Page 114 of Queen of the Night
I lean my head back against the cold stone and listen to Jethonan begin a history-book-length lesson on how he created the weapon made of blue powder. His words become mere buzzing as my thoughts drift to Vera. Is Renton capable of having feelings for her? The way he choked her—hurt her—implies not. But there was something about the way he looked at her… The memory sparks an inferno of rage. Would he have killed her if I hadn’t dropped my weapon? I don’t know, but I wasn’t willing to risk it. If I die and he takes my kingdom and my queen… My chest tightens to the point I can hardly draw breath.
“Sire?” Jethonan asks, concern pulling his brows together.
I look up to see his face pressed against the bars between our cells. It would be comical if my life weren’t in ruins. “Yes?”
“Are you alright?”
I can’t bring myself to answer. I’ve never been less alright than I am right now. I dodge his question with one of my own. “Renton is my long-lost uncle. I know he and my grandfather were twins, but he believes he’s the rightful heir. Do you know anything about his claim?”
Jethonan clasps his hands behind his back and paces a few steps in both directions within his small cell. “Rightful heir?”
“So he says,” I drawl.
“In my study of Lucentia, she gifted magic to Ricard, yourgrandfather, because she believed him worthy, which we take to mean she agrees he was the true king. Ultimately, though, it was their father who decided years before then. According to our record, Ricard was honorable. Renton was a strong fighter, popular with the people, but proud and bloodthirsty. I believe the king chose right between his sons. Not that my opinion matters.” He continues to pace, avoiding a puddle of murky water growing steadily wider from the slow drip coming from above, each one echoing ominously off the cold stone walls.
“Renton wants a Black Tulip,” I say, my voice void of emotion. Numb.
Jethonan stops pacing, his back turned to me, and holds a finger in the air as if pleased he finally knows an answer. “Yes, he’ll want one to destroy Lucentia with their magic. It’s vital to ensure he doesn’t find one.”
I lean my head back against the slimy wall. “He has Vera,” I growl.
Jethonan makes a strangled sound, and his eyes grow wide as saucers as he turns around to look at me, his long hair swinging widely around his shoulders with the movement. If I wasn’t filled with complete and utter despair, I may have laughed. This is the first time I’ve seen his feathers ruffled, and I can’t even enjoy it.
He seems to have trouble gathering his thoughts upon hearing my upsetting revelation. He opens and closes his mouth before he clears his throat and grabs one of the iron bars to steady himself, his knuckles white.
“If you remember, Lucentia said it was very important that her Tulips were protected by the kings. Why do you think that was?” His voice lowers. “Because they are filled with parts of her own magic. If Vera’s power is directly linked to Lucentia and she bridges with gloam, three things could happen. Eitherthe lucent and gloam will mix into some unusual combination, the lucent will overtake the gloam, or… the gloam will take advantage of that direct link to Lucentia and weaken her so that she’s easier to destroy. You know she has a brother, don’t you? Gloam.”
“Yes, I remember our discussion.” I sigh, weary. Lucentia is our only chance of winning this… if Renton bridges with Vera, lucent magic could be extinguished forever, and gloam would grow unchecked.
“If I were able to escape my imminent death and somehow find and bridge with Vera… what happens to the gloam masters?” I ask.
Jethonan appears slightly lost without one of his ancient tomes to reference. “Well, my lord, that has not yet occurred in history, so I have no way of knowing. I only have assumptions and my own logic to go on, but I’ve wondered if their banishment was an act of mercy on Ricard’s part. Couldn’t stand to kill his twin, maybe? Either way, I assume if…” He catches sight of my glare. “Er…whenyou bridge, they’ll either be killed, or you’ll need to find a way to banish them again like your grandfather did. But to still be alive after this long indicates they’re no longer fully mortal, so if gloam is destroyed… it’s likely they will be too.”
I groan. My ancestors had broken the rules, refusing to bridge with Tulips like Lucentia instructed, and now we’re paying for it.
Chapter 63
Nadiette
Ishove through the doors to the throne room, not waiting for Waylon’s permission or the guards to allow me entrance. He has ignored my request to speak with him for two days, but no longer.
“He had but moments to decide if he wanted to marry me,” I state as I stride toward him, my skirts twisting about my ankles, cheeks hot with anger. This has gotten out of hand.
Waylon turns from a hushed conversation with one of his personal guards and settles more deeply into his seat. “It fits me nicely, does it not?”
I stop before the steps leading to the throne, hands fisted, eyeing the slightly smaller throne beside the larger one that was intended for me—until now.
“The deadline for our marriage was not yet up before you imprisoned him,” I seethe.
“It is now.”
“We had an agreement!” I hide my fists within my skirt to conceal their shaking.
“You had weeks, my dear. ’Tis not my fault he’snot interested. The guards say he rejected you quite quickly upon his return.” He inspects the gold edging along the left arm of the chair, rubbing it with his thumb. “But as agreed, you’ll maintain a high position within my court.”
“What of the other low kings?” I ask.
“We are no longerlow. Do not use that word again.” He narrows his eyes at me. “We are now The Four Kings, and this portion of the kingdom is mine.”
