Of Darkness and Crowns (11 page)

“And so…now?” I probe. “She is still a weapon. Your most powerful against the dark goddess. Why this sudden protectiveness, Bax?”

A flash of anger hardens his features, and he turns on his side to face me, his sharp nails digging into the wood. “I was a fool. Just like you are now. We’re all just pieces on a board. The goddesses move us around, and I won’t be used for their vindictive game any longer.”

I hike my eyebrows, amused. “You’re evading my question.”

Slitting his gaze, Bax reclines back in a relaxed pose. He huffs. “We are not completely unalike, Prince. You thought the Nactue leader could keep you alive in the Cage, and so you clung to her side…at first. Then, you fell for the woman. I suppose it is difficult to use a person as a pawn after you’ve befriended them.” He cocks his head in my direction. “That is the discerning difference between us and the deities.”

His words echo ones I spoke not long ago. I wonder, after everything that has happened, if Kal still caries her blind faith in her goddesses. Or if she’s now aware of how they’ve used her.

I lounge in my chair, deciding this might be the last time I’m able to relax. Maybe Bax feels the same. “Is it the power she houses that draws us to her, or the girl herself?” I ask aloud, to the room, not expecting an answer.

“Does it matter?”

Bax has a point. Regardless of what we’re drawn to, she transfixes us. I wonder if I’m talking about her now just to further feed my obsession.

“And to answer your question,” Bax says. “Kaliope
is
strong enough, powerful enough. She could drive Bale out of you and bar the moon goddess within herself…at a high cost. She is still a mortal. Though she harbors something of a divine degree, her disbelief in her own greatness would sabotage her any attempt.” A beat. “She would die.”

This resonates deeply. Bale doesn’t speak up; it must be true. I glance down at Bax. “The woman I knew had enough belief to power her whole queendom.”

“That was before she failed.” Bax eyes me closely before rolling over and turning his back to me. He settles onto the floor, as if he’s already asleep, but adds, “Before she lost you.”

♦
12
♦

Kaliope

I’
M STARTING TO FEAR
the worst for Bax.

The heavy thump of my boots echoes through the long stretch of corridor, sounding ominous and startlingly loud at the same time, as I search the opposite sector of the Nactue quarters. I’ve already scoured our section, spoken with both the Perinyian guards and Cavan’s, and none of the Nactue have seen him since before the Otherworlder raid.

One final meeting with Bax and my Nactue is needed before I set off. I want to make sure they understand—that I’m at least leaving with their support, if not their approval. Because I’m doing what my gut tells me I must. Even if it goes against everything I’ve sworn my life to.

Rounding the last corner toward my destination, a twinge of guilt flutters my stomach. I’ll have to consult Empress Iana soon. Before I embark on a mission where I’ll most likely not return alive, I first have to get her permission. I’m linked to her through the goddess bond. It’s my duty to protect her, and my leaving goes against every tradition.

But unlike the Reckoning where I was forced from her side, I can’t focus on Caben and Bale and what I must do if she’s still my sole priority. Even thinking this, the guilt is consuming. But she’s safer, everyone’s safer, if I can ensure Bale’s capture.

Still, I need my empress’s guidance. And I need her to release me.

Pushing those thoughts aside, I focus on why I’m here. Bax. My palms slick with sweat and I run them across my black uniform shirt. Building myself up mentally and physically before I reach the door, I inhale a couple deep breaths.

Murmured voices sound from inside the chamber. I stand in the hallway, bothered that I didn’t find him alone. I didn’t want an audience for this, but then, maybe it’s best. That way Julian Paynebridge can’t accuse me of anything before I leave. I wouldn’t put it past him. So I roll my shoulders back just as the voices hush, and knock on the door.

“Enter,” Julian calls out. His voice sounds strained.

A Nactue guard—Whip—opens the door and steps aside so I can enter. I nod to her, confused as to why she’s here, until I’m greeted by not only Julian, but Empress Iana, also.

