Silence held me closer, a bit easier now that I was sitting.
And in that moment, even though I still couldn’t speak, I vowed to all the Spirits and any gods that might listen, that I would kill Merlin and make her pay for what had happened here. She’d made a mistake, leaving me alive, a dire one, and I intended to make her realize the full and vicious depths of that mistake before she died.
Chapter 21
Despite my vow of vengeance,nothing happened quickly. We remained in Miraline for nearly another week as people recovered. With my gift, I was well by the third day. Even though I told him not to, Ant visited often to give me what little energy he had, looking more and more worn out. Dove — still so very pale — was healed, but remained in a prolonged sleep of recovery. Our parents came and Dove was taken to their residence to rest, in their care. I told them both I was so sorry for what had happened. They didn’t blame me… but I did. Fin visited her often and got to know my parents. They were overjoyed that Dove had met a good man.
We got word that Lady Silvermane would live, though she’d be a long time yet to fully recover.
Other Nobles were… sorted as well. Unfortunately, Lord Hale and Lady Swan had escaped. Though much of the rest of House Owl had been captured or killed in the fight. Lord Fang was dead and Lady Retriever was being held in custody, as was most of the Pterolycus House. Lady Margay of House Panther had survived and surrendered. She was cooperating now, telling the others everything she knew, which unfortunately wasn’t much. Skyfire — also on the mend; she was a tough one to kill — was with Lady Silvermane. That left Grizzly as well as Lady Tanuki and Lord Spike as the full Noble’s Council for the moment. On the fourth day after the event, I was called before them.
Lord Drake was there, to represent House Wyvern, even though he’d have no vote. A woman I didn’t recognize represented House Pegasus. They were arranged in a line across one side of the hall, the three heads of Houses sitting, while everyone else stood. I was happy to see Lady Ursa alive and well, though also bandaged, her left arm in a sling.
“Lady Legs,” Grizzly said, then shook his head. “That name of yours is… interesting.” The large man was still covered in many bandages, but they didn’t seem to hamper him.
“I know, and I have to live with it,” I said with a grimace.
He nodded. “You have been called before… what’s left of the Noble’s Council for a reckoning.”
I nodded. “I accept that the events of the peace talks were my doing,” I said stoically. “I was the one who arranged it and who, in many ways, urged Merlin in her madness. I am deeply sorry for—”
“Shut up and let me talk, woman!” Grizzly growled.
So… I did.
“No one here blames you for those events.” He sighed heavily. “I can see how you might blame yourself, but you’ll need to stop that if you’re to lead your House effectively.”
Did you hear that?Auwei said, enthusiastically. She was trying to lift my spirits after everything that had happened.
I think so…
Lead… my House? I didn’t ask. He’d told me to shut up and I would.
“Through… various means, we have managed to ascertain the events of the past few months, and even some of what happened before that, over the past three years since the war began. The war… is definitely not your fault, and if it hadn’t been for you, none of us would know the truth of what Merlin had been doing. We know you are no traitor to the Crown, so your standing as head of House Spider is affirmed. Welcome to the Council of Nobles.”
See, I knew you’d be exonerated!
They’re not done yet. I still have to account for kidnapping the queen.
“Thank you, my Lord,” I said with a bow. Even though I was technically his equal as a House Head, I was still of a junior House and owed him respect for his seniority and experience.
“Now,” he said, gruff and stern.
And here it comes…
“You killed a mistweaver once, any ideas on how we handle Merlin and those who remain loyal to her?”
That was not what I had been expecting. Apparently, we were going to skip over the queen-napping for now and move on to other matters.
I must have been shocked for a moment too long as Grizzly then prompted me with: “You can speak now.”
So, I did. “I will personally kill Merlin and Lord Hale,” I said with a vicious grin. “She’s plagued this nation long enough and she…” I swallowed hard. I could say it. “She killed—”
“The King of Vauphan is alive,” Ursa said firmly.
The force of those words nearly knocked me over.
“What?”
