Fools. The only thing worth celebrating is the capture of Bax, which will ensure Kal, and possibly the relic, will be at our doorstep directly. And they had nothing to do with that. The Cavan Councilor plopped that gift right onto our lap.
I could scold them, bring them back to the dim reality that we’re still so far away from our goal, but then I’d have to reprimand myself, too. I got just as sidetracked at the palace.
Instead, I allow them to enjoy what little triumph they can. Who knows what hell Kal will bring with her when she arrives. I grab a mug of blackberry ale from the toasting Otherworlder and tip it to my lips.
The Otherworlder looks startled at having his Liege so near, drinking his beer, but then he cheers me on as I guzzle.
The room echoes his chant as I down the rest of the bitter alcohol, then hold the tin mug in the air. “Drink up, swine!”
Hollers roar, ricocheting off the wood and glass walls, and stomping rises from the floor. The treehouse rumbles with the celebratory quake.
Our message has arrived, Prince. She comes soon.
A smile splits my face. But beneath the anticipation, a nagging spear of dread sinks in its talons.
? 14 ?
Kaliope
“COUNCILOR HERNA IS NOT the traitor.”
Empress Iana levels me with a solemn look, and I’m torn over whether her invested belief in her council has blinded her to the truth, or whether I’ve just put a permanent wedge between my empress and me. Maybe both.
She releases my hand and sits back, her shoulders loose. “I’m aware of the events that happened prior to the invasion, and I know how it all must look from your perspective. I’m sorry that you’ve been struggling with the right action to take, I appreciate its burden.” Her pink lips lift in a faint, sad smile. “But I hope in the future you will always come to me, Kaliope. On any matter. You shouldn’t have had to wrangle this doubt for as long as you did.”
I nod, confused. “Thank you, Empress. But what about what Carina said? If it’s not Councilor Herna, then who?” I want to add, how can you be sure? But I’ve already overstepped my bounds. I don’t want to question my leader and lose her trust in me. Even though I fear I might be losing some of mine in her. Curse everything.
“Protector Carina was retired early because she was believed to be consorting with the traitor.”
I take a moment to process this, realizing that, possibly, everything I saw and heard could’ve been the exact opposite. I did question Carina’s loyalties at first. Only her last words…
Empress Iana allows me to think it over before she continues, not needing any prompting. “I think Carina may have had a change of heart right before her death, and that is what she was trying to tell you. She was killed by Otherworlder invaders, after all. Her services to the Bale informant were ended the moment they deemed her useless.” She bows her head for a moment. “She did die with honor, Kaliope. She died defending me. That I can at least say.”
I remember the bloody scene in the empress’s quarters—Carina indicating toward Empress Iana, trying to warn me, trying to save her. Maybe she didn’t realize the empress would be harmed. Maybe she only discovered the truth of things when it was too late.
Pressing my forehead into my hand, I massage the building ache between my eyes. I’m not sure how any of this changes our situation. And I can consider what the empress told me later, because right now, I have to gain all information and tell her about my choice. No matter who the traitor is, she’s aware of them. I’ll make sure to give Lilly and the other Nactue explicit orders to be cautious around all Council memb
ers. I still don’t trust Councilor Herna completely.
“Councilor Herna suspected Protector Carina early on, and that was the reason for their falling out,” the empress says, and I look at her. “And once she found proof, she thought retiring her early would hinder the informant’s plans, force them to make a mistake…something that would reveal them.”
I shake my head. “Why not just question all the Council members? Or remove them from their seat of power until the traitor was uncovered?” Or ask Goddess Farrah to point them out? But I keep that to myself, though I don’t understand why our empress, who is the closest link to the goddess, hasn’t done so already.
A small smile spreads on her face, like she’s heard my thoughts anyway. “That’s not our way. Once we bring someone into our circle of trust, we do not remove them unless we have undoubtable proof.” She sits straighter. “Carina was discovered with Bale contraband, ritualistic items, and a missive containing coordinates meant to be delivered. We just didn’t comprehend at the time that the Otherworlders were the intended recipient. It had been over a century since they were last seen.” She sighs heavily. “Everything happened so quickly. I would say I regret not taking different actions, but I can’t. I trust the will of the goddess. Things are as they were meant to be.”
And at that, my defenses go up. “Empress, obviously this traitor has had a hand in Bax’s disappearance. Bax wasn’t captured during the raid, and he didn’t just walk away. Not from his family. We should be focused on finding the traitor before they do any more damage.”
“We have.”
My chest prickles. “Is this why you were summoning me? Is the traitor the new discovery?” My mind whirls, anxious to hear which one of the councilors have betrayed us. If she’s already been apprehended, I could question her. Find out where she took Bax—where Caben is.
Empress Iana stays silent, and it causes my unease to grow. Then, with a forceful jerk of her head, she says, “No. That is not why you’re here. Although be comforted that I’ve taken every precaution with Councilor Teagan”—my eyes widen, and she hurries on before I can question—“I know. She’s the last person anyone would’ve suspected.”
I didn’t know her well, hardly at all. Councilor Herna was the liaison between the Nactue and the empress. Teagan was always quiet, reserved, dedicated. The perfect cover for a conspirator.
“Has she given up the Otherworlders’ location…where Bax has been taken?”
“Kaliope, I promise, we’re doing everything we can for Bax. His family has already been informed, the Perinyian Council has moved them to a safer location within the palace, giving them every comfort, and Councilor Herna has made it her personal mission to garner information from Teagan.”