Page 56 of Aubade Rising
“The King and the Almanac think you’re the traitor, that you’ve been working with the Kevren Gwir.” My voice cracks as I evaluate her reaction. Despite advocating for her in the Concord chamber, that small flicker of doubt persists.
“No!” She stands abruptly, chair scraping the stone floor, making me wince. Covering her mouth, she sways, “I don’t understand… I wouldn’t…”
“I’m to bring you in for questioning. They’ve known about a traitor in the palace for some time and with your links to Tanwenand delivering the primed serpentine…” the implication sits heavy in the air.
She shakes, her breathing comes in quick, shallow pants, “They’ve got it all wrong. It wasn’t me. Don’t let Captain Devath take me.” Her hands clutch my arms, nails scratching deep.
“Not Eskar, the King.” I mean this to calm her, but it sends her further into hysteria.
“It’s not me, it’s not me!” In her desperation, her breathing gets faster, each word sounds like a physical slice to her throat. Eventually it cracks; she can’t speak, her lungs are working overtime, tears tracking down her face.
Her face reddens and swells with the effort of breathing properly; she scratches at her throat, eyes unfocused and fuzzy.
I can’t stand seeing my friend so distraught.I shout for help and Eskar appears. Haelyn shrinks at his approach, clawing backwards and twisting desperately to get away from him. Her muscles disobey her, weak from a lack of oxygen; she’s too far gone for me to calm her.
Eskar kneels before her and whispers his apologies as he cups her face with his hands, then there’s silence. She slumps unconscious, her breathing eases and the redness drains from her face. The tear tracks remain, two rivers drying on her cheeks and down to her throat. He lifts her tiny frame and goes to carry her out of the room. I stop him. “What will the King do to her now?”
“He’ll confirm the truth. His attitude can tell when people are lying.” His attitude? Dread curdles in my stomach, good company for the heavy weight of grief I carry.
Chapter 57
My legs ache from pacing the antechamber outside the palace dungeons. The guards refuse to let me in, to confirm whether or not she’s a traitor. I plan to stay here all night if I have to.
When I turn round for the hundredth time, a familiar silhouette leans against the ancient wood doorways. Dressed in his usual black and face clean-shaven.
“Dusk is coming.” Eskar looks at me pointedly, somehow knowing I haven’t had a chance to channel today.
I falter, not used to having someone to rely on. A fragile warmth settles in my chest at the secure feeling his presence gives me, temporarily papering over my worry for Haelyn. Despite the scowl on his face, I know he’s angry at the King, not with me.
“Hi.” I don’t know what else to say, too distracted by the feelings he brings to the surface.
He pushes from the doorframe and sees my exhausted face and does something completely unexpected. His arms pull me close, wrapping round me, tucking my head under his chin. I lean close and his arms tighten in response and I feel him release a breath he was holding.
Neither of us is inclined to end the embrace, but eventually I pull away, tilting my head to smile at him.
“The King hasn’t even come down to question her yet. Waiting is part of the process, to capitalise on the suspect’s fear.” His voice is grim, his distaste clear.
“I can’t leave her down here alone.” My voice echoes feebly down the stone corridor.
“The guards won’t let you see her. The best thing you can do for Haelyn right now is to wait and let her prove her innocence.” Helooks at the guards, still standing to attention. “Come, you need some fresh air.”
He keeps an arm over my shoulder, pressing me close to his side as he leads me through the palace in silence. We are both still on edge, Eskar scanning the faces of everyone we pass, looking for threats. I focus on the smooth tiled floor, counting my footsteps until we reach the wrought iron gates leading to the Koes Dowr.
“You don’t believe Haelyn’s the traitor?” I need to know he’s on my side and that he doesn’t hold my friend responsible for betraying us to the Kevren Gwir.
“No.” The solemn set of his mouth hints at something more, something he doesn’t want to share.
“But you have an idea who?”
“I wish I did.” I track his features, unconvinced but not willing to press him.
“What do I do now?”
“What do you mean?”
“My brother is missing. The rebels have destroyed the aqueducts that ensure we can survive and I admitted to the King that my research was illegal. Now I have no way to prove its value.”
“Your research will be fine. The King will not punish you for that. It will give him hope.”
