Snakecharm by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes

Author:Amelia Atwater-Rhodes [Atwater-Rhodes, Amelia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 0385730721
Amazon: B0099K3568
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Published: 2004-09-28T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 11

With Danica beside me, I descended the stairs to the Keep's ground-level courtyard, bracing myself for whatever might await me. I had dealt with traitors before. Rarely were motives clear. Rarely was justice easy.

I stopped in my tracks when I saw the woman crumpled on the ground between two members of the Royal Flight.

She could not have looked further from the part of murderess. She was avian, but despite the breed's famous stoicism, the face she lifted when she heard us approach was streaked with tears.

"Milady Tuuli Thea, thank the sky you're all right," she cried, lips trembling as she spoke. "Oh, thank the fates, thank the wind, you're alive. And, my lord, I saw you fall; it's a miracle…"

This litany of thanks continued for a while longer, as Danica and I looked at each other and then at the guards. The spark of fury in Danica's gaze had turned to wary confusion.

"She fought all the way back here, sir," one of the guards explained. "Then the instant we entered the Keep, she stopped. We explained the charges to her, and she started this. We've been careful to keep her away from the court; we didn't think you would want rumors to start before you could even speak to her."

"I never meant — " The woman cut off her protest. "I complained about the child —

everyone has been — but I never meant to hurt it. I'm loyal to my Tuuli Thea, to her alistair; I swear it. But… she suggested it, how easy it would be, and I don't know how it sounded so reasonable — "

"She?" My tone was sharp, and the woman winced. I found it difficult to feel sorry for her, though I was beginning to form a bitter suspicion about the true culprit.

"I don't know her name," the frightened avian replied. "Either way, my hands held the bow, and I know I deserve any punishment you — "

"We'll deal with that later." Suspicion was boiling into hatred, and I had no patience for pleas and rambling. "First tell me about the woman who spoke to you."

"None of us knew her really, sir," she replied. "She was tall and fair, avian, foreign…

She suggested how easy the plan could be, and after she left we continued to talk and somehow it made sense — "

I didn't need to know more. I nodded at the guards, instructing them, "Take her someplace… safe. I don't think she's entirely at fault here. Then find Kel. She… went to speak with Nacola Shardae." At their looks of confusion, I clarified, "Erica. Tell her I need to speak to her."

Danica touched the back of my hand as the guards moved to obey. "Zane?"

"Yes?" I turned to her, again feeling a rush of amazement and gratitude for her miraculous recovery. Thanks to Erica.

And fury for her near-death, thanks to another falcon.

"Why Kel?"

"Does that woman seem like someone who maliciously planned to attack her king and pregnant queen?" I asked. My voice was calm, frosty calm — shocked calm.

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