I bow quickly. “I apologize for the intrusion,” I say, lifting my head. “I was hoping to have a private audience with Julian, Empress.” But, as I’ve already decided, a witness might be needed. And my own empress is probably the right choice. Not even Julian is weasel enough to try to turn her word against me. He’s not completely lacking in common sense.

Empress Iana is draped in sheer white, flowing robes. Her long blond hair pinned into a loose bun atop her head, her thin silver crown lining it. When she steps forward, away from Julian’s side, I glimpse swirled henna peaking from beneath her sleeves. She must have cut her prayer ritual short to be here.

An added dash of guilt pulls my lips into a frown. I gave instruction to Lilly to oversee the Nactue in my absence, and she’s already taken to the role. Although I’m curious why Whip was appointed the empress’s sole guard today instead of Kia—a more experienced Nactue. Regardless, I had no idea that Empress Iana was well enough to tackle her usual, daily schedule.

Which means she’s already aware that I’ve shirked my responsibilities.

“Protector Kaliope, I was just about to summon you,” Empress Iana says. “Please.” She waves her hand toward the couches.

It feels odd having the empress invite me to a meeting with Julian here—this being his chambers. But I do as instructed, my stomach in tight knots. Wondering why they should need to speak to me together.

Julian follows Empress Iana’s lead and settles down on the rose-colored couch opposite me. Whatever they’ve just been discussing put a sour expression on his usually smug face. “As you were clearly on your way to address something with me, Protector, why don’t you start?”

I want to demand the whereabouts of Bax. Beat out of him what he’s had done with him—but I temper my irritation. Julian could well be innocent, even if he’s always resented Bax’s presence here.

Nodding once, as much as a bow he’ll receive from me, I say, “I’m seeking Bax. I haven’t seen him since before the palace was attacked, and I need to talk to him.”

Empress Iana and Julian share a look, and my unease grows. “Kaliope, this is why we were soon to bring you into the discussion.” She pulls a beige letter from the inside pocket of her robe. “We haven’t confirmed its truth, but I believe this message will answer your questions concerning our dear Bax.”

Immediately, my being fills with dread. I unfold the letter with sure hands despite the trembling ready to overtake me. I recognize the handwriting. I’ve read enough of Bax’s quick-jotted notes, messages sent to me in the field when communication was lost. It could be a forgery, but the mercury cooling my blood senses the truth.

Bax has been taken.

By
Caben
.

I shake thoughts of retaliation from my head with a sharp jerk. Bale is the responsible party. It’s already too late for Caben if I allow myself to feel anger toward him.

“There’s nothing else, then.” I hold up the letter. “We must go after him. It’s what we need to do anyway—track the Otherworlders. Capture Prince Caben and—”

“And what?” Julian interrupts. He raises his hand toward the empress. “Keep him locked in a dungeon, the goddess within him like she’s a prisoner?” He shakes his head. “Surely, Empress, you can talk some sense into your protector.”

Empress Iana casts her eyes on me, and the unmoving look in them chills me. She’s been supportive of this plan since she was restored to her full authority. But now I sense something has changed.

“You agreed, Julian,” I say, trying to alleviate the empress of the responsibility of disappointing me, “that quarantining the moon goddess was the only, reasonable course of action. Giving us time to discover a way to save Prince Caben.”

“Well, our
newest
discovery has changed my initial outlook,” he replies. Now I look to Empress Iana for clarity. I don’t want Julian to be the one to deliver this disappointment.

Her amethyst eyes cloud over. “Kaliope, it’s been a very long time since anyone practiced or even witnessed the rituals of Bale. Being the estranged deity, they were banished. Since the Otherworlders’ uprising, the leaders of the Three Realms have been secretly conducting research in order to be a step ahead of the Otherworlders, and to anticipate their next move.”

She folds her hands on her lap, ignoring Julian’s impatient foot tapping. I love my empress, but I admit, I’m with Julian here. I’d rather her rip the bandage off quickly; tell me everything at once.

