Page 26 of Consort's Dragon
“And fast reflexes.”
The compliment didn’t ease his annoyance.“Once the perpetrator is caught, they will be questioned to see if they worked alone or were hired.”
“Mostly likely this is Benoit’s doing.”
“What makes you think that?”
“They aimed for me and only one person is determined to see me die.Benoit was quite miffed I escaped his plot to have my entire line murdered.He made a few attempts afterwards that also failed, hence why he resorted to sullying my name and honor when he seized the throne.”
“It is a grave offense to send assassins to Merisu to pursue his personal vendetta.Surely he’s not stupid enough to risk a war with me.”
“I don’t think he cares.He’s been listening to Zhos.”
“How, if it is still imprisoned?”
“As the ice around its prison melts, it creates a fog that is tainted with Zhos’ presence.This mist can control people, force them to do its bidding.”
“It can influence from afar?”Titus sounded skeptical.
“Yes, and scores of people at once.When I discovered its presence in Fraegus Spire, it had enslaved an entire town.By now, who knows how many it’s managed to infect and force to do its will.With how easily Benoit took over, I suspect many in Daerva’s court are affected.”
“Weaklings,” Titus muttered with a sneer.
“It has nothing to do with strength.Zhos uses magic to compel people to do its bidding.”
“That is no excuse.A man should own his own mind.”
She arched a brow.“Said by someone who hasn’t seen what I have.One of the strongest men I know was overcome by Zhos and tried to kill me even though he’s always treated me like a daughter.”
“And how did you prevail?”he asked, his gaze keen with interest.
Should she explain how her touch could dispel Zhos’ magic?How her blood could shatter spells, too?
She pursed her lips.“Not easily.”
“Perhaps with physical touch, or maybe your blood?”he asked.Her eyes widened in surprise at his knowledge, and he nodded.“I encountered the same.”
“Zhos tried to compel you?”
“I don’t know who or what it was.The attempt to control me came via a gift of unknown origin.The palace received a bottle of wine of a brand I appreciate.Over dinner, I shared it with my general and my former vizier, Phelgar.Within a few sips, General Mintro tried to kill me.Alas for him, he died instead.”
“And your vizier?”
“Went into convulsions.Kept saying, ‘No, no, I won’t do it.’”
“You were unaffected?”
“I’ve always been stubborn.”Said with a tilt of his lips.
“This Phelgar managed to beat it as well?”
“Only after I slapped him.The shock of the blow helped him to shake it off.”
In other words, he’d touched the vizier.Could it be she and Titus were the same in that Zhos’ magic had no effect on them?There was no real way to test it.
“You appear pensive,” he remarked as he uncorked a wine bottle.
“I never realized there’d been attempts on your life.”
