Page 136 of Queen of Legends and Lies
But in that moment, I glimpsed the true malice lurking beneath.
The serpent has shown its fangs.
“Pity.” Venom drips from the word. “You are making a grave mistake,Your Highness.”
As I glare into his cold, dead eyes, I know the real battle is about to begin. And by the gods, I will win it or die trying. “How could I align myself with someone who’s already killed so many of my people?”
A vein pulses in Xenon’s temple as he visibly struggles to rein in his temper. Then, as quickly as it appeared, the fury vanishes, replaced by profound sorrow.
“You speak of loss, Queen Lark, as if you, alone, have suffered.” His voice quavers with genuine emotion. Either that, or he’s three hells of an actor. “But I, too, have known grief. My own family, slaughtered in the war between Kamor and Aclaris. Brutally cut down, with their bodies left to rot in the sun.”
Despite myself, I have a twinge of sympathy. Perhaps there is some small shred of humanity left in him after all.
Once upon a time, had he once fought for what he felt was true and good? Or was he always this power hungry, and that’s what led to the War for Independence?
Sensing my hesitation, Xenon presses his advantage. “Yes, I have done terrible things. But always for a greater cause. To forge a lasting peace, no matter the cost. Surely you, of all people, can understand that? In fact, you personally benefited. You would not be queen if my drachen hadn’t killed King Jasper. Or corrupted Prince Knox. These two actions, which you decry, are what led to you taking the throne.”
Does he really think I’d choose this title at the cost of another person’s life? “That may be true, but lies and bloodshed are no foundation for peace, only suffering.”
Xenon’s lips curve. “Ah, but what if I told you there was another way? A path to victory, hidden from all, save a chosen few?” He leans forward, voice low and urgent. “I have delved deep into Narc’s inner sanctum and learned secrets even his most trusted servants know nothing of. There is a weakness, a fatal flaw in his defenses.”
My heart pounds faster. Could it be true? Some tiny, treacherous part of me wants desperately to believe him. “And that would be?”
“As you know, Narc’s bones, the source of his power, lie hidden in an underground labyrinth near Flighthaven.” Xenon’s eyes gleam. “You’ve been there yourself. You know it’s a maze of tunnels and caverns.” He extends a hand to me, his face a picture of earnest appeal. “Join me, Queen Lark. Together, we can end Narc’s reign of terror. You and I, we are the only ones strong enough to do what must be done.”
He’s bluffing. Playing me. I have no doubt. More than once, Xenon’s told me he needs dragoncaller blood to reanimate Narc.Myblood. There’s no way in the three hells a vision from a god has changed his mind about bringing Narc back to life. No way some deity has convinced him to destroy Narc instead.
I gawk at his outstretched hand, a tumult of emotions warring inside me. Tension bolts through my body.
This is my moment.
Swallowing hard, I meet Xenon’s fervent gaze. “You would allow me on your land? To destroy Narc’s bones and prove you are not doing all this just on his whims?”
“Why, of course.” He flashes a gleeful grin, a manic light in his stormy gray eyes. “We must be willing to sacrifice everything for the greater good, must we not?”
Elation at tricking him into granting me permission so quickly swells inside me, though a thread of unease dims the excitement.
This was too easy.
Schooling my features, I rise to my feet. “Okay. I’ll join you.”
Xenon throws his head back and laughs. The wild, half-crazed sound bounces off the stone walls. Quick as a snake, he snarls and lunges forward until he’s mere inches from my face. “Not so fast.”
I don’t flinch. I was expecting this. “What are we waiting on?”
“Ah, Lark. Do you really think I want you there? It’s your blood I require, not your,” he wrinkles his nose like he smells something unpleasant, “leadership abilities.” Xenon circles me, voice soft and sibilant. “Dragoncaller blood is very, very powerful. Able to reanimate a god, yes. But also capable of many other things. I think I’ll keep you alive. See just what your blood can do.”
Revulsion twists my gut when his true ambition becomes clear. Like I suspected, he has no desire to join forces with me. He only wants my blood to rebirth Narc and to experiment with its properties. He’s going to throw me in a cell, chain me up, and harvest my blood. Just like he did with the dragons. Like the Aclarians did to the phoenixes centuries ago.
The man’s even more depraved than I’d imagined.
“Regardless of what happens to me, you will never have control. Narc will.” Magic comes to life inside me, the warmth simmering in my veins. “You are nothing to him. And nothing to me.”
“Foolish girl! I will have that power, one way or another.” Xenon’s face contorts, spittle flying as he rages. “I’ll drain the blood from your body. And I’ll let your precious Knox live. Makehim suffer the way I have suffered. He’ll wonder where you are, what’s happening. Whether you’re dead or?—”
I unleash my fire magic in a blistering wave, blasting him backward.
He cries out in pain and shock.
