Page 197 of I Ran Away to Evil
Thathelped… but I was still a mess.
“I’m surprised my dress held up so well.” I admired the silky, beautiful fabric. Then I glared at Keith’s clothes. He’d taken off everything but his pants and tunic. His buttons glared back at perfect eye level, mocking me with their thereness.
Keith chuckled. “Arachne silk. Stronger than any ordinary thread, and more durable.”
“Hmph.” I sat up quickly, throwing off our blankets and hopping out of bed. “I’m going to clean up!”
Keith rolled onto his back and threw his arm over his eyes. “I’ll be up in a bit.”
In the common area, Lilith was pacing nervously; not her usual professional maid demeanor. She stopped when she saw me and hurried over, tears in her eyes. “Mistresss! I’m so glad you’re alright!”
“I’ll be better after abath.” I plucked at my dress. “And fresh clothes.”
The lizardkin gave me an intense stare, taking in my disheveled, rough appearance. “Leave it to me, Princesss.”
A few minutes later, I was lounging in an enormous porcelain tub with rose petals adorning the crystal waters. It smelled of lavender and bliss.
It was a lovely half-hour soak, with foot rubs. Not long enough to feel fully rejuvenated, but enough time to feel alive again. I donned a respectable day gown, soft and clingy and pale pink.
Keith met me in a new set of dark robes over a fresh linen shirt with three buttons at the neck. He must have found his own bath or used more magic to get clean.
He was carrying a plate of breakfast, and I fell in love with him all over again.
“I love you,” I told him, grabbing an onion-and-cheese scone slice lathered in melted butter off the plate. It was warm and buttery and rich. I almost cried, it tasted so good.
“And I you.” He leaned down and pressed a kiss to my forehead. “Now, let’s go tell everybody else. Sithli let me know the council is in session as we speak. Shall we?”
“With pleasure.” I finished off the scone.
He set aside his platter and picked up two large mugs of fresh hot tea, handing one to me. “Here, we can drink these on the way. Screw propriety: I need portable tea.”
I laughed; after last night, I was desperately in need of caffeine myself. They’d prepared my favorite elderberry and nettle tea, and the scent of it was almost as relaxing as the tub. I took a sip and felt my entire body infused with the warmth of the hot beverage.
Arm in arm, teas in hand, we made our way downstairs. Daj, the polite attendant who’d shown us our rooms, was waiting to lead us to a large round atrium near the middle of the palace grounds. The ceiling was domed glass, and there was foliage decorating the walls, along with beautiful hothouse flowers.
A half-moon table had been set up in the middle, and many of the most powerful and influential people in Valaria sat around it. I recognized Their Royal Highness of Peldeep, Grand Duchess Calisto, Necromancer Chloe, Duke Wyldon of Servalt, the Grand Pontiff of Sumbria, Wizard Lorthar from Hemlock Hill, and Agatha, the Witch of Winter’s End. There were a few others, I had not met yet.
To join, one needed to be over level sixty and have influence over the continent—orrepresent a country, as Chloe and Wyldon were doing.
Knight Commander Havork had not taken his place at Drendil’s seat. He stood uncomfortably off to the side, arms crossed and somber. No one had bothered to restrain him, though he was obviously being brought forward with charges.
“Welcome.” Grand Duchess Calisto motioned me and Keith to stand before the council. “We have been waiting.”
Keith and I shared a look, and he stepped forward first.
“Grand Council, I have come before you today to issue a formal complaint against Servalt, and request sanctions against Drendil for their part in kidnapping and trafficking.”
There was a quiet mumble and a few shared looks among the council. Keith watched Duke Wyldon of Servalt, but the man did not refute. He even nodded for Keith to continue.
“Marquess Dorset of Servalt, a known offender, kidnapped and enslaved at least four people last evening,” Keith began.
“We have dealt with Marquess Dorset already,” Duchess Calisto informed us. “So you may speak your piece, but know that a [Truth] spell has verified his side of the story.”
Keith acknowledged her grace and continued. “I was portaled to a trap pocket dimension, and only freed by Princess Henrietta hours later.”
“Is this when Simon and Thalia fell?” Witch Agatha demanded. “Do you claim that you had nothing to do with it when you were found in the cell next to their bodies? Chadwick may have been tried with trafficking, butyoustand accused of the murder of Drendil’s king and queen.”
“That”—Keith pushed up his glasses with a practiced move—“is because Marquess Dorset set up to frame me for their deaths. He was the one responsible, however. You may use [Truth] magic on me if you do not believe me.”
