Page 57 of Kingdoms of Shadow and Ash

Adigos had made Fyia's mood worse, and by the time she'd dressed and was sitting in her temporary study, it was a deep dark shade of black.

Fyia studied Essa—her supposed friend … a dear friend, and her brother's former betrothed.

Essa stood on the other side of the large alterwood desk, her spine ramrod straight. Ordinarily, Essa wouldn’t have waited for Fyia's invitation to sit, but today she did. Either she sensed the tension in the air—how could she not—or someone had tipped her off. Maybe both.

'I won't waste our time with pleasantries,' said Fyia, when she'd let the silence stretch to discomfort.

Essa said nothing, her eyes cast down towards her feet.Coward.

'You betrayed me.'

Essa's eyes finally flicked up from the floor. 'No, Your Majesty.'

'Yes, Essa.' Fyia held Essa's gaze, daring her to interrupt again. Essa's eyes returned to the floor.

Fyia stood, then moved to a bookshelf behind Essa with the sole intention of making her uncomfortable. 'Youusedme to take that ball to my brother, who I need not remind you resides with the Fae'ch—a group with whom my kingdoms are not on the best of terms.'

Essa remained silent, and Fyia returned to her seat, summoning her wolves to her side. They'd arrived at the safe house not long before, and she petted them, taking comfort from their presence, and reminding Essa she could easily lose a limb.

'Tell me everything,' said Fyia. 'Leave nothing out.'

Essa nodded, and briefly met Fyia's eyes. She looked away as she collected her thoughts, her formidable mind taking a moment to prepare her words. 'Your brother and I still write to one another. We were both devastated when he … chose a life with the Fae'ch. Neither one of us wanted to let go.

'His letters are sporadic, but he often sends hints about things I should try … how I could improve an invention, or infuse my ideas with magic one day. I was grateful, and he never asked for anything in return … even though, if the Fae'ch found out, they could exile him.'

'He never asked for anything in return, until he did …' said Fyia, prompting her to get back on track.

Essa sucked in a breath, shaking herself. 'A letter arrived, asking me to go to the Temple of the Sea Serpent and deliver what I found to your brother. I didn't hesitate, and the High Priestess handed over the metal ball without question. She assumed I was there to help fix the hole left by the fallen clock.'

'Were you planning to help them at least?' asked Fyia. 'Or were you content to steal from them, and damn their welfare?'

Essa's face blushed a dusky pink. 'I plan to help them,' she said, hotly, 'but don't know how to close the hole. I'm researching the clocks … I believe them to be important.'

'Why does my brother want the ball?' said Fyia, interrupting her. 'What is it for?'

'I don't know,' said Essa, 'but whatever it is, it's linked to the clocks.'

'Not the dragon eggs?' said Fyia, leaning forward.

Essa shrugged. 'I must conduct more research … the texts now available at the university, and in the guilds of Moon, are beyond anything I could access before. But I've had limited time to explore … I have other duties … appointing a new chancellor, designing your palace, and now replicating the flying boat …'

'I ask too much?' said Fyia, her tone derisive.

'Of course not, Your Majesty. I merely sought to explain …'

'Then explain why you betrayed me? Why you tricked me into smuggling something precious to those whose intentions we do not understand? Tell me …' Fyia broke off and looked out of the windows at the darkening skies. 'Tell me why my brother lied to me … took the metal ball and said nothing of its origin, then gave no hint of what had transpired?'

'I cannot speak for Veau, but I acted as I did because …' She hesitated, folding in on herself. 'Because I love him. I did what he asked and shut my mind to the omission, because I believe in my heart he would never act against you. I believe, with certainty, whatever he's doing, he's doing for you, to help you. He loves no one in this world more than you …'

Not even me. Essa's unsaid words echoed in the air between them.

Veau had chosen a life with the Fae'ch, clearing the path for Fyia to be Queen of their home kingdom, or so the world believed. The truth was more complex, but the best rumors were often simple things. Never mind he'd hated his life, and the expectation that he—because of the river of golden scales across his face—would be the one to bring back the dragons. Never mind he couldn't control his magic, and was becoming a danger to others and himself … to Essa. Never mind he craved a simple, solitary life away from the eyes of the world. He'd understood the burden of leadership, and had not wanted it. He'd been relieved when he'd handed the mantle to Fyia.

Did Essa know all that? Fyia hadn't pried into Essa's relationship with her brother because she'd respected their friendship. Maybe she was a friend no longer …

'You believe me responsible for my brother's departure?' said Fyia.

Essa went very still, then shook her head. 'It was his decision.'

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