“Not if I do not do so first.” Nemiah shouldered up to Stamel, and the two nodded, a hidden understanding between them.
Together, they left and took flight.
Back at the castle, they hunted Pilkie down, finding her milling about the kitchens like nothing atall had happened. She screeched in protest as Stamel grabbed her by her arm and marched her to Alluin’s quarters.
“Unhand my servant!” Alluin shouted as Stamel marched into the room.
“Gladly.” With a fling of his hand, he cast Pilkie forward, watching her stumble and fall with mild satisfaction.
“She poisoned Virion.” Nemiah’s voice went low and cold. A thousand years of Drashili warlords and rage lay in those words.
“Wasn’t trying to poison the blesse—” She scrambled away from them toward Alluin as if he might defend her.
“Silver Prince! You will say his name correctly if you say it at all.” Nemiah’s entire demeanor went cold and flat, his dark eyes, blue irises sparkling, focused on Alluin with more poison in them than could have been in a dozen vials.
Alluin’s face tightened as he glanced from the girl to Nemiah then Stamel.
“I was doin’ my orders!” She turned her head to stare at Alluin, who didn’t even glance at her.
“I have no idea what orders you speak of.” Alluin’s voice trembled, a lie if Stamel had ever heard one.
“Why would you give Seidrik screechwasp honey?” Stamel stared at Alluin, rage flooding his stomach.
The accusation brought no expression over Alluin’s face. “He wasn’t pregnant, was he? If not, he will be fine by morning. No lasting harm.”
“If Virion were poisoned, his death would mean the death of vitalis and thus Liaberos.” Nemiah’s sound words fell from his tongue like silk. Almost a purr. “And you had no fear when you heard Virion was poisoned. You merely seem annoyed.”
Nemiah had a better gauge of Alluin’s expressions than Stamel did, but Drashili tempers were legendary,and Nemiah restrained his far better than Stamel held his own rage.
“I have no idea what you speak of. I’m glad to hear Virion will make a full recovery. It’s terrible what my servant has done to you. I’ll see to her execution at once.” Alluin gritted his teeth, earning a screech of protest from Pilkie.
“Fathe—King Alluin! I did as you said!” Pilkie groveled before him and earned a sneer of anger from the king.
Stamel studied the girl, the pale features, blonde hair. She had elements similar in her facial structure to Seidrik. A half sibling, perhaps. A common servant. Alluin’s family line carried the pale white and blond of the true Liaberian nobility. Alluin, himself, blackwashed his hair, giving himself a stark contrasting appearance, making him appear more severe and dour.
“I told you no such thing, and do not call me ‘Father’ before others, as I have repeatedly beaten into you.” Alluin stood sharply, and the woman cowered.
“You did! I told you that I overheard them talking and they said that blessed Prince Seidrik was carrying, and you told me to go get screechwasp honey and do rid of it!” Pilkie’s voice grew frantic. “You said you wouldn’t have him walking around all fat ’n bloated ’n showing off.”
Alluin’s face hardened, and he drew his foot back as if he were to kick the girl, and Nemiah raised a hand—such a gentle, slow, and firm gesture that made Alluin freeze on the spot.
“Speak, woman.” Nemiah’s cold tones made even Stamel shudder.
“Omegas are disgustin’ and he can’t stand—getting pregnant ain’t natural for a man. It’s filthy. It’s why they ain’t allowed in the temples none, save for recent.I was just doin’ as I was told!” She cowered and covered her head, waiting for Alluin’s abuse.
“I said no su—” Alluin started, but pure rage boiled in Stamel’s chest.
Nemiah took his raised hand and held it before Stamel, gesturing for him to stay in place. Quietly, he strode toward the window, opened the blinds, and stared up at the moon hovering half full in the distance.
“Mother Goddess. Moon above. I seek your council and your sister’s word. I have made vows to not strike against Liaberos, but he has injured her favored son.” Nemiah bowed his head at the moon and backed away, head kept low. He grabbed Pilkie on his way back, fingers laced tight in the collar of her dress.
The lamplight in the study went out as moonlight bathed the room. In the blink of an eye, two immensely tall women stood before the window, side by side. One was black as night, a void of shape in the moonlight with eyes that glowed like the moon and skin freckled with stars. A crown like a crescent sat atop her head. And next to her stood an equally shaped woman made of pure sunlight, her features pale and bright. She bore a crown with many spokes, tines jutting about her head intimidatingly over hair that swept down past her waist. In her eyes was fire.
Stamel looked upon them and bowed his head in submission. There was no mistaking what these two were. And for them to have come to earth, it meant something great.
“Mother Goddess,” Nemiah spoke reverently. “And my lady goddess.”
“I am unsure how to address you, my goddesses.” Stamel’s breath shook as he whispered.
