“If your great-grandfather and grandfather were so well and happy”—Wyneth licked her lips—“then why did Rocato kill the king? You speak of him like a hero. He was a murderer.”
“No! The government of Kalor was corrupt. Your books lie. The old king wanted to use the Lasheds’ power for his own gain, like work mules. He wanted to tax villagers who were helped by the Lashed. His plan was to own us, to make us his slaves.”
Aerity’s mind whirred. Was her father aware that Rocato had a son and granddaughter? Surely if those in charge of the kingdoms knew, they would have taken his family into custody all those years ago. Rocato had been captured and put to death after he killed so many people and rallied a civil war of Lashed against Unlashed.
“I didn’t know,” Wyneth said quietly. “But as awful as that was, Rocato killed everyone who stood in his path. Surely you can see that was wrong as well?”
“My grandfather was . . . passionate. Justice requires sacrifices.”
“Don’t speak to me of sacrifice,” Wyneth ground out, her voice getting stronger. Her shaky hands turned into fists and she glared from the woman to the creature sleeping at her side. “Your idea of justice was to kill the man I loved! I watched it happen!”
The woman sighed. “What you must understand, royal one, is that Unlashed men, with their fear and greed, are the root of evil in Eurona.”
“Breckon was not evil. He was a good man. You’re nothing but a murderer, just like your grandfather!”
Don’t make her angry!Aerity tensed, waiting for the woman to attack, but the woman remained unnervingly calm. Aerity was close to the pulley now. She hoped it wasn’t rotted.
“You have been sheltered from the truth. You cannot possibly understand the cost of civility. When the scales of a civilization have been so severely uneven, they must tip in the opposite direction in order to eventually right the weight again. For over one hundred years the Lashed have suffered. Now the Unlashed must suffer. They must gain understanding and respect the hard way. Only then can the scales be even once again. I will make clear to everyone in Eurona the things my grandfather failed to teach.”
Wyneth shook her head. “No. No. Not like this. They were all innocent people.” Her voice cracked as she shouted. “How can you do this?! How can you create such suffering? This is madness. Why did you come here? Why did you bring your hate to Lochlanach?”
The woman chuckled. “The hate is already here. And I chose Lochlanach because your king is soft where other kings are harsh.”
“Our king is honorable,” Wyneth insisted with passion.
Aerity couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Her hands were trembling violently when she reached the pulley. The ropes were thick, but frayed by time.
“He allows his people to treat its Lashed with disdain,” Rozaria said. “With injustice, worse than rubbish.”
Wyneth breathed in loudly. “All of the kingdoms are like that. I know, that doesn’t make it right—”
“Not all kingdoms, royal girl. Kalor has improved on its own. Naturally. Our people understand the benefits of Lashed. Over time, many villages began to allow magic for healing. Prince Kalieno knows our worth. Though he dared not share his views with other kingdoms, he has lifted the ban on magic already, but he is swift to punish those who use it wrongly. He is a smart man. He has done well to rule while his father ails.”
At this, Aerity paused. Could it be true? Lashed were free to work magic in Kalor? Aerity fumbled for the rope, careful to keep her weight on the beam as she leaned. She gave therope a tug, and to her shock, it slipped completely from the faulty pulley. She barely grasped it in her hands in time to keep it from falling. Her breaths were loud as she righted her weight. Now what was she to do? It was too far to jump.
Wyneth’s voice and hands shook wildly as she spat, “I take it you don’t murder for fun in your own kingdom, then.” She took another step back.
“I’m warning you.” The woman’s voice took on a sinister edge. “One more move and I will wake my beast to stop you.”No!Aerity stared down as the woman made a sound from the back of her throat, like three clicks, and the beast quickly raised its head.
Quickly, Aerity pulled the rope with all her might, tying it around the beam with a double knot. Her arms burned and her hands stung. She wiped sweat from her brow.
Wyneth had gone still below. Aerity, panicking, lay flat against the beam and wound the end of the rope around herself, pulling it up and yanking it into a tight, double knot. The rock was heavy in her pocket, the sharp points pressing into her hip.
Aerity slowed her breathing, garnering her strength and concentration. She slid the lower half of her body over the edge, pressing her stomach against the beam. Her feet wound around the rope. It was thicker and rougher than her silks, but the concept was the same. She winced and grasped the rope, lowering herself slowly, with ease and care. She glanced over her shoulder, certain she’d be noticed midair, but nobodylooked her way. Wyneth must have spotted her by now, and Aerity was proud of her cousin’s cool demeanor in not giving her away. Aerity blessedly arrived at the dirty floor. Without hesitation, she hastened through old cabinets and crates toward the front of the room until she was close enough. She crouched behind a broken crate and pulled the rock from her pocket.
The woman continued talking. “Let me tell you what we are going to do now, Lady Wavecrest. I will send a letter to the king, letting him know I have you. . . .”
Aerity had no plans to let her finish. She stepped out from behind the crate, her arm cocked back. Aerity felt momentarily stunned as she faced the black-haired beauty, whose bright blue eyes widened at the sight of the princess. Before the woman had a chance to wake the beast with her call, Aerity threw the rock with all her might. The rock flew, hitting hard, bashing the woman’s collarbone.
All at once the woman fell to her knees with a shrill scream of pain and anger. Aerity scrambled to the ground, yanking at the bow. The beast snorted, its glassy eyes cracking open before drooping closed again. Wyneth gave a cry and rushed to help, pulling up the guard’s shoulder so Aerity could withdraw the bow and snatch out an arrow. Still on her knees, the princess had the arrow nocked and the bow drawn straight at the woman, who stared at her from the floor, shock and hatred in her blazing, light eyes.
“Do not make a single sound,” Aerity warned her. “Or Iswear I will pierce you without thought.”
The woman’s full, red lips pursed. One hand was raised across her chest, holding her wound as her eyes darted toward the snoozing beast.
“Not. One. Sound.” Aerity’s eyes were trained on the woman as she spoke to her cousin. “Wyn, open the door. Help will be here soon.”
But when Wyneth wrenched the sliding door open, what they found was Vixie, sitting, her back against the outer wall. “She’s passed out!” Wyneth said. Aerity’s stomach sank.
