When they arrived at the gate, the guards—armed with spears taller than they were—stopped them immediately.
“No entry for anyone by decree of the queen,” one of them stated.
Ryunn pranced forward lightly.It was a subtle move that Zane had worked tirelessly to perfect because it showcased not only his warhorse’s strength, but also his obedience.It screamed ‘wealth.’
“I am Zane Holygazer, rightful emperor of Athusa following my father’s death.I have come to speak with Queen Camilia about the threat against our continent.”
The two guards glanced at each other, then the one who had spoken nodded his head towards the gates.The other looked at Zane skeptically, but ran through a small, locked door within the gate—presumably to announce their arrival.
With the guard silently observing them, they waited in front of the palace for roughly three-quarters of an hour before the gates creaked open and they were admitted.Once their horses were stabled, they were led through hallway after hallway and up several flights of stairs.Zane was nowhere near out of shape, but he was breathing hard by the time they reached their floor.Poor Iyana seemed about ready to collapse—her chest was heaving, and she pushed sweaty hair out of her face.
The windows overlooked the city and were unnerving because they were open, without glass.One stumble could send someone fifty feet down to their death.Zane made sure to stay closer to the solid stone wall instead of taking the chance.
They were admitted into a modestly-sized room that Uther would have been embarrassed to call a throne room.There were tall ceilings, though, and multiple open windows that let in a pleasant breeze.The queen and prince consort sat on chairs, side by side, although hers was slightly larger.The women had always ruled in Istora, and when they died, the crown passed to the closest female relative.
Zane’s name was announced, and he bowed low, noticing his companions doing the same.Queen Camilia Vinta cut a commanding figure, even as an elderly woman.She sat on her throne with a straight back, her silver hair braided in a simple plait.Her brown eyes were still sharp, and Zane knew they would see right through anything other than the truth.The queen had seemed imposing when he was six, and he realized that hadn’t changed, even more than twenty years later.Her husband and prince consort, Halim, was of a similar age, with darker skin and more wrinkles that spoke to his life in the military, doing drills outside.His light brown eyes were kind, and he smiled at the group standing before them.
“Thank you for allowing us entry, Your Majesty.”
“Zane Holygazer,” she said, her voice still strong and untainted by age.“It’s been quite some time.I hadn’t heard of your father’s death.How did he die?”
“The Aztia killed him.”He heard Iyana’s small gasp, but Zane refused to look at her just yet.There was a game still to be played.“But I assure you it was well-deserved.I had learned recently that he had murdered my mother, had plans to murder me, and was aiming on taking all of Arinem for himself.I am ashamed to say he’d already had me beginning to raid border villages between Athusa and Istora, which is how I was initially acquainted with the Aztia.”Now he did gesture towards Iyana.“May I present Iyana Astalle, the Aztia, and Emmeric Sullane, her Kanaliza.”
Camilia had been locked on Zane this entire time, probably judging his worth, but now she turned her gaze towards Iyana and all the color drained out of the queen’s face.
Chapter 33
Iyana
QueenCamiliastaredatIyana.As soon as she had laid eyes on her—the infamous Aztia who had killed Emperor Uther—the queen had paled considerably.Zane cleared his throat, and Iyana bowed again.
“It is a pleasure to meet you, Your Majesty.”
Camilia blinked and inhaled deeply.Halim placed his hand lightly over hers.
“I apologize,” she said.“You are simply the spitting image of my sister.It was rather like seeing a ghost.”
“I understand completely,” Iyana said, meaning it.Seeing two elders of her own people, regardless of if they were royalty, made her long for her own grandmother and simple hut back in Imothia.“I am sorry to hear of her passing.”
“We are actually unsure as to Imogen’s fate, as she ran off with a man when she was probably close to your age.Maybe even slightly younger.We always hoped she would return, but she never did.”
“That’s a beautiful name.”
Camilia smiled broadly for the first time since they’d entered the throne room.“She always hated that name.We only called her Imo.”
And Iyana felt the world crumbling beneath her feet.Swaying, she reached out a hand to steady herself, only to find Emmeric already there, slipping a supportive arm around her.It was the only thing keeping her standing.
“You knew her,” the queen said, her head tilted to the side as she observed Iyana.It wasn’t a question.
“She was my grandmother.”The words exited her in a whisper.
Camilia’s face fell, and she nodded minutely.“Was,” she repeated.“When…how did she…” Her voice trailed off.
Iyana latched onto the still-fresh rage and hurt that had been reopened when she discovered Imo’s true cause of death.It was more familiar and safer than the shock of learning she might still have some living family.
“Altair, the first star that fell, murdered her, Your Majesty.A few moons ago, before the autumn equinox.I’ve only just recently learned, though, that he was the one to kill her.At the time, I thought it had been natural causes.”
Camilia’s eyes, so similar to Imo’s now that Iyana knew to look, flicked down to her left wrist where the ouroboros tattoo of the healers was inked into her skin.
