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“You were not told to speak,” said Cael, gripping the podium.
I ignored him and looked at Dominic as if addressing him personally, hoping that if only one person in this room believed me, it would be him. “In truth, I was ordered to assassinate Sir Pearce, but once I stood before him, I didn’t have the capacity to kill him, so I left him alive. It was the man who had tasked me with the job who forced him to drink the poison.” I met Dominic’s gaze, pouring all my sincerity into my words. “Sir Dunn, your grandfather was murdered by Cael Ruskin.”
The room erupted, even louder than before.
Dominic’s mouth fell open, but he looked back at me with something in his eyes that told me he believed me. And in that look, I knew he saw me as an ally, maybe even a friend.
Cael silenced the crowd. “Guards, return the prisoner to her cell. She is unhinged and delusional. No one could believe her.”
Guards took my arms and started to pull me toward the doors.
My eyes found Graham’s, and I felt a terror I’d never known. If I went back to that cell, Cael would never again let me see the light of day, no matter what Graham said. I’d only be taken out again to attend my own execution.
“I believe her!” Graham got to his feet. “I can attest she speaks the truth, for I have been both a witness to and a recipient of Cael Ruskin’s violence. He is the one we ought to be condemning today.”
“No,” I said under my breath. “No.” I would’ve been grateful if I hadn’t been so afraid of how Cael might punish him.
The guards paused, holding me in place, even if only for their own curiosity.
Maeve Brennin gaped at her son. “Sitdown, Graham!”
Both sides of the room broke into a clamor.
“You shall not defend this woman,” said Maeve. “She took your throne!”
He argued with her, though I couldn’t hear his words among the noise.
“Silence!” roared Cael. “We are Cambrians. We do not embrace the unproven or the sensational in favor of reasonable knowledge.”
The observers began to quiet, though unease permeated the room.
“Sir Brennin.” Cael spoke again, his voice cutting as deep as a knife. “I know why you’re protecting this criminal. I onceoverheard the two of you speaking. You were telling her of a great secret, a shame you have long carried.”
Graham’s expression turned to stone as he knew what was coming. He started to shake his head.
Maeve looked at him, her chin quivering as she began to realize what Cael was referring to.
“Due to thissecret, Mara Stroud has been blackmailing you,” said Cael. “I have long suspected it, but your irrational defense of the woman has confirmed my suspicions.”
“That’s not true!” I said. “I?—”
“Silence her!” Cael ordered.
I wanted to turn the accusation back on Cael and tell the Hall thathewas the one committing the blackmail. But that would only confirm that Graham was holding a secret—and I’d never be the one to reveal it. Before I could consider what I might say in defense, the guards holding my arms pulled a cloth over my face and silenced me with a gag.
If I had a knife, I would’ve silenced Cael with it, protecting Graham’s secret and keeping him from the shame Cael was sure to inflict if he kept speaking.
Maeve stood, her olive complexion more pale than usual. “Given the accusations by my son, it is no longer prudent for Immortal Ruskin to remain in the presiding role. I insist that we put an unbiased party at the podium.”
For once, I wholeheartedly agreed with Maeve Brennin.
“Immortal Hughes,” she continued, addressing the man in the front row of the green seats. “As Second Immortal, I insist you continue the questioning from here. Her brows rose high, her desperation showing on her face. She’d hidden the truth of her oldest son’s death for years, and she would do anything to keep it silent.
“I disagree,” said Anton Byrne from the row behind her, his voice deep and his accent. “If your son is being blackmailed asImmortal Ruskin believes, then it is in the best interest of the kingdom to uncover that truth. An heir with secrets to keep is not worthy of the throne.”
“This is not an investigation into my son’s worthiness,” said Maeve. “This is about the crimes the Strouds have committed.” She looked up at Cael where he stood firm at the podium, appearing to have no intention of giving it up. “If this is a fair investigation,” Maeve said, “tell me why we have not yet heard the testimony of the criminal Evander Stroud. I do not believe for a moment that he was not complicit in the treason against my family. Questioning his daughter is not sufficient to uncover the full story.”
A rumble of agreement followed, along with some clear nods, even from the Immortals.
