Caledon waves his hand. “No matter. It’s time we make use of the Morelium again, I think. They will sniff her out for us.”
“And then, Your Grace?” I ask mildly. I know he doesn’t need her power anymore, not since he drained it from those children instead.
“Then they will deal with her. Whether her alliance with the fae is broken or not, she’s a figurehead for heretics of all races, and therefore she must be stopped. I will tell them to do it properly this time, rather than send a single weakling like Parvus to take her on.” Bitterness fills his voice as he recalls how often the princess has eluded him in the past.
“The Morelium are faithful followers, Your Grace. I’m sure they will see it through.”
Caledon catches my eye, offering me a gentle smile. For a moment, I see once again that wise councillor I believed in for so many years.
“They’re just the beginning. Once the gods have blessed me with immortality, Sophos, all of Filusia will come to the light. We’re on the edge of a new age. One where the whole of Tiearland recognizes the Temple of Ethira’s truth. I shall be the crusader who makes it happen.”
“It will be glorious, Your Grace,” I agree, the words bitter in my mouth even as I try to make them sound sincere. “The gods will surely reward you for such dedication.”
The Grand Bearer laughs, and the sound cuts me like a knife.
“You’re forgetting, my dear Sophos, that by then I will also be a god. I won’t needtheirreward. Once my work here is done and Tiearland is purified, I’ll ascend to the Eternal Realm to join my divine family.”
I bow my head, as if overwhelmed with joy at the thought. “Of course, Your Grace.”
The man is insane, and he will destroy us all with his madness before this is over.
“I trust the search for Ethira’s tokens is going well?” I add, hoping to glean one more shred of information before I’m dismissed. I glance up to see Caledon’s eyes brighten.
“Very well. I expect news on that front any day now.”
He doesn’t tell me more, doesn’ttrustme with more. I doubt he’s sharing the information with anyone except the minions he has hunting the objects for him.
As I leave his office, I have only one hope. There’s a weapon strong enough to stop him, and it’s hiding somewhere in Filusia.
The princess. She started all of this. It was the prophecy about her, the promise of so much celestial power, that convinced Caledon he could mimic Ethira’s journey to divinity. It’ll be up to her to finish it.
That is, if she doesn’t get killed first.
I don’t know how to get a warning to her directly, but I do know she has friends among the rebels. As I leave the temple, I think that perhaps a little bird might carry a message their way.
Chapter 10
Morgana
“Tonight is the night, Your Highness.”
Captain Odaire, a tall fae with dark brown skin, delivers the news in a neutral voice, but we all know how important his words are. I exchange a look with Tira, then turn to the others to read their reactions. The soldiers look eager, poised for action. But Fairon seems less excited, more braced—like he’s facing an unpleasant task he’s resigned to seeing through.
“You’re sure there’ll be enough witnesses?” he asks.
Captain Odaire gives a sharp nod. “He’s dining with several senior members of court tonight—Duchess Serth with be there, and Lord Wain, as well as the usuals.”
I’ve been told Odaire and Fairon were childhood friends, and I can see it—both seem like they would be serious children. Most of the fae who will be helping us this evening have known Fairon a long time. It was nerve-racking watching Leon and Fairon select strong fae fighters to let into the inner circle. One wrong choice and this whole plan could come crashing down aroundus. I just thank the gods for Alastor and his ability to test their loyaltybeforewe revealed what we were asking them to do.
“In which case, get word to the others,” Fairon says. “We’ll meet in the south gallery after they’ve served the first course. There’ll be fewer servants around then.”
Captain Odaire salutes Fairon and exits the crown prince’s quarters.
“It’s a lovely day for a coup,” Alastor murmurs.
I call to Leon across the bond.“You’re as tense as a coiled spring, my love. Is there anything I can do to help?”
His serious expression morphs into a smirk.“Yes, you can come with me back to our room and help me work some of that tension off.”
