Page 55 of Queen of Legends and Lies (Dragons of Tirene #4)

Chapter Forty-Four

The following day, the afternoon sun illuminates the palace grounds in Valonde, Aclaris’s capital, as I swoop down. Dame’s out of sight, thanks to a grove of trees behind the castle walls.

This is my first visit to the king’s palace.

As a child, I fantasized about journeying here, wearing fancy dresses and sharing tea and pastries with the royalty at Xenon’s court.

A silly childhood dream. Looking back, I realize I just craved adventure—anything to escape the gilded prison of Castle Axton.

In my naive, innocent mind, I used my mother’s animated stories to conjure up a benevolent, mystical ruler who would rescue me from my mother’s imprisonment.

How wrong I was.

If only I’d known that Xenon was the reason my mother kept me hidden away. The biggest threat to my safety.

The Aclarian king’s home is spread around the old Kamorian-built fort. Squat and round with tall but thin windows. Really, they’re just narrow slits that let in very little light. There are no gardens. No hedges. Not even a well.

It’s probably inside somewhere, so no one can tamper with their water supply.

There’s a stable filled with alicorns, and an open rectangle of flat land right next to that. I’ve spent enough time on a training field to recognize one. Stone paths connect the buildings, though no one walks on them.

Considering how flashy Xenon is, I’m a little surprised by his practical, nondescript castle.

Touching down on the stone pathway, I tuck my wings in. I’d put them away, but enhanced vision is critical on this mission. After endless strategizing yesterday about the best way to approach the meeting I’ve arranged, I spent all day preparing myself, both mentally and physically.

Surveying my surroundings, I note the lack of guards. And servants.

I’m here, alone, heart pounding as I venture inside the building through an open door. Thanks to Elijah’s and Helene’s drawings from visits with their families, I know Xenon’s study is in the center of the castle.

The easiest place to defend.

I push open the heavy wooden door and step inside.

Flickering candles interspersed between ever-lights cast shadows on ancient tapestries, reminders of the spoils of war.

An ornate oak desk and three chairs are the only pieces of furniture.

As I thought, this room is designed and maintained to be a stronghold.

Xenon himself sits behind the desk.

The king of Aclaris.

Hands steepled under his chin, Xenon glances up as I enter, a smile spreading across his handsome face. The kind one might expect to see on a viper right before it strikes.

“Welcome, Your Highness.” He rises smoothly to his feet despite his limp. Even at sixty-two, Xenon is an imposing figure, tall and broad-shouldered, with striking features and shoulder-length gray hair. “I’ve been expecting you.”

“Your Majesty.” I give him a tight yet polite nod, keeping my expression neutral.

Xenon gestures to a plush velvet chair positioned opposite his desk.

“Please, sit. I trust your journey was pleasant. You must be tired after your flight over. Or did you bring back one of the dragons you stole from me?” He opens a drawer to produce two glasses and a crystal decanter filled with dark liquid.

“I had the servants make themselves scarce this evening, so you’d be more at ease. Help yourself to refreshments.”

I settle into the chair, back ramrod straight. By servants, does he mean the corrupted humans and vile drachen under his control?

Most likely.

Revulsion churns my stomach, but I maintain my mask of calm as I politely decline the drink. “That’s very thoughtful of you, Your Majesty. But I’m fine, thank you.”

Xenon slides back into his seat, steepling his fingers again as he regards me like a serpent sizing up its prey.

“Your power is truly remarkable, Queen Lark.” Xenon’s voice is a silken purr.

“The strongest fire magic seen in generations, they say. And yet,” he leans back, a mocking smile playing at his lips, “for all your supposed strength, you’ve still failed.

The drachen still continue to ravage the land unchecked. ”

And the game begins.

Anger flashes through me, but I tamp it down, keeping my expression neutral. “I’m not alone in this fight, Your Majesty. I have loyal friends and allies standing with me.”

Xenon barks out a harsh laugh. “Sweetheart, your friends cannot save you here.” He rises from his chair and circles the room, hands clasped behind his back. “Only an ally can defeat a foe as ancient and powerful as Narc.” He pauses, letting the words hang in the air. “An ally…of Narc himself.”

My heart pounds against my ribs as I try to untangle the meaning of his words. “But you don’t want to defeat Narc. You’ve made it abundantly clear that you want to bring him back to life, and you need my blood to do so.”

