Beyond Veiled Destinies (Darkened Skies Book 4) by H.E. Bauman

Author:H.E. Bauman [Bauman, H.E.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: anonymous
Published: 2024-06-24T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 29

The grand duchess’s words ran circles in Astrea’s mind as she trudged through the palace with Jin. Tread carefully.

Every hallway they walked down crawled with soldiers and guards, and though so many people being around hadn’t always been comfortable, it had once been reassuring. A sign of strength, proof that the Novarians weren’t going to let the Paragon attack again.

Except they had.

And now, every pair of eyes on them made Astrea’s skin crawl.

Jin was right. The council’s concerns seemed illogical. Sure, the two of them were the objects of Victor Nazarov’s obsession, but why would Jin and Astrea spend so many months trying to solve this problem if they were really just working with the Paragon?

Why fight Nazarov so many times?

Why go back to Kalama?

Why do any of it?

Could the council have loyalties other than to Ysabel and Novaria? What if the Paragon had corrupted not just the Zaikudi but Ysabel’s very own advisors? And if someone on the council—or multiple people—now had ties to the Paragon, what could that mean for these very soldiers and guards sworn to protect everyone in the palace?

After all, if someone was accusing you of something so far from the truth, it was usually because they were capable of that very thing.

And Astrea knew so little about the council, just that the ruler of Novaria needed majority support on certain initiatives. She’d spent so little time with the councillors.

Jin’s thumb traced circles on the back of her hand, like he knew she was on the verge of panic. Astrea sucked in one deep breath, then another, and willed her pulse to slow as they reached their bedroom.

As soon as they entered, Jin shut the door behind Astrea, then pulled her to the far wall near the fireplace.

“Do you think—” she started.

“I don’t know what to think,” Jin said. “If I were truly some stranger, I could understand the council’s concerns, but they’ve been talking to me for months. No, we’re not the best of friends, but the fact that they see me as disloyal?” Steel pain flared around Jin. “It’s insulting.”

The Novarian Council may have had the right to their own opinions, but Jin was right. Astrea may not have had much interaction with them, but he had. He’d been discussing things with the council for months, since their very early days in Novaria. He’d kept his familial connections secret at Ysabel’s suggestion. And as for Nazarov, it wasn’t fair—or accurate—to suggest Jin let him get away.

“Do you think anyone on the Novarian Council might actually be in the Paragon’s pocket?” Astrea asked. “Like the Zaikudi ambassador. Could they be trying to split the government, make them turn on us?”

“I’d like to think no, but honestly? I have no idea, Az.”

“So now what?”

Sighing, Jin ran a hand across the back of his neck. “I think we have to do what Ysabel suggested. Go with her and Lucian today. Let them see your work, and show them we truly want to lend our support.”

“You think it’s safe?”

“I don’t think anywhere is safe anymore.

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