“Loyal?” Naveer’s lips twisted. “I believe I’ve had enough of this conversation. You’ve arrived and that means it’s time for this trial to get started.”
Swinging around, she strode back up the dais steps and sat on her throne, giving us a slick smile. She paused as if thinking, and an odd expression flickered across her face. Uncertainty, maybe even regret. The crow's wings rustled, and the queen’s eyes hardened.
Her hand rose. “Herald? Announce the charges.”
The uniformed man stepped away from the wall, giving her a stiff salute before glaring at us. “Espionage. If convicted, the penalty will be death.”
“What?” I barked, my spine twitching.
“What you’ve done threatens the natural order.” Naveer examined her nails, peeking at us through her lashes. “Spying under false identities within my court, thereby threatening everything someone holds dear. So much for your supposed loyalty,Lord RutherfordandLady Bliss.”
“Fuck you,” Lore growled.
Her gaze scanned his frame. “While your offer is tempting, I doubt you’re worth the time.”
“We don’t know what you’re talking about.” I fought to keep fear from my expression.
A flick of her hand and our rings were wrenched from our fingers. Our façades fell away, and gasps echoed from the lords and ladies raptly watching the unfolding drama.
“Queen Reyla and King Lorick of Evergorne Court.” Queen Naveer’s sneer rose. “You have infiltrated my court with the intent to sabotage my beloved home.”
Cries of dismay echoed in the room.
“The charge stands. Espionage.” She stretched the word out like she was drizzling horig over her morning porridge. “Such anuglycrime.”
Hisses and chatter rippled from every direction. Eyes burned into me from behind. Hateful and smug, her court was savoring our supposed downfall.
“Fuck you,” I hissed. “Fake charges.”
“This is too much like the court trial inside the labyrinth,” Lore said between clenched teeth. “How does she know?”
“The crow.” I kept my voice low, though I doubted anyone could hear us in the furor. “Prager’s watching, and I bet she’s guiding Queen Naveer.”
“You’re right.”
She’d do anything to stop us from taking the talisman.
Naveer rose from her throne. “Reyla and Lorick of Evergorne Court, you stand charged with spying. You came here wearing the magical identity of two of my most loyal subjects. What have to you to say in your defense? Speak, before I fulfill my obligation.”
“We didn’t come here to spy,” Lore said.
“You lie,” she hissed. “Espionage.”
She sank onto her throne as if the pronouncement had drained something from her. Prager’s magical compulsion demanded compliance, and it came at a cost.
The horrible truth crystallized.
“Prager isn't just influencing Naveer, she's controlling everything,” I whispered to Lore, defeat crushing down on me. “The competitions, the trials, all of it. Naveer's a harvesting tool, and we walked straight into a trap. Every death in these competitions has been feeding not only Naveer but Prager's power. And in two days, when the curse takes you…”
“She wins. The curse continues, I'm dead, and she's more powerful than ever.” The tic in his temple was the only evidence of his fury. “I’ll kill them both.”
“The witnesses have spoken.” Naveer’s eyes gleamed with feral joy.
“What witnesses?” I yelled.
She frowned before her face smoothed, her eyes taking on a rabid gleam. She was enjoying this the same way a beast savored toying with prey. “The evidence is undeniable.”
The crow leaned forward and though no one else seemed to notice, I caught the faint sound of whispering.
