Page 112 of Master of Storms
Or her reaction, rather.
“Andromeda—"
“What have you done to Scorpius?” The queen’s voice thickened. “You said he was exiled. Yousaidthe matter was ended.”
“The matterisended,” he snapped.
“And you claimed your brother is in the north with an army.” Andromeda’s breath hitched. “Did you lie to me?”
“I never lied,” he countered. “One of my scouts reported that my brother sought an army, and there was… suspicion he would claim the northern keep.”
Andromeda’s fists clenched. “I don’t know what is going on here, but she does. And you do. And I cannot help feeling as though some secret is being kept from me. I will have the truth.”
“Perhaps the pair of you can discuss it later,” Solveig broke in. “Inprivate. Why would Marduk be going to the Abyss?”
Both king and queen glared at each other, but then Andromeda conceded with a nod. “You’re right. Marduk’s cause is more urgent. And Dracowilltell me the truth when we have a chance.”
The king barely moved, both his hands clamped over the arms of his throne. “Later, then. Inprivate. As to Marduk, who knows why he’s going to the Abyss? Perhaps he’s meeting his sister there.” He focused all his attention on Solveig. “Though I thinkyouwould have more knowledge of what he seeks.”
Stalemate.
“I doubt Ishtar has fled there,” the queen replied. “It’s an eerie place, and while I know you can’t feel the shadows hovering over it, every Chaos-wielder in the clan avoids it unless absolutely necessary to attend. It sets my teeth on edge even from here.”
“What is this Abyss?” Solveig’s heart skipped a beat.
She’d told him to stay where he was.
Why would he leave?
Why now?
Something had to have happened.
“It’s a prison,” Andromeda replied, “designed to holddrekiand Chaos-wielders alike.”
“It’s not a prison,” Draco corrected. “It’s a death penalty. If you are sentenced to the Abyss, then you die there.”
“There’s no reason for him to go there.” Unless…. That chill was creeping through her again. “Who is with him?”
Because it suddenly made sense.
Marduk wasn’t a fool—as often as she called him one, he’d shown a shrewdness even she had to admire. He wasn’t the sort of male to storm into battle without her, either.
Something had drawn him away.
Or someone.
“He’s bound to Ishtar,” she said breathlessly. “And Ishtar is the greatest Chaos-wielder born within generations. But she’s always protected. One of theZinistays at her side, always.”Goddess’s breath. It all made sense now. “If Amadea captures Marduk, then Ishtar will come for him. She won’t realize she’s in danger until it’s too late. She loves her brother, and she would try to rescue him. Amadea would finally get her alone.”
Horror filled Andromeda’s eyes. “With Ishtar’s powers, such a Chaos-wielder would be virtually unstoppable.”
They both turned to Draco.
“It’s not Marduk behind all of this,” Solveig told him. “And I will tell you the whole truth of the matter, I promise. But I need to go. He’s in trouble. Who was with him?”
Draco’s eyes narrowed. “He was seen heading into the mountains with the blonde girl.”
A blonde girl?Solveig’s heart skipped a beat. “Elin?”
