Page 110 of To Kill a King
He raised an eyebrow and nodded. A smile ghosted his lips. “Well done, Your Majesty.”
She took a deep breath and stood taller as she smiled back.
At the bottom of the ladder, a narrow hallway led into the darkness beyond her makeshift torch. The weight of the earth overhead pressed down on her shoulders. She wrinkled her nose—the passage reeked of sulfur and sewage.
At least the floor was dry, unlike the alley.
“Wait up,” she called, jogging after him.
He guided her several yards into a vast chamber. A quiet din echoed from the far side of the room. The walls were speckled with pockets, filled with objects wrapped in linen cloth. She met Jalius’ gaze with round eyes.
He nodded, ever business-like, and waved her forward. “The old catacombs, yes. Welcome to the Shadow Market, Your Majesty.”
“What?”
“Here, you can find anything and everything magical your little heart could desire.” He led her around a group of invested shoppers and past a vendor cart piled high with bundles of herbs, some of which she recognized from her time with Elessan, and others she didn’t. A musky smell with a spicy, peppery scent tickled her nose. Sage.
The next table had several moonstones and other jewels cut into cabochons and polished to a fine gloss. They reminded her of the gem in Brooks’ forehead. She reached out to touch the closest one. “Are these magestones?”
Jalius grabbed her wrist before her fingers brushed the surface. “Don’t mention those evil things here,” he hissed. “They’re abominations!”
Someone bumped into her as the crowd swelled past the stalls, almost throwing her into the cart.
The young human with raven hair behind the table smiled at her. “They are speaking stones. Rub your hand over them once, and they record sounds and can play them back later.” Her blue eyes sparkled. “Useful if you suspect a cheating spouse, or if you’re looking to keep discreet tabs on certain people.”
Aliya swallowed. Or spies.
She studied the rocks. Doubtless, Elessan would know of them. He probably even had a few—wait. She froze. Their first time at an inn together, the night he’d shown her his glowing skin. He’d put one on the table and activated it when he ran to the market.
Meeting the vendor’s gaze with wide eyes, she snapped her loose jaw closed.
The human tilted her head to the side. “I take it you’ve seen these before?”
Aliya nodded. “Once.” But she hadn’t since. Elessan had been spying on her the first night, but either he’d gotten more subtle about it, or he’d decided to trust her. Regardless, it left a sour taste in the back of her throat.
She reached out and grabbed Jalius’ sleeve. “I don't have any money to buy magic artifacts. If I'm going to honor my promise and overthrow the King, what I need are allies, people who will fight for me.”
The ruckus in the cavern fell silent, as though someone had flipped an invisible switch. Somewhere, a trickle of water dripped into a pool.
“We are aware. This is a safe spot for the magical community to gather. Many are here to learn what you have to say, so they can decide to join you, or not.”
Her throat constricted and she swallowed. “What?” He’d promised the Mage Underground would assist her. Clearly, Jalius didn’t speak for all of them.
“Come!” He used her grip on his arm to pull her forward. “Tell them who you are, what you want. Let them choose.” He winked at her and dropped his voice. “Win yourself your army, Your Majesty.”
By the seven gods. Public speaking? Her knees buckled. “What am I supposed to say?”
Pulling her onto a platform in the middle of the room, he smiled. “The truth, of course.” People of every race eyed her—humans, dwarves, gnomes, even two moon elves standing in the back. A dryad hovered at the edge of the crowd. The vendors in their stalls stared at her.
She gulped and licked her lips, her mouth parched.
“Hello.” She glanced at Jalius and cleared her throat. Here went nothing. “I’m Aliya Larimar, wife of Malkov Cerel, Queen of Lions Grove.” She raised her palm, and her conjured fireball came to rest in it. “The king wants to kill me for my power, as I’m sure you all know he’s done to others. I escaped, but now I’m through running. The elves support me.” At least, she hoped they still did. She avoided making eye contact with the two in the back. With Cressida dead, they might just execute her and be finished with it. Her voice wobbled, the partial lie settling uncomfortably in her stomach. “But an elven army alone can’t defeat him. He has access to magic, and to new weapons we can't hope to overcome on our own. I need you, the magical community. It’ll take all of us, working together, to rid ourselves of King Malkov.
“Once I’m queen in truth, I'll end the Elf-Human war, and the destruction of the other races. I'll reopen trade routes, reestablish the Mage College, and I don’t think it should be shameful to be a magic user.” She studied the room and swallowed. “The elves have mages as leaders, and I’d like to include them on my ruling council, if you'll have me.”
Jalius smiled. A few people cheered, but most of them stared at her, unmoving.
She glanced at the ring on her finger. “Summertide is in a week. I’ve always felt closest to my power during the solstice, so that’s when I’ll make my move.” Coincidentally, it also aligned with the deadline for her vow.