Page 50 of The Oracle of Dusk

“The Triad were wise in that.” She nodded. “Have you considered taking a queen? If you had the magic of another monarch to help settle the spirits, perhaps many of these issues would be solved. I know the Lady Ino is eager to play the part.”

Theron scowled. He didn’t need anyone else’s magic to help him do his sacred duty to the land of Aureum. Everything had been fine before that damned spire. And in any case, he wanted the Nivean princess and the alliance that would bring, not Lady Ino.

“I am not so weak as to need another monarch’s aid, especially if it means putting a crown atop that harpy’s head.”

The lady in question had long set her cap at him, frightening off all her Aurean competition for his hand. It had worked in his favour during the years he spent waiting for one of the Nivean king’s daughters to come of age and prove herself worthy.

“I’m sure Lady Ino would be most aggrieved to hear you call her that.”

“Lady Ino is a cold, calculating, manipulative snake and she would laugh at any who thought otherwise.”

“Ah, so the issue is that the two of you are alike in nature?”

“Did I come here for you to insult me, Dia? Is that all the help you offer when I sincerely ask for your advice?” He sighed. Had even Dia turned against him?

“Many innocents died when the spire fell.”

She suspected the truth. Of course she would be angry with him. He’d done it knowing there had only been acolytes and initiates inside, not priestesses. They had been servants of the goddess, but none were important enough to warrant Her divine protection—or retribution.

“And I sent my cousin to save those who could be saved.”

Of course, she’d returned with only corpses.

“Hmmm. Quite the gallant figure she cut, racing up the mountain on the back of her beasts.”

Beasts that had probably feasted on the flesh of the fallen, given how few bodies she’d come back with. It was only a shame she hadn’t returned with any evidence of Orithyia’s scheming, seeing as how all of his had been utterly destroyed.

“She always did love a show,” Theron said.

“She’s not the only one,” Dia retorted.

The stalemate dragged on as they stared at each other, neither giving an inch. But he knew from many years of experience that Dia never flinched first. He was wasting his time here.

“This has been a pleasant diversion from my duties, but it’s time I get back to seeing to the needs of my people. Blessings of the Triad on you, Dia. I’ll see myself out.”

“Triad preserve the sun of Aureum,” she replied, tone carefully neutral.

As he neared the edge of the courtyard, she spoke.

“Wait, come back here.”

He paused, eyes widening in shock. Had she just blinked first? Had the Tapestry unravelled? Theron had never had such a golden opportunity to tease his former teacher. He smiled.

“A king does not take orders from a priestess, even one as venerable as you, Dia.”

“He does if he recalls what happens to naughty schoolboys.”

Theron took his time to return to her side and seat himself, drinking in this unprecedented victory. If only a court painter were present, so he could have the moment preserved for an eternity.

“Your smugness is unbecoming.”

“What is a monarch, if not a person wrapped in smugness?”

But she didn’t take the bait of his jest. In fact, her expression was neither reproachful nor placid. Her brows were knit with concern, her knuckles visible as she gripped the head of her cane.

“I received word that the sinister planets have fully aligned. There have also been omens. Very bad omens. I catalogued some of them myself. A cycle of chaos will begin soon. High Priestess Orithyia believes the first monstrosities will appear at The Colonnades Of The Colossus.”

His stomach dropped to his knees.

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