“I see no mitigating circumstances,” said their leader, Mistress Hestia of House Imperial. “Such spells have been banned for good reason.”
“But the book speaks of a way to save Lady Mykaela’s life.”
“Saving one woman alone is not worth the dangers.” The elder’s voice was harsh. “It would be foolish to imperil the kingdoms to sustain a life already on the verge of flickering out. It would be idiocy to go against Odalian’s decree. We already risk much by accepting your claims of sanctuary and do so only at Princess Inessa’s insistence. We will not trespass into Odalian affairs. I expected more from Mykaela, though Polaire had always been an eavesdropping little busybody.”
They knew. A contingent of asha had ridden to meet us outside Kion before we had announced our arrival, though my azi fled quickly and escaped notice. Fox traded an Odalian prison for an Ankyon one, whisked away even before we had reached the Willows, and Princess Inessa was sent back to the empress’s palace over her protests. I had no chance to see how the others fared, for I was soon brought to the association hall to stand before the tribune.
The asha-ka association wished to remain in Odalia’s good graces. But they knew I was too powerful a tool to be sent back, even to cement an alliance.
“Rumors fly on swift wings,” one of the elders said. “They say you and Mykaela poisoned the crown prince. That this is a Kion plot, carried out by the princess at her mother’s command, has spread. What say you in your defense?”
“What is the true ending to Blade that Soars and Dancing Wind’s story?”
They stared at me, statues dressed in expensive dresses and elaborate coiffures. “I beg your pardon?” one of them asked.
“Is that too difficult a question?” I had escaped from the wolves only to find myself in the lion’s den. Propriety was the last thing on my mind. “It must be, for instead of doing everything you can in your power to save Prince Kance, you are here, building fairy castles against a threat that does not exist to pacify an actual threat from Odalia. Here is another question then: Where have you hidden Lady Mykaela’s heartsglass?”
That earned more than a few gasps. Mistress Hestia looked ready to strike me down where I stood. “While we sift and root out facts from accusations, you are to remain at the palace dungeons until we—”
Someone coughed, and heads turned toward the sound.
I had never met the reclusive Empress Alyx of Kion in person, but she commanded full attention wherever she went. She wore gowns so sheer that it would be more respectful to look away than to look at her, and gemstones of every size ringed her neck and arms. Her smile was impish, making her look younger than her forty years. Like the asha, she too wore intricate zivars in her hair for show and for protection.
With her was Mistress Parmina, looking severe in her black-and-golden hua, and Councilor Ludvig of Istera.
“Did I arrive in time?” Cheerful sounds like Empress Alyx’s voice were rare within the great hall. “I thought of cobbling together an army of guards to make our arrival more impressive, but I decided haste would be better than pomp. These few should suffice.” She indicated the row of soldiers on either side of her.
“This is a private meeting, Your Majesty!” Mistress Clayve sputtered.
“This hall was built from the royal coffers. That gives me some say as to what goes on inside it.” Empress Alyx laid a friendly hand on my shoulder. “My daughter has been telling me wonderful stories about this young lady, and I just had to see her for myself.”
“We are in the middle of an official interrogation!”
“Not without my presence.” Mistress Parmina had never been on good terms with the Mistress of House Imperial, and her thin voice had syrupy overtones. “By law, the association must inform me of tribunes where any of my charges stand accused. I received no missives.”
“There are questions that must be addressed!”
“Even I know the answers, Elder,” Councilor Ludvig scoffed. “Was the prince poisoned? Absolutely. Did this girl poison him? Absolutely not. The Duke of Holsrath wishes to distract us from the real issues, including his long-desired ascension to the throne at the expense of his nephew. Is Lady Mykaela guilty? No, for the same reasons. Shall you punish them? No, despite your threats and tantrums. If they are innocent of poisoning the prince, then why should they be held?”
“She has in her possession a book—”
“Oh, posh.” Empress Alyx laughed. “Books are only dangerous to those who keep their flock uneducated, Elder. I shall be taking charge of this girl now.”
A subdued and angry silence followed as the empress led us out of the hall, the guards close behind.
“Ah!” the empress sighed. “Talking to those old women is like having your teeth pulled by a herd of tortoises. I hope you don’t mind, Lady Tea, but I instructed the guards to free your brother. It’s about time the association stopped using my dungeons for their personal whims.” The trek to the palace was eliciting stares, but the guards surrounded the empress, matching her stride.
“Empress Alyx…words can’t even begin to express—”
“Then don’t. My daughter is as much embroiled in this mess as you are and just as innocent.” She paused. “You should be blaming me, not thanking me. I agreed to the betrothal over Inessa’s objections. She still hasn’t forgiven me for that either.”
“But why would you arrange for an engagement, Your Majesty?”
“Tea!” Mistress Parmina snapped. “You do not talk to the empress that way!”
“That’s all right, Parmina. She asks a valid question.” The pretty woman grinned. “When Telemaine first proposed the idea, I wondered. Odalian nobles rarely married outside their own kingdom, excluding the occasional treaty with Arhen-Kosho. But I suppose politics there are not as stable as one might think, and Kance is a good man and would make an able son-in-law. Besides, I was curious to see how Inessa would react.”
“Less talking, more walking, Your Majesty,” Councilor Ludvig interrupted. “There are eyes around us.” He patted me on the shoulder. “Although I am glad to see you safe, Tea. It seems you’ve had quite an escape.”
“I am glad to be here, milord.”
The guards saluted smartly as we entered the palace, and the empress led me past the magnificent throne room and into a smaller hallway, toward the royal chambers. Princess Inessa was already there, staring moodily out the window. So was Fox, at the opposite corner of the room. Kalen stood between them, an apple in one hand from a banquet spread out on the table before him: fresh flatbread with hummus, feta cheese drizzled in honey, lamb stew and carrots, and rows of fruit and sliced vegetables dipped in yogurt. Kalen refused to look at me, anger still simmering in his heartsglass. Khalad perched nervously on the arm of a long couch, nibbling on a piece of carrot.
“Did they give you any trouble?”
Fox asked the question, but it was the empress who answered. “They were about to exile your sister into perpetuity if I hadn’t threatened them. I’m sure they’re obstinate enough to try again.”
“Where are Mykaela and Polaire?” I asked.
“Resting comfortably. Altaecia is watching over them.” She turned to her daughter. “Well?”
Looking irritated, the princess reached into her dress and pulled out both Prince Kance’s and her own heartsglass.
Empress Alyx grabbed at Kance’s without warning. There was a brilliant flash, and the older woman reeled back.
Princess Inessa rose to her feet, mouth agape. “Mother! You know you can’t take his heartsglass without permission!”
“I had to try.” The empress frowned. “It’s too dangerous for you to have it right now.”
“I can handle it.”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Fox said harshly. “There are people who can better protect his heartsglass.”
“Try to take it then,” the princess said stubbornly. “You know how heartsglass work. Kance gave it to me. I’ll guard his heart with my life if necessary.”
Their stares clashed. Fox was the first to look away.