Page 30 of Queen of Legends and Lies (Dragons of Tirene #4)

Chapter Twenty-Six

I sit in the Council Tower, soaking up heat from the two crackling fires.

The late-summer warmth disappeared when the sun set, leaving a chill in the air.

Moonlight streams through the tall windows, tossing dancing shadows across the circular table and reflecting off the stone walls.

The two chandeliers overhead are barely needed to keep the room bright.

The massive oak doors creak open. Council members shuffle in, stifling yawns and rubbing their puffy eyes. Some regard me with curiosity, others with annoyance at being summoned at this early hour.

Sterling opted to brief Agnar and Captain Fitz on my chat with the Mountain God, so I’ll be running this meeting alone. I glance around, deciding to proceed even in the absence of Alannah and Celeste.

I’m tired of waiting.

Rising to my feet, I clear my throat, wishing Sterling were here beside me. “Thank you all for coming. I apologize for the last-minute summons, but I have urgent news that can’t wait.”

“Your Highness, what could be so pressing as to disrupt our sleep?” Fenton’s clasped hands rest on the table.

I straighten my shoulders. “I was visited by the God of Stone and Mountains.”

Murmurs ripple through the room.

“Well?” Dalya lifts an eyebrow, the only hint there’s any emotion hidden under her impassive face. “What did Hallr say?”

I recount the events of earlier, my voice steady as I relay the god’s cryptic message. The council listens with rapt attention, their earlier drowsiness forgotten. Even Rafe has the decency to appear impressed.

Duke Bron, his brow furrowed, is the first to recover from my shocking tale. “These caves Hallr spoke of, do we know where they’re located?”

I shake my head, hoping one of the council has some insight. “Not yet. But I intend to find out.”

Vicar Moise’s green eyes narrow, glimmering with a hint of jealousy. “Your Highness, with all due respect, embarking on a quest based on the arcane words of a god seems unwise. Tirene needs its queen, now more than ever.”

I bite back a retort, reminding myself to maintain my composure.

Of all people, the vicar is cautioning me against heeding Hallr’s message? Is he really that arrogant?

Voices rise and fall, each council member offering their opinion.

Fenton leans forward. “We cannot afford to send our queen on a wild goose chase. The risks far outweigh any potential gains.”

Serle nods in agreement. “And what of the time Her Highness spends training with Prince Knox? Honing their combined magical abilities is crucial for our kingdom’s defense.”

I clench my fists beneath the table, frustration mounting with each passing second.

Now training with Sterling is acceptable?

They’re so focused on the immediate, on maintaining the status quo in Tirene, that they continue to ignore the bigger picture.

I wonder if they’d be willing to listen if a mountain fell on their heads.

I’ve heard plenty of stories about Hallr doing exactly that.

Smoothing an imaginary wrinkle in her rich purple gown, Nira clears her throat. “Maybe we could reach a compromise? A scouting party could investigate these caves while Her Highness remains in Tirene.”

At least someone’s not shooting down my plan.

The suggestion hangs in the air, a glimmer of hope amid the dissent.

Fenton extinguishes that hope by shaking his head, sending his gray curls bouncing. “We cannot spare the resources. We need every able-bodied soldier here, to defend against the growing threats at our borders. And how would we know if they were corrupted or not when they come back?”

“He’s right. The gods are tricky, and as much as I hate to say it, we shouldn’t base everything on Hallr’s word alone.” Serle exchanges glances with everyone else at the table.

Except me.

“And you’re not just our queen, but our only dragoncaller.” Duchess Breann has the manners to at least appear conflicted. “Imagine the guilt we’d all be under if we sent you on this mission and something tragic happened?”

As the council continues to deliberate—weighing pros and cons in an endless cycle—my patience wears thin.

I want to scream, to shake them until they understand the gravity of the situation.

But I remain silent, my face a mask of composure even as my insides churn with frustration.

The council may not approve of my plans, but I’m not going to sit back and do nothing.

What they don’t know won’t hurt them.

Finally, Duke Bron speaks, his voice heavy with finality. “Your Highness, while we appreciate the potential significance of the mountain god’s message, we cannot in good conscience approve this venture. The risks are simply too high, and your presence is required here to maintain our security.”

And the rest of the world be damned? How can they think we’ll be safe if all the other kingdoms are corrupted and turned against us? Are they really this stupid?

The other council members nod in agreement, their faces ranging from apathy to sympathy to resolute determination. My heart sinks, my stomach boiling with anger. They’ve decided already, and I have no hope of swaying them.

I rise from my seat with stiff and controlled movements. “Very well. I accept the council’s decision.” The lies don’t even slow me down anymore.

They might be the royal council.

But I am the queen.

Opening the window, I step out into the air. The sooner I can get away from them and their arrogance, the better. And if I had to walk down the stairs with them, I might just give a few of them an accidental push.

My wings unfurl, decelerating my fall as my mind races with possibilities.

Just because the council overruled me doesn’t mean I’m defeated.

One way or another, I will find those caves and uncover the truth.

For the sake of my kingdom, for the sake of those I love, I’m not resting until I have answers.

Even if it means defying the very council meant to advise me.

Frustration courses through my veins as I storm through the palace corridors, my footsteps echoing off the polished marble floors. The council’s dismissal of Hallr’s message plays on repeat in my mind, fueling my anger with each passing moment.

“Your presence is needed here in Tirene to maintain our security.”

How can they be so shortsighted? So unwilling to take a chance, even when the fate of our kingdom hangs in the balance? I clench my fists, my nails digging into my palms as I navigate the familiar route to the Royal Archives.

