Page 11 of The Kingdom's Reckoning
"Why didn’t the handmaiden say as much last night then?" Dani demanded, eyes narrowing. "Ifthis is true, why didn’t she tell us when she had the chance? Why did she admit it only to you?"
"If you recall, the conversation was cut short when the letter arrived and some people had some choice words to say," Kallie said, glaring at Dani.
Dani’s expression hardened. When the letter had arrived, Dani had demanded immediate action. Those present had proceeded to talk over one another, their words and demands blending together and becoming incomprehensible. With a slam of her cane against the dais, the Queen had silenced them all, demanding everyone return to their beds and ending the conversation for the night.
"According to Myra, this has been Domitius' ultimate goal the entire time: to give powers to the giftless."
The center of Terin’s forehead creased as his brows drew together. "Domitius did say something to Graeson on the day of your wedding. I had thought nothing of it then, but…"
"What did he say?" Kallie asked when his words trailed off. The beat of her heart was a thunderous roar as she considered the possibilities. Fear welled up inside her, and she struggled to get ahold of it.
"He said something about being a collector of useful things and that Graeson would be a valuable piece in his collection." Terin held his head between his hands as if it was too heavy to hold up on its own. "I-I didn’t even…I hadn’t known what he had meant, but if what you say is true, then…"
Terin and Kallie exchanged worried glances, their thoughts no doubt aligning. If Domitius got his hands on Graeson, neither of them wanted to think about the fatal consequences that would come about. But even Domitius, who had trained Kallie and was a force to be reckoned with, wouldn’t have been a match for Graeson. Kallie knew that like she knew the back of her hand, and yet…
"Prepare the warriors, Cetia," an older woman said, calling Kallie’s attention back to the present.
"Grandmother is right," Medenia said.
Grandmother?
Kallie’s mouth fell open as she gawked at the woman, realizing who she was. Loralaine Perseianes was one of Tetria’s first queens when Vaneria separated into seven kingdoms. Kallie had read so many stories about her—stories Domitius had failed to keep away from her. Loralaine was among the first Tetrians who had stepped onto the battlefield and one of the last to leave it. Her aim was one of the deadliest of her generation, not only in Tetria but all of Vaneria. She was legendary. Loralaine’s hair was now as white as salt, her skin thin and nearly translucent, the small blue veins beneath predominant. The Great War hadhappened one hundred years ago, which meant that Loralaine must have been?—
"Don’t do the math," Terin whispered in her ear as if hearing her thoughts. "It will give you a headache."
Kallie’s cheeks reddened, and she snapped her jaw shut.
"When we agreed to attend the royal wedding," Medenia said, forcing Kallie’s attention away from the former queen, "we put ourselves at risk of being in the middle of whatever came after. We must lie in the bed we made."
"Spoken like a true queen," Loralaine said with pride.
Medenia beamed at her grandmother’s appraisal, but it was short-lived.
"You are not a queen yet, Medenia. If war can be avoided, we must consider it," Cetia said.
"A war has already been declared, Mo—" Medenia cleared her throat, noticing Cetia’s fingers flexing around the emerald orb atop her cane. "Your Majesty."
"We can still end it before it begins," Cetia said.
"Domitius' plan is set into motion. Words will not stop it," Medenia argued.
"Butherwords could."
Every head turned toward Kallie, and she tried not to shrink back into her chair at their renewed interest in her.
"I—" But Kallie didn’t get much farther than that before Dani interrupted.
"She has no power. She is no queen."
Cetia hummed. "She may not be a queen, and in normal circumstances, her word would barely hold any power because of her title."
"Which at this point is questionable," Dani mumbled.
"Dani," Terin chided.
"What? She’s not Domitius' daughter."
"But she is my sister." Terin’s gaze connected with Kallie’s. His expression was soft and serene and too painful to bear. "She is and always has been the Princess of Pontia."
