Page 141 of The Kingdom's Reckoning
Rian paused, glancing around him. It was as if someone had poured a bucket of ice-cold water over him. He collapsed onto his knees, defeated.
The guard bowed to Sebastian, and the tiniest hint of a smirk twitched at the corner of the prince’s lips. It was barely deducible to those far away, and the moment it appeared, the next second it vanished.
Sebastian folded his hands behind his back and looked at the people. "The return of one’s king after months of searching and terror should be a joyous occasion, so it is with great sadness that we must bring forth our king in chains. However, sometimes drastic measures must be taken," Sebastian said, his voice steady. He took a deep, exaggerated breath and pressed a hand to his heart as he glanced at his brother kneeling before him. "Recent discoveries have brought to light that we have been deceived. As you all are aware, we have been searching far and wide for my brother after his disappearance. We were all horrified to hear that the Pontians dared abduct our king. However, we have since discovered that it was all a ploy. Our once-beloved king and his fiancé, Kalisandre, were colluding with Pontia and Tetria."
Gasps of horror slithered through the audience.
Rian shouted around the restraint, "Yew eyer!"
Sebastian frowned. "I know that these are grand claims. No one wishes to discover that their king has betrayed them. Learning about my brother’s deceit feels as if he has stabbed me in my heart. But I would not lie to you. After all that we have been through, after we have been forced to live in terror after the attack. After we were forced to question the loyalty of those around us. Many of us in this room lost loved ones. My own mother has been locked in her room, overcome with terror. It has been a hard few months, but we are finally one step closer to bringing justice to those who have harmed our kingdom.
"We have recently learned that when Kalisandre was taken by the Pontians the first time, she forged an alliance with the Nadareans. Good men died trying to save her, but their lives were lost in vain. Kalisandre came here with malicious intent to begin with, only seeking a marriage with King Rian to gain his power and throne. But it wasn’t enough. She had to turn our king against us, too."
Rian shouted over the gag in his mouth, but none of his panicked words were audible. Dread shone in his eyes as he looked across the room, begging the people not to believe his brother’s lies. But no one believed him. The people looked upon their king with confusion and hurt.
The guards tightened Rian’s restraints, restricting his movements.
"But do not take only my word for it," Sebastian said, raising his voice to speak over the growing whispers and disgruntlements. "Hear it from someone who has witnessed these atrocities from the beginning."
A guard’s hand tightened around Myra’s elbow, and she staggered to her feet with a muffled scream. Her face paled as she took in the overwhelming sense of treachery that spilled from each person in the room. And though there were some that appeared to be leery of Sebastian’s claims, the majority wereeasily falling for his lies. She could see it in every glance, every twitch, every narrowed gaze, and furrowed brow.
Where is Laurince?
But Laurince would not save her this time. Nor would anyone in this room.
Sebastian peered down at her, malice brewing in his green eyes. "For those of you who do not know, this is Myra, one of Kalisandre’s handmaidens and an alleged close friend. When the princess was first taken, the handmaiden was too. We have brought her in front of you today because she holds vital information that would be unjust to keep from you all." Sebastian waved someone forward. "We have the honor of having the esteemed Judge Lockwood here today. He will proceed with the questioning."
Her gaze snapped to Rian, and he looked between her and the judge cautiously.
A man in a well-tailored suit stood and bowed before approaching the dais. As he walked by Myra, his hand brushed hers. The patch of skin he touched tingled and crept over her body.
"You will speak the truth and only the truth, answering yes or no to my questions, understood?" Judge Lockwood said, facing her.
A mumbledyesslipped over the gag.
Myra’s eyes widened in horror. She hadn’t meant to agree. She hadn’t meant to speak at all.
What’s happening?
The question, one she had meant to speak aloud, was stuck inside her head.
Judge Lockwood nodded to the guard, who then took off the gag. Myra sucked in a sharp breath, yet the unobstructed air did little to soothe her fear. Her hands trembled even more thanbefore as the judge began his questioning, her focus glued to him as if cemented there.
"Were you Kalisandre’s handmaiden?"
"Yes," Myra said. Her response was immediate despite the desire to hold her tongue, to give this man and Sebastian nothing.
"Were you close to Kalisandre?"
Myra’s panic rose higher as another resounding "yes" slipped from her mouth.
The faintest grin rose to Judge Lockwood’s lips. "Did Kalisandre come here intending to steal the Frenzian throne?"
"Yes."
Tears sprang to her eyes as gasps of outrage flooded the room.
She hadn’t meant to say that. She did not wish to betray Kallie even more than she already had.