“The hasty and unprepared attack on Perinya and then Cavan left us little time to conduct this inquiry,” she continues. “By the time we uncovered any information on the Reckoning, it was already the day of the eclipse, and we still hadn’t discovered the location of the Otherworld. But”—she slowly rises and walks toward me—“we now know, at least, why the Otherworlders were targeting the rulers. Why Perinya, King Marcus, was the first to be attacked, despite Cavan being the source of mercury.”

Julian sighs, and I make the connection before he can interrupt again. “They wanted anyone with any possible knowledge of Bale eliminated,” I say.

She nods. “I’m too young to remember, of course. And there was never any need to teach me of Bale’s religion…until now. So only my goddess relic was of use to Bale.”

And that’s why they left her alive—why it was more important to steal the relic than to ensure the empress was dead. They didn’t feel Empress Iana was a threat.

But now she is. Worry coils in my belly. “Empress, Bax has been abducted. Even though you weren’t an expert before, he’s been your advisor on all things Bale since. Bax has been the source you’ve been working with. He wasn’t taken during the raid, was he?”

She glances at Julian before she answers. “No. It was after, and it was by someone who knew our inside dealings.”

Even though I don’t trust Julian, and first wanted to point the blame at him for Bax’s disappearance, my suspicion shifts to another, more likely candidate. Carina, the former Nactue leader, had tried to warn me of a traitor in the Cavan Council with her last words. Since then, I’ve narrowed down the list to one.

However, speaking against Councilor Herna would be treason. If I make a claim like that, I have to be absolutely sure. And, I can’t simply go now, leaving behind a traitor who will continue to botch any well-laid plans, or harm the empress.

I feel the mercury rising to the surface of my skin, like a gauge marking my apprehension. I’m trapped. Boxed in, just like in the Cage. That fear, that feeling of helplessness, drives me to what I say next. Regardless of the outcome.

“I may know who it is.”

Empress Iana looks down at me with a guarded expression. I shouldn’t be talking about this in front of a Perinyian Court member. But the longer this takes, the more Caben’s trail grows cold, and the less likely I’ll get to Bax in time.

Please, Caben. Don’t do anything you’ll later regret
.

Empress Iana turns toward Julian. “I need a moment with my Nactue.”

“Your Highness, this concerns the welfare of Perinya, our safety. If there’s a traitor among your people, then I should—”

“Then you should be well attuned to know when your counsel is dismissed on principle out respect for your ally country.” She clasps her hands, dismissing Julian without any room for debate.

Chagrined, Julian yanks his vest lapels straight and stands. “I expect full disclosure at your earliest convenience, Empress.” He bows, then turns serious eyes on me. “And I still have matters to discuss with Protector Kaliope before a firm decision on our current situation is reached.”

Just like a petulant child, Julian wants to be the center of attention. He reeks of fear, scared that any business done outside of his presence will strip him of his newfound power.

Once he exits the room to his personal chamber, leaving us in his briefing quarters, I say, “Should we discuss this in a more private location, Empress?”

She shakes her head. “That’s not necessary. There’s very little privacy in this palace, besides.” Motioning me to move closer, she takes a seat on the couch she was seated on before. “I’m glad that he’s left, because I still need to tell you of our discovery. It concerns you, Kaliope. And though I’ve been confident in your abilities since I first chose you as my guard, I’ve been struggling with my faith. I’ve been in prayer the whole morning.”

As long as she doesn’t state I’m to compete in another Reckoning, nothing she can say will alarm me. But if she expects me to offer comfort, claiming the goddesses will guide us, protect us—then I have nothing to offer. “We need to act quickly,” I say. “For Bax, and for the prince. The Perinyians, in particular, Julian, seem anxious to end this war with Bale.”

She takes my hand, reminding me of when she did the same months back in the palace chapel. “Tell me who you suspect, Kaliope. We can’t have mistrust among our leaders. No word of this will reach them, but we must be decided, together, in our next action.”