AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“If Nivalis knows, would she tell Flavian?” Lio asked.
Lyros hesitated. “I hate to say it, Lio, but your judgment isn’t clear where Flavian is concerned.”
“I know,” Lio bit out. “That’s why I’m asking.”
Cassia shook her head. “No. Deverran and Nivalis will never support Flavian. They’re too loyal to Hadria. If they won’t support Solia, they’ll abstain.”
Lord Deverran rose from his chair. Lio struggled to judge mortal ages sometimes, but Nivalis was Cassia’s age, and her husband appeared about twice that. He had a solemn demeanor and an aura that seemed honest. Was that Lio’s lack of judgment at play again?
Lord Deverran said, “Lord Galanthian has informed me of the previous proceedings. Princess Solia, allow me to put forth a question that has not been raised. Is it not true that your younger brother, King Lucis’s legitimate son Caelum, is in fact the rightful heir to the throne?”
Lio felt the mortals’ tension rise at the daring question. But he also sensed that many agreed with Deverran’s point.
Solia, however, was unperturbed. “Yes, I understand that in my absence, the king has finally acquired the son he always coveted. But Lucis is a tyrant with no right to rule. I am the rightful heir, for my mother’s forebears were honorable kings.”
Lord Deverran leveled her with a steady gaze. “What are your intentions toward the boy?”
“Hardly a boy any longer,” Lord Adrogan put forth. “He is fourteen and on his way to manhood. Next thing you know, he’ll show up and put his banner on the dais.”
“Caelum is no threat to anyone here,” Solia said smoothly. She didn’t look away from Deverran. “And he has no claim upon the throne.”
Solia had given him the perfect opening to perform the duty Cassia had assigned him in her plot. But Lio feared that this time, his brilliant Grace might be disappointed in her ally.
He hated that Deverran proved him right and sat down without saying another word.
Frustration and despair sank through Cassia’s aura. “He assured me he would stay the course. I know he cares about Caelum. Why does he hesitate?”
“I like his aura,” said Karege, confirming Lio’s impression. “I think he’ll do the right thing in the end.”
“You need to speak to him and his wife alone,” Kella advised, “away from his peers.”
“Any ideas on how to arrange that?” Tuura asked.
“I can always pass secret messages,” Hoyefe said.
“Cassia,” Solia asked, “can I not simply invite her to my weaving room?”
“Not without also inviting a lady of the Segetian faction,” Cassia answered.
“That may not be necessary,” said Lyros. “Lady Nivalis is craving a confrontation, I think.”
At least Lio was in no danger of reading that wrong.
Throughout the rest of the night’s negotiations, Lady Nivalis’s determination simmered. What worried Lio most was the sense of injustice radiating from her. The moment the Council adjourned, she made her way forward. Lord Deverran took her arm, and they approached Solia.
“Your Highness,” Lord Deverran said, “my lady and I would be honored if we could attend you in your weaving room.”
“It has been too many years, my lord.” Solia smiled at them. “I will be glad to welcome you and your wife in my weaving room, as Lady Nivalis always welcomed my sister in Lady Hadrian’s.”
Lady Nivalis’s only reply was a curtsy, before she and her husband preceded them all out of the room.
On their way out of the great hall, Eudias pulled Lio aside. “Ariadne and I succeeded in convincing the Semna and Master Gorgos to accept Hesperine wards around Patria. But now we face a new obstacle. Lord Deverran has made it known to Lord Flavian that he will not tolerate more of your magic here.”
Lio bit back a curse. “We didn’t tell him or Lady Nivalis what happened. How could they know?”
As Ariadne filed past them with the Semna, she shot Lio a concerned glance and shook her head slightly. He gave her a minute nod in return, and she appeared relieved.
“I don’t understand,” Eudias said. “When Ariadne spoke to Lady Nivalis, she seemed to believe our story about her sister. If there is someone else feeding her and Lord Deverran information, we must stop them. If knowledge of the Collector becomes widespread—”
