“I had no idea.” Grymper shakes his head. “No idea at all.”
Vanora is struggling to speak through her gag.
“What have you to say about this?” Zogar asks, and her gag disappears.
“The manticore knew everything!” Vanora says sharply and then turns toward him. “You were hungry for power. Starving for it. And the moment I told you you’d be worshiped as a god, you salivated over my plans.”
It’s not lost on me that Vanora just admitted the plans were hers. Rosomon and I make eye contact. My Rose noticed this too. I’ve never been more proud of her and have never loved her more.
Grymper shakes his mane but keeps his gaze down.
Vanora points toward Zogar. “If your people suffered, you’re the one to blame. You brought this all on yourself.”
Zogar rises, but Rosomon touches his arm to keep his fury contained. My Rose might not be a mage, but she does havemagic, at least when it comes to taming Zogar. Another reason to admire and love her.
“How did Zogar bring this on himself?” Rosomon asks calmly.
Vanora raises her chin. “No single genus of mages should put themselves above others,” Vanora snaps. “The ability to shift into a monster and breathe fire does not give him the right to rule over all other mages.”
Zogar’s jaw shifts, and he frowns deeply. His look is now so fierce I’m afraid for the lives of everyone in the room. But he nods. “Had you expressed these grievances, I would have listened.”
Vanora laughs. And I agree with her on this bit. I can’t see Zogar easily giving up any part of his royal title or power.
“What’s passed is passed.” Surath steps forward, her voice clear and firm. “There’s no benefit in discussing this further today. Emotions are high, and there are others to question. Vanora will be confined, her magic constrained?—”
“As ours was forfour hundred years,” Xendus interjects gruffly.
Surath glares at the former Prime Klerick. “Vanora shall be held prisoner, until a proper court is formed to decide her fate.” Surath turns toward Zogar who nods at his sister.
“But without manticore blood—” Vanora cuts herself off and stares at the floor as Xendus, accompanied by Ovren and Ham, lead her away.
Surath points toward my father, bound in chains. “We will now address the former King of Khotor.”
Guards lead Father before Zogar and Rosomon.
In spite of his chains, my father stands defiantly. “I am King of the Light. I demand my immediate release. This panel has no authority.”
Surath’s hair flares, and she strides toward him. “Under whose authority did you conquer the Seven Kingdoms? Whose authority granted you the right to murder so many?”
My father’s indignation is thick in the air. “It was all the Prime Klerick’s idea. Vanora. She tricked me, too. She lied. She told me we’d marry and rule together.”
Surath laughs as she backs away from my father. “Thank you for confirming your collusion in joining the klericy with the monarchy.”
“I—” Frowning, Father’s eyes flick toward me. “What of him!” He points to me. “If I am accused, why is my heir not in chains?”
I lean back as if struck by one of my father’s countless blows.
“Quiet!” Zogar rises and strides toward me. “Tynan. Were you complicit in your father’s plans?”
Standing, I crunch down the pile of metal to stand closer to everyone else. Zogar’s glaring at me like he’s changed his mind about letting me live. I know he didn’t want Rosomon to forgive me—even though I didn’t do most of what they thought I did.
Behind him, I catch a glimpse of my Rose. Her eyes are full of worry.
“Complicit?” I fight to retain my composure as I think through how best to defend myself. But Father is right. I’m not wholly innocent. “I long knew of my family’s aspirations to conquer the Seven Kingdoms. That part is true.”
“And yet, you warned no one.” Zogar looks like he could incinerate me without even shifting. “And you did nothing to stop it.”
Rosomon steps up beside Zogar. “Tynan, you told me you didn’t know.” Her voice breaks. “Did you lie to me?”
