It was anything but simple. A duel could encompass a thousand different scenarios. Would magic be in play? What magic did the Black Knight possess? Did that mysterious armor shift with him, or was he flora-gifted?
None of that mattered.
We needed the amorite. Annwyn needed it.
“If we defeat the Black Knight, we will have full and unconditional access to the amorite mines until such time as the High King and Queen concurrently decide to return them to you,” I said slowly. I paused, waiting for Arran to interject.
His black eyes darted down to our joined hands, but he did not speak.
This was not just about proving my strength or worth. Palomides was up to something. I could feel the lies he spoke as they burrowed their way under my skin. But I could play his game. For now.
Palomides did let the opportunity for an amendment hang open. “Very well. But I shall set the terms of the duel.”
“I accept.”
Arran’s eyes slammed into me with all the force of one of the black stones that built the castle around us. He dropped my hand, his eyes turning murderous.
Get in line,I wanted to say to him,or Lyrena will beat you to it.
But I did not.
“Synora and Syros will see to your accommodations. The duel shall take place after midday tomorrow.” Palomides sank back onto his throne once again. Relaxed.
This had been his intent all along.
There was only one reason for us to come to this desolate castle. He had something we wanted, and he had known the price before we’d ever walked through the portcullis. Why he wanted us to duel… I’d use the time between now and the duel to figure that out.
I slowed my steps, falling in beside Kay as we followed Synora and Syros out of the great hall. Every step, I kept one eye fixed upon the Black Knight. That feeling in my stomach had not entirely quelled. I doubted it would. “What was Castle Chariot called before Palomides arrived?”
Kay followed my gaze, his grimace saying everything I could not. “Basdove.”
The black death.
56
VEYKA
The image of the Black Knight followed me up the stairs to the richly appointed bedroom that Palomides had prepared. It was a royal suite, obvious from the jewel-studded border along the vanity mirror and the gold-flake in the paint adorning the wooden headboard. Palomides had known we would come eventually. Maybe not me and Arran, specifically. But this room had been waiting for the High Queen and King’s arrival.
Palomides knew the value of the amorite in his mines. He must have known it when he killed the previous occupants of the castle. Which meant he’d encountered the succubus and figured out that the amorite was key to defeating them. There was no other plausible reason for his posturing.
But what did he hope to achieve through a duel? If either Arran or I was killed, entirely new heirs would have to be appointed. It would throw Annwyn into disarray, and then there would be no one to buy his amorite or whatever else he mined, because everyone would eventually be turned or devoured by the succubus.
There was a piece missing to this puzzle.
But Palomides would not offer answers of his own free will. Every scrap of information would have to be bartered for.
The willowy young female led us into the suite as she’d been bid. But instead of waiting with downcast eyes, she watched our reactions. No doubt, she would be reporting back to Palomides at the first chance.
Lyrena tossed down our travel packs, snapped her fingers to light a fire in the hearth, and surveyed the rest of the room. Whether it was her years in Baylaur or her excellent elemental skills, she looked thoroughly unimpressed.
Synora looked past Lyrena to me. “His lordship has gifted me to you for the duration of your stay, Your Majesty.” As she spoke, she swayed her hips and dragged a hand down the centerline of her bodice.
I did not want to know everything that offer entailed.
“We will manage fine on our own,” I said, walking to peer out the window. Parting the drapes gave me the opportunity to scan for any obscured entrances. I knew that Lyrena was surreptitiously doing the same. We’d both lost too much to the hidden passageways in Baylaur to take such things for granted.
When I glanced back over my shoulder, Synora had not moved. I rolled my eyes. “You are relieved,” I said emphatically, layering my voice with the command I’d seen Arran use—the one that had elementals and terrestrials shaking.
