Page 134 of A Queen’s Game (Aithyr Uprising #1)

Chapter Eighty-Nine

Valeriya

K atya. Her name was a blessing, her presence a curse.

Valeriya walked to her damnation following the female she loved—that she adored.

How could Kat have betrayed her? She haunted Valeriya’s field of vision as they wove through the underground passages into an unrecognizable section. Never had she ventured so far.

Wyltam had sent the male she battled with to get medical help. At her back was the last mage, a tall male the size of Keyain but moved with feline quiet and grace. Though she knew he remained behind her, nothing alerted Valeriya that she had someone following her.

How had Wyltam gathered such mages? Better yet, how had he learned to be a mage in the first place? It wasn’t as if he had a sibling to protect—not like Valeriya. His fate was always to become the King of Satiros, so why did he learn magic?

She watched her husband continue forward towards a perpendicular path. Instead of turning, he continued straight into the wall. Valeriya blinked, realizing the stone was illusioned. She was more blind than she ever imagined; Wyltam was well-equipped.

The path curved away from the palace-proper.

If Valeriya had to guess, they were underneath the city by then.

They continued downward, and then she saw it.

The tunnel ended with a vast, cavernous room, light globes flickering on at their arrival.

To one side, pads lined the floor. A sparring circle, she noted, like she and Katya used to train back in Reyila.

Racks of knives and daggers of every size sat near the ring.

Across the way was a shooting range. Bows, crossbows, and other devices she didn’t recognize rested in another rack.

At the far end of the room, targets stood, marred from practice.

Though they were deep underground, the air remained drier than she expected. None of the musk or dust of being subterranean permeated the space. Magic changed the atmosphere.

So, this was how Wyltam kept it secret. Below the city-state, he and his mages would train, no one above the wiser.

Wyltam led the group down one of three hallways, stopping before a door.

He motioned for Valeriya to follow Katya into the room and turned to the unfamiliar male.

“Send a message when you find her,” he said, his deep voice echoing.

“And protect her, Wynn. Tensions are already high.” The male offered a curt nod before taking off down the hall.

Though underground, the room was comfortable.

To one side was a small kitchen area and a table.

Katya led her to the other side, to a plush sitting area.

Valeriya sunk into the couch. Katya sat at the other end, determined not to look at Valeriya.

Her heart ached. Wyltam took the seat across from her, his arm resting on its edge as he propped his head.

She didn’t bother to hold back her sneer.

Of course, he was unable to sit like a king as he sent her to her death.

Sighing, Wyltam shook his head. “You’ve made a mess of things.

” He crossed one leg over the other, further degrading his posture.

“Stealing money from the crown to help our people is one thing, but sending sensitive information to the Exisotis, your sister, and the Chorys Dasians is something else.”

Valeriya sat with her back bone-straight and lifted her chin to look down at her husband. Katya had told him everything then. The crushing pain of her betrayal choked Valeriya’s breath. She swallowed hard, managing to say, “Go on with it, then. Send me to my pyre.”

Katya’s head whipped to him, eyes wide. “Wyltam, you promised you wouldn’t.”

“I’m not,” he said with another sigh. “Valeriya, you’ve been playing your own game from the beginning.

I’m aware that before our wedding, you arrived in Satiros two weeks before your public arrival date.

I’m also aware of your magical capabilities.

Master Arkym of Reyila spoke highly of you.

When you took a special interest in The Weeds, I recognized you would be of help to me, to Satiros; yet, you have been, and continue to be, loyal to Reyila. ”

Wyltam knew the mage who trained her and Katya?

Had known that she knew magic and she snuck into the city?

She stilled her expression, her heart racing in her chest. “I’d rather be loyal to a city-state that views pilinos as equals than to a king who works with leisurely care.

How many books have you read while your citizens starved? ”

“How would I have made a difference when the group of ministers I inherited is already distrusting of me?” Wyltam cocked his head, his dark hair falling to the side.

“Tell me how I, the King of Satiros, could do as you did to help the pilinos? Never could I sneak away like that, nor understand the social nuances in The Weeds—but you did. I let you take the coin, and I hid the loss from my ministers. By pretending to be distant and careless with my position, I allowed others to make a difference.”

“So, me putting my safety on the line every time I stepped out of this palace was from your doing?” Valeriya spat, feeling her anger rise. “Don’t act as if you let me; it was my own doing.”

