Silla complied. “Or perhaps you’d like to tell Jarl Hakon what truly happened at the border mediations?” Hakon’s gaze slashed Tala’s way. “Or shall Jarl Agnar speak for you?”
“What have you told her, Jarl Agnar?” demanded Lady Tala, sending him a thunderous look. “Thischildis a proven liar, Your Highness. You cannot trust a word he speaks—”
She is the liar!countered Myrkur, and Silla had to seal her lips shut so as not to shout it out.
“This is the woman,” called Jarl Agnar, “who came to our mediation on your behalf, Jarl Hakon. A so-called neutral party. But from her tongue came threats and the declaration that you’d laid claim to my borderlands.”
“Preposterous!” exclaimed Jarl Hakon, leaping to his feet. “Your men came ontomylands and set fire to several villages—”
“In retribution for the firesyouset on mine!” challenged Agnar.
More,begged Myrkur.More chaos. More strife!The god was feasting on the conflict in the room, and Silla had to battle back Hisurges. Her hand slid into her pocket and wrapped around the heart-shaped stone. Immediately, the god cringed back.
Silla brought her focus outward once more, where the two jarls stared at each other for a long, tense minute.
“Is this true, Lady Tala?” asked Hakon, his gaze sliding toward her.
“Of course not!” Tala ran a shaking hand along her auburn braid.
Tell them, Eisa,urged Myrkur, His glee a palpable thing.Show them the letter.
Silla pulled the square of parchment from her pocket and unfolded it carefully. “ ‘Your coffers will be replenished with fifty thousand sólas when Eisa Volsik lies dead,’ ” she read, her heart pounding vigorously, “ ‘and fifty thousand more should Jarls Hakon and Agnar march against each other. Burn this note after reading. Yours, Queen Signe.’ ” Silla’s eyes met Tala’s across the room. “A pity you did not burn it, Lady Tala.”
“Where did you get this letter?” sputtered Tala. “Did you—did you search my quarters?” She glanced desperately about. “It is nothing but falsehoods! Planted to place guilt upon my innocent shoulders—”
We have her, Eisa. Let me in and we will show her—show themallwhat happens to deceivers.
Silla shook off the ominous request, focusing on Lady Tala, whose eyes darted frantically to Jarl Hakon. “You must believe me, Jarl Hakon. I relayed your request for peace just as you asked—”
Jarl Hakon’s face had turned a furious shade of red. “It is no secret that your house suffered financial mismanagement long before your husband’s death, Lady Tala,” said the jarl. “As a token of my friendship to your late husband, I’ve held a place for you in my court, but I can see now that you’ve abused it for your own gain.”
Spill her blood,wheezed Myrkur.Kill. Destroy. Show them what it means to cross a Volsik!
Silla massaged her temples, trying to keep her focus on her former mentor.
“No!” pleaded Tala, glancing about as though searching for an exit. “Please, Hakon, you must believe me—”
But Jarl Hakon only looked to his retinue and nodded. The crowd gasped as Hakon soldiers pushed to their feet.
This woman must be punished,Myrkur cried.She made you twist yourself to fit her standards, Eisa. Toyed with you while plotting to take your life.
The god had a point. “Aside from the attempts on my life, I wonder how many of your lessons were designed to ensure my failure?” Silla found herself asking.
“Youare the one spouting lies!” exclaimed Lady Tala, her anger reaching a boiling point. “You ought to be grateful! How dare you smear my good name—”
Strike her down,seethed Myrkur, wrath burning through her veins.Squeeze the breath from her lungs. Let me in, Eisa!
As Silla ran her thumb frantically along the heart-shaped rock, Tala darted away from one of Hakon’s warriors as he tried to seize her arm. Just as it looked like she’d reach the walkway, Lady Tala stumbled, falling hard on her stomach.
“Oops,” said Kaeja, pulling her foot back from where she’d tripped Tala. And as Kaeja’s blue eyes met hers, an incredulous laugh came from Silla.
Hakon’s men swarmed around Tala and secured her wrists in manacles as Myrkur chanted inside Silla’s skull. The god was enjoying this spectacle just a little too much.
Lady Tala could have maintained her dignity had she let them lead her out of the meeting chambers quietly. Instead, she went like a spitting cat.
“The Volsik Dynasty is filled with wolves!” hissed Tala as she was hauled to her feet. “The queen has plans! She will be a just leader and usher in a new era in this realm!”
Do not let this slander stand, Eisa!pleaded Myrkur.We must act swiftly and without mercy—
