The Void of Muirwood (Covenant of Muirwood Book 3)(10)
A sudden light pierced the darkness, knifing through it like a glowing Leering. That blackness melted away from her, unable to cling, and seeped through the stones and crevices of the rock around her instead. The Leering in the ceiling was blindingly bright, and Maia discovered when she opened her eyes that she was curled up on the ground.
As her eyes adjusted to the brilliance, she watched as Suzenne’s hand lowered from the maston sign. Her other hand was pressed flush against Maia’s brow. Though her friend was strained and weak, she had a look of defiance mingled with fear as she covered Maia’s exposed shoulder with the chaen.
“You did that deliberately,” Suzenne said to the men.
Kranmir’s eyes were wide as he stared at the two girls on the floor. His nostrils were rimmed with white. A look of fascination mingled with dread transfixed his face, and a single ball of sweat trickled down his cheek.
“So it is true,” he whispered hoarsely.
Lady Shilton was fanning herself, her eyes wide with unalloyed horror. She cowered by Aldermaston Kranmir’s side, trembling, groping for a chair to sit on, though none was there.
Maia gave Suzenne a grateful look and tried to rise, but her muscles quivered and trembled, her energy completely sapped by the ordeal. Suzenne helped her sit up, hushing her gently.
“What I did,” Kranmir continued, shaking his head stubbornly, “is prove beyond a doubt that you are a danger and a threat to the kingdom of Comoros. Who wears your kystrel?” he asked.
Maia’s throat felt raw, as if she had screamed for too long. “I do not know.”
The Aldermaston looked far from convinced. “Whoever it is, they must be found and destroyed. Did Walraven give the kystrel to you? Hmmm? Absolute treachery. Your father will be displeased.”
“My father knew I had it,” Maia contradicted, trying again to rise, and failing still.
Kranmir clucked his tongue triumphantly. “Please, child. His memory lapses have always been very convenient. You have given me all that I need to secure your father’s throne. The people are rioting to see you, and they will. Let no one say we do not give them what they want. Yes, I can see it now. There you will be, up on that platform with your shadowstain and shoulder brand for all to see. I cannot say what you really are for the sigil binds my tongue. But the evidence . . . the evidence will be seen with the people’s eyes. Your grandmother knows the truth. There is no need to lie and cover for her.”
“She does know,” Maia angrily contested. “I never accepted this brand willingly. My father sent me—”
“It does not matter!” Kranmir thundered, his voice hot with rage. “It does not matter why you received the brand. It only matters what you are. What you let yourself become. The people clamored long for Queen Catrin to rule. She was a true threat to your father’s power. But you . . . you were always the greatest threat. That is why he kept you so near him. That is why Lady Shilton watched over you. Did you know, Lady Shilton, that Maia had the mark on her shoulder?”
Lady Shilton cringed away from the Aldermaston, her voice trembling. “I swear I did not!”
“She did not when she lived at your manor?”
“No!”
Kranmir looked vindicated. “She visited Dahomey. And she returned to despoil Comoros, to bring the Scourge back to this land once more.” He shook his head, clucking his tongue in mock disappointment again. “And the High Seer of Pry-Ree knew it!” he snarled. “She knew what you were. She hid the truth in a tome and sealed it with a binding sigil. Oh, my dear child, how can I ever thank you! All was lost at Whitsunday, but now all is recovered. The people will cry out in rage for your death when they learn what you really are. Of course, there is no heir, but perhaps Lady Jayn will bear a son. She is young still. One heir is all it will take for people to be satisfied. Thank you, Maia. The Medium has delivered you into my hands. Truly it has ordained that I shall be the new High Seer.”
His eyes were wild with the fervor of power lust, his lips quivering as he spoke his ambition aloud. He turned to Captain Trefew, who was skulking outside Maia’s vision. “Captain. She is under your watch. Move her and the other from room to room until dawn. There can be no mistake. When she dies in the morning, you will become an earl yourself.”
“Yes, Aldermaston,” Trefew said, his eyes as wide as a child with a bag of sweets. He came and yanked Maia up by her arm.
“It is selfish, yet I am glad you are here with me,” Maia said as they were forced awake, yet again, and marched to another location in Pent Tower. The corridors were thick with guards and torches. “You saved me.”
Suzenne smiled nervously and squeezed her hand with affection. They had been given new gowns to wear, simple servants’ attire with no fancy trims or edging. “When I saw your eyes roll back in your head, I truly feared you were overcome,” Suzenne said. “You started trembling and thrashing, and the room was . . . dark. The Medium told me what to do, Maia. It is still with us.”
Maia nodded and squeezed her hand in return. She was grateful the moment with the Myriad Ones had not lasted long. In the past, Ereshkigal had taken over quickly, and it had taken her hours to regain control of her body. Suzenne had drawn power from the Leering in the ceiling and the maston sign. She would not have been strong enough to cast the evil being out if Maia had been successfully occupied. But she was strong enough to prevent the takeover. If Maia had been alone, she knew she would have lost the struggle.