“What Liege?” I asked when the uproar died off.
“I imagine the same one who dealt with him.” Airia nudged her shoulder Vexxion’s way. “The Liege only had one, or I would’ve bargained for more. There are so many of us out there, and we’re scared, though not so scared that we’re not willing to fight back. I’m not spying.” Her glare shot Brodine’s way. “Torture me if you want. I’m sure Vexxion’s threads can make me talk, but all you’ll learn is that I saw a chance to escape that nightmare, and I took it. Do you think my lord wouldn’t have used me to harm you, Tempest? I was waiting for him to demand I do it. When I saw the Liege, and I overheard . . .”
Vexxion’s threads snapped toward her again. “You overheard what?” Death lurked in his voice.
“I like to take walks. There are paths all around Bledmire, and I . . . Well, I guess that part doesn’t matter. Sometimes, on a free day, I used to take a nap in a meadow. I swear, I didn’t hear much.” Her panic-stricken gaze met Vexxion’s. His threads had not yet retreated. They snapped around her like lightning. “I heard you talking to the Liege. That was not long after you and Tempest arrived at Bledmire. I should’ve told you I was there,but I was afraid. I can see you’re not the horrifying person everyone thinks you are.”
“You don’t know me,” Vexxion said with that edge in his voice that told the world to beware. He only had to look at someone like he was staring at her now to make them tremble.
“I’ve seen how you look at Tempest. I could see you cared about her back at the castle.” She broke his stare to look at me. “I like you. I think we could be friends. I wanted to look out for you. You were with the controller, the man everyone in Bledmire feared with good reason. If he was hurting you, I was going to do something about it. I spied on him back then, for sure. But I haven’t been spying for Kerune. Never. I hate him. If you think the controller’s reputation is bad, give Kerune a chance.” She sighed. “I snooped at Bledmire, but only to protect you, Tempest. And what I saw . . .” She closed her eyes but only briefly. “I’m sorry you don’t remember, Vexxion, because the love you felt for her stunned me. I don’t think there’s much like it in this world, and you need to hold onto something like that. Find it again. It’s in you. I sense it. I’m no better than anyone else when it comes to magic, but I’ll do all I can to make sure you love her again.”
Vexxion’s threads dropped away, sliding back inside him. “I believe her.”
Vera rose and walked over to stand in front of Airia. “I’ve learned not to trust many. Would you allow me to touch you?”
Gazing up at her, Airia nodded.
Vera cupped the other woman’s face and closed her eyes. When she opened them again, she backed away from Airia, retaking her seat. “She’s telling the truth. She eliminated hercollar a week or more ago, and she’s had no communication with Kerune in a long time.”
I hadn’t needed the confirmation, but everyone else did.
If she hadn’t betrayed me, who did? Could it be someone else lurking in Lydel’s shadows?
A chill swept through the room, and I suddenly had the feeling that things were going to dramatically change and not for the better.
I needed to claim my court’s core quickly and use the power to awaken my army.
If I didn’t, I sensed it would soon be too late.
32
TEMPEST
“Let’s get to work,” Brodine said grimly.
When we all rose to leave, he went around hugging each of us, though he only tapped Vexxion on the arm after Vexxion released a low growl.
Vexxion walked over to Vera, and they spoke in low voices I couldn’t overhear.
With a shake of his head, Brodine strode from the room, calling out over his shoulder. “I’ll be in the library. I saw some interesting books there last night that might be helpful. I’m going to make some lists and plans. I’ll meet with you tomorrow afternoon once I’ve come up with a few strategies, Tempest?”
“I’m going to the aerie to assess the situation there, and I’ll take the blue dragon out to locate the rest of the aeries.” Airia sounded as confident and happy as Brodine. “I’ll check back with you, Tempest, once I have an idea of what we’re dealingwith. And I’ll make lists too. I’ll let you know what we need to house a large flying army.”
I snagged her arm before she could pass me, bringing her to a halt, and gave her a hug. “Thank you. I’m sorry we didn’t believe you immediately, that you had to prove your loyalty to us by removing the collar.”
Leaning back in my embrace, she sighed. “I get it. I would’ve thought the same thing. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you who collared me right from the start, but I didn’t want to ruin our friendship. For what it’s worth, I wouldn’t have cooperated if he’d told me to kill you.”
She wouldn’t have had a choice. Will and Prenton hadn’t.
She left, striding with purpose from the room.
“Riftflame,” Zayde said with a curt nod, taking Layla’s hand. “We’ll be back as soon as we have their agreement.”
“Then I hope we see you soon.” I stepped over to my sister. “I feel like we’ve barely had time to talk.” Would I be dead before I could get that chance?
“Soon,” she said softly, her gaze meeting Zayde’s. With a soft laugh, she barreled into me, hugging me. “Stay safe. Don’t do anything impulsive. Kill who you want if you think there’s a need, but . . . Alright, don’t share too many details about it with me when I return.”
“What makes you think I’m going to kill someone?” I asked, chuckling through my dismay.
