The Crow King's Wife (The Elder Blood Chronicles #5)(43)
“How much longer are you going to let them stew, Finn?” Fiona asked quietly from the right side of his throne. She wore her white armor as always and was standing as rigid as a palace guard beside him. Finn glanced at her and shrugged one shoulder before slowly looking to his left. Seth stood silent there; the perfect opposite of Fiona dressed in dark leathers and slouched against the wall. His expression was unreadable, and he didn’t seem the slightest bit nervous, but then Seth never did seem nervous. He glanced at Finn and raised an eyebrow in question, but remained silent. It was his general attitude lately. Seth had barely spoken five words to him since their talk behind the crow carved door the night Zoey had left.
Finn sighed heavily and turned his attention back to the crowd. In all honesty he had expected Seth to take care of this problem long before now, but the Assassin seemed intent on doing nothing but sulking. He wasn’t even sure that Seth had known there had been a betrayal in the citadel. Slowly Finn stood and the room around him fell silent as all attention riveted on his movement. Demons and spirits alike watched him with expressions ranging from fear to contempt. Finn studied the latter carefully and noted the ones who seemed the most defiant. He had been kinder than his predecessor and it seemed to have given his servants the wrong impression. Too many of them seemed to believe his kindness meant weakness. He intended to correct that matter today.
“Yasny, come forward.” Finn commanded and his voice rang off of the stones so loudly that a few of the lesser spirits shuffled back further.
To her credit, Yasny did not cringe. She glided forward with hips swaying gently as if she were a queen amongst peasants. Her long black hair fell across her shoulders as smooth as silk and the red gown she wore hugged her perfect body in all of the right places. She smiled at him with a look of pure invitation written on her face. “How may I serve Milord?” she purred in a voice that would have had most men undressing before she had fallen silent.
Finn watched her display with a faint smile and had to resist laughing. She actually seemed to believe she could seduce her way out of this one, or she thought he was just as oblivious as Seth apparently was. “You may serve me by answering my questions honestly Yasny.” Finn began in a cold voice. All eyes in the throne room shifted to Yasny with hunger. There was nothing the creatures of the Darklands enjoyed more than watching someone else suffer more than they were. “It is not like you to help another Yasny. In fact I don’t think I have ever seen you help anyone, aside from Zoelyn. You helped her the night she left the Darklands and I want to know why.”
“She wished to catch Seth’s attention better. I have a bit more experience with men than the poor girl did. So I lent my advice.” Yasny answered carefully.
“By arranging her clothing and hair to mirror Dashara?” Finn pressed.
“I was trying to help her see him for what he was. Seth is a monster. She was innocent and blind to his true nature. I did what I could to break the charm he had over her and allow her to truly see him for what he is.” Yasny’s voice was filled with so much sincerity that Finn almost laughed again.
“So you took your actions to save her from Seth then?” Finn concluded dryly. He kept his gaze locked on her with a dark expression on his face, but she didn’t so much as flinch.
Yasny nodded slowly, but her attention was focused on Seth now. The Assassin was no longer slouching against the wall, and his hand was resting lightly on his dagger hilt. Finn flicked a glance back to him and smirked. Seth truly had been oblivious then Finn realized. His actions now were proving it.
“If that were the honest truth Yasny I would say you are redeemed. I would say your penance was at an end.” Finn began in a kinder voice as he slowly stepped down from his dais and began walking toward Exodus. “Kaverax found redemption you know. I sent him on to the life stream this morning. In all truth he likely found it long before now, but Death never saw fit to release him. I suppose dragons do make good lawn ornaments though.” Finn paused beside Exodus and stared down at the shroud covered body. He smiled faintly and winked at Exodus. “Nix is good; it takes talent to steal from Kali.” He whispered as he slowly turned back to look at Yasny.
“Nix is the best and I hope this favor balances my mistake of summoning Seth without permission?” Exodus whispered behind him.
Finn nodded once his gaze still fixed on Yasny. “I don’t think it’s the honest answer though Yasny. I believe you took your actions because of the deal you made with Hemlock on my rooftop. In a bargain for this masterpiece.” Finn pulled the shroud back as he spoke revealing the pale body beneath. It was a perfect duplicate of Yasny in every way. Kali truly was a master with her magic to recreate a dragon that had been dead for centuries down to the last hair. “I just wanted to hear what bullshit you would spew to save your own hide. I am not quite as stupid as everyone present seems to believe.” Finn informed her with a smile.
Yasny stared at the body in silence with her lips parted in dismay. Her eyes flicked back to Seth once more and she took a hesitant step toward the body. “Anyone in this room would have taken that bargain.” She whispered hoarsely. Her eyes locked on Finn’s in desperation and she took another step toward him. “I betrayed Seth not you!” she said more loudly and her voice broke with the words.
“You betrayed Seth and tried to cheat me.” Finn corrected coldly. His hand dropped gently to rest on the cheek of the body. “I won’t be cheated.” He announced as he summoned his magic. The pale flesh beneath his hand began to wither and turn black.