Page 131 of Thorns and Echoes

Zara went still.

He continued, “I remember everything. What they made me do to you. I thought I’d killed you. But I’m free, we’re both free, and we want to help you. Let us help you.” Glancing at Anais, he nodded.

The Queen spoke his words. Even knowing they would do nothing, she hated saying the phrases.

He smiled. “I remember the river. You said you were doing it for Henry. For your brother. Why? He was already safe.”

Zara blinked and tilted her head at him, as if not quite believing that the trance had no effect. Glancing at the Queen, she hugged herself. “Nowhere is safe. My Queen will find me and my brother. I've failed. I failed her, and she'll kill us.” She fixed frightened eyes on him. “Not you, though. She won't kill you.”

Castien’s jaws clenched. He stepped back.

“Tell us what you know,” Anais interjected. “About the trance, what Yelena wanted you to do, anything you think might help. We can protect you – and your brother.”

The woman glared. “Where is Henry? I want to see him. I won’t talk until I’ve seen him!”

Pelios reached for her arm. “Zara, I'm sure he's fine. They don't let children wander the palace.”

Her eyes remained fixed on Anais. “Then bring me to him. Why won’t you let me see him? Unless you’re lying. Is he dead? Is he lost? Please, just… I need to see Henry. Even if– if he’s–”

A small figure ran into the room. Shock froze her for only a second. The boy threw his arms around her.

“Henry!” she sobbed. “Henry, I'm so sorry. Are you hurt? Are you alright? Did they hurt you? Goddess, I am so, so sorry.”

The boy's soft responses seemed to reassure her. She examined him at arm’s length, scanning his body head to toe, then pulled him back into her embrace. Tears streamed down her cheeks. “You won't hurt him, Queen Anais? You swear? You will protect him.”

That last was said more like a demand than a question.

The Queen promised, “He will be as safe as my Escorts.” She glanced at Castien. Safer.

Again, Zara gave her courtesan a confused look. She wiped her face and nodded. Hugging her brother tighter, she said, “You were supposed to lead us. I don't know who else is here – I'm not sure my Queen– Yelena did either.” She frowned at the floor. “‘My Consort will break Drantar from within.’She said that often.”

His throat bobbed. “I am not her Consort.”

To most people, he would have sounded angry and certain. She heard the hollow fear beneath his forceful rejection.

The Queen said, “We have a cure for the trance. A potential cure, rather. We have no proof it works. Castien’s was broken another way. Will you take it?”

Pelios grumbled, “Let her rest. We've asked enough of her today.”

Zara ducked her head, her hair falling like protection against his stare. She covered her brother’s ears. “Will it kill me?”

Octavius cleared his throat. “The concoction should be harmless, my lady. We’re testing a batch, and no one has shown ill effects yet.”

She looked up and blinked. “Oh. Alright. I'll take it.”

The Queen nodded her thanks. “Let's finish this in the Queen's Wing.”

Dispatching a guard with a message to Jerrl, she led them through the palace. Octavius and the rose guards took Pelios and Zara to her study. The boy clung onto his sister’s hand.

Restless nobles, the rebels’ discontent, the trance, and the threat of war – too much needed to be addressed, and quickly. She should bathe. She should have Madeline dress her appropriately for a battle with the council. The rebels might get what they want soon. Too soon. A civil war would leave them helpless against the other nations.

“You’re tense again, my Queen.” Castien’s murmur caressed her senses.

The hoot of an owl reached her ears. Darkness had already fallen when she had returned from the village. It was late. Perhaps the council could wait.

She paused outside the hall leading to the rose garden and turned to him. “It's been a long day. I think I need a bath… and a massage, if you don't mind.”

She could steal a few extra minutes. Just a few minutes.