They act like the drachen haven’t already attacked once. Or like they can’t do the exact same thing again.

“Lark? Could I speak with you?”

The sound of my name brings me to an abrupt halt. I spin around, my eyes narrowing when I spot Celeste hurrying toward me, her blond hair billowing behind her like a golden banner.

“Celeste. I didn’t see you at the council meeting.”

“I was otherwise engaged. My apologies.” She takes a deep breath, her blue eyes wide and her hands clasped before her in a gesture of earnestness.

And yet, her lips are pinched tight in a placating smile, as if she’s indulging a bratty child.

“I heard about their decision. I wanted to tell you that I believe you’re onto something.

The Mountain God’s message shouldn’t be ignored. ”

I study her face, searching for any hint of deception, but find only sincerity. Could it be that Celeste is truly on my side? “Thank you, but the council has made their stance clear. There’s not much I can do.”

“Perhaps not officially.” She leans in closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “But I may have some information that could help. There’s an extensive network of caves about twenty miles north of Flighthaven.”

My heart quickens at her words, a flicker of hope igniting within me. “How do you know this?”

She beams. “I stumbled upon them when I was an instructor and did a little exploring. Not much, just enough to make sure there wasn’t anything in there that could disrupt the school. They go insanely deep and far. I never found an end to them. It’s possible that’s where Hallr meant.”

My mind’s already racing with the possibilities. If Celeste is right, those caves could hold the key to unlocking the Mountain God’s cryptic message. I find the thought both exhilarating and terrifying.

“I appreciate you sharing this with me.” I meet her gaze, my voice firm. “Truly.”

“Of course. And I know you don’t need a reminder about safety, but as your former instructor, humor me. Perhaps it would be wise to take a team with you.” Her light words carry an undercurrent that gives me pause.

“Buried alive.” That line from the prophecy keeps coming back to haunt me. It could mean so many things. Including going into a cave and getting trapped within.

“Though,” she shrugs, her voice soft with concern, “you’ve run into trouble before with a team. People can get hurt. Still, I have every confidence that you know what you’re doing.”

The memory of Olive plunges a sharp blade into my gut.

Even after everything that’s happened since that ill-fated Flighthaven trial, the pain of losing her is still raw.

Nick’s face appears in my head, and the knife sinks deeper.

I’m responsible for their deaths. And nothing I can say or do will ever bring them back.

But I can stop putting people I care about in dangerous situations.

I force a smile, shoving my grief and regret into a neat little box before clamping the lid. “I appreciate your concern, Celeste. And I’d be grateful if you’d keep our conversation between us. The council?—”

“Say no more. They mean well. Most of them. But some have never been in battle, never had any formal training with weapons or fighting. And others seem content to blindly agree with the majority.” With a final, enigmatic smile, she disappears down the corridor.

I stand there for a second, watching her go, my thoughts churning.

Despite my lingering suspicions, I can’t deny that Celeste offered valuable information about the caves. Maybe, just maybe, my misgivings about her were unfounded. Shaking my head, I turn to leave with quick and purposeful steps.

But as I round the corner, I catch sight of Celeste again. She’s heading down the hall that leads to the royal wing, and to my surprise, the guard at the doors lets her through without hesitation.

I frown, puzzled. As a council member and royal advisor, Celeste certainly has access to many areas of the palace.

But the royal wing? At this early hour? Sure, she’s allowed, but something about it is…off.

For a fleeting moment, I consider following her and demanding answers.

A twinge of guilt stays my steps. Maybe she just took a wrong turn, unfamiliar with the palace’s labyrinthine halls.

Gods know I got lost enough times when I first came here.

Even now, there are areas of the palace I have yet to explore.

I sigh, pushing the thought aside. I have more pressing matters to attend to, and Celeste’s whereabouts are hardly my concern.

With one last lingering glance down the empty corridor, I spin and almost mow down a second guard. A little surprised yelp escapes my mouth. “Sorry, I didn’t see you there.”

Where had he come from? I swear that guard wasn’t here a few seconds ago. He’s broad-shouldered and short-haired and familiar though. I think I’ve seen him speaking with Sterling a couple of times.

The guard bows. “My apologies, Your Highness. I didn’t intend to startle you.”

“It’s okay.”

He bows again before striding away.

Odd. Or maybe I’m just jumpy.

My thoughts return to my discussion with Celeste as I head the opposite way down the hall. The caves, the Mountain God’s message, the fate of Tirene itself. All of it rests on my shoulders.

My steps quicken as I navigate the palace’s winding halls, determination burning in my veins. I’m not going to put this off. I’ll follow Hallr’s clues, wherever they lead.

But I will do so alone.

The idea of dragging Sterling or anyone else into this madness, of subjecting them to the dangers that lurk…it’s unbearable. I won’t be responsible for more deaths.

Never again.

Besides, Hallr came to me and me alone. Nyc came to me alone as well. Each time, they ensured Sterling was asleep. Unaware. There has to be a reason for that.

I take a shuddering breath, my resolve hardening. Now is the perfect time to act. Agnar is here, safe within the palace walls. Bastian, Leesa, Eldor, and Alannah are all in Tirene, far from harm’s reach. Even the council members are accounted for.

And Sterling…my heart clenches at the thought of him, a bittersweet ache blossoming in my chest. He’s here, ready and able to assume the mantle of king, should anything go wrong.

I shake my head, banishing the morbid notion. It won’t come to that. It can’t.

But the knowledge that he’s prepared, that Tirene will endure even if I do not…

It’s a cold comfort, but a comfort nonetheless.