“I see that,” Wyltam said, his words clipped, “but I made sure you were safe.”

Valeriya scoffed, shaking her head. “You don’t care about me. You don’t care about your city—or anyone.”

“That’s not true,” Katya whispered, lifting her head to stare at Valeriya.

“Oh, so now you speak.” Valeriya hated the anger in her tone, but finally, Kat looked at her. Her sharp nose. Her bright eyes. Even though she scowled, she was stunning. Fierce. Emotion choked Valeriya’s voice. “Give me a reason to trust you after… after this.”

“Because Nastanya tried to execute me.”

Her words fell like a hammer to her chest. That couldn’t be true. “My sister would never.”

“Auryon would.” Katya swallowed, her gaze hardening. “I told you the Chorys Dasi prince was rotten. He’s corrupted your sister—corrupted Reyila. Together, they passed a law that moved pilinos to be subservient to the elven, just like the rest of Syllogi. Like Chorys Dasi.”

A wave of nausea washed over her. Auryon was a touch sullen, but he wasn’t that corrupt, was he?

Then again, if he took over ruling Reyila…

Nastanya wouldn’t allow such a ruling. “I don’t believe you.

” Even as she said the words, Valeriya knew they were a lie.

Dread weighed down her stomach, her limbs.

Nastanya deceived her because of Auryon—because the plan all along must have been to give power to Chorys Dasi.

Her hand shook as she brought it to her mouth, feeling the bile rise

“Why do you think I’m here, Valeriya?” Katya asked, gesturing to the room.

“Why do you think I’m working with Wyltam?

With Satiros? I had to flee Reyila because your sister and her husband sent mages after me.

Master Arkym gave his life to get me to Wyltam safely.

All the pilinos nobles of Reyila have been executed. ”

Valeriya shook her head, furrowing her brows. “Nastanya’s closest childhood friend was a half-elven lady. You’re saying she executed her?”

“Trylien is dead.” Katya swallowed hard. “They’re all dead because Auryon planted his seeds of distaste. Reyila is now just an extension of Chorys Dasi. The Reyilan Crown is an appendage of theirs.”

Valeriya closed her eyes as the tears welled, dripping down her cheeks.

If this was the truth, then Nastanya was in trouble.

Her sister devoted herself to their queendom and thrived on the diversity of their people.

She was proud of Reyila and carried the crown with that pride. What happened? What changed?

Doubt crept its way into her head, the image of her sister and Reyila shattering. She looked at Katya’s intense stare, the passion brimming in her features. She turned to Wyltam, her husband, who never showed emotions; yet had a concerned frown marring his face. And like that, she understood.

Valeriya never ruled the game; she was a player in it.

“How long?” Valeriya asked, swallowing back her emotion. “How long ago had this happened?”

“Four years,” Wyltam answered.

Valeriya nodded her head and glanced at Katya. “You’ve been here for four years and hid from me.”

“How could I reveal to you I was here when you’d tell Nastanya?

” Katya pleaded. “I know how much you love your sister. Fuck, I loved her, too.” She mussed her short-cropped hair as she flung herself on the couch.

“I tried to help her, Valeriya. I tried to tell her about Auryon, but it placed a target on my back. If they learned where I was, they’d hunt me down. I uncovered too many of their secrets.”

Valeriya closed her eyes as her thoughts raced. If Auryon had corrupted Reyila and now the Chorys Dasi Prince controlled her home, what did that mean for the plan? The sudden panic left her breathless. The Chorys Dasians orchestrated this and now, they would seize Satiros.

Her body felt far away as she spoke, staring at the empty hearth. “If what you say is true, then Satiros is in grave danger. I gave Chorys Dasi everything I took, and they’re using it to plan an attack.”

“I know,” Wyltam said, drawing her gaze. Her husband’s stare was unwavering. “What we need to know is what information you passed to them or Reyila.”

“And not to the Exisotis?” Valeriya asked.

“I’m curious about that, but what you don’t know, Valeriya, is that I’ve been working towards uniting Satiros with Enomenos. Right now, I am arranging talks with the leader of the Exisotis.”

She stared at him, her jaw slacking. “What are you talking about?”

“For the past two decades, I have been working to unite Satiros with Enomenos and the Exisotis. In doing so, I hid everything from my ministers.” He shifted in his seat, his dark eyes locked on to her.

