“Yes, Your Majesty!” The servant darted away, and another cleared my dishes.
“Sarai, you have been silent all night,” Kallias said, piercing gaze fixed on her. “Tell me—why did Tallon take heirs from the other districts?”
She paled further, if that were possible, swallowing hard and pushing her plate away. “To enforce compliance, Your Majesty.”
“But he didn’t have to worry about that with Lon.”
“Kai’lon and Tallon were long allies, my king. When he seized the palace, it was unsurprising that Kai supported him,” she said, folding her hands in her lap, eyes meeting his.
I pressed my thigh against Kallias’ for reassurance.
“Did you approve of his actions?” His question was blunt.
“I didn’t expect–”
“My lady, I did not ask what you expected. I had a great many expectations that were denied me when I returned. I need to know if I can count on you to support my reign and the queen’s. Did your husband have your backing?”
“No.”
He held her gaze before turning to Elwood. “Was it known that Sarai did not agree with her husband’s actions?”
“The people knew they were a good match.” Elwood formed his words with care, folding his napkin neatly on his lap. “But when Lon faced you, rumors spread that Sarai’lon did not approve.”
Her cheeks burned crimson. She pressed her lips tight, nostrils flaring with suppressed emotion.
“I dare not leave Lon without a sound ruler,” Kallias said as a servant placed a steaming mug before him. “It’s too great a risk. And after returning to find my kingdom fractured, I cannot—and will not—tolerate doubt or disloyalty from my people.
“I have served Radaan too long, been blessed by Elohios too often, to allow rebellion against me—people for whom I have bled and sacrificed—to support a man claiming to be the true heir while rejecting my claim. Tell me, Sarai, what did he say? How did he sway Kai to forsake loyalty to me?”
She drew a breath as he leaned forward, and I laid a hand on his thigh, tension rolling beneath my palm.
Steel crept into his voice. “Answer me, Sarai.” His kahve sat untouched, and his glare cut sharp enough to chill the room.
“I–” She faltered, glancing at me.
“I have dragons at my command. You cannot harm me,” I said, lifting my chin. “What did Tallon say?”
She shivered, crossing an arm over her chest. “He claimed you left, tainted by… Bahamut. That you acted as a man not guided by Elohios.”
Kallias’ brows rose, urging her on.
“She was promised to your son.” Her features twisted into an apologetic grimace. “He was not alone when he guessed that you visited her bed, taking what was not yours.”
“Others backed him,” Kallias said, ignoring the accusation, focusing instead on who else had betrayed him.
“It was difficult,” she admitted, glancing at him. “You have always been pure, honorable. Since childhood, you’ve served Elohios with justice. Then she came, and it seemed so… so out of character.”
Heat flushed my cheeks. Fingers curled into his leg. The irony stung: Draconis blamed Kallias, Radaanians blamed me.
“Tallon claimed you would not return, doomed by the gods. But if you did, it was only by the strength of her dragons. The beasts that drew you from your faith.”
Elwood’s gaze fell. Sarai’s words hung, unchallenged. The rat bastard orchestrated everything before our departure.
She continued, “If he were to wed her, as promised–”
Kallias jerked back, the sudden motion startling her. She shrank into her chair, the whites of her eyes catching the lanternlight.
“He had no interest in marrying me,” I spat. “I thought he made that clear to the court, to anyone paying attention.”
