That is not possible,Elaria, he said sternly.
It appears that it is.
Kyanite went silent a minute and then said,So, you brought me back but not RS?
Yes.
I knew you loved me more,he said smugly.
That and I want to sing.
Sing? My love, Darcraxis is nearly insane with fear and fury. Your husbands are even now discussing ways to free you. And yet you calmly inform me that you want to sing? Is it to entertain your new boyfriend or have you regained your senses and want to flee?
Have they decided on anything yet? Do they a plan?I bypassed his questions.
Why?Kyanite asked suspiciously.Are you going to warn your dragon?
I love him, Ky. I love him more than I've ever loved anyone. I can't leave.If they try to force me to, I'll likely hurt them.
Kyanite went silent again.
Ky?
Very well, my love. I am yours as always. If you need my help, I'm ready to assist.
Thank you.
What song do you want to sing?
“When the Truth Hunts You Down” by Sam Tinnesz.
When the truth... what is happening, my love?
Someone tried to kill me.
What?!Kyanite shrieked.
I need to find out who.
You should have led with that,he grumbled.
The gentle chords of a piano trilled through the throne room. The Lóng in attendance straightened and flinched. The women clung closer to each other and the soldiers drew their weapons, staring around themselves as if expecting something to materialize.
Verin held up a calming hand. “Stand down. It is only my consort's magic. Queen Elaria will assist us in finding the assassin.”
I started to hum and then sing softly. The magic came again—surfacing from my chest but this time with less urgency. I swayed slightly to the slow tempo as the eerie lyrics fell from my lips like an accusation. My stare shifted to Meilen and her maid. Anger trembled inside me; I knew my eyes were likely flashing with it. The women cringed away from me as I sang about light peeling back the shadow of lies. They couldn't hide from who they were. They couldn't run from me and my music. I had them in my sight. All of their secrets would be revealed.
The magic drew me forward, straight to the women, as I sang about every step taking me closer to the truth. My feet moved to the ponderous rhythm—a steady march. I had a few moments to enjoy a feeling of vindication; the women were guilty, just as I thought. But then I turned sharply and headed for the door. My eyes went wide as I continued to sing, my footsteps remaining rhythmic. Verin kept pace with me, wise enough to not interrupt me with questions. Savassa and the advisers followed us a few feet back.
“Stay with Lady Meilen and her maid,” Verin ordered one of his guards as we left the throne room, then he dropped back to let me lead.
I could feel Verin behind me but my mind surged ahead and my feet had ceased to follow my orders. I kept singing, the music kept playing, and the spell kept leading me forward. The corridors were empty, courtiers likely cowering in their rooms, so I was able to walk them freely without facing confused stares or having to veer around throngs. Not that it would have mattered to me; I was so focused on the magic that a whale could have knocked into the palace and I wouldn't have noticed.
I descended a set of spiral stairs. My voice went hollow in the passage and the magic condensed. Lower and lower into the palace we went. Lower than the seafloor. I recognized the hallways from my tour. The geothermal processing machines were down there but this was also the floor where most of the servants lived. The maze of corridors narrowed. They weren't as empty as those on the floors above, but people ducked out of my way when they saw me coming. I don't think it was my song or myself so much as my attendants. I'm sure it was unusual to see the King's advisers down there, but the Queen and the King himself? That was enough to send them into a tizzy.
And start a parade.
The servants who bolted out of my path crept out of their rooms after we'd passed and hesitantly followed us. I didn't know this at the time—as I mentioned, I was focused on singing—but I learned it after my song ended. I stepped up to a closed door and opened it. The room beyond was simple but comfortable, containing a bed, bookshelves, desk, and closet. Verin did well by his staff. Oh, yes, and a woman was there as well—packing frantically.
