Page 62 of Claimed By Shadow and Blood
Yuki spread her arms wide in challenge. “This isn’t even close to an approximation of justice. Anyone with eyes can see that it’s a setup.” Her voice had grown shriller and her enunciation faster.
“Let us speak with whoever’s in charge of the prison where she’s being held.” Thalira clenched her jaw.
Everyone started talking all at once, their voices overlapping, causing my head to pound even harder.
“Ladies, please.” I rubbed my temples. “All you’re accomplishing is dragging out the entire process.”
The guard nearest me tilted his head as the verbal onslaught continued. Two farther down the hall stepped closer, their grips on the halberds tightening. I gave another slight shake of my head to indicate everything was still under control. At least, I hoped it would be soon because my head couldn’t take much more.
A flash of white-blonde hair and silver fabric darted out from around the corner. “You all dare to speak to our prince and future king in such a manner?” Kaylen’s sonorous voice rang down the hall. She glared at the five women and strode toward us. “Briar was exposed for what she was. An opportunistic and murderous wretch. She played almost everyone here. Especially you lot. Not that it wasyourfault, Your Highness.” Her hooded silver eyes met mine in what I guessed she thought was a seductive expression, and she dipped her head as she curtsied. “She was quite clever with her lies. I know because I am a woman of discernment and have faced many similar cunning deceivers.”
“How would you like your face to melt?” Quen demanded, starting toward Kaylen with her fists balled. Heat shot out around her as flames licked along her hands and up her wrists.
“You think you can challenge me, ash blood?” Kaylen’s upper lip curled. She spread her arms, and wisps of wind formed over her palms.
Thalira stepped between Quen and Kaylen, laying a gentle hand on Quen's arm. "Not here," she murmured, though her own eyes were cold with fury. “It is a waste of energy.”
Things were getting out of hand, and my patience was thin. “Ladies–”
Yuki clenched her hands into fists. “No. Given how justice is dispensed in this place, it wouldn’t be wise at all.”
My wings snapped out, and my shadows darkened and surged until they rose along both walls. "Enough. All of you,” I barked. "I will not permit insults against this kingdom orits justice. And, Kaylen, I appreciate your concern, but your intervention is hardly necessary."
Kaylen banished the wind from her palms and clasped her hands over her heart. “Still, it is my honor to offer it. Most here do not seem to understand the gravity of this situation, or the great honor you have bestowed upon us by allowing us to be here. I wish to offer my deepest condolences for your loss. If I may be there for you in this time of trouble and offer you some comfort, it would be my honor.” She cut her eyes to me.
My throat burned, and I fought the urge to retch.
“Your service is noted.” My jaw flexed, and discomfort coiled at the base of my spine and neck. "I have no doubt it would be your pleasure."
A smile curled Kaylen’s lips, and she dropped her gaze demurely, seizing upon the compliment like a starving shadow beast. “You flatter me, Your Highness.”
The other women didn’t respond nearly so well. Despite witnessing these women’s participation in numerous conflicts and dangerous confrontations, I had never seen such restrained rage and hate as I now did in their faces. If I turned up dead in the middle of the night, it wouldn’t be from trained assassins but from my beloved’s friends, who believed in vengeance as much as loyalty. My royal Shadow guard seemed gentle in comparison.
“Now, ladies.” I kept my voice even. “Please hear me.”
“Unless the next words out of your mouth are that Briar is coming back exonerated, I’m uninterested." Quen wrinkled her nose like she’d never been this disgusted before.
“Forgive our boldness, but we would also accept just getting Briar back and the legalities taking time.” Velessa raised her one good arm as if in surrender. “We could guard her ourselves. The evidence will prove her innocent. I assure you. Kind people don't just turn into assassins.”
Kaylen scoffed louder this time and rolled her eyes. “Why are we so worried that she won’t be exonerated if she’s innocent? Do we truly have so little faith in the councils and our prince to determine who is truly guilty of the crime?” She lifted her chin and stared down at them as if the black-and-gold-spiked crown already sat on her head and she upon the throne. “Although shewasfound holding the dagger over the king’s broken body. Hard to imagine what innocent explanation there is for that.”
“Because she was framed, you moon-faced trumpet,” Quen growled, crossing her arms tighter.
Yuki scoffed at Kaylen as well, her porcelain features sneering. “Idle winded banshee,” she muttered.
This was accomplishing nothing and wasting my time and energy. “Enough,” I said, sharper and deeper this time. My shadows rose along the walls. “Unless you would like to see the inside of the Shadow dungeons yourselves, do not press me further.”
“Would my going to prison help Briar get out faster?” Quen demanded.
I held back a sudden laugh. I admired her spirit, though it was uncalled for. “Not at all.”
Thalira whispered something in Quen’s ear, and Quen folded her arms. But if looks could have killed, I would have been a smoldering pile of ash on the floor.
These ladies actually scared me a little, though I’d never admit that to anyone.
Yuki huffed and turned away. Myantha bit her lower lip and gripped her hand into a fist as she edged out farther from the door. Her pink and lavender striped dress snagged on the wooden door frame, and she paused to untangle herself.
Something jostled my right elbow. I turned.
