Rise of the Gryphon (Belador #4)(39)

“What of the ones who don’t win their last match?”

He shrugged. “The matches are ta the death unless someone is allowed to beg for relief and granted such, which means many will likely no survive. The curse calls for the five most powerful Alterants.”

“Thought it was a prophecy.” Flaevynn refused to call it anything but a curse, which was all the more reason for Kizira to use prophecy.

He lowered his voice. “?’Tis not the time ta be aggravatin’ the queen.” It was his raised eyebrows that gave his comment a conspiratorial flare.

Kizira nodded to let him know she understood that she should be careful what she said in this tower whether Flaevynn was present or not.

Accepting her nod, Cathbad went on. “As I was sayin’, we will also offer trades prior ta the first match for those sponsors who doubt their beasts will survive. We have uses for the lesser Alterants, but our goal is ta gain those final most powerful five.”

She pondered on what he said. “Alterants are hard to find and capturing one would take pretty powerful majik. Why would anyone risk losing their Alterant in a death match?”

“Because we are offering a trade to the sponsors of the final five for their Alterants. We anticipate having to trade Noirre majik for the beasts.”

The most powerful non-Medb witches would kill to obtain Noirre majik. Kizira put down a strawberry and interrupted. “That will bring VIPER down on our heads. Even our forces can’t hold if two or more pantheons attack us.”

“VIPER would first ha’ ta convince two or more coalition pantheons to start a war. Be that as it may, with death starin’ Flaevynn in the face, she does no care. The way she sees it, she’ll either be immortal or dead very soon. Either way, she will ha the final say in all this.”

Selfish bitch had always had the final say. Kizira was counting the minutes until Flaevynn’s death. “What motivation do Alterants have for fighting in this event?”

“The Medb will offer the five who survived the Elite matches a chance to become warriors who can conquer death.”

“And how does Flaevynn intend to make good on an offer of immortality?”

“We have no called it immortality.” Cathbad lifted a hand again. “Once ya see what the Alterants can do, you will understand this offer. I can no tell ya more yet.”

He and Flaevynn really believed this would work? “Why would anyone believe the Medb? That’s a bold offer.”

“A Medb representative will be required ta satisfy a truth test at the beast championship.”

She put down the linen napkin that had appeared with the food and leaned forward, arms crossed, mouth set hard. “Let me get this straight. The Medb are making an offer that will bring out every powerful being imaginable, all of whom will expect the offer to be proven bona fide in public, which means I’ll be the one sent to do that truth test. The only test that group would accept was one of death as a penalty. You let Flaevynn put me in the dungeon and torture me, then expect me to trust you on this?”

He moved toward her, and Kizira backed up until her shoulders hit the chair. “Give me a chance ta explain, child.”

“Why?”

Cathbad’s gaze slid sideways to Flaevynn’s throne. When Kizira followed the direction of his gaze, she noticed the dragon’s eyes watching them, so she whispered, “Should we leave?”

“No necessary.” Cathbad raised his hands, then chanted terse words. A purple fog curled around their feet, then smoked out to wind around and around the two of them.

When it stopped, she and Cathbad were in a cocoon that resembled the lavender cotton candy she’d once seen at a festival in the mortal world.

When Cathbad finished the spell, he said, “That should protect our words so we’ll no both end up in the dungeon.”

“Won’t she notice?”

“The dragon sees us still talking at the table, discussing what you will need in order ta do Flaevynn’s bidding. She may be powerful, but she ha never known all that I can do.” He grinned, reminding Kizira of the man who used to dote on her as a child when Flaevynn was not around. “Now I’ll explain why ya must trust me. We ha less than three days ta break the curse, and now that you are free we must be busy.”

“What makes you think I care about that curse anymore?” Kizira challenged, tired of being used in a game that was no-win for her. “If Flaevynn is successful and takes control of Treoir, she’ll probably also figure out how to get the water brought to her and become immortal, at which time she’ll kill me, and you, too.”

“True, but—”

“If she doesn’t take the castle, Flaevynn will die and so will I, since she refuses to pass on any legacy to another queen. Every scenario ends with me dead. Can’t say I’m feeling the love.”

Cathbad clucked his tongue. “If ya would settle down and listen ta me, you would know what’s goin’ ta happen. Ya must have more faith.”

Was he serious? “Faith is in short supply for me right now.”

“Give me one chance ta convince ya.”

She muttered to herself until she lifted her eyes to his. “Don’t waste it.”

“I would no help Flaevynn if I thought you and I would no both survive. All you ha ta do is follow her instructions and I will make sure she never gets out of my sight and does no get there ahead of me.”