A beat of silence passes as Xenon assesses me with those unsettling gray eyes of his.

“Plans change, Your Highness. I’ve had a vision from another god.

One that showed me the error of my thinking.

How dangerous it would be to allow Narc to rule.

I’m not so proud that I can’t admit I was wrong.

Join me, Lark. Form an alliance with Aclaris. ”

“An intriguing proposition.” I speak slowly, as if mulling his proposal over.

My hands curl into fists, fingernails biting into my palms. I can’t let Xenon see how badly he’s rattled me.

I have to play this carefully if I want to draw out his plan.

“But I fail to see how such an alliance would benefit my kingdom.”

Xenon smiles, cold and sharp as a dagger.

“Oh, my dear Lark, it would benefit you immensely. Together, we could rid the world of Narc’s vile corruption.

You’d be hailed a hero. The queen who vanquished the demon god and ushered in a new era of peace.

And of course, I would richly reward such loyalty.

Right now, you hold only one kingdom, but with me, you could have so much more. Land, titles, wealth beyond measure.”

I pretend to consider this, tilting my head as if deep in thought. Inwardly, I’m seething. How dare he think me so easily bought? That I’d betray my people, my principles, for baubles and mere flattery?

I lift my chin, squaring my shoulders. “You present a tempting offer, King Xenon. But I’m afraid I must decline.

” I let my voice harden, fixing him with a steely glare.

Push and pull. Let him think I believe him, then doubt him so he divulges more.

“I will never ally myself with one who has brought such widescale misery and destruction. No matter how tempting.”

Xenon’s face contorts in rage for a brief instant before smoothing back into a mask of oily charm.

But in that moment, I glimpsed the true malice lurking beneath.

The serpent has shown its fangs.

“Pity.” Venom drips from the word. “You are making a grave mistake, Your Highness .”

As I glare into his cold, dead eyes, I know the real battle is about to begin. And by the gods, I will win it or die trying. “How could I align myself with someone who’s already killed so many of my people?”

A vein pulses in Xenon’s temple as he visibly struggles to rein in his temper. Then, as quickly as it appeared, the fury vanishes, replaced by profound sorrow.

“You speak of loss, Queen Lark, as if you, alone, have suffered.” His voice quavers with genuine emotion.

Either that, or he’s three hells of an actor.

“But I, too, have known grief. My own family, slaughtered in the war between Kamor and Aclaris. Brutally cut down, with their bodies left to rot in the sun.”

Despite myself, I have a twinge of sympathy. Perhaps there is some small shred of humanity left in him after all.

Once upon a time, had he once fought for what he felt was true and good? Or was he always this power hungry, and that’s what led to the War for Independence?

Sensing my hesitation, Xenon presses his advantage.

“Yes, I have done terrible things. But always for a greater cause. To forge a lasting peace, no matter the cost. Surely you, of all people, can understand that? In fact, you personally benefited. You would not be queen if my drachen hadn’t killed King Jasper.

Or corrupted Prince Knox. These two actions, which you decry, are what led to you taking the throne. ”

Does he really think I’d choose this title at the cost of another person’s life? “That may be true, but lies and bloodshed are no foundation for peace, only suffering.”

Xenon’s lips curve. “Ah, but what if I told you there was another way? A path to victory, hidden from all, save a chosen few?” He leans forward, voice low and urgent.

“I have delved deep into Narc’s inner sanctum and learned secrets even his most trusted servants know nothing of.

There is a weakness, a fatal flaw in his defenses. ”

My heart pounds faster. Could it be true? Some tiny, treacherous part of me wants desperately to believe him. “And that would be?”

“As you know, Narc’s bones, the source of his power, lie hidden in an underground labyrinth near Flighthaven.

” Xenon’s eyes gleam. “You’ve been there yourself.

You know it’s a maze of tunnels and caverns.

” He extends a hand to me, his face a picture of earnest appeal.

“Join me, Queen Lark. Together, we can end Narc’s reign of terror.

You and I, we are the only ones strong enough to do what must be done. ”

He’s bluffing. Playing me. I have no doubt.

More than once, Xenon’s told me he needs dragoncaller blood to reanimate Narc.

My blood. There’s no way in the three hells a vision from a god has changed his mind about bringing Narc back to life.

No way some deity has convinced him to destroy Narc instead.

I gawk at his outstretched hand, a tumult of emotions warring inside me. Tension bolts through my body.

This is my moment.