“Do you have the young woman in question in the dungeons?” the cardinal asked, looking more worried.
“Of course I do,” Duchess Hedri said, flipping back her hair. Antonia knew that meant she was lying. The duchess held up a book. “I’ve already informed Conollia that the Holy Maiden’s sister is currently under my protection, using a book seized from the countess’s home that links directly to one held by Queen Ysabel. I’m certain she understands what that means, given the very graphic threats she replied with. What can a mere healer do to stop me?”
Cardinal Augustin put his hands on his hips. “Holy Maiden Ysabel will call down the wrath of the Sun God!”
“Ooo, the wrath of God.” The duchess snorted sarcastically.
Enunciating each word, Augustin said, “The wrath of the Sun God goes by the name Alzira.”
For the first time, the duchess flinched. Her face lost color and her hat flopped over her forehead. Antonia nearly giggled at the sight but covered her mouth in time. She’d heard of Alzira, Humanity’s Strongest Monster, but knew little besides her title. How wonderful that someone existed who could scare the duchess.
Cardinal Augustin’s voice became stronger. “By threatening Ysabel’s family, you’ve released her from the restrictions against one monarch attacking another. That’s a double-edged sword you’reholding. Hostages can only be used once. If the young lady dies, even accidentally, while in your custody, then you’ll be doomed. Let’s be honest, from one leader to another. You’ve been moving hard and fast because your grip on power is precarious, and you know it. If you lose this gamble, your own home country will disown you. The people of Arahasnor won’t accept a foreign takeover. Step down while you can still escape with your life.”
The Blood Duchess straightened her hat and stared him down. “You have no idea what’s headed your way. The jackals are circling your weak, rulerless country. You’ll have no choice but to accept me once you see what your alternatives are.”
The Head Cardinal looked her over as if trying to tell if she was bluffing. Antonia could have told him she wasn’t. She’d overheard the discussion in the madcap carriage ride—about how the duchess was determined to reach Arahasnor first before the other three competing parties arrived to take over.
Finally, Head Cardinal Augustin said, “Your power derives from Her Highness.” He inclined his head at Antonia. “A child doesn’t pick her own regent … but she has the right to issue royal pardons. Your Highness, will you pardon Countess Donya and Miss Bora and request their release?”
Antonia cowered in her chair, terrified to suddenly have two important sets of eyes drilling into her.
“She refuses,” the Blood Duchess said.
“Please, Your Highness. Countess Donya is a good woman and my friend. She doesn’t deserve this.” Augustin bent closer and lowered his voice. “Just one whisper from you could save her life.”
Antonia hid her face in her arm. She couldn’t defy the Blood Duchess. It wasn’t fair to ask such a thing of her. She clamped her lips shut.
The duchess had murdered many people in front of her. There had never been anything she could do. She’d always told herself that. It was one thing to watch someone die, but another to be told she was responsible for it. Hoarsely, she whispered, “Please … don’t execute anyone.”
Head Cardinal Augustin straightened. “Thank you, Your Highness. What a wise move before your reign has even begun. I’ll immediately—”
The Blood Duchess clapped her hands, and two guards entered the room. They each grabbed one of the Head Cardinal’s arms. He looked between them. “What … you can’t … I’m not under the authority of the kingdom of Arahasnor! I represent the Church of the Sun God around the world! There will be outcry when the other sects hear of this.”
Duchess Hedri sneered. “You won’t be able to tell anyone anything from inside the dungeons. I assure you, Arahasnor is about to have bigger problems than what happens to one measly cardinal. Especially one from a common background who was only elected because a necromancer massacred everyone actually important.”
The Head Cardinal was dragged from the room, cursing and attempting to hit one guard with his cane.
Antonia whimpered. She’d known she shouldn’t have said anything. She’d known it. Now she would pay.
“Come with me, Antonia,” the duchess ordered. Antonia didn’t resist as her guardian grabbed her wrist and dragged her painfully back to her bedroom. It would only be worse if she resisted.
“First you jump out of a carriage, then you talk back in front of company. You’re an embarrassment.”
Antonia hadn’t jumped; she’d been shoved by Falael and the door had been loose. But it would do no good to make excuses. At least she could take the cold comfort that she’d always been destined for punishment whether she’d spoken up or not.
As soon as the bedroom door closed, Duchess Hedri ordered Antonia to take off her dress.
With shaking hands, Antonia undid the buttons. She bent over the cabinet without being asked. She didn’t want to watch as the duchess inevitably went to the chest next to the rocking horse and pulled out a birch whip.
At the first strike, Antonia closed her eyes and tried to make her mind go away. She counted the grains on the cabinet. Anything to help her not think.
Another lash. Then another. She screamed with each strike. Tears overflowed from her eyes. It was harder to drift away than usual. Maybe because for a moment, it had seemed like an adult would listen to her. She should have known better. The Head Cardinal had been kind, but he couldn’t stop the duchess. No one could.
The whip landed again, this time on top of her bloody cuts. Antonia screamed. She wished the duchess would become a kind person, like the woman who’d saved her from falling from the carriage. She wished it with an intensity beyond anything she’d ever wanted before.
Light exploded from Duchess Hedri’s body. It was so blinding that Antonia buried her head into the cabinet and put her arms over her eyes, but the light still snuck through. An intense exhaustion filled her whole body. It was all she could do to stay conscious.
The light stopped. No one hit her again. Antonia dared open her eyes.
