Page 89 of House of Dusk
“Because your brother is not the Ember King.”
“So you’ll just let him go off alone to fight your enemies?”
“Calm yourself, daughter,” said the king, all traces of his former indulgent concern gone. “You don’t want to upset yourself again.”
“So it’s true?” Lacheron turned to Sinoe. “I was informed that there was an incident in the Queen’s Chamber. You were gifted a vision?”
“Yes,” Sinoe replied brightly. “I saw my father united with the Faithful Maiden. She stepped from a pillar of flame, gold and silver in her bridal veil. It was beautiful.”
“I’m sure it was.” Lacheron’s words were oddly clipped. He shifted his gaze to Yeneris so suddenly she startled. “You. You were with her?”
Yeneris coughed. “Yes, my lord. It’s as the princess said.”
“Whatexactlydid she say?”
Fates. Calm. Calm. Surely he wouldn’t expect her to remember that. She let a trace of shame into her voice. “I don’t recall the exact words, sir. I’m sorry. It was so quick, and then the princess was weeping blood and I had to give her the tonic.”
Lacheron frowned. Maybe she shouldn’t have mentioned the blood tears. Then again, this was the Heron. He’d probably already heard a full report.
“Yes,” said Sinoe. “It was very distressing. But I’m fine now. Only sorry to have caused such a fuss.” She gave a light, brittle laugh.
It did nothing to soften Lacheron’s expression. “You must take better care, princess. The gift of the Fates is a heavy burden. Even the strongest of men would find it a challenge to bear.”
Oh? Not so great a challenge as my dagger in your throat, you miserable git.Yeneris caught herself just in time to keep from reaching for the blade tucked under her sleeve.
Sinoe, too, was clearly fighting for control. Her lips pressed tight and she was plucking at the coverlet. “Yes. Of course.”
Lacheron turned to Hierax. “Perhaps it’s time to consider the measures we spoke of, sire. For your daughter’s safety.”
“Measures? What measures?” Sinoe’s gaze flashed briefly to Yeneris, then back again. “I’m fine, Father. It won’t happen again.”
“No.” Hierax nodded to Lacheron. “It will not. How long will it take to prepare?”
“I took the liberty of stopping at my workshop on my way here,” said Lacheron, drawing a pouch from his belt, tipping the contents into one hand.
At first Yeneris feared it was the amber hairpin from Kizare. But that was safely tucked back into her own sash along with the note promising Sinoe’s escape. This was something else.
A golden band, etched with curling lines that drew her eyes like clouds, seeking a pattern that wasn’t quite there. Sinoe looked as confused as Yeneris by the trinket. She looked to the king. “Father, what—” She yelped, trying to pull back as Lacheron began to slide the bracelet over her hand.
The king’s heavy hand fell onto her shoulder, holding her. “It’s for your own good. A protection to keep you safe.”
There was a sharp click and Lacheron withdrew. Hierax released Sinoe’s arm, and she stared at the bracelet. “Wh-what is it?” She touched the band, only to pull back with a sharp cry.
Yeneris started forward, to do what she had no idea, except that she would very much like to punch the king in the face. But Sinoe’s warning look halted her.
“Since you cannot control your gift,” said Hierax, “Lord Lacheron offered a way to control it for you. The bracelet will silence the voices of the Fates.”
Sinoe’s lips parted. She gave a strange, high laugh. “You think you can bind the voices of the Fates? You think it’s your place to silence them?”
“Only temporarily,” said Lacheron. “Your father may remove it when there is need.” He twitched the folds of his robe, tugging free a slender amulet dangling from a fine chain. He held it out to the king. Yeneris had a brief glimpse of what looked like writing or possibly star signs painted onto the red clay, before Hierax’s hand closed around it.
“How does it work?” the king asked, frowning at the thing.
“A simple resonant binding,” said Lacheron. “Break the amulet, and the bracelet will open. I’ll prepare another, so it’s ready, should we have need of it.”
Sorcery. Yeneris bit the inside of her cheek. What sort of power could do this? Nothing that came from the god-beasts. Was it true, then, that the Heron treated with the nameless powers of the abyss?
Clearly Hierax did not care. Or at least, not enough to reject the magics. He nodded, returning his attention to Sinoe. “You carry a sacred gift, daughter. We cannot allow you to squander it. Or bring yourself to harm.”
