The atmosphere shifted, and a prickle raced up her spine before radiating down her arms. Unwillingly, her eyes flicked over to Heinrich. He sat in their midst, calm and perfectly poised, a small, smug smile tugging at the corner of his lips. Liane gripped her dagger tighter, and Mother squeezed her free hand. Liane blinked at her. Did she suspect as well what Heinrich was plotting? Surely tonight had been a message to unsettle them before unleashing civil war on the capital.
“This was a warning. It wasn’t an accident that their target was the singer playing Cyra,” Father said.
“I fear war might be upon us,” Mother said.
Liane held her breath, waiting for Mother to turn and point an accusing finger at Heinrich. But instead, Mathias surprised her by kneeling before the Avatheos, head tipped, palms upturned in supplication. What was he doing? Now wasn’t the time for this; they had to stop Heinrich...
“Mathias…?” Mother said cautiously.
“I’ve made my decision. I’ll go,” Mathias said, his gaze focused on the Avatheos.
“I foresee a dangerous journey ahead, but Her light shall guide you,” the Avatheos intoned as he made the sign of the star above Mathias’ head.
“Mathias, what is he talking about?” Mother asked.
Mathias wouldn’t turn to look at them but remained bowing before the Avatheos.
“I was going to wait and speak with you all before deciding, but tonight has made my decision. I’m going north to find a way to destroy the elves.”
Mother made a strangled sound before covering her mouth with her hand. It was a suicide mission. No one who went beyond the border returned. If corruption magic didn’t kill him first, then the elves would. Panic crested, rising like a dark tide. Why was he doing this now? The elves were always a threat. The real danger was sitting right there, drinking wine as if a woman hadn’t just died.
“What are you talking about?” Liane cried.
“You heard them; they said the moon shall rise. The elves came here to send us a message. They’ll never stop until they’re destroyed.” Mathias turned to face her, unshed tears in his eyes.
Liane shook her head to free herself of this madness before looking to Mother for help.
Her expression was fury carved in stone as she glared at the Avatheos.
“This is your doing. My son—”
“I saw it in a vision. He has been chosen by the goddess to pierce the heart of our enemies.”
“I’m a man now, and this is my choice. For the good of the kingdom,” Mathias said, grasping Mother’s shoulder.
She shook her head, as if she would try and stop him, but no words came out. Father wrapped an arm around her shoulder, keeping her close. Aristea stood behind them, silent tears rolling down her cheeks.
Her secret burned in her chest, threatening to engulf her. These attacks weren’t random elf attacks; they were part of Heinrich’s plot. He’d staged this to confuse them and send them chasing ghosts.
“Don’t you think it’s strange the elves appeared now, after years of silence? How did they get into the palace? How did they know to kill the singer tonight? There’s someone inside the palace, someone who would benefit from the chaos they attempt to sow.”Liane turned to look at Heinrich.
“What are you insinuating, that I have something to do with this?” Heinrich said, without rising from his seat.
“I know about your bastard child and that you’re plotting to overthrow the throne.” The words burst out of her, and she was glad for it.She was tired of holding back, biting her tongue, and letting him hurt her family.
Her declaration sucked the air out of the room, and her family stared at her in stunned silence.
Aristea cleared her throat. “Liane, I know you’re upset about Mathias, but you can’t blame Heinrich for this.”
“I saw the letters. His lover told him she’d given him an heir.” Liane turned to face Aristea; she had to see the truth, or else he would keep hurting her.
“I wrote those letters,” Aristea said.
Liane blinked. She couldn’t have heard that correctly. “What?”
“The ones in the hidden beneath the false bottom of his desk drawer?”
Wrong. It couldn’t be…
