Page 107 of Shifter King
Gabrice didn't even look at her. When his was finished, he put his arm down and left, his expression downcast. He scrubbed at it as if he wished he could remove it.
Guards came for her and WroOth immediately thereafter.
This time they were taken to a much larger hall, similar to the Great Hall in the opalescent palace in Libysha. WroOth whispered that this had probably been a dancing hall once. A large chandelier hung from the ceiling, lit with over a dozen oil lamps. The rugs that carpeted sections of the stone appeared to be woven from dyed wool rather than painted reeds.
Masks hung on the wall at staggered intervals, all empty-eyed and brightly painted. Sometimes it seemed that they were devouring the shadows of those who passed by. Only flutes played in here. The assembled gathering wore clothing of all styles and fashions, some quite formal and others casual. It almost seemed more as if everyone had been herded into this place. Slaves and servants waited in the back, Vawtrians clearly marked with the copper lithok. Some had small bloody marks on their clothing.
The throne was elevated upon a stage with thick curtains drawn back. The guards instructed them to stand on the right side. This queen certainly had quite a number of rooms for presentations. When she entered, the flute music stopped.
She strode up the six stairs to her high-backed throne and stared out over the assembly, chin lifted high and her brilliant headdress gleaming in the dim light. Her eyes shone bright, her smile confident as if she had determined precisely how to handle this and win all she desired.
That unsettled Amelia. She glanced at WroOth. He nudged the back of her arm and winked. "Just play along. Have fun with it. None of this means anything, dear heart."
She released a slow breath, calming herself and pushing back against the morass of emotions. The bands around her elmis were doing all they could to protect her. There were just—just so many people out there. All with their own thoughts, hopes, feelings, and fears. They'd packed everyone in.
What kind of a fool was she going to have to make of herself, fawning over this Bealorn and pretending to be desperate for his love? The thought made her stomach twist.
Zorna lifted her hands. An unnatural silence spread over the crowd. Not even the breaths stirred it. "You have all heard the rumors and tales of what has come to this place. Of the coming of the Mother of the New Neyeb. Of the promise that she brings. Prophecies abound. My own oracles have spoken, and I have sought wisdom ancient and new. The Mother of the New Neyeb, if pure and true, shall provide to us healthy and beautiful children who will bring us advantages and powers unknown to this world for centuries and centuries."
She held up her finger, her finely painted eyebrow lifting with the emphasis. "But that is the catch, is it not? If she is pure and true. She swore from the moment she laid eyes on my son that she loved him. Loved him with the all-consuming fires of a thousand blessed stars. But was that true or did she simply peer into his mind and mine and repeat what we needed to hear?"
As soft sounds of agreement rippled out among the assembly, she tapped her finger to her nose. "Yes. It is difficult, is it not? How do we know? It was difficult for my son. You have likely seen his distress as he has pondered this issue, turning to drink and the like. Though he has tried long and hard to hide these feelings, what can be hidden from his queen and mother? Nothing. I see all. I know all. But I must also protect my son. Any mother would do the same. When I told the Neyeb of this, she was most distraught as any good person would be. She asked that she be tested. She said to me, 'if I cannot be proven worthy to you and before your people for the love of your son, then put that pick through my eye and consign me to whatever service you see fit, for I am not worthy to even live.'"
The crowd murmured with surprise. Low gasps and questions followed. Some looked at her, their eyes glittering in the shadows.
WroOth folded his arms. "I don't care for where this story is going," he said softly.
Amelia agreed. This was all leading up to one very obvious conclusion. Elonumato, help me, she prayed. There was no way to stop it.
Zorna held up her hands, summoning silence once more. "That is, we can all agree, a generous offer. A noble offer. But I could not take it. Not unless it was the only option available. But it is not." She motioned to someone on the other side of the stage. An attendant stepped out with a polished wooden tray, the large bronze goblet standing tall and proud upon it. "We have wines and herbs that will allow the heart to be shown. To let the truth shine forth as all is stripped away and all that truly exists is shown. A far gentler and kinder option, we can all agree. So to prove her worthiness, the Neyeb has agreed to drink the psychic wine and prove to all the worthy spirit that lies within her and the true love that beats within her heart for my son and my son alone. Step forward, Neyeb, and drink the wine. Unless you would prefer the first option be implemented here today."
REVEALED
Naatos sat in the chair in the back room. It mocked him now, far too small and far too tight. But it was the farthest back in the bunker. The easiest to secure. It would hold. For at least a night.
AaQar wrapped the chains around him. Two layers of rope beneath that kept him fairly immobile already. The chains he fastened to four metal loops in the floor, newly fashioned.
"I have grave concerns about this," AaQar said. "It is not too late for you to close that path."
"No, but I will not close it. Whoever would do this to her means to destroy her. And I will not let that happen."
"We do not know how this is going to affect you," AaQar said. "We do not know if you can come back for certain."
"The bunker should hold me," he responded. "If I can break through these chains, that door, and the next, then—"
"Then we have very grave problems," QueQoa said from the doorway.
AaQar placed a small mechanical timepiece on the wall. "I found it in the bottom of one of the bags. Try to focus on it if you are able." He sighed, then shook his head.
"You know even if the worst happened though, I would come back," he said solemnly. "There isn't enough mercy anywhere that would allow me to die when she does, and we both know that."
"QueQoa and I will secure the bunker. Then we're going to resume gathering all the information we can on these poisons and venoms in case we can create an antidote or something to counter it for the wedding and in case things go poorly." AaQar paused, pressing his hand to his eyes for a breath. "Be careful, brother." Then, with one last look, he stepped out and closed the door. The lock squealed as he put it into place.
Naatos stared down at the table. Amelia would be all right. He closed his eyes and searched for her. There had been moments when it had seemed as if she was calling him. As if she had been within a hair's breadth of him. But he hadn't found her.
Now though…if they made her do this, he would be there, waiting in the dark. If any connection was possible, he would be there. And even if he couldn't be there with her in a way that she could see, even if he couldn't hold her tight, he could divert some of the flood. If only she could hear him.Veskaro, you are not alone.
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