“From which region do you hail?” asks another klerick. “What crimes of blasphemy have you committed?”
“Kaelus, Head Klerick of the dragon camp will confirm my heresy,” Saxon says boldly.
“State your crimes.” The klerick’s eyes narrow.
“I have flown a dragon through the veil and into the Darkness. I have used magic this side of the veil. I have taken the name of Othrix in vain. I no longer believe that Othrix exists. And if he does, I must see for myself.”
Shocked murmurs ripple through the crowd as more people gather at the base of the stairs to witness Saxon’s confession. My heart is thumping so hard, I can barely hear what’s going on. I want to rush up the stairs to stop Saxon. But not only is it too late for that, he asked me to trust him. That’s proving very difficult.
“Can others testify to these crimes?” asks the klerick, standing directly in front of Saxon.
“No need.” Saxon lifts his hands and light shimmers there. “And if these men release me, I will take the form of a stag.”
The klericks and guards all gasp. Instead of releasing him, they quickly bind Saxon’s wrists in metal chains that appear to be fashioned from copper. One of the guards forces him forward and pins his neck to the stone step.
My body shakes. What is Saxon doing? Does he plan to sacrifice his life? How will his death help anything?
Frowning, Zogar bends toward me. “Stay here,” he says softly. “Whatever happens, you must stay here. Don’t move.”
I nod.
Zogar strides up the steps and falls to his knees next to Saxon. “I too am a heretic. I too can shift forms. I too demand an audience with Othrix.”
Surath strides up the stairs. Xendus reaches for her, but she’s too fast.
Xendus turns toward Tynan. “Protect the Queen. Keep her safe.”
He follows his wife up the stairs and kneels beside Zogar and Surath. The guards quickly bind the wrists of all three dragon shifters in the same copper chains they used on Saxon.
No one seems to have recognized that Surath is a woman, and I very much hope that they don’t. Women aren’t granted the privilege of a tribunal.
As soon as they’re bound, the guards roughly drag all four to their feet, and they’re quickly swallowed by the massive building, leaving three of the klericks behind.
No longer able to stop myself, I rush up the stairs.
But I’m too late. The door has already slammed shut behind them.
“I too am a heretic,” I shout.
I should have joined them sooner, but no one filled me in on this plan. I won’t be separated from these men. Never again. “I have entered the Darkness atop a dragon’s back. I too demand an audience with Othrix.”
“Ridiculous.” The klericks laugh. “You are a woman.”
Squaring my stance, I remove my scarf and hood. “I am Princess Rosomon of Achotia. I am a rider of dragons, and I demand an audience with Othrix. I also demand an audience with the man who now calls himself King of the Light. The King who killed my father.” Tynan told me his father might be here, but I’m not sure if he told the others.
The klericks gasp. One of the guards grabs me by the hair and tugs down. My knees smash into the hard stone, and I cry out inpain. I’m not sure what spurred me to make my second demand, but it feels right. I need to confront that horrid man. I need him to pay for all he’s done—including beating Tynan when he was a child.
“Princess,” the klerick’s voice drips with disdain. “The first of your demands will be granted. Tomorrow, you will be brought before Othrix. And if you survive the marriage ceremony, you will serve our god as a Wife of Othrix.” A guard binds my hands and drags me to my feet.
I glance around, wondering what’s become of Tynan. I ran up the stairs without forethought, and he’s nowhere to be found.
CHAPTER 61
Saxon
We’re marched through dark corridors and down winding stairs. I didn’t expect the dragons to join me, but unless we’re all executed, it could prove a good thing in the end.
The copper binding my hands is inhibiting the tingle of Darkness inside me. If it’s doing the same to the dragon-shifters, we won’t be able to rely on magic to help expose Othrix. I begin to doubt my plan.
