The Undine's Tear by Talena Winters

Author:Talena Winters [Winters, Talena]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 0000000000000
Published: 2021-11-13T12:17:00+00:00

30

LAKE OF FIRE

The last man in the hall walked stiffly out the door, still grimy from his day at the mines.

Calandra watched him go, the thread that was his tether now anchored in her mind, wishing she could slump onto the marble right where she stood. Her feet ached, her shoulders ached, and her heart ached. She hadn’t been able to get the image of Elizabeth’s corpse out of her mind all day, or Matthew’s blank expression while his mother died before his eyes.

Despoina Cleo dismissed the sirens who had been watching the entrances for the evening, then nodded at Calandra and excused herself. Once she’d gone, Calandra and Osaze were alone in the room, the remaining members of the royal entourage having dissipated to various pursuits after the excitement that afternoon. The aroma of cooking food wafted through the courtyard above the sweet smell of summer flowers, and her stomach growled.

Calandra turned to motion Osaze toward their villa to rest and freshen up for a few minutes before the evening meal and paused with her arm in the air.

Adonia stepped onto the flagstones toward her with Cain and a tall, husky siren singer at her heels. The queen was already dressed for dinner in a floor-length tunic of emerald green silk, accented with a bejewelled girdle and golden hair bands. As she had done in the other communities they had visited, Adonia had spent the morning supervising the Redemption rites, but after the discovery of Matthew, had gone to a meeting with the local council to discuss official matters—and, in this case, probably to call them to task for the breach of security in their domain.

Calandra hadn’t expected to see her aunt again until dinner. She glanced at Osaze, whose back was to the queen, and flicked her eyes away before she could be accused of staring. His face relaxed, and he looked as though he were about to speak.

Calandra bowed and saluted the woman approaching his shoulder. “Your majesty.”

Osaze stiffened to his normal posture.

Adonia smiled graciously. “Calandra, I need to speak with you for a few minutes. May I accompany you to your villa?”

Calandra blinked, unsure of what to make of her aunt’s offer. She sensed no danger or slyness from Adonia, however.

“Of course, your majesty.”

The sun had set and Atargatis’s star, Venus, hung over the western horizon, eclipsing whatever tiny fragment of moon might otherwise be visible tonight. Fire Lake was living up to its moniker, reflecting a brilliant sunset of reds and oranges that made it appear as though the caldera were filled with lava. Steam rising from the warm water added to the effect.

Calandra fell into place beside the queen as they exited the courtyard for the gravelled lakeside pathway that led to the guest villas. At Adonia’s gesture, the singer walked on ahead—near enough to be of use should danger present itself, but far enough to not overhear their conversation.

Osaze and Cain walked a couple of paces behind the two women. Calandra was pleased

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