remember that.”
