Page 77 of Scorched Earth (Dark Shores #4)

LYDIA

The carriage bounced over the heavily rutted road, everyone inside bracing hands against the interior to keep from being tossed onto the floor.

“Does no one on this continent know how to build a proper road?” Agrippa muttered. “My ass is never going to be the same after this.”

“If you don’t quit complaining, I’m going to make you ride outside with the driver.

” Malahi wore a silk dress gifted to her by Vane, and it had a matching fan, which she snapped open and used to fan herself vigorously.

It was hot and humid, there was no denying that, but the sweat beading on Malahi’s brow had everything to do with the fact that the crown had been removed from it.

Seldrid had relayed everything that had happened in their absence, including the gathering of the Twelve Great Houses at the Calorian estates of Teradale.

Even if they reached them in time to prove Malahi was alive, it would not change the fact that she was no longer High Lady.

Her cousin Ria now held that honor, and had used her newfound power to cement a union with Hacken Calorian.

It was no shock that Hacken desired to rule Mudamora, and while there’d been a time when the high lords would have refused to bend the knee to him, much had changed in the intervening period.

House Calorian was the wealthiest of the houses, after House Rowenes, allied to Gamdesh by way of Seldrid’s marriage to one of the Sultan’s nieces, Lady Adra, and Calorian lands some of the few untouched by blight.

All of which placed the house as the most powerful in all of Mudamora.

“Tell me, what is the name of the Cel Emperor?” Seldrid asked, clearly making chatter to ease the tension. “I’ve heard much of this Senate but little of the man who rules it all.”

“Celendor has no emperor,” Agrippa replied, his eyes full of concern as he watched Malahi.

Seldrid frowned. “So it’s a republic?”

Lydia opened her mouth to answer his question, then bit her lip, her knowledge likely to raise questions she wasn’t interested in answering.

“It’s ruled as a republic,” Agrippa answered.

“But it’s never been formally declared as such.

The throne of the emperor still exists, but it remains empty.

The last emperor was assassinated, along with every individual who might claim any form of relation to him, and no one has ever gained enough personal power to claim it. ”

“Fascinating.” Seldrid cast a sideways look at Malahi, who stared out the window where Killian rode alongside the carriage. “Malahi, what are your thoughts about republics?”

Sighing, Malahi turned to meet Seldrid’s gaze, having apparently been listening more than Lydia had realized, for she said, “Mudamora needs unity above all else. If there is a better path to that than me as queen, I will gladly support it, but I know those men and women. They want the crown for themselves, whereas those who work to the benefit of Mudamora avoid the role that would allow them to achieve those admirable ends.”

“You’ve been dealt a bad hand, Malahi.” Seldrid’s tone was grim. “But it would be a disservice for me to lie to you. You have very few true friends among the Great Houses.”

“I think the only friends I have in all the world are those surrounding me now.” Malahi reached for Lydia’s hand.

“A not unformidable company.” The carriage slowed, and Seldrid squared his shoulders. “We’re here. Allow me to formally welcome you to Teradale.”

They passed through a set of gates connected to a low stone wall, and beyond, Lydia saw rolling green fields filled with long-legged horses, the vibrancy of the scene making the blight seem a distant threat.

The carriage carried on down the road, finally slowing as it eased around a large fountain surrounded by beds of brilliant tropical flowers.

Killian’s dog appeared from around the building, racing at top speed toward them and barking with excitement.

Killian dismounted and met the dog with equal enthusiasm before approaching the door to the carriage.

“Welcome.” He took Lydia’s hand, and she gave him a tight smile that conveyed the tension of the conversation that had taken place inside of the carriage.

Agrippa helped Malahi out, Seldrid following.

Lydia turned to look at the beautiful palace, but her admiration was cut short as Lady Calorian flew out the front doors.

Killian’s mother raced down the steps, elegant skirts hiked up to her knees. “Killian!” she cried, then her arms were around her youngest son’s neck. “Oh gods, they said you were alive, but I could barely bring myself to believe it. But you’re alive. My baby is alive.”

Seldrid laughed, and Lydia didn’t fail to notice how Killian’s cheeks colored as he patted his mother on the back.

“I’m fine, Mother. You don’t need to act as though…

” He trailed off, finally seeing the tears on her cheeks as he pulled away.

“Truly, I’m fine. I’d have sent word, but we were in Derin and then Anukastre, so it wasn’t possible.

” And then, as though it were a remedy for Lady Calorian’s emotion, he added, “I’ve brought Malahi back. ”

At Malahi’s name, Lady Calorian seemed to recall herself, straightening her skirts and wiping her cheeks dry as she surveyed their company.

To Lady Calorian’s credit, she did not react to Malahi’s appearance, only inclined her head.

“Your Grace. It is a blessing from the Six to see you returned to Mudamora. Our house is yours.”

Malahi kissed both of the woman’s cheeks. “It is good to see you, Lady Calorian.”

The silence stretched a heartbeat too long, then Lady Calorian said, “Please come inside. The journey from Serlania is unpleasant in this heat.”

Malahi swayed as though to follow, then in a flurry of words, said, “First, I would like to introduce my husband. Agrippa.”

Though he surely felt the awkwardness of the moment, Agrippa bowed low. “A pleasure to meet you, my lady. Thank you for welcoming us into your home.”

Lady Calorian’s face blanched, but she only said, “How lovely to meet you. That’s a Cel name, is it not?

