Sybilla stood tall, unafraid.
I continued, “I would prefer if you did not lie to your court in my name.” My voice was charged in a way that sounded like static against wool, like some of that glowing power had stuck in me.
“You have my word. I only meant to rouse support. I do intend to be your dear friend in wartimes ahead, Asterie. Accept my apology.” Sybilla may have used my prophecy to gain support, but my instincts told me she was the lesser evil.No,that rotting evil in the realm had been under my nose for centuries. I’d just been too blind to see it.
“Next time, rouse your nobles with honesty.”
A scuffle of feet against the stone had us all turning toward the courtyard entry gates.
“We found her, Sir Emmerick!” A guard shouted as they ran into the courtyard, trailed by three others who held their captive. “She opened one of the Egresses in the tunnels. It is how the soldiers got in.”
“I was here for Fen alone—I had nothing to do with this! I didn’t even use an Egress!” Elsedora thrashed and spat the words wildly. The guards pushed her to her knees before the Queen at the podium.
“You.” My voice boomed, and my skin began to glow again, power thrumming through my fingertips. The maid—the one I’d thought so innocent.Could it truly have been her that allowed this attack to occur?
“Asterie, stand down until we hear her out,” Queen Sybilla cut in.
“Else…” Fenris burst past me. “It’s you. You, you’re alive. Is it really you?”
“It’s hard to kill a Lamoreaux. You told me that once, brother.” Elsie’s eyes filled with determined tears as she spoke. “I never believed you were dead. You’re far too stubborn for that.”
Fenris collapsed to his knees. Elsie tried to reach out to him, but the guards pulled her arms behind her back before she could. Emmerick stepped between them and cuffed her.
“How did you find me?” Fen’s words sounded like they were wrenched from him.
“I found a very detailed memorandum. In which I saw you—alive. With a pretty enchantress asking you to help her in Luz. I figured that wasn’t something you would resist.”
Even through her tears, the girl smiled and chuckled at her own joke.
“There’s been a mistake,” Fenris desperately reasoned with Emmerick before looking up at Queen Sybilla. “She wouldn’t do this.”
I wanted to believe Fenris, but the evidence against Elsedora was staggering.
“She broke in and impersonated a maid just before an assassination attempt on our Queen,” Emmerick barked as he pulled Elsie up and spun her roughly.
Van stood behind Fen with his head held low as though contemplating attack, but I shook my head.
“Who sent you?” Emmerick snarled.
Elsie met his eyes without fear. “No one you would know.” Elsie’s words were laced with sarcastic playfulness that only spurred the Commander’s rage.
“Liar!” he shouted.
“Emmerick, that is enough.” Queen Sybilla stepped down from the podium.
“Your guard dog is quite pretty,” Elsedora said to the Queen.Has the woman no self-preservation instincts?
Emmerick growled low, which didn’tnotprove Elsedora’s point.
Sybilla drew nearer to Elsedora. The Queen seemed to be listening for something that no one else could hear.
“Lady Asterie will use a moonstone and settle this in the morning. For now, lock this woman in the keep. Lady Elsedora is innocent until proven guilty. Fenris, put away that beast before he eats someone.”
Was I the only one who had noticed Sybilla knew Elsie’s full name without being told it?I’d only told Emmerick that the maid’s name was Elsie.
My eyes narrowed on the young Queen…a question for another time.
Emmerick questioned, “Why not the dungeons?”
