Page 49 of Iris of the Crowned Flame

‘What’s wrong?’ He probed.

‘Can you get into Denenbaum’s mind? Is he talking to someone?’

Spencer shifted his focus. While he did that, I took one last look around the table. “Any further questions? I expected more.”

“Yes, actually, Princess.” Lord Luther stood up to address me, letting the disdain he had for me drip as he said the word princess. I looked towards him, bracing for trouble.

“Can you address the rumors that you were responsible for the attack on Scoria Bay?”

‘It's not good, Lyla. We need to go to the cave room.’ Spencer’s voice caused me to pause before answering. His urgency and tone felt disturbing.

“I don’t see how I could be responsible for a volcanic explosion near that kingdom when everyone could plainly see me standing on the steps of this very castle, telling people my intention to marry Prince Spencer. Are you not aware that volcanos are naturally occurring disasters?”

Juniper disguised her snort by rubbing her nose, while Father allowed his proud smile to show a moment longer than considered polite. I looked around the table one last time.

“Thank you for your time, Councilors. If there’s no further questions about my decisions, then I will take my leave.” As I turned to leave, Juniper, Father, Ethan, and Spencer stood to follow me. Whatever Spencer was about to share didn’t seem promising.

CHAPTER 32

We were joined by all the priestesses in the cavern, which amplified my worries. I settled into my seat at the table, with Amyra on one side and Spencer on the other. Both offered their hand to me, and I held them together in my lap. The rest settled in, and once Juniper sealed up the door, Spencer didn’t waste a moment with niceties.

“During that meeting, Lyla noticed Denenbaum had a glazed overlook. His mind was wide open, and I could hear a conversation. Well, sort of. I couldn’t make out actual words, but I could sense the feelings. There was someone speaking to him, and he was responding. He felt fear, intense fear. And the other feeling I felt was anger, but not from him. The other’s words held that. That was a male voice. I couldn’t say it’s the God of Death, but the power I felt,” he trailed off, and his face twisted. “It wasn’t good. If that’s not a God, it’s a powerful person.”

An icy wave washed over me, and my skin turned to ice. I knew it was Death.

“Well, now we know. He’s involved.” Ethan offered.

“What do we do?” Amyra asked, panic lacing her voice. I squeezed her hand, using our language to say I love her and that it’ll be ok. Her expression showed appreciation, but disbelief,when I looked up at her. I couldn’t blame her; I didn’t believe me either.

“We plan. We strategize.” Juniper said in a determined tone. Her face reflected the strength we needed.

I inhaled deeply, drawing strength from her to lead us away from the panic. “If it wasn’t a God, how far away could that other person have been, at most?”

Emberly answered, “Not much more than a room or two away. These walls act as a dampening agent, preventing long distance connections.”

“So, then it’s most likely Death?” My heart fell. “Do we know how close he has to be to enter our minds?”

“We have no clue. The Priestesses at the temple have found nothing to tell us from the past. For all we know, he could still be entombed, though it’s more likely that he has been present in Scoria Bay, and maybe elsewhere.”

“Do we know if Denenbaum has been to Scoria Bay?” I turned to Father for that answer.

“He was last there two years ago. He went for official business.” Father replied.

“Did you send him, or did he volunteer?”

“I selected him. He didn’t want to go and tried to make a case for another Councilor to go.”

I nodded. “So, if Death is at Scoria Bay, it’s safe to assume that’s where they met, and he’s been in contact with Denenbaum for the last two years.”

I turned to Ethan. “How are things with you and Katelle? Do you think she’s involved? Is she using you?”

He struggled to hide his emotions.

“I genuinely don’t know.” His voice was almost a whisper, reflecting the betrayal he felt from her. Juniper, who was sitting next to him, offers a comforting hand to his shoulder. He turned and offered her a small smile.

“I will end her if she is. No one hurts my brother and gets away with it.”

He offered me a look of gratitude mixed in with heartbreak.

---