“Nowthere’sa fascinating possibility,” Taran said. Quinn’s stance became guarded.
“The king is notenchanted,” Sahra joined in. To my surprise, she took my side. “Last I checked, infatuating a man wasn’t a crime.”
“You didn’t know him,” Angharad argued. “The man was impenetrable. He had the finest women throwing themselves at his feet for years and showed no interest.”
“Perhaps he was drawn to her for reasons less banal.”
“Perhaps,” said Taran, drawing nearer. “Queen Alana…Chastain, was it, before your marriage? Daughter of those apothecaries?”
Florence tensed. He shot her another look, and I saw exactly what this was.
Taranknew.
He must have known for some time, at least since my parents came to court, and he’d kept the information in his pocket for some time. Now it was an arrow pointed at my head unless someone confessed.
He must’ve had very good instincts, to still believe Florence was a witch despite the lack of evidence.
Florence shifted her eyes from me to the Banewight.
No.
No, Florence.
I prayed she’d keep her mouth shut, that she would let the Banewight reveal the truth. It might not be so terrible an outcome; I was not on trial for witchcraft.
It was wishful thinking, but maybe the court would simply push for our marriage to be annulled, for me and Juliana to be exiled. It would hurt, but I would live. Florence would live.
If she kept quiet.
“Alana, dear,” Florence said. She made a resigned smile and my heart dropped. “I’ll miss your singing. I hope the whole world hears it someday; it’s a shame to keep such a gift locked away.”
No, no, no—
“I’m your witch, Banewight.” Florence held up her hands. “I drugged and seduced the Duke of Augustine. I killed Percy Montfort, too. And…” She paused, turning to Angharad. “I should have killedyou.Slowly.”
Chapter 50
Now the courtwas in a proper riot.
All manner of accusations lashed out—some at me, for unwittingly harboring a witch, but mostly at Florence. Taran bound her arms behind her back, and she did nothing to resist.
“I’m going to see Nicolas,” Quinn said. “We have to stop this before they can get a pyre built.”
Men were already setting off to gather materials. The Banewights took Florence away, though Sahra kept herself distanced. My thoughts were reeling, but now was not the time to panic. I had to be decisive.
I followed Quinn to the Council Chamber. We didn’t bother to knock or announce entry before barging in. Nicolas sat at the long table with Duke Minnick, Marquis Trefor, and a few vaguely familiar ambassadors, but whatever business they’d been discussing came to an abrupt halt the moment we arrived.
“Alana?” Nicolas asked, rising from his seat. I must have worn my horror plainly; he craned his face to Quinn. “What’s happened?”
“The Banewights arrested Lady Florence,” Quinn answered.
My husband paled. The rest of the council exchanged murmurs before excusing themselves and filing from the room. When the door shut, he spoke again.
“On what grounds?”
“Confession. She admitted it after Taran…”
I glanced at Quinn, then signed the rest.“He was going to reveal my curse to the courtiers if she didn’t come forward. He suspected her but had no proof.”
