Page 93 of The Witch Queen

“This manor is a known location of rebel activity,” I announce in a loud voice. Their eyes don’t widen in shock—they knew about the rebels here. “They planned the attack on Arberly’s merchant district in this very manor. Planned the attack on Rusthelm. Dozens of innocent citizens died because of their actions, not to mention the hundreds who were injured. They attacked children running in the streets looking for their parents. The Crown will not tolerate this.” Using the newfound power Thorne has taught me, I command the sky, and cracks of lightning spear the manor. It explodes in light, and the faces of the villagers illuminate with reverent trepidation. Thorne squeezes my hand and leans in close.

“Nicely done, witchling,” he whispers in my ear. I shiver at his closeness. Only a few feet away, Carex stares at us, eyes alight with ire.

“If you hear of any other rebel activity, please report it immediately. Oakton could be the next village the rebels go after,” I warn as I study their faces. Resolve crosses several expressions, and I feel confident we’ve made a difference here today, despite not being able to take out Krantz and his leaders. Turning away from the departing group of villagers, I find the Captain of my Royal Guard.

“Carex, leave a few guards here to monitor the fire to ensure it doesn’t spread,” I order. He nods before jumping into command. When everything is settled, I aerstep Carex, Thorne, and the remaining guards to a small receiving room on the bottom floor of the palace. The guards immediately return to their posts, leaving Thorne and I alone with Carex.

“Laurel,” Carex starts, still staring daggers at Thorne. I interrupt.

“I’m going to go clean up. Meet me in the Council chambers with the rest of the rebellion sub-committee,” I order. Carex only nods, his face white as a sheet, as Thorne takes my hand, and I aerstep us away.

Twenty minutes and a quick bath later, Thorne and I sit in the Council chamber, awaiting the other advisors to debrief today’s events. He disappears behind me, then reappears with a steaming cup of tea for me. I nearly groan at the aroma wafting up toward me.

“You’re perfect, princeling,” I moan with exaggerated sarcasm, even though I mean the words. He only winks, and I take a sip. It instantly soothes the nerves of the last several hours. Thorne grabs my hand under the table, absentmindedly threading his fingers through mine, stroking my thumb in gentle circles.

We sit like that in an easy silence for another twenty minutes. When I finish my first cup of tea, he simply asks, “Another?” When I nod, he stands and makes a second cup before returning to his seat and grabbing my hand again.

Fionn, Silene, and Admon enter the chambers, followed by Carex, Aria, Margery, and the other advisors assigned to tackle the rebel problem. Carex is still tense, his eyes roiling with a building storm. Once everyone sits at the large circular table, I brief them on what we discovered at the manor, and Carex has barely let me finish before he’s spewing vitriol. His eyes don’t leave Thorne, and the hatred I see in them has taken on a new level.

“This was an excellent excuse to get your best soldiers and the Captain of your Royal Guard out of the palace whileyouwere attacked, Your Majesty.”

“I’ll say it again, Captain.Say what you mean,” Thorne growls, and I think I sense the barest hint of aether in his voice, but that can’t be true. Only sitting monarchs can use the aether-voice. I’m too distracted by the thought that I don’t step in before Carex makes his accusation.

“The Velmarans have betrayed you. This was a trap set by them. There’s no other explanation.”

The room erupts in chaos. Fionn stands abruptly, and Silene has to hold him back from Carex. Several of the guards draw their swords and point them towards Fionn, Silene, and Thorne, Carex included. Half of the advisors look like they’re frightened, and the other half have their own magic swirling in their hands, ready to attack. And Thorne—Thorne has subtly pushed my chair back from the table and behind him, cooly and effortlessly angling his body in front of mine while making it look like he’s only leaning back in his chair in nonchalance. Together we make the perfect picture of royal indifference, unbothered by the chaos of the room.

