Caius threw his shoulders back. “I, on behalf of the Westrealm of Thodelebor as its High Ambassador and Blessed Imperial Son, come to accuse that Demon”—He pointed at Baldrir—“of murder in our capital, the Keep at Fanghold, in the Westglen. One Fausta à Bor was found late last eve, strangled and mutilated in the quarters assigned to Baldrir of Straelon.She was last seen by mine own nephew, Magnus aht Bordoroth, and one other, entering said room with the male in question. As such, the Wolflords call for justice from our allies in the Montrealm.”
A low growl rumbled from Lyriat, but Brand stood before it could escalate. “I, on behalf of the Montrealm of Straelon as its High Ambassador and Blessed Imperial Son, hear your accusation and proclaim its falsity.” He ignored the way Caius recoiled, and continued. “We have proof that Baldrir of Straelon is as much a victim as this Fausta, and that they were both wronged by an outside assailant. We offer our sincerest condolences on your loss, and make a formal request of alliance in order to solve the heinous crime committed against us. Do you accept?”
Caius blinked between all of them, a crease between his brows. “Undecided. Permission to question further, Your Highness.”
“Granted, Your Highness.”
Sisters save him. Brand detested this shite, where lines blurred and power was thrown back and forth. Where he had to ignore the fact that he was speaking to his own beloved uncle in order to fulfill his obligation to protect Straelon above all else.
Ringing started in his ears, a match for the galloping beat of his heart—piss-poor timing, as usual.
“You say he’s a victim as well,” Caius said. “I see no evidence of that. Explain.”
“Baldrir returned to us on the edge of the Veil.” Brand tried and failed not to picture the memories as he spoke them. “His horns and tongue had been removed, as well as most of his skin. Multiple limbs were broken. And that was just what I could see with my own eyes. He has since recounted his abduction at the hands of an unknown creature. In Thodelebor.Someonehascommitted an act of war against the Dominion of Demons, and will answer for their crimes upon discovery. Painfully.”
Masked threats were always useful for garnering truths if one knew what to look for.
Brand blocked out the gasps and murmurs, focused instead on his uncle’s face. On even the tiniest of reactions.
Nothing.
Caius lifted a fist for silence. “Our Fausta lies dead, but he stands tall. I wish to know how that’s possible, when no one could’ve healed such extensive damage in a matter of days. Where’s this alleged proof?”
“You mean aside from the letter I sent long before we knew of this?”
His uncle’s confusion was evident. One of the Wolflords with him leaned forward to whisper in his ear, earning a put-upon sigh. “I was at the Ghostbor fending off Forgotten until the wee hours of this morning. Apparently, it’s sitting on my desk.”
“My messenger?”
They conferred again before Caius said, “As of an hour ago, she was dining in the Chieftains’ hall. I’ll have her home as soon as this mess is cleaned up.”
Brand nodded, satisfied for the moment. “If that’s not enough, the healer who tended Baldrir is present and can attest to his condition.”
“Come forward, Lunara,” Lyriat commanded.
Caius gasped at the mention of her name, whirling around.
For Brand’s part, all of his attention went to the Sorcerit as she took timid steps closer, hunched in on herself. He swore he could almost feel the flush spreading across her cheeks like it was his own, a kindred wish to disappear flaring within him.
“How?” Caius whispered, anything remotely official gone from his voice. “How are you here?”
Before she could answer, Thad cleared his throat. “It was me.”
Caius gave his son a sharp look. “What did you do, lad?”
“I was the one who saw Baldrir come flying through the portal. Brand speaks true. He wasthis closeto dying. No other Sorcerit were near, and I knew she’d be able to help.”
“You went into the Evesong? You broke your oath?”
“Aye, I did, to save him.”
“How’d you get to Lunara without…” Caius paused, pressing a fist to his mouth. “I know you made it there before, when your mother… Fuck. How’d you do it this time?”
“The same way, but hers instead.”
What the fuck did that mean?
Caius growled, flashing his canines.
