Page 40 of Wicked Prince of Mirrors
“Trial?” I leaped to my feet, and a tremor went up my body. “A trial? Why? He’s back home with his people and—” My vision went dizzy and I could almost hear knives whistle through the air, sinking into flesh, followed by the screams of the executed and the scent of blood and iron in the air. My mouth went dry. “What will they do to him?”
Lyra pulled me back down beside her. “I don’t know. When we came through the mirror, the guardians of the portals took us into custody. But when they discovered who Methrin is, they announced a trial. It begins at sundown, they needed time for the elders and everyone important to arrive. We are prisoners here while we wait for his fate to be decided.”
My strength abandoned me, and I sagged against the seat. “We never should have left,” I whispered. In leaving I’d escaped a terrible fate only to face one much worse.
“He didn’t seem afraid, it was like he knew it was coming. He told them that a monster hadescaped and it was hunting, but the portal guardians told him to save it for the trial.”
“What should we do? We have to escape. There has to be a way out of here.” The place we sat was so serene it didn’t look like a prison.
Lyra shook her head. “There’s no way out, I looked. The walls are high and smooth stone. The path leads into the trees and circles back here, a small loop. And the room is locked. Besides, the Everminati are . . .” she paused. “We don’t know where we are or how to get back to the portals. They are everywhere guarding everything. I think we have to trust that Prince Methrin knows what he is doing. He would not have come here if it were a death sentence.”
I opened my mouth and closed it, staring at her incredulously. “Trusthim?”
As soon as the words left my mouth, realization dawned on me. Hadn’t it been what I’d been doing all along? The idea of Prince Methrin as my mortal enemy had faded at some point, perhaps when he’d saved me from the Venators. I thought back to every moment I’d had with him and how he’d treated me. He’d protected me, saved me. But was it only because I had the magic to unlock the portal that led him home? Now that he was back in his realm, would his actions toward me change?
His words bloomed in my mind.Marry me.
Did he have a plan? If so, I had to trust that he knew what he was doing.
The light dimmed as we waited. In that quiet prison, it was difficult to see the sky or understand if the sun were setting or rising. The flames were the only sounds; there was no breeze or birdsong. From time to time I stole glances at Lyra, wondering what she was thinking. She’d voluntarily left her life, her father, everything she’d known to come here. Did she regret her decision?
A knock came at the door, sure, steady, drawing both Lyra and I inside. The bedroom was spacious, with two adjoining rooms. Whatever kind of prison it was, it was comfortable which gave me hope. Perhaps this was all just a misunderstanding that Methrin would clear up.
The door opened, and four guards stood outside, dressed in tarnished purple armor. Each one carried a helmet instead of wearing it, as though they were under some kind of protocol. I expected them to look like Methrin—tall, sculptured and unearthly—but their appearances were just as diversified as humans. The glaring indication that they were Everminati was their height, pointed ears, and the unnatural smoothness of their skin.
The guards escorted us out of the room, and we walked out into a wide-open space. Rows of columns held up the vaulted ceiling, which rose so high aboveme, I had to crane my neck to see where it ended. The hall was wide enough for five or six rows of warriors on horseback to march side by side with room to spare. Was this where we had come from?
Light shone in much brighter than the prison we’d come from, and I began to wonder if Lyra and I had even been outside at all, or where we’d been was some kind of illusion. Across the floor were murals, painted scenes of battles, monsters, kings, queens, an entire history, sprawled across the floor. How many hours had it taken to paint the history of the Everminati across the stone? It felt sacred, and I didn’t want to step on it, but the guards did not pause or look down. They trampled over the murals as though they were nothing.
At the end of the hall, great doors opened into an opulent amphitheater. Crystal chandeliers hung from the vaulted ceiling, reflecting the moon-colored pale lights. The carpet was crushed velvet and tiered seats circled the area, each tier leading to the bottom of the room. My heart clenched as I made out Methrin. Even from a distance, his presence was unmistakable. He stood in the middle of the open area, facing a circle of seats where Everminati had already gathered.
His judges.
Lyra squeezed my hand as the guards led us down, past rows of plush seats and bannisters that glittered like starlight. When I looked up, I caught the vision, the space was a picture of the night sky, the chandeliers like stars suspended above it. I took a breath, enchanted for a brief moment before the dread rolled in again.
The guards placed us near the front of the stage, andI sat on my hands, willing myself not to let fear overcome me. I kept my gaze focused on Methrin, hoping he’d look my way.
But he didn’t.
His expression was ever so stoic and unreadable. Silver light danced off his features and even though deep down inside I recognized his beauty, surrounded by Everminati I saw what set him apart. He was magnificent, and there was a power to his presence, a magnitude to him that indicated he was a Prince. He stood stone still. Unbothered by the proceeding even though he must be frustrated with the delay. It made my heart ache to look at him.
Rustles filled the chamber as Everminati filed in and took their seats. Whispers swelled across the room, sending musical vibrations through it until one of the judges rose.
“We have gathered today for the trial of Prince Methrin of Everminati, one of our own who was exiled half a century ago for practicing the art of Mirror Magic.”
Talons of fear gripped me. I thought we’d come to the realm of the Everminati specifically because of Mirror Magic. But the judge’s words and his tone of voice were clear. Mirror Magic was just as forbidden here as it was in my father’s kingdom. I fought back the clawing panic, determined not to let my glowing fingers give me away. Not again.
The judge continued. “In accordance with our laws, when an exile has returned, a hearing must be held to determine whether the individual will be welcome orface consequences for defiance. However, Prince Methrin’s case is unique. The portals were sealed against him unless he got rid of the dark magic which threatened our land. He claims he has, therefore this is a formality to ensure he is telling the truth.”
My shoulders relaxed a fraction. Why all the pomp and circumstance for a mere formality?
The judge opened a scroll and cleared his throat. “Prince Methrin, why have you returned?”
Methrin spoke clearly, every word resounding through the chamber although he did not raise his voice. “Many of you were here, half a century ago when I was exiled. To be clear, not because of Mirror Magic but because of what I became—haunted, reckless, possessed. My mind was not under my control, and I lost my grip on sanity. It was determined that instead of death, I’d face exile until I got rid of what haunted me and return to myself without madness. My exile led me through the mirrorverse to the realm of mortals. Humans.”
Methrin paused as a whisper of voices coasted across the room. My ears burned and my skin crawled, feeling eyes on me. It was clear that Lyra and I were dangerously human. Mortal. Fragile. But Methrin’s words were more worrisome. He talked as though he’d gone insane. In previous conversations, he’d made it clear there were many things I didn’t know because he didn’t trust me. This was a side to his tale he’d never shared, and it filled me with misgiving. What other secrets did he carry?
“Unfortunately, the humansmade me their king, but I was self-serving. I was not the kind of king they deserved. However, it allowed me to continue searching for a way to free myself from the darkness, but when I succeeded they revolted. I was locked in the mirrorverse whileitwent free.”
