“I believe so. There have been three attempts on my life. The first assassin couldn't remember poisoning me. The second was killed before I could interrogate him. And the third was my mate.”
The Shanba gasped and gaped at me.
“Someone cast a spell upon Ru'din and commanded him to kill me, but our mating bond broke the enchantment and allowed him to remember the casting, unlike the first assassin.”
Alcha frowned from Cyn to me. “The relic was never meant to be used in such a way. Instead of calming violent minds, it's stirring violence. I imagine that will make wielding it more difficult and the mind control less powerful. It doesn't surprise me that a mating bond would break its spell. But are you sure it's the relic? What exactly do you remember about when you were enchanted?”
“I remember a bright, green light,” I said. “I saw the outline of a person behind it. And I heard a voice commanding me. I think the voice was altered by the light. It was too resonant to be normal, and it became a vibration that sank into my mind and set the enchantment.”
Alcha grimaced. “It sounds like the diadem. A green light does indeed emerge from the emerald when it is used, and that's when the command must be issued.” He looked back at Cyn to add, “I'm sorry our relic has threatened your life and your mate, Sir.”
“I'm sorry I have failed to protect your children,” Cyn said. “I cannot change the past, but I can do better in the future. I assure you, I will try my best to protect your people while they are in my city.”
The High Priest shook his head. “One man cannot protect everyone. There will always be people who put evil into the world. That is the way of life. Even Shanba do bad things. And there will always be those who need to blame someone for the evil done to them. When the true villains cannot be punished, they will set their anger on another. Unfortunately, kings are often the easiest target for such fury. In short, you are not to blame, Sir. You have done your best for all your subjects, and our kingdom has remained secure. That is no small feat.”
“Thank you,” Cyn murmured, then sipped his coffee. “It is useless to lament what has brought us here. Instead, let's discuss how to handle this.”
“I'm afraid we have no advice to offer, Sir,” Alcha said. “We came here for your help and to warn you. We assumed the thief left Rercime with a likely destination of Dralbara, and it seems that our assumptions were correct. But if there is anything we can do, name it, and it shall be done.”
“All I ask is that you remain in Dralbara for the time being,” Cyn said. “I may need your counsel.”
“As you wish, Sir.” Alcha nodded and the other priests followed suit.
“Is there any way to tell if someone has been enchanted by Tareth's Triumph?” I asked.
The High Priest shook his head, but Priest Tla said, “I recall something I read in the history of Rercime. Those under the command of Tareth's Triumph bore a glint of emerald within their eyes.”
“I have never read that,” Alcha said with a scowl.
“It was in volume forty-six.”
“I'll have to read it again.”
“How long does that glint last?” I asked.
Tla thought about it. “I believe it's only until the command is fulfilled.” He waved a hand at my eyes. “Your eyes are clear.”
“But my enchantment was broken.”
“Ah, yes. Then I don't know. But it doesn't make sense for the magic to remain once it's done its job.”
“True,” I murmured as I tried to remember if Juri had any green in his eyes the last time I saw him.
“I do have one suggestion for you,” Alcha said.
“Yes?”
“If this villain shines the light of Tareth's Triumph upon you, there is only one way to escape it.”
“And what's that?” I asked.
“Run.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
“We will never catch the culprit if I stay in hiding,” Cyn said on our way back to the Forgotten. “I've got to go back, Ru.”
“I know,” I muttered. “I don't like it, but if we're going to catch your killer, we need bait. And that's you.”
