Chapter 12 #2
I open my mouth to speak, but before I’m able to get a word out, Orthriel materialises.
Opal flames sputter and flare and eventually die away, leaving my Guardian in their wake. Eyes widen, jaws slacken, gasps rush out. Even the Clanschief flinches.
I suppress a smile as Orthriel’s words settle in my mind. ‘I thought you might need assistance.’
Astrophel takes advantage of Blayze’s distraction and advances, placing himself within spitting distance of the Clanschief. Drawing himself up to his full height, Astrophel puts his extra few inches to good use, bearing down on him.
‘We’ve heard enough. I’m the King’s appointed proxy, betrothed to his heir, soon to become Crown Prince. You will afford me the respect that position deserves.’
Serafine lunges from Blayze’s shoulder, beating her wings and uttering a piercing cry that travels straight through me. Astrophel staggers back several paces.
Blayze whistles. ‘Peace, Fifi.’
The emberwing resettles on his shoulder, but her feathers remain ruffled, her copper eyes murderous.
Astrophel smooths his doublet, rakes a hand through his hair. His fingers are trembling. ‘If you intend to stay, I take it you and your brother submitted to checks for Flamefever at the Barrier?’
Blayze stiffens. ‘Flamefever?’ He expels the word as if it has a disgusting aftertaste.
‘My people are no more responsible for the plague than yours. You’d tar us all on the basis of Arden’s actions?
’ He shakes his head. ‘You might as well call it Star-Sickness. We’ll never know what drove Arden to curse the realms – what drove her to madness.
Zale hid whatever confessions he extracted from her at the Elemagi’s last meeting, the ones he strung into a bracelet of enchanted tears, on that bower where the rest of those flaming cowards retreated.
But rumours spread through the Clanlands soon after Arden’s disappearance that it had something to do with your precious Elemagus. Noelani Stellarion.’
He can’t be serious. I’ve never heard tell of any such bracelet. Is he really trying to blame Noelani for Arden’s actions – to blame us?
‘You lying rat!’ Astrophel snarls, brandishing his Crescent Sword.
Blayze’s eyes dart to the blade, linger on the arc of rosy metal. ‘When did you steal that?’ he spits. ‘It’s made of ignastium ore, sacred to the Fire Clans. Oralian-forged.’
‘We didn’t steal anything,’ Astrophel hisses back.
‘Before she was lost to Shadow, Arden presented King Hesperos with a quantity of ignastium in thanks for his gift of the Flarestone. Ground starstone was mixed with the ore before the Crescent blades were forged, that’s why we still use them.
They’re indestructible – can cut through anything. ’
‘We’ll see about that.’ Blayze draws his axe and a wicked smile blooms on his lips. Kyden edges forwards. His axe is drawn too.
‘Sparkles,’ Blayze says, looking at me now, ‘tell this halfwit to stand down, or I’ll have to take his precious sword – and then his head.’
Sparkles? I want to slit his throat myself. But if I don’t nip this in the bud, any chance of an alliance will lie in tatters. I swallow the insult and stride forwards, standing between Blayze and Astrophel. Between their drawn blades.
‘Leilani, be careful.’
‘It’s too late for careful, Orthriel. If I can’t make Astrophel see reason, you’ll have to step in.’
My Guardian nods once to acknowledge my request.
I turn to Astrophel. ‘Sheathe your sword.’
His ashen face contorts in rage. ‘Get out of the way, Leilani. I’m defending our honour.’
Blayze smirks, the muscles in his neck jutting proud as tree roots. ‘I change my mind, Sparkles. Listen to your betrothed. Run along and let the big boys settle this. Shouldn’t take more than a minute to have this preening peacock flat on his back, pissing himself like a baby.’
I square my shoulders and speak in the loudest voice I can muster. ‘I will not. We have important business to discuss here.’ I turn to Astrophel again. ‘You think yourself better than him? Act like it, then. Remember why we’re here – who’s depending on us.’
Astrophel’s shoulders slump, but his gaze remains whetted. After a long pause, he sheathes his sword.
I hear the low rumble of Blayze’s laugh. He elbows his brother in the ribs. ‘Clearly not a love match, eh?’
Kyden mimes a whipping motion.
‘For the Queen,’ Astrophel says, ignoring them, but fixing me with a cold, hard stare. ‘But I’ve a long memory, Leilani, and I shan’t forget this. I’ll make sure your father doesn’t, either.’
I don’t doubt for a second he means to keep that oath, but I’m willing to risk his future vengeance if it means the council meeting can proceed.
One down. One to go.
I turn to Blayze. ‘I’m not the King, but I am the one who ignited the Flarestone. Will you do me the courtesy of listening to what I have to say?’
His mouth twitches.
‘All right, Sparkles. Consider me suitably intrigued. Lead the way.’ He holsters his axe. ‘Any chance of wine – perhaps something stronger? It’s damned cold.’
You might try wearing a shirt, you insufferable brute. ‘I’m sure that can be arranged.’ I smile.
Blayze pushes past me, the swirl of his blood-red cloak leading the way into the Rotunda. The icy breeze stirred in his wake is spiced with a smoke-sharp scent.
I try to read his aura. My vision blurs, but no colours bleed into the air. I try again with his brother. My mind unhinges, expands, begins to slip away in the usual way, but my second-sight can’t anchor itself.
It’s just as Orthriel said, the Arcuri brothers are impossible to read. Their minds a wall. A star-damned irritating wall I’d like to take a hammer to, if only I didn’t need them. If only my mother’s life, and the lives of every one of my people, didn’t rely on their goodwill.
Not being able to read them is a blow, one more hurdle I’ll have to jump. But I’ve already cleared the highest one.
They came. They answered my call.