Dividing Eden (Dividing Eden #1)(35)
Garret. Micah’s former best friend. Elder Cestrum’s nephew. Andreus should have realized that’s what the Council had planned. With Garret on the throne the Council, and especially Elder Cestrum, would have the kind of authority they had always wanted.
“And what is to happen to us?” Andreus asked, wondering how quickly he could slide his knife from his belt and pass it to Carys while also drawing his sword. Carys was at least as good a fighter as he was. She should be after practicing with him in secret all these years. They wouldn’t be able to kill the dozen guards waiting for the Chief Elder’s signal, but he and his sister would send some to their graves before they fell. “Are we to be treated like the Bastians were?”
That any of them survived the slaughter was still hard to believe.
“I think we all can agree there has been enough tragedy in Eden,” Elder Cestrum said. “As long as neither of you oppose Garret’s coronation—”
“Of course they will oppose it.” Imogen stepped from behind one of the gold pillars into the light. She was still wearing the white dress from earlier. When had she come into the chamber? And how had she not been detected doing so? “The Council of Elders will oppose such a coronation, too,” she continued, “since it not only betrays the oath you took to uphold the laws of the realm but will also plunge the kingdom into the shadows that the virtue of light cannot reach.”
A guardsman drew his sword, but Elder Cestrum held up his iron claw to stop him. “The Council of Elders has made a study of the laws of Eden, Seer Imogen, as is required by the oath we took. And Garret’s coronation—”
“Is premature.” Imogen’s white dress against the white stone of the Hall of Virtues gave her an almost otherworldly glow as she glided across the floor. She turned and nodded to the doorway of the Hall, and a young girl carrying a large black leather book with the gold seal of Eden on the cover stepped out of the shadows. When she reached Imogen’s side, the seeress said, “Since taking my oath to serve the Kingdom of Eden, I have spent my days reading the histories of the land and my nights studying the winds and the skies. I’ve read the laws you are quoting now. But I fear in your haste to find the solution you sought, you did not consult the Book of Knowledge.”
The Book of Knowledge. The history of the first years of the kingdom as recorded by Eden’s first seer. Growing up, Andreus’s tutors spoke of the book, but none had actually seen it. Most believed it had been destroyed when the Bastians had taken a torch to the castle in an effort to leave nothing of value for their usurpers to claim.
“Since you haven’t consulted the text, I shall read it to you now.” The pages of the ancient text crackled as Imogen opened it to the page she sought. Imogen read, “If two or more members of the royal family have equal claim to the Throne of Light, a series of trials must be held in order to determine the rightful heir. The Trials will be devised and administered by the Council of Elders, the designated representatives of the districts, and will measure the claimants’ abilities to uphold the seven virtues necessary to wield power and avoid the temptations elevation to the crown can bring.”
“You want us to compete in some kind of public contest?” Carys asked before Andreus could react. She chuckled. “No. I am happy to step aside and let Andreus rule. He understands wind power, so the Masters respect him. He’s studied with the Captain of the Guard, so he understands the men he would command in battle. If I abdicate my position, his claim is greatest. There’s no reason for us to have to perform as if we are street entertainers.”
“Carys . . . ,” Andreus started to protest, but his chest swelled. His sister had proclaimed him the worthier heir to the throne—here, in front of the Council. No other member of his family would have done so.
“Both of you have skills that would make you strong rulers, but it is not for you or the Council to choose the next defender of the light. The law demands a series of trials.” Imogen straightened her slight shoulders and locked eyes with Andreus as if willing him to trust her. “It is your duty to follow the law just as it is the Council of Elders’ duty to see that it is administered.”
Turning back to face the Council, Imogen said, “Ever since I took my oath and began my duties as the Seer of Eden, there is one vision that appears to me when the stars are at their brightest. I see two paths stretching from Eden’s orb. At the end of both paths is a crown. One path is covered in darkness. The other bathed in light. One littered with war and unrest. The other with prosperity and peace. Never has a vision been so strong or the purpose so clear. You must follow the ancient law of Eden as your oath commands of you. Only then can we be certain we have followed the path of light.”
Imogen slammed the book shut. The sound rang through the cavernous room. “If you do not adhere to your oath, if Prince Andreus and Princess Carys do not compete for their place at the head of the Hall of Virtues, you will set the kingdom on a course toward war and suffering and a darkness that stretches on beyond time.”
Elder Cestrum smoothed his white beard to a point as he studied Imogen. She was so calm and beautiful under the Elder’s scrutiny. So unlike the girl they were used to dealing with. And it was because of Andreus. She was taking this chance—thwarting the plans of the men who wished to do her harm—out of love.
“May I have the book?” Elder Cestrum asked, holding out his iron-clawed hand.