“I want to break Satiros away from Syllogi and adopt the practices and beliefs of Enomenos so we can grant pilinos an equal station.”

“That’s ludicrous,” Valeriya said, laughing though she felt no humor. “You can’t achieve such a thing, not on your own.”

“I will achieve it,” he said with quiet confidence that Valeriya didn’t realize he possessed. “Marietta is the key to that plan’s success.”

“How does she play into this?” Valeriya asked.

“They’re desperate to get her back and will do anything to do so,” he said. “And that includes meeting with me.”

For a moment, Valeriya could see how Wyltam’s plan could work out, how they could leverage Marietta against the Exisotis. The documents she received from them proved how close to the top she stood, but there was one problem. “I let Marietta escape,” she whispered, eyes wide.

“She didn’t escape,” he continued. “Wynn sent a message moments ago that Keyain apprehended her.” Wyltam paused, shifting forward to rest his forearms on his knees, staring at Valeriya.

“But she leads to our main problem. The ministers know one of you is leaking information. Keyain will do anything to save her. He knows we captured you, Valeriya. He even sent word that you coerced Marietta to commit treason on your behalf.”

Valeriya scoffed at the ridiculous notion. “The girl wanted to help the Exisotis. I had not coerced her into working with me.”

“I know,” Wyltam said, “but your word means nothing against his. Most of the ministers are looking for any reason to rid the court of Marietta. This would give them their reason. Keyain was already desperate to help her and now that she’s carrying his child—”

“She’s not pregnant,” Valeriya said, cutting him off.

Wyltam’s eyes fluttered closed as he took a breath before regaining his emotionless expression.

She had just thought the rumors surrounding him and Marietta were baseless at best. Given his reaction, what had she missed?

“Regardless, Keyain will make sure the ministers find you guilty of treason. I’ll agree with him.

Katya jumped from her seat. “Wyltam, you promised—”

“Hush,” he demanded. Katya silenced herself with a look of fury. “Marietta needs to remain innocent—thus alive—in order to work with Enomenos. Charging her with treason, which would lead to her death, would only worsen our relations. They must find Valeriya guilty of it.”

“Valeriya has lost enough,” Katya yelled. “Let the half-elf die.” Beneath the anger was something sharper. Fear.

Wyltam’s features hardened on Katya. “Marietta’s survival means we could aid those in Satiros—”

“Let them all die! I don’t care.” Katya’s chest heaved as she met her stare. “Valeriya’s life isn’t worth that sacrifice. Not to me.”

Valeriya shook her head, remembering Wyltam’s words from months ago. “The life of one isn’t worth the life of many.”

Katya approached her. “Your life means everything to me.” She leaned over Valeriya, bracing her hands on the back of the couch.

“But I can change everything for them .” Valeriya raised her hand to cup Katya’s cheek, but she jerked away.

“Seven years and you’re altruistic as ever,” she spat, shaking her head. “Fuck them, fuck this city, and fuck anyone who thinks this is a good idea.” Her glare cut to Wyltam.

“Don’t be selfish,” Valeriya said, exasperated.

“Oh, I’m selfish?”

“Yes,” Valeriya snapped, “this isn’t about you or me. This is about changing—”

“There you go again about change! Just like before, back in Reyila.” Katya stared from eye to eye, her breathing heavy. “You want your fucking legacy! Change is more than a person.”

“But one person can bring about change.”

Katya laughed, shaking her head as she stepped back.

Valeriya grabbed for her hand, folding it into her own.

Tears streaked down Katya’s face as she glowered at the wall, her jaw set.

“Your life is too much to give,” Katya said, her glare finding Wyltam again.

“You promised you wouldn’t execute her.”

“I won’t,” he replied, his face remaining passive.

“But if she’s tried for treason—”

“Valeriya won’t be.” Wyltam stood, clasping his hands behind his back as he paced. “You two are to leave Satiros together. By fleeing, Valeriya will implicate her guilt. Both Valeriya and Marietta will live.”

Valeriya nodded her head. “That could work.” She looked up into Katya’s face. After all this time, they could finally be together.

“What’s so special about Marietta that the Exisotis want her?” Katya hissed. “Why must Valeriya give everything she worked hard to achieve?”

Wyltam remained with his back to them, then glanced over his shoulder at them. “She is more important than anyone realizes. She is our hope.”

And then Wyltam shared the truth about Marietta.