Page 28 of Forged By Heart and Claws
“She vanished,” I said, my thoughts racing. “The Aureline guards had Kaylen though. There weren’t many of them in theCeremonial Hall, and I didn’t spot Calla Lily anywhere near the fighting."
I glanced at Myantha again, pressing my fist against my chest. “How would Calla Lily have gotten the knives into everyone’s pockets? And why?”
Many-Greats rummaged through the supply box Vyraetos had opened and pulled out salves and ointments. His once-elegant garb was shredded in multiple places, and blood soaked the bandage wrapped around his arm. “It fits with what Calla Lily has already done. Vad and Thalen can attest that she slipped a venom-coated blade into one of your gowns’ pockets too, Briar. Initially, I believed it was to frame you, but now I wonder if perhaps it was also meant to kill you. Perhaps both. The blade matched the one used in the assassination attempt.”
He straightened, face grim. “I’m still not certain how deep her involvement runs. But one thing is clear—Calla Lily is not to be trusted.”
“What are you even talking about, old man?” Quen demanded as she crossed her arms. Fire blazed in her eyes. “You were the liar who stood there and announced Calla Lily as Fate’s chosen. You wrapped that lie in your role as an Aureline High Council member!”
With sweat beading her forehead and her lips taking on a dull, grayish cast, Thalira lifted her head and glared at him. Beside her, Rhielle didn’t speak, but disapproval radiated from her rigid posture.
Many-Greats sighed, his muscles tense. He dragged a hand through his wild auburn hair, making it even more unruly. “Briar, I realize that we must speak about what has happened, but I would prefer to have this conversation in private?—”
“Tough,” I cut in. “We’re running out of time. Say it now, or don’t say it at all.”
Pain shot through our bond, and Vad grimaced. Vyraetos had pulled one of the embedded bolts free. I flinched and caught his gaze.
I’m fine, he reassured me.
We may have to redefine whatfinemeans,I shot back.
A faint smile tugged at his lips, then faded as he focused once more on Many-Greats.
“I’m leaving as soon as Vad’s treated,” I told him firmly. “So if you’ve got something to confess, now’s the time.”
Many-Greats clenched his jaw, a muscle ticking as he held my gaze. He exhaled and tilted his head. “When Calla Lily learned you were part of my lineage, she threatened to expose my treachery. I assumed she meant she’d inform the prince. And she was already at the threshold of Briar's room with guards less than thirty feet away. One well-placed shout would’ve unraveled the entire plan to get you out.”
Gasps followed along with murmurs of surprise. Elara covered her mouth as Silus scowled. Thalen's shoulders slumped as if he were confused.
Many-Greats’ throat bobbed as he swallowed hard. “She offered me a deal. If I went ahead with my plan to remove you from the realm, she wouldn’t tell anyone or try to harm you. In turn, I had to announce thatshewas the one chosen by Fate. Publicly, with all the authority my position carried.”
His mouth tightened as the weight of the betrayal settled between us like lead.
I stared at him, waiting.
I felt a shift in Vad’s energy—a bristling storm just under the surface. His silence spoke louder than words. Vyraetos kept working, dabbing his wound with a glowing blue liquid, though his eyes flicked between us. He was listening to every word.
“And?” I asked when the silence dragged on too long. My voice was cold. Flat. “You took the deal?”
Many-Greats offered a slight stiff nod. “I saw no reason not to when your life was in the balance. She told me that she had no desire to see you dead. Simply out of the way. And since you had to go home to keep the warning from Fate from coming true, it seemed a viable solution. She told me that Kaylen would make a scene, and after Kaylen’s failed announcement, I had to present her. She made me vow to do so.”
“And you did.” Vad growled the words.
Many-Greats lifted his chin but focused on me. “I do whatever it takes to protect my family. And I had sworn to Ember that, no matter what happened, I would protect you and bring you home. That’s why I made you promise not to tell anyone that you were related to meand why I never told you my name. It saved your life.”
“Of course, she’s Aureline, and related directly to you,” Thalen snorted. “I’ve called her Chaos since the beginning.”
Others mumbled, but no one truly reacted. We were all beaten, injured, and exhausted.
Vad’s jaw flexed. I could feel the fury simmering in him, hot and sharp.
“Did Calla Lily say anything else?” I asked. Given what was on the line, it was hard to know whether Calla Lily was involved in the planning or just another pawn like Kaylen. “Did she say how she knew that Kaylen would try to claim the title?”
“She probably just knew who Kaylen was and what she was like,” Quen muttered.
Many-Greats shook his head. “She left immediately after I made the vow, and she helped me get two of my men into position to retrieve Briar and send her home. That was all that was required, and I didn’t push for more. I was more interested in getting Briar to safety.”
Annoyance flashed through me, and I felt it mirrored in Vad as well.
