Alysaldria knew it, too.
TheMyerialstood, held up a hand for silence, and pronounced, “We declare this Gathering open.” Then taking her seat once more, she said, “The purpose for this Gathering is to hear the confession of and pass sentence on the traitor, Calivan Merimydion.” Her voice was brittle, each word resonating with immeasurable pain. “He stands accused of conspiring to murder theSirena,Gabriella Coruscate; of subverting through the use of magic a dozen sworn Royal Guards of Calberna to aid him in his plot; of the attempted murder of theMyerieluaDilys Merimydion; of conspiring with the traitor Nemuan, former son of House Merimynos, to kidnap the Seasons of Summerlea; and of conspiring to murderMyerialSiavaluana II and her daughter,MyerialannaSianna.”
The shocked gasps rippling through the gathered nobles grew notably louder at the last charge. TheDonimaof House Merimynos reached out to steady herself on the arm of herakua.
Alysaldria stood, descended the steps of the throne’s dais, and walked with slow deliberation across the floor. The long train of the pure white gown she’d donned for the Gathering dragged behind her as she went, the color’s symbolism not lost on anyone in the court. White was the color of death in the sea, the white of bleached bones and dead coral. Her hair hung freely down her back, the ends curling near her ankles. White sea stars, the symbol of House Merimydion, dotted the inky blackness of her hair. She’d dressed in mourning for the twin brother who was already dead to her.
Four warriors—each chosen from outside the palace guards and thoroughly checked for compulsion runes—guarded Calivan. They pressed the points of their tridents to his throat and chest as their queen approached.
“Alys, I—”
TheMyerial’s hand shot up sharply, cutting off whatever her brother meant to say.
“The traitor will confess his crimes before this Gathering. Calivan of House Merimydion,Confess. Your. Crimes.” Her Voice throbbed with implacable Command.
With none of the arrogance that had been such an intrinsic part of him, Calivan did. The truth spilled out of him, all of it. From his plot to murder Gabriella, to his part in the kidnapping of the Seasons, to the mind-control runes he’d tattooed on Alys’s guards, the same runes Nemuan had tattooed on Ari.
“You taught Nemuan this mind-control magic?”
“Ono.I suspect Nemuan and I both learned the ability from the same master of magic, the slaver known as Mur Balat.”
“Why would Balat teach you or Nemuan this magic?”
“So we could help him acquire the magical artifacts he’s been seeking his whole life. That’s how we met, Balat and I. After you wed, when I went out in the world seeking knowledge about magic, Balat and I crossed paths several times. We became friends—or so I thought. It turns out he really just wanted to use me to help him acquire the artifacts he was seeking. That’s how everything began.”
“What about killing Siavaluana?” Alys asked coldly. “Was that Mur Balat’s idea or yours?”
Calivan’s chains rattled. “It was the only way I could think of to keep you alive after Dillon died! Siavaluana’s magic would give you enough strength to push back the Fade, and I knew your sense of duty would do the rest.”
Alysaldria shuddered, as if the words were a physical blow. Still standing beside his mother’s throne, Dilys shuddered, too, his gaze pinned on his mother’s face. He clearly wanted to go to her, to stop her pain, but before the Gathering began, Alys had made him swear he would not interfere in any way.
Gabriella moved closer and took hold of his hand. They were behind the throne. The rest of the court couldn’t see. Dilys didn’t look at her, but the fingers curled around hers squeezed tightly in gratitude.
“And kidnapping the Seasons of Summerlea?”
“He approached me after the Ice King was defeated. I refused him at first, but he threatened to tell you about my involvement in the death of Siavaluana. I was still planning to refuse until you made that vow from the Sea Throne. I couldn’t risk losing you, so I agreed. But he promised me they weren’t to be hurt. I made him swear that much before I agreed!”
Alys arched a brow. “And yet you tried to kill Gabriella yourself.”
Calivan’s shoulders slumped. “You know why.”
“Because, you would murder yet another rightfulMyerialto keep me on the throne.”
“Because I knew you meant to abdicate and then to Fade. I couldn’t lose you. Don’t you see, Alys? Everything I’ve ever done was to keep you alive, to keep you with me.”
Alysaldria’s lips compressed. “But, brother, I am not, nor ever have been, yours to keep. You had the privilege, as my beloved and most trusted twin, to contribute to my happiness and grant to me the selfless gift of your love and your strength, as I granted you the same. But these crimes you have committed, this blood on your hands, has made a foul perversion of what should only ever have been a loving and mutually beneficial bond. You have betrayed me and our House in a way no other in this world could have done. Do you have anything else to say in your defense before I pass judgment?”
Calivan’s jaw trembled. Tears he could not withhold any longer trickled from his eyes. He shook his head.
Alys drew herself up, her spine rigid, shoulders squared, chin lifted. No hint of what had to be devastating grief showed on her face, only regal and unyielding authority. “Then asDonimaof House Merimydion, I declare you, Calivan, son of Caldriana and Siavan Merimydion, to bekado’ido,outcast from the House of your birth, a son of Merimydion no more. And asMyerialof the Calbernan Isles, for the blood on your hands, for the regicide, murder, and attempted murder you committed or conspired to commit, I condemn you to a traitor’s death. Before the sun sets on this day, you shall be chained to the traitor’s rock at the edge of the Argon Abyssal and fed to the kracken.”
His eyes went wide. His jaw dropped. “Alys!” Her name was a strangled cry.
Alys nodded sharply to the guards. “Take him from my sight.” As the guards escorted Calivan away, she walked with slow, deliberation back to her throne, climbed the dais and seated herself with regal composure. “My people,” she announced in a Voice of power, “it has been an honor and a privilege to serve as yourMyerial,but in the face of all that has transpired, and with the gift of a true Siren returned to us, my time as your queen is over. As Our last act asMyerialAlysaldria I, We hereby abdicate the Sea Throne to Calberna’s rightful ruler, theSirena,Gabriella Coruscate.” Alys stood, removed her crown, and turned to place it on Gabriella’s head. “To theSirena,MyerialGabriella I. May Numahao bless her House, and may her reign be long and prosperous!”
Gabriella stood on the throne, stunned, as the gathered nobles of the Calbernan court shouted, “ToMyerialGabriella!” She’d been expecting Alysaldria to discuss stepping down as queen after her brother’s crimes came to light, not just do it and hand Gabriella the crown! Now, Gabriella was the one clinging tight to Dilys’s hand. He gave it a reassuring squeeze. What was she supposed to do now?
“You must take the throne,” Alys whispered, “and declare this Gathering concluded.”
