Page 6 of The Court of Secrets
My eyes widened.
“Excuse him, Vahaga, he is not accustomed to our ways yet.” I looked at Cedric apologetically. “You should bow.” I should have told him our customs beforehand. This was my fault. I made a mental note to go over with Cedric any customs he should be aware of.
Vahaga’s mouth twisted in disgust as he looked at Cedric’s hand. “Yes. The uncivilized can always be taught proper etiquette, if, I assume, he is staying?”
I scowled. “He is my guest.”
He didn’t try to hide his displeasure. “I have matters to discuss with Her Majesty.” He tapped his bony fingers against his leg. The skin around his knuckles looked as if it had lost all contact with the bone beneath.
Cedric’s eyes darted between us. “I have to eat anyway.”
Vahaga looked from me then to Cedric.
“You can go.” I smiled. “Save me some cake.”
Cedric let out a short chuckle but caught himself at the end of a venomous stare from the high priest. “I’ll find you later.” He lowered his gaze, promise in his eyes.
“I believe you were looking for cake.” Vahaga spat the last word, then pointed to his right. “The great hall is that way.”
“Right.” Cedric sucked air between his teeth, whistling as he turned. “Good luck, Winter.”
Vahaga’s stare widened. Fury spilled into his sharp features.
I cleared my throat, hoping I could divert his anger back to our meeting. “Thank you for meeting with me. I would have come to you yesterday, but I was tired from the journey.”
“I expected nothing less. You women tire easily.” Understanding shrouded his expression, but I wanted to punch him. “Still, you have your duties. I’m glad to see you have recovered. Many of the decisions have already been made, so you don’t need to concern yourself with details and can focus on your coronation. I’m sure what ladies you pick will be happy to help you with the arrangements.”
I took a deep breath, reminding myself it wasn’t appropriate to dropkick the high priest of Magaelor. “No decisions can really be made without me though, can they?” Challenge flickered in my features. My fingers flexed as I held my head high. “I would love to hear what you are considering doing.”
He pressed his lips into a hard line. “King Kiros has taken the throne in Berovia.” His distaste for the kingdom did not go amiss, venom thick in his tone. “Their people have begun revolting against him, about dragons of all things. I do believe we may be at an advantage if we move now. After all, the people will be expecting vengeance for their queen being kidnapped.”
Something in his tone set me on edge. I recalled the mess with the dragons, to which I had Morgana and Licia to thank for their escape. King Xenos had had them imprisoned and was siphoning their magic so he could attack us. The firedrake wielders who ran with the dragons in the south of Berovia would have been furious when they discovered what Xenos had done. At least it would keep Kiros busy so he wouldn’t have time to think about attacking me, if it was on his mind. I had, after all, pretended to love him so I could make my escape from his castle, then broke his heart.
“So you want to attack for my dignity?”
“Retribution,” he said slickly. “For the kingdom. Youarethe kingdom.”
I clenched my jaw to prevent my mouth from saying words I couldn’t retract. I didn’t want to risk offending Vahaga. I knew how things worked around here. The king or queen of Magaelor needed the high priest, as well as the other priestesses and priests, to solidify their rule. They had power over the common man, and that in itself meant they had power over me. I was to say no… but tactfully.
“I respectfully disagree. Sending in our remaining men to attack him would provoke a war and drain our already-dwindling resources.”
“Your father would have done it,” he stated, as if my words meant nothing. “It’s good timing. I do understand you are young.”
“I am queen now, so it doesn’t matter what my father would have done.” I inhaled sharply and pursed my lips. Me and my damned mouth. I reined back my honesty, wanting to grind my teeth, but instead forced a small, ingenuine smile. “All I mean, Vahaga, is you know I appreciate your counsel, but on this occasion, having been in Berovia myself, I believe it to be bad timing. Apart from the points I have already made, we would only mean to agitate Kiros into attacking us. He already holds a personal grudge against me.”
“Yes, the almost-marriage.” He strode alongside me, standing several inches taller. His brown hair was slicked back and neat, as was appropriate of a man of his standing. His cheeks had been powdered to appear paler. “Very disappointing when the news broke. Thankfully, you escaped.” Annoyance guided his tone as if I should have somehow evaded capture altogether. “Nevertheless, your image has been repaired with the battle you won and reclaiming your throne. You are the daughter of Amos and are the legitimate heir. The people of Magaelor have mostly rejoiced.”
“Mostly?”
“Those who oppose are being dealt with.”
My eyes widened. I stopped in the middle of the corridor as we neared the small stone courtyard. “How?”
“They are simply being asked to reconsider their stance.” He watched me carefully, searching my expression.
My stomach knotted. The darkness inside me swirled, as if to warn me there was more malice than Vahaga wanted to let on.
“I won’t have people harmed under my rule,” I said, lifting my chin. “Not when so many fought valiantly.”
