“As it should be,” Queen Satia purred.“By Blood and by right of conquest, my sovereign Lord.”
Xyrath gave her a dazzling smile, handed her the bag, and returned to his throne.“Well done, indeed, Captain Ussin.We must think on a reward.”He gestured for Ussin to rise, still staring at the ring on his finger.
“Service to Your Majesty is its own reward,” Ussin said, looking much relieved as he got to his feet.“There is this too, Your Majesty.The people of the Black Hills rose to defend the Lord High Baron.He has won their loyalty.They will serve him, and in doing, so they will serve you.”
“Excellent news,” Xyrath said absently, staring at the Ring.The Queen and Halithe’s father were staring too, and to Halithe’s eyes, they didn’t seem pleased.
“I have also brought the Lady Halithe, as you commanded.”Ussin bowed and took a few steps back.Halithe could feel Ussin’s eyes boring into the back of her neck.
Xyrath didn’t react, just rubbed at the stone of the ring.The Queen opened the bag, spilling out the delicate, dull chains into her other hand.Halithe wanted nothing more than to wipe that smirk right off the woman’s face.
Preferably with fire.
The bracelet clamped on her wrist, reminding her of the danger.
Halithe saw the Queen catch her father’s eye and raise an eyebrow.Tarwain cleared his throat.“You Majesty, there is the matter of my daughter.”
“Ah, yes,” Xyrath lifted his head and focused on Halithe.“The dead mage’s apprentice, I believe.”
She dropped her eyelids, careful not to acknowledge the King’s intense and sudden interest.
Her father stepped forward.“You Majesty, I demand that the Guildmaster Forterran end this ridiculous apprenticeship, a sham perpetuated by that traitorous mage.”Halithe raised her head to protest as her father continued, “Remove that damn bracelet and return her to our family’s fold.”
“Guildmaster Forterran, if you would.”King Xyrath gestured to Halithe.
He wouldn’t, Halithe knew, she’d proved herself in his eyes.He’d shared guild secrets with her.He’d claimed her, after all.He knew the truth.She stared at Forterran as he walked toward her.
He still didn’t meet her gaze.“Of course, Your Majesty.”Forterran said.
Her knees went weak and the floor dropped out from under her.
“Excellent,” the Queen said.“Guildmaster Forterran, your guild has redeemed itself in our eyes.With your support, the rogue has been brought to justice.With this last act, we are well satisfied.”
Forterran bowed his head.“With your leave, Your majesties.This will take but a moment.”He turned his back to them, facing Halithe.“Your hand.”
Halithe stared at him, frozen.
“Halithe,” her father barked, and as she had always done, she obeyed, hating herself.Forterran clasped her wrist with one hand and placed his other hand on the bracelet.His hands began to glow.
Halithe tried to jerk her hand back, but he held it firm and started to chant, nonsense words as far as she knew.The sound rose around them and Halithe realized that while Forterran’s mouth moved, he wasn’t chanting.“Is this true?”he asked.
Halithe glanced at the King, but Forterran tugged her hand.“Eyes on me, chit.They can’t hear us.Is this true?”
“Yes,” she said.“And no.Ussin didn’t kill him, but Ritathan was struck down.He was still alive when we left.”
Forterran closed his eyes.“I warned him,” he sighed.
“You could have warned us,” Halithe hissed.
Forterran’s eyes opened and he glared at her.“No, I couldn’t,” he spat and then picked up the chant that rang around them.He called out three last, harsh words.
The glow of Halithe’s bracelet went dark.It snapped open and he pulled it away from her wrist.
Halithe staggered as the restraints around her fell away.
“Halithe of the House of Tarwain, you are no longer an apprentice of the Mage Guild,” Forterran’s voice rang out.“You are to forget anything you may have learned from the traitor and you are forbidden the practice of the power in any way, shape, or form.”
He lifted his chin.“You are banned from the practice and the use of any knowledge you may have garnered or think you have garnered.Any talent you might thought you had may have been a trick of that foul traitor.In any case, do not think to use what you have learned.The exercise of our powers is forbidden to the unchained.”
