The Cogsmith's Daughter (Desertera #1)(88)
The bishop cleared his throat. “My lords and ladies, today you witness the trial of King Archon and his alleged mistress, Aya Cogsmith. As you know, the king normally presides over criminal trials, but as the accused today is the king, we cannot allow that to happen. This is the first time in the history of Desertera that a king has been put on trial, and as such, a council met all night to discuss how to handle this situation. We believe the fairest option is to have the next in line to the throne, Prince Lionel, preside over this trial. If there are any objections to His Highness serving as judge, please air them now.”
The blood drained from Aya’s face. Prince Lionel—Willem—the man who had once cared dearly for her, who now, according to Lord Varick, despised her and the king, would decide her fate. In this courtroom, the prince was the true scorned lover, not Queen Zedara, and he had all the power.
The nobles’ whispers descended upon Aya like a nest of hornets, their buzzing heightening her panic. Aya rose to object, ready to confess her involvement with Prince Lionel in hopes of having another noble—the bishop, perhaps—preside over the trial, but before she could speak, the guard pushed her back into her chair.
The bishop raised his hands, and the nobles quieted. “Hearing no objections, let us begin. I call to the Throne of Judgment, His Highness, Prince Lionel Willem Monashe, heir to the throne of Desertera.”
Lionel Willem. At least he’d only lied about part of his name.
Aya waited, breath held, for her eyes to land on the prince. She did not know how to feel about him, let alone how her instincts would react to his presence. Would her blood boil with thoughts of her father? Would her heart flutter as she recalled Willem’s caresses? Would her stomach retch at his contempt and the power he held over her? As Prince Lionel entered from the short corridor, wearing a tall, cog-embroidered top hat exactly like the king’s, Aya’s body did all three.
Prince Lionel bowed to the crowd of nobles before taking his seat. Once situated on the throne, he scanned the three people before him. He gave a short nod to Queen Zedara, showed no emotion to King Archon, and pursed his lips at Aya. Her knees trembled. If Lord Varick had not revealed Aya’s true identity to the prince, he knew it now. She could imagine Prince Lionel’s thoughts as he stared down at her from his throne: traitor, like father like daughter.
“King Archon Lionel Monashe,” Prince Lionel began, “you have been accused of adultery. How do you plead?”
King Archon rose. “Innocent.”
“Very well.” The prince remained emotionless. “Aya Cogsmith, you have also been accused of adultery as well as falsehood. How do you plead?”
Aya could not stand. The guard seized her under the arm and wrenched her to her feet. She managed, through a tight throat, to croak her plea. “Innocent.”
“Very well.” Lionel turned to the queen, his face finally forming a kind smile. “Queen Zedara, do you levy these accusations?”
Zedara rose. “I do, Your Highness.”
Prince Lionel straightened in his throne. “And do you have any other accusations to add before we proceed?”
Queen Zedara looked at Aya out of the corner of her eye and winked. Aya’s veins filled with ice, and she glowered at the queen. Zedara had already betrayed Aya, but to mock her now was incomprehensibly cruel.
“I do, Your Highness.” Queen Zedara clenched her jaw. “I accuse King Archon Lionel Monashe of nine counts of conspiracy to commit murder and high treason.”
The noble audience gasped and erupted into whispers. Prince Lionel nodded. Aya’s eyes drifted between Zedara and the prince. They were working together to reveal the truth about King Archon. Aya scanned the crowd for Lord Varick, but she could not find him. Was this part of Varick’s plan, too?
The bishop stepped forward and clapped his hands to reclaim the nobles’ attentions. “The accused may sit.”
Aya and King Archon sat back down in their chairs.
Prince Lionel waved his hand, and the last of the whisperers fell silent. “Queen Zedara, these are very serious accusations. Please explain your case.”
“It is as I told you before, Your Highness.” Zedara tucked a strand of blond hair behind her ear. “Last night, I went to my husband’s chambers to share his bed for the evening, as is a wife’s duty. I took my guards with me, because I had noticed a strange man following me earlier in the day, and it made me nervous. When I arrived at the king’s chambers, he was speaking with Miss Cogsmith.”
The prince’s brow furrowed. “What were they saying?”
“The king was confessing his love for her.” Zedara blushed, looking every bit the embarrassed wife. “Miss Cogsmith was obviously distressed by his affections and worried about committing adultery. The king informed her that adultery would not be an issue, as he was intending to frame me for the crime and have me executed.”
“You’re a lying whore, Zedara!” King Archon shouted, slamming his fist against the table. “She’s making it all up, son. Don’t believe a word she says.”
“King Archon, please wait your turn to speak.” Prince Lionel paused to ensure that the king would stay silent before motioning to Zedara. “Go on, Your Highness.”
“After the king promised to have me executed, Miss Cogsmith seemed doubtful. To reassure her, he told her that he had performed this exact scheme with his last eight wives, and he had not been caught yet.”