Seldrid is endlessly curious about your countrymen, though in truth, my sentiment toward the Cel and your invasion of Gamdesh is somewhat darker.

Though this wouldn’t be the first war to be tempered by unions between enemies.

Was that your goal? Or did you even have one? ”

Anger washed over Malahi’s face, her lips parting to retort, but Killian’s mother only lifted a hand. “What’s done is done, girl. If you were still available for marriage, there might have been some hope for you regaining your position, but no longer. You’ve secured Ria’s claim, sure and true.”

She rounded on Lydia, her eyes immediately falling to where Killian’s hand grasped hers. “Spare me from the impulsivity of youth. Who, pray tell, are you, young lady?”

Killian kept his grip on her hand. “This is Lydia. She’s one of Hegeria’s marked.”

Lady Calorian’s eyes narrowed slightly, though she only inclined her head. “You are welcome, Marked One.”

“Just Lydia.” Her cheeks warmed under the woman’s scrutiny; she was certain that Lady Calorian knew exactly the nature of Lydia’s relationship with her son. “Thank you for your hospitality.”

“Well, well,” a familiar voice said, and Lydia’s gaze tore from Killian’s mother to rise the steps, where she found Hacken standing with a blond woman on his arm. “The prodigal son returns.”

Killian stiffened, a scowl rising to his face as his eyes fixed on his brother. She squeezed his hand to urge him to remain calm, because there was no doubt that Hacken was trying to provoke him.

“Cousin Malahi,” Ria said, “it is a gift from the Six to see you alive and…” She looked Malahi up and down. “Alive, that’s what matters.”

Lydia had met Ria in Rotahn and her opinion of the woman was not improving.

“You overstep, Ria.” Malahi smoothed her skirts, fussing with the lace detail as though this conversation was of only minor interest. “I would see this document you claim names you my father’s heir, for I do not believe he’d disinherit me in favor of you. ”

Ria sighed. “I’m sorry, cousin. This must be painful for you, but I’m afraid that I must honor my uncle’s wishes, which he sent to Rotahn just prior to his death. Truly, it was the greatest foresight on his part to send them to me. He must have known that his end was coming.”

“He didn’t see it coming.” Lydia’s tone was cool. “He had no notion that Rufina and Cyntha were one and the same until nearly the moment he died.”

All eyes went to Lydia, then back to Ria.

“A tragedy, truly. Mudamora was robbed when that monster stole Serrick’s light from us.

” Ria lifted a handkerchief to her eyes to dry false tears.

“I have his letter here if you wish to read it. It has been verified by the lords and ladies present as written in his hand. He… Well, I do not wish to cause strife, but he claims that you were marked by Yara yet begged him to hide your gifts so that you would not have to serve. Allowing you to do so was his greatest regret, and he did not want the heir to House Rowenes to be faithless.”

All the color drained from Malahi’s face. “He made me hide my mark. I didn’t want to. This is lies.”

Ria made a small noise of sympathy that didn’t reach her eyes.

“Malahi’s telling the truth,” Killian snapped.

“She told me about her mark after I came into her service, and also that Serrick had made her swear to hide it. This is nothing but his resentment toward the Marked revealing itself, and the Great Houses should not allow this mockery of our laws to stand.”

“Serrick died from blight poisoning,” Lydia said, though it was apparent their protests were doing little good. “He rose as one of the Corrupter’s puppets before my very eyes, so I think it possible that this letter was written not by Serrick but the Seventh himself.”

Ria ignored her. “Malahi hid her gifts. To do so is not only faithless but a crime.”

“You misrepresent circumstances in the pursuit of power!” Malahi retorted. “My father—”

“I can understand your distress, Malahi,” Hacken interrupted. “But you may atone for your choices by serving Mudamora, for we need a tender’s mark more than ever. This is your chance to make things right, not your chance to grasp for the throne.”

“The only one doing any grasping is you, Hacken,” Malahi spat. “Have the Great Houses voted yet or are you merely pretending at being king while you wait?”

Hacken’s jaw tightened ever so slightly, which told Lydia that the votes were not as certain as he wanted everyone to think. A fact confirmed as said lords and ladies came outside, expressions tight and unreadable.

“Mudamora needs unity, now more than ever,” Hacken said, Ria nodding along with him.

“We cannot waste time on infighting over who rules while the blight consumes our lands. Not when Rufina and her army of blighters marches ever closer. You broke faith and the law, Malahi. You are not the right choice to lead our people out of darkness.”

“Perhaps you are right in that,” Malahi replied. “But neither are you the one who should rule, for you care only for power.”

“Then who?” Hacken threw up his hands, turning in a circle to address his peers.

“We have argued for weeks now over who is the best choice, and there is no agreement, only a thousand reasons against each of us. Ria and I have united with the intent to lead together in order to gain a consensus, but if there is someone you feel better suited, name the house now.”

“House Falorn!” Malahi shouted, but Hacken only waved a hand dismissively in her direction.

“Dareena has already declined.”

“Good.” Malahi drew in a steadying breath. “Because Dareena is not the rightful High Lady of House Falorn. Kitaryia is.”

Killian stiffened as Lydia sucked in a sharp breath, panic rising in her chest.

Malahi turned, her amber eyes pleading for forgiveness even as she said, “The Six returned Kitaryia to us. Hegeria has chosen her as one of her marked. And I, for one, would gladly bend my knee to her so that she might lead us through the dark days to come.”