“Those blades are awfully close to being pointed at me,” I say coolly. Carex immediately lowers his weapon, and the guards follow his lead, their gazes dropping in shame. “I’ve stated numerous times to this Council, and to you specifically, that the Velmarans have my full trust. Sit,” I command. I stand and pace to the front of the room, taking control of the meeting, an unusual occurrence. “Did the rebels tell you anything that might explain this when you let them in?” I ask Fionn and Silene.

“No, nothing,” Silene says, and Fionn nods.

I continue my line of reasoning. “While it’s strange that the manor was abandoned, it could also be a coincidence that the rebels moved their stronghold before we attacked. It may also have been strategic on their part. They had a very clear escape plan today. I would not be surprised if they decided disappearing was in their best interest prior to launching an attack on me.” What I don’t say is that the rebels could also have been tipped off that we were coming by someone in this very room, or at least another councilor. Nemesia may not be working alone after all. Carex looks like he wants to protest, but Admon jumps in instead, ever the diligent supporter.

“What happened during the attack, Your Majesty?” His voice is soft, kind, and curious, and it makes the tension in the room dissipate slightly.

“It went as expected,” I explain. “They were very prepared. I killed about two-thirds of them, but the rest escaped by aerstepping away the instant it became clear they lost. I also revealed to them that Prince Hawthorne lied about concealing them from me during the heist on the thayar tower. We’ve likely spoiled the ruse with the Velmarans.”

“If I may, Your Majesty,” Silene says, her use of my title startling me. But she’s right to use it here, when tensions are so high. I nod. “They may have also discovered the letter we stole and made assumptions about what that meant about our intentions. I think they may have left the manor weeks ago, as soon as they suspected us, and used Fionn and me one more time to find a way in before revealing that they knew we weren’t on their side. Their preparation today also tells me this is a possibility. They probably knew they were walking into a trap but were willing to risk it for the opportunity.” I study Silene closely. Surely, she’s also put together the connection about the rebels being tipped off. She must have a reason for trying to make it appear like their disappearance from the manor was the result of the missing letter.

“Sound reasoning,” Admon praises. I sigh.

“For now, this is enough,” I say, despite my disappointment at letting Krantz get away athirdtime. “I’ll consider the situation carefully. We’ll meet again in a few days to plan our next move, if we have one.” Carex again tries to protest, but I shoot him a look that says I’m not in the mood, and he finally relents.

The group disperses, but Thorne stays at my side. Fionn places his massive body directly in the path Carex would need to take to reach me, arms crossed and staring daggers into Carex’s back as he leaves. Silene quickly steps to my side, concern in her eyes.

“Are you okay? After the attack? Were you or Thorne injured?” Her features are etched, and I soften at her genuine interest in my well-being.

“I’m fine, and so is Thorne. Lunaria took a very shallow cut, but Thorne healed it instantly. Other than frustration that the rebels got away, I’m well.” I look around the room to see if we’re alone. When I spot none but the Velmarans, I ask Silene about her strategy in a hushed voice. “You put the pieces together, right? About the rebels being tipped off?”

She gives me a triumphant smile. “Of course. It’s obvious there’s someone else on the Council feeding them information.”

“Then why did you bring up the letter?” I ask. Again, that sly and winning smile breaks across her features.

“Because I wanted to make whoever it is think we aren’t on to them. Clearly, they spotted our strategic leaks and didn’t spill those but still told the rebels we were coming. Let’s see what happens now that we pretend we believe the letter caused the relocation.” I nod, and I want to ask her who she suspects, want to ask her about Carex. My suspicion of him is only growing, but I’m not ready to make that accusation aloud. We’ll need to proceed carefully around him. I sigh involuntarily, rubbing my temples from the headache forming. Silene hugs me.

“Will you come have dinner with us tomorrow? We have something special planned,” she asks. Thorne’s eyes widen at her, but she keeps her focus trained on me.

“Of course.” She practically leaps with excitement before prancing away, hauling Fionn behind her as she leaves the room.

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