“All of that is true,” Cassandra says.“But I go where my queen sends me.”
“And she sent you to talk to Selene?”I say, still not quite able to believe it.“Why, Cassandra?”
Cassandra shrugs."Arboria seeks good relations with Aetheria.We also have an interest in a stable, strong neighbor.My queen sent me to talk with the former arch-magistrate because she seems like a greater source of stability than the Senate, at the moment.And because it seems likely she will rule here in due course."
That admission hits me like a punch to the guts.Aetheria’s neighbors are preparing for the possibility of Selene becoming empress, as if it’s already inevitable.
“You can’t side with her,” I say.
"Can't, Lyra?"Cassandra counters.She sighs."Your Senate is fractured and weak.You have little control over the territories beyond your city.From what I hear, you're now a wanted fugitive.Frankly, you should be grateful that our queen isn't taking the opportunity to invade."
“Why isn’t she?”I ask.From what I understand, the Arborians value strength, and they’ll happily take over anywhere they view as weak.
“Perhaps she’s waiting to see how this all turns out,” Cassandra says.“Now, Lyra, I think I’ve been very patient with you, and I need to return to my home.Please take your hand from my arm, or I’ll start to think about whether anyone would miss a fugitive if I simply carry you back to my home to serve me.”
She’s probably serious.I take my hand from her arm, not wanting to fight.
“Can you at least tell me where you met Selene?”I say.
Cassandra smiles.“In the home of a noble.But she’s already gone.You won’t find her that way, Lyra.”
“I’ll stop her,” I promise, determination filling my voice.
Cassandra nods.“I would wish you good luck, but I’m not surewhatto wish for now.Is Aetheria a better neighbor to us now, or with Selene in charge?Would it be better to have it weak and fractured, easy to take?Would Selene give you to me if she won?There are so many things to consider.But don’t die, beast whisperer.The world is rather more fun with you alive.”
She offers me a warrior’s salute with her dagger, then hurries to her waiting chariot and speeds away, leaving me with the sense that doom is rapidly approaching Aetheria, that everyone else, even in other kingdoms, can see it, and that I don’t know what to do to stop it.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
I find Alaric in the square with the bone statue, and even if he isn’t wearing his own face, he’s easy to spot because of the casual insouciance with which he lounges by the statue of the bull.Another man is walking away from him, looking troubled.
Alaric looks over at me, his features those of a square featured slaughterman today.He looks surprised as he glances my way, then hurries over, taking me by the elbow.
“Lyra, what are you doing out here?”he demands.He glances around.“Anyone could see it’s you.”
Too late, I realize I haven’t put my mask back into place.I pull it up now, hoping no one around us has recognized me in the time since I started speaking to Cassandra.
“I came to tell you that Selene’s people have been meeting with groups supporting her around the Republic,” I say.
Alaric nods.“That’s what Helvin came to tell me.Groups supporting her have formed in all the major towns of what used to be the empire.Several of them have infiltrated councils, or gained influence with governors.And the towns have been sending representatives to speak with her.”
“Not just towns,” I say.“On the way here, I saw Lady Cassandra.”
“The Arborian ambassador?”
I nod.“Her queen sent her to make contact with Selene and prepare for the possibility that she might become empress.”
Alaric doesn’t look happy.“Everyone’s treating it as if it’s inevitable she’ll rule Aetheria.They’re trying to curry favor with her now, so she won’t see them as enemies later.”
It's almost exactly what Marcus seems to be doing, too.From the Senate to the furthest reaches of the Republic, Aetheria is slowly falling into line for Selene.
“We need to get back to the safehouse,” Alaric says.“It still isn’t safe for you to be out here, Lyra.”
“I have better control than I did a few days ago,” I say.“That only happened because I was so upset.”
“It’s not just a question of what you might do,” Alaric says.“It’s about what might happen if you’re seen.You think Selene won’t have people out watching for you?”
I’m sure she will; I’m just not prepared to hide away forever when I could be helping the resistance.
