Kranmir clucked his tongue triumphantly. “Please, child. His memory lapses have always been very convenient. You have given me all that I need to secure your father’s throne. The people are rioting to see you, and they will. Let no one say we do not give them what they want. Yes, I can see it now. There you will be, up on that platform with your shadowstain and shoulder brand for all to see. I cannot say what you really are for the sigil binds my tongue. But the evidence . . . the evidence will be seen with the people’s eyes. Your grandmother knows the truth. There is no need to lie and cover for her.”
“She does know,” Maia angrily contested. “I never accepted this brand willingly. My father sent me—”
“It does not matter!” Kranmir thundered, his voice hot with rage. “It does not matter why you received the brand. It only matters what you are. What you let yourself become. The people clamored long for Queen Catrin to rule. She was a true threat to your father’s power. But you . . . you were always the greatest threat. That is why he kept you so near him. That is why Lady Shilton watched over you. Did you know, Lady Shilton, that Maia had the mark on her shoulder?”
Lady Shilton cringed away from the Aldermaston, her voice trembling. “I swear I did not!”
“She did not when she lived at your manor?”
“No!”
Kranmir looked vindicated. “She visited Dahomey. And she returned to despoil Comoros, to bring the Scourge back to this land once more.” He shook his head, clucking his tongue in mock disappointment again. “And the High Seer of Pry-Ree knew it!” he snarled. “She knew what you were. She hid the truth in a tome and sealed it with a binding sigil. Oh, my dear child, how can I ever thank you! All was lost at Whitsunday, but now all is recovered. The people will cry out in rage for your death when they learn what you really are. Of course, there is no heir, but perhaps Lady Jayn will bear a son. She is young still. One heir is all it will take for people to be satisfied. Thank you, Maia. The Medium has delivered you into my hands. Truly it has ordained that I shall be the new High Seer.”
His eyes were wild with the fervor of power lust, his lips quivering as he spoke his ambition aloud. He turned to Captain Trefew, who was skulking outside Maia’s vision. “Captain. She is under your watch. Move her and the other from room to room until dawn. There can be no mistake. When she dies in the morning, you will become an earl yourself.”
“Yes, Aldermaston,” Trefew said, his eyes as wide as a child with a bag of sweets. He came and yanked Maia up by her arm.
“It is selfish, yet I am glad you are here with me,” Maia said as they were forced awake, yet again, and marched to another location in Pent Tower. The corridors were thick with guards and torches. “You saved me.”
Suzenne smiled nervously and squeezed her hand with affection. They had been given new gowns to wear, simple servants’ attire with no fancy trims or edging. “When I saw your eyes roll back in your head, I truly feared you were overcome,” Suzenne said. “You started trembling and thrashing, and the room was . . . dark. The Medium told me what to do, Maia. It is still with us.”
Maia nodded and squeezed her hand in return. She was grateful the moment with the Myriad Ones had not lasted long. In the past, Ereshkigal had taken over quickly, and it had taken her hours to regain control of her body. Suzenne had drawn power from the Leering in the ceiling and the maston sign. She would not have been strong enough to cast the evil being out if Maia had been successfully occupied. But she was strong enough to prevent the takeover. If Maia had been alone, she knew she would have lost the struggle.
“I need you near me,” Maia said with relief. “Until the end.”
Suzenne nodded firmly, her eyes determined. “Until then.”
“The end is not far distant,” Trefew chuckled darkly from nearby. “The cocks will crow ere long, lasses. Somehow word got out yesterday that you were in Comoros, Lady Maia. We are suspecting a full riot this morning. Most of the king’s soldiers are still returning from the celebrations. But we have enough to hold the tower. Never fear that.”
Maia turned to look at him. “And what earldom were you promised?” she asked disparagingly.
“Any will do,” he replied smugly. “But I think the Earldom of Dieyre will be open once your marriage treaty is over. Always fancied that one.”
“It will bring you as much joy as it did its earlier ruler. That earldom is cursed.”
Trefew smiled slyly. “So much the better.” He gave her a look that revealed a mind full of darkness and corruption. She could see the evil of his thoughts plainly on his face, in the Myriad Ones dancing gleefully behind his eyes.
They reached their next destination, and the doors were unlocked. Several guards awaited them within the cramped cell and Trefew waved them out and entered after the last man left. He looked around at the small cot, checked the bars at the window to be sure none were loose, and sniffed the air, which was odorous, before gesturing for them to enter.
Suzenne and Maia did, and he went to the cell door, key in hand. He looked at her again, grazing her up and down with his eyes. “I wonder . . .” he said offhandedly. He paused for dramatic effect. “I wonder if those lips will still kill after your head is struck off.” His eyes wrinkled with perverse glee as he slammed the door and locked it.