Page 39 of Chained Knight

So this Bright King had murdered their queen, and now they’d nominated Ari to take her place. That explained some things—but not how she’d managed to arrive, and not the damn dreams.

Where was the instruction manual for this kind of thing? “But…”

The silence warned her. Ari realized everyone was looking at her, and hastily dropped her gaze to the empty cup, her fingers tightening on its stem.

Hannixe, however, wasn’t about to let her off so easily. “Something troubles you, my lady?”

“No,” Ari said, hastily, and wished she’d stayed quiet. “I was just wondering how I got here if all the doors were closed, that’s all.”

“There is no door which will not answeryou.” Fortunately the chained man still sounded professorial instead of irritated. “If Sarle is correct and the faithless accursed is indeed using mortals to create passageways—and his abominations—it is simply one more crime he shall be brought to account for in due time. The fact remains that I rode to investigate his tale, and so was not present to gainsay his foul purpose.”

This Bright King guy was sounding worse and worse. No wonder they were resisting; at least Ari could be reasonably certain she was on a morally justifiable side. “So he planned pretty carefully, is what I’m hearing.” She almost winced at the banality of the observation.

“He was ever of a thoughtful bent, while one of your knights.” Hannixe shook her head, the twin braids moving gently to brush her shoulders. “I will never forgive myself, that I did not see his treachery.”

“He misled us all,” Keners immediately objected. “The fault was not yours.”

“I didn’t mean it that way,” Ari hurried to explain. The subject of mortal doors, as well as figuring out who had already guessed she was an ersatz substitute for their old queen at best, could wait until she had some time to think. “It just seems to me that he probably has some kind of plan now, too.”

Wanda Lee would have scoffed.Oh, it seems to you? A stupid little city girl should probably keep her mouth shut.

Ari was no great shakes at coping, but at least she was adjusting better than she could imagine her mother-in-law doing.

Focus on the bigger problem. It’s how you’ll get through this.Ari’s head ached, a swift crunching pang vanishing almost as soon as it arrived. Maybe the magic drink was a variety of interplanetary aspirin.

“No doubt he does.” The chained man’s nostrils flared and his mouth turned down, his forehead wrinkling slightly. “It will avail him less than nothing, my lady. His defeat only required a single event, and that has occurred. All is done save eventual justice.”

If you say so.“That’s good, then.” The last thing she wanted was to argue with a scary metal-wrapped prince, who might even turn out to be the legitimate ruler with their old queen gone—but in that case, what did he need her for? Just to grab his sword, or as a figurehead? Hannixe called him a servant, but that had to be some kind of mistranslation; Ari couldn’t imagine this guy fetching bonbons. “So, we start in the morning?”

“Unless the traitor’s forces invade Gesthel tonight.” Jazarl hurried to smooth the waters. “Though they have a healthy respect for the Fox’s disapproval of such visitors.”

“I will be more than happy to stand guard.” Keners stiffened, drawing away from the wall.

“No need.” The chained man shook his head, a short, very nearly regal movement. “Tonight is for what rest we may gather. There will be little once we leave this place, until I tear the traitor into pieces and consign his soul to eternal wandering torment.”

Oh boy.Ari’s shoulders hunched. It wasn’t the gruesomeness of the threat, she’d heard a lot worse from Mike.

No, it was the way the chained man said it, as a foregone conclusion. He meant every word, and it sounded like he grimly enjoyed the idea as well.

“Our lady is weary,” he continued. “Tomorrow we ride for the Mere. Be ready.”

That apparently finished up the meeting, though it did exactly nothing for Ari’s new questions. The guys stirred, exchanging glances, more than one touching rapier-hilt; Hannixe rose immediately to collect Ari’s goblet, then led her upstairs, chivvying softly like a mother with a tired toddler.

Which was a relief, since Ari could use some time alone to think. Unfortunately, despite her need for even a few minutes’ worth of brooding, exhaustion won.

It wasn’t even a contest.

22

ENOUGH

Whatever was in their ‘greater drink’didn’t erase the need for sleep, and may have even contained a mild sedative. The mattress was just firm enough, the linens wonderfully clean. There were no pillows but several soft bolsters, both round and square—and Ari didn’t realize she’d probably stolen Hannixe’s bed until she woke in slow stages, sprawled flat instead of curled into a tight protective ball.

She hadn’t slept so well since before her marriage; thankfully, there were no dreams. Just an endless, velvety restorative unconsciousness, then opening her eyes to see heavy black timbers sectioning off white plaster ceiling, the room unfamiliar but brimful with a silence somehow comforting instead of isolating, the sense of other breathing, living creatures nearby.

There was a window, the shutters closed and barred—probably because of those robot things and other dangers, Ari realized, stirring under heavy blankets, both dense-woven wool and lighter comforters filled with something that felt analogousto down. A golden orb in its branching holder next to the door brightened as she moved.

Tesla would love that. Was it technology or magic? She lay motionless for a few moments considering the difference before consigning it once more to the realm of useless questions.

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