Page 91 of Queen of Legends and Lies
And maybe Rafe, which comes as a surprise.
“As you probably know, Eldor is not just my grandfather, but also my master researcher, which is only one of his many skills.” If anyone’s wondering why a master researcher needs to be armed to the teeth with weapons, no one says a word. “His knowledge will be vital to our discussion.”
Eldor’s lips curve into something akin to a smile as he settles into his seat, the firelight and ever-light both glinting on the grays in his dark hair.
I sip more of my drink, and it fortifies my resolve—though I’d give my left arm for some of Alannah’s hydrating tea.
The door swings open once more, revealing Celeste.
Her eyes widen when she sees my rumpled appearance and the dried blood and dirt clinging to my skin. “Oh, Your Highness, I’m so deeply sorry for mentioning the location of the caves. The danger you and the prince faced…I feel terrible.”
Sharing an amused glance with Sterling, I shake my head. “I?—”
She clasps my hand within hers, blond hair cascading over her shoulders like a golden waterfall. “I trusted you could handle it, Lark. You have such grand vision, such untapped powers. If I’d so much as suspected your journey might be perilous…”
I pull my hand back, out of her grasp. The familiar way she’s treating me is starting to get on my nerves. Her words hang in the air like a double-edged sword. On the surface, it sounds like a compliment. However, the implication that I failed subtly undermines my judgment and abilities.
Sterling crosses his arms over his chest, face flat. I know it’s not just because he’s cold.
The council members exchange glances, murmurs of dissent rippling through the room. Celeste’s lips twitch, a flicker of satisfaction in her eyes.
Oh. I see. She’s playing them. Sowing seeds of doubt, creating fractures in our unity. Or is she trying to erode my own confidence?
I drain my glass, the alcohol numbing the tension coiled in my muscles, as Duchess Breann arrives.
Sterling clears his throat, his deep voice cutting through the din. “Tell them where we went and what we found.”
With a smile, I start. “After the last meeting, I ran into Celeste, who knew the location of the caves Hallr mentioned.”
Everyone stares at my former weapons instructor, who wriggles in her seat.
“Thanks to her knowledge, we were able to find and explore them. However, we encountered Xenon. As I discovered on my previous journey to Flighthaven, he’s uncorrupted. Well, he’s still in his right mind. Gray eyes, not black. Still a willing ally of Narc.”
Gasps of disbelief percolate through the council chamber. Moise, Serle, and Nira exchange incredulous looks, their brows furrowed.
“Willing?” Fenton scoffs, his face twisted in a scowl. “Someone under Narc’s sway, who remains uncorrupted? Impossible.”
I lean forward, my fingers interlaced on the polished wood table. “Xenon told me he struck a deal. Narc needed him to fertilize the field, to bring back the drachen. In exchange, the drachen are now under Xenon’s command, to do with as he will.”
The next part tastes bitter on my tongue. “And every time Xenon fertilizes the eyril field with dragon’s blood, Narc grows stronger.”
Though I’m mostly rehashing what I said after my near-death encounter at Flighthaven a couple of weeks ago, more than one face relays disbelief.
Why would I lie about Xenon remaining an uncorrupted and willing ally of Narc?
Moise shifts toward Celeste, eyebrows raised. “As Xenon’s close confidante, did you ever see signs of this unholy alliance?”
Celeste shakes her head, her expression calculated. “I understand why you would think such a thing. Xenon himself said it. But he lies. I never saw any signs he was in league with anything but his own evil.”
Hot, acrid frustration simmers in my veins. She’s deflecting, twisting the truth to suit her own agenda.
I push on, determined to impress the gravity of our situation upon them. “Xenon also spoke of the chamber where I met him in the caves. A place he called the Palace of the Gods. I have to admit it looked exactly like that. And it was deep underground, accessed by a series of tunnels and caves. According to Xenon, the gods stopped meeting there after a woman named Aero killed Narc.”
Eldor jumps in, his voice low and urgent. “This might explain the strange references I found in some ancient tomes about the gods’ anger toward humans.” He describes the Palace of the Gods, his words painting a vivid picture.
The council members exchange shocked glances, their disbelief morphing into a growing disquiet.
They’re starting to comprehend. Maybe now they’ll get their heads out of their asses.
