“It was a topic of research by the First Mage.” Nyelle held the paper up between two fingers, the King’s eyes tracking it. “She discovered the cycle of the ore’s development and what’s disrupted it, and she shared that information with me.”
Information that would make the Yadoras even more powerful, more wealthy, while the King’s influence waned—unless he cooperated. It was brilliant.Maywas brilliant, and Kasira only wished that she were there to see the understanding unfold across the King’s face. The resignation as he turned to Kasira and said, “Very well, Assistant. Do you intend to drag the entire Conclave back here for this matter?”
“They haven’t left,” Kasira replied. And with all the magic she could muster, she snapped her fingers, transporting herself, King Carthur, Nyelle, and both contingents of soldiers back to the Glass Room.
A few gasps of surprise greeted them. Many of the dignitaries were gathered by the far door, currently barred by Fen, Carlia, and Talthari. From the look of the guards, things had been growing heated, but the mages had held their line. First May, then Nyelle, now the others—they had all helped Kasira, trusted her, despite what she had done.
“What is the meaning of this?” Arch Minister Cernos demanded, advancing toward her.
“There’s been a change in plans.” Kasira looked to the King.
With a sigh, King Carthur addressed the crowd. “Kalthos withdraws its vote in favor of expelling Allaster St. Archer from the position of Librarian. We also rescind all of our accusations, including that of Thane Ryarch’s murder.”
The gathering exchanged befuddled looks, muttering among themselves.
“I want nothing more than for Allaster to maintain his position.” Arraidia’s voice rose above the rest. “But the Conclave is over. You would have to submit for a new trial.”
With a wave of her hand, Kasira produced a sheet of paper. “Actually, by Library law, the Conclave is not over until every nation has cast its vote. That law was amended when Avaria retreated into seclusion: The ice kingdom’s vote is forfeit,ifthere hasn’t been contact from it in the current year.”
She held up the paper for everyone to see. It bore a simple message of greeting to Allaster, a request to reestablish connections and, in the bottom-right corner, the Avari royal seal of a dragon’s head, which Kasira had taken and altered slightly from the dragon whistle in the artifact room. She handed the letter to the Arch Minister.
“Feel free to verify its legitimacy yourself,” she continued, knowing they had no hope of doing so. “Until then, kindly get the fuck out of my Library.”
CHAPTER 42
KASIRA
KASIRA WENT STRAIGHT TOALLASTER.
By the time she teleported to the catacombs and reached his cell, May was already inside, the chains slipping from Allaster’s wrists to coil heavily on the cold stone floor. They both looked at her silently when she entered, a wariness in their eyes she didn’t know how to navigate. It wasn’t that she was unused to being looked at like that—it was that she didn’t know what to do when all she wanted, more than anything, was to make it stop.
“May told me what happened,” Allaster said at last. Kasira had never seen him look so tired. His hair was a tousled mess, his wrists red from the manacles, and he leaned against the wall as if it was the only thing holding him up.
The First Mage looked between them. “I will inform the others of what has happened.”
“May,” Kasira called, and she paused in the doorway. “Thank you. Your knowledge of the vylor mines saved us all. What was the connection?”
“Calisks,” she replied. “Small, burrowing serpentlike beasts that live in the walls of Kalish mines. Their scales can reach searing temperatures and contain a substance that scrapes off when they squeeze through the narrow tunnels they create. That substance combined with the heat of their scales transforms the natural iron into vylor.”
“Calisks.” Kasira breathed out a laugh. “The miners think they’re pests. They set out traps for them.” A practice they would have to halt if they had any hope of restoring their mines. Kalthos would have to go from hunting the little creatures to protecting them, and to ensure they did, May had given that information not to the King, but to Lady Nyelle.
“Yes,” May said softly. “You told me. It was that knowledge that led me to investigate them.”
There was a depth to May’s words that rang with a quiet sadness, and Kasira bowed her head. “I owe you an apology too, May.”
May’s fingers curled against the doorjamb. “You can apologize to me once you truly understand what you nearly did,” she said and left.
It took everything in Kasira to meet Allaster’s gaze. “Can we talk somewhere else?” she asked, all too aware of the narrow walls. “I can’t stand to be in here.”
A wry smile curved his lips. “So that, at least, was the truth.” He led her from the catacombs before he snapped his fingers, and the world turned. They appeared in his study, his sharp eyes taking in the amplified mess from the earlier battle. There were bloodstains on the floor.
He dropped onto a couch, and she hovered at the edge of the space. “You said you were working for Vera from the beginning,” he said.
“Yes.”
“And when she revealed your identity, that was just part of your plan to incriminate me.”
“Yes.” She didn’t bother explaining that had been Vera’s idea. It didn’t matter. Every choice the Ambassador had made was as much Kasira’s responsibility.
