The Shadow Princess (Chronicles of the Stone Veil 6)

“And so all you’ve been doing is hiding the last seven years?”

While my question was not meant as criticism but merely to sate my curiosity regarding my time away, Bastien’s eyes flicker with anger. “Our soldiers here train and go out to join other battalions to actively fight against Ferelith. We hide this place to protect the citizens. But if you have a better idea, Princess… by all means, let’s hear it.”

I should apologize to defuse the situation, but I have nothing to be sorry for. I deserve to have my questions addressed.

Rather than argue with him, I say, “I’ll let you know my ideas after I’ve had a chance to talk to the Conclave.”

Bastien offers a curt nod, takes another step forward, but then glances back. “This town was named Clairmont, in honor of your family.”

I have no clue why he tells me this. To make me feel better? To have something nice to say?

Sadly, I feel nothing at this news. They named this town after monarchs who are dead and a princess who was banished. It’s almost perfidy in a sense.

I don’t reply as we walk silently into the building.

CHAPTER 8

Thalia

When Bastien and I enter the hall, my attention goes to the dais at the far end of the room. It holds a massive wooden table with seven chairs to a side and a chair on each end. A quick head count confirms thirteen members seated around the table, and they appear to be in an active meeting with one woman in the middle talking.

The rest of the room resembles a church, of sorts. Row after row of pews fill the remainder of the space with an aisle down the middle. It could easily accommodate citizens gathering to discuss items of concern with the Conclave, or perhaps reflection and prayer to the gods, although formal religious services are not a thing here.

“Conclave members,” Bastien calls out in his deep, rumbling voice, the words echoing through the large hall. All heads whip our way, the members with their backs to us turning around in their chairs. “I present to you, Princess Thalia Clairmont, recently returned from the First Dimension.”

I study the faces of the Conclave. I recognize some of them, but others I do not. They look from Bastien to me, their expressions dubious.

I realize they can’t really see me with my hat on, so I remove it and toss it on a pew. Almost all jaws drop wide open, and their discombobulation gives me the courage to stride down the aisle toward them.

They scramble from their chairs, rising in deference to me. They’re dressed in the formal white and blue robes of the Conclave, each with their raven’s feather prominently displayed.

An older man I don’t recognize looks to Bastien, still behind me. “What is the meaning of this, Commandant Dunne?”

“I’m sure you’re curious as to why I’m back,” I answer the man whose regard snaps to me. “But the better question is, why was I sent away in the first place?”

The man’s gaze drops, the ice in my voice making my displeasure clear. I reach the bottom of the dais, and an older woman steps out from her chair. I recognize her—Laina Mercea—Chief of the Conclave.

I have no clue of her age, but her face is lined with wrinkles and her hair, worn in a pixie cut, is snow-white with streaks of iron gray.

At the edge of the dais, she holds out her hands to me, smiling warmly. “Welcome home, child. Come join us so that we may be reacquainted with one another. I know I speak on behalf of the entire Conclave when I say we are so very glad to have you back with us.”

I walk confidently up the three steps, ignoring Laina and her outstretched hands. “How can I be welcomed back when I can tell by the looks on your faces you never intended for me to be standing here right now?”

Laina’s hands drop, and she glances briefly at Bastien. I can’t see him, but I feel his presence behind me. Her expression begs him for an explanation, one that will get her out of the hot seat.

“I had a visit not long ago from a demigod named Maddox, sent on behalf of the gods Onyx and Veda,” Bastien says to the group. There are gasps among the Conclave, and they look to one another in shock. I know through my studies there have been stories of the gods making themselves known in some form or fashion over the millennia, but it’s only legend. “Maddox told me it was time to bring Thalia home.”

“And you took his word for it?” Laina asks incredulously. “She was safe and protected there, and you didn’t seek our counsel before bringing her back.”

“She was neither safe nor protected,” Bastien replies curtly, taking the dais steps in one long stretch and dropping something into Laina’s hand. “He had taken her ring from her.”