Page 114 of Scourged
Quentin’s lips pulled back from his teeth, and Feran and Trefor both clenched their hands into fists.
“She seemed to suggest that she—and the Royals—had interfered with my Solstice. I’m not sure how, or what, they might have done, but there are other reasons that lead me to believe she was telling the truth. Which is where I need your help.”
The room awaited her next words.
“Was there anything … unusual reported on the night of the Winter Solstice? Either across Onita or even here in Verith itself?”
Silence answered her, each person glancing at each other, confusion and intrigue on their faces.
Mariah deflated slightly, slumping forward. Why had she been so hopeful that there was something out there she could learn, something she could do?
Until someone cleared their throat.
“Your Majesty.” A young City Guard captain rose from his seat, golden cloak swishing. “I … I might know of something worth looking into.”
The captain appeared nervous, almost unsure of himself, as he fidgeted with the pommel of his sword and the edge of his cloak. His light brown hair and hazel eyes reminding her so much of her brother, Ellan, even though this man was at least a decade older.
She nodded, telling him to continue.
“On the night of the Winter Solstice, the Guard received a … complaint,” he said. “Of a disturbance down in the market district.”
Mariah straightened. “What kind of disturbance?”
The captain twisted his hands in his cloak again. “They said they heard … screaming.Womenscreaming. But when a detachment of the Guard reported to the building, they found nothing—for all purposes, it looked abandoned.”
“Did the Guard go in?”
He shifted uncomfortably. “Well … no, Your Majesty. Like I said, it looked abandoned. They reported it as a false alarm and returned home to celebrate the Solstice.”
Mariah’s mind was whirring, a thousand thoughts lighting and flashing behind her eyes. Her magic whipped and roiled excitedly in response, and she pushed out of her seat in a rush.
“I’m going to look at that building. Inside, this time.”
Right on cue, Sebastian shot to his feet.
“Not alone. Please.”
She slid her gaze to him, smiling sweetly. His expression turned wary. “Of course not, Sebastian. The good captain will accompany me as he knows where to go.” She paused for effect. “And you’re coming too.” Sebastian relaxed markedly but still held a tightness in his posture.
He knew she wasn’t done.
She hesitated, just for a moment. A slimy sliver of fear and apprehension twisted around her heart. But the words of the goddess wound through her thoughts.
“You need to learn to trust him again.”
Pushing down all her fear, every conflicted feeling she harbored deep within, Mariah turned to Andrian. His face was a careful mask, watching her with predatory stillness.
“And Andrian. You’ll come with us.” His name fell like honey from her lips. She hadn’t said it aloud, not in weeks.
She surprised herself at howrightit felt.
The inhalations she heard across the room told her she wasn’t the only one feeling that surprise. She looked back at Sebastian, daring him to challenge her.
To her shock, he stayed silent, although his jaw flexed with the words he forced himself not to say.
She loosened her breath and pulled her magic beneath her skin.
“Ready your horses. We leave in an hour.”