“Goddesses have done this before. There is precedent in the secrethistories in our Guild archives. And we’ll explain the plan, Soli,” the sorcerer begins, but I interrupt her.
“Sure. That would be wonderful. But maybe, before that, you can tell me what to do with this amulet. Do I let go of it now? Will that mean I risk death the next time I touch it? Do I keep it in hand for the foreseeable future? Do I wear it? Do I—”
“Cease your babble, girl,” the king thunders. “Why am I constantly plagued by women?”
I’m trying to decide if I should let go of the amulet and curtsy—or throw it at him—when a dry feminine voice sounds from behind me.
“Why, indeed, my husband? Though perhaps you would be less beleaguered if it had occurred to you to send for me when a goddess was making pronouncements in our throne room.”
It’s the queen.
I really, really wish I could sink into that curtsy now. Queen Isabella is known to be a stickler for etiquette, and the ice in her voice only underscores the fury in her words.
At my side, Kaelen offers a deep bow. “Majesty.”
She touches his shoulder as she passes him. “Rise. How many times do I have to tell you not to bow to me?”
“At least once more,” he says with the respect he doesn’t always show the king.
It has the feel of an oft-repeated exchange between them, but they’re both watching me.
“What’s next?” the king demands, also staring at me.
“I’m sorry, Your Majesty. Majesties. I have no idea.” I offer a smile that feels like a grimace. “You heard everything she told me.”
The queen is not what I expected. She has dark-brown hair, light-brown skin, and eyes that are nearly black. She’s dressed in deep red silk, and her full-skirted, beaded gown must have taken a dozen seamstresses several weeks to make. She wears a simple gold circlet in her upswept braided hair instead of a weighty formal crown like the king’s.
And she’s beautiful.
Rumors say that theirs is a loveless match, and that’s why theyhave no children. Certainly, she’s looking at him without affection now.
I can’t believe I’m thinking about royal children when a goddess just took over my body. I start shaking again.
“Well, Pallan? Elianna? What is this brave child to do?” the queen asks.
Suddenly, my hand cramps around the amulet, and my knees feel weak. “Sorcerer? Please, tell me what to do. I’m afraid I’m going to drop this box.”
Everyone but Kaelen and the sorcerer takes a step away from me. “You can put the box down but hold the amulet.” She takes a thick cord from a pocket and holds it out to me. “The amulet has a link you can place this cord through, so you can wear it around your neck. I think … I believe you should wear it continuously, beneath your clothing, so it doesn’t accidentally touch anyone else before I can spell it into a containment case.”
I take the sturdy velvet cord and finally pull my hand, still clutching the amulet, out of the box, which I leave on the table. It takes every ounce of willpower I possess to unfold my fingers, though I’m relieved to find I can actually move them. Finally, I get a good look at the murderous object.
It’s a large, green gemstone, fully the size of my thumbnail, in a silver filigree setting. I clumsily thread the cord, tie a secure knot, and lift the makeshift necklace over my head. Then I close my eyes and, holding my breath, drop the amulet down my bodice, half expecting it to set me on fire when it touches my skin.
It doesn’t. It doesn’t even warm up this time.
Slowly, I exhale and open my eyes to see Prince Kaelen’s dark-purple gaze on me.
“It’s fine,” I tell him.
Tell everyone.
“Soli!” comes a shout from over by the wall, and I wrench my attention from the prince to Trick, who’s conscious again. I give him the best smile I can manage, but a guard steps between us.
The king and queen converse in low tones and beckon the Air Touched to attend them, leaving me standing with Kaelen.
“I’m glad you survived the amulet,” the prince says, but he rasps out the words as if they’re being torn from his throat. “And the goddess.”
When I glance up at him, he’s shaking his head and staring down at Lil’s ashes on the floor. Her loss stabs me anew. “I wish …”
