Philip offered his arm. She accepted, grateful for the support. He was a good man, the opposite of his half brother. She had been pleased when he and Leland had decided to handfast, and had been even more pleased when they chose to marry after the handfast year was done.

Alexandra looked back at the platform where Dorothea SaDiablo had made her horrifying speech. “Do you believe her?” she asked softly.

Philip guided her through clusters of people who were still too shocked to do more than huddle together while they gathered the courage to look at the mutilated bodies. “I don’t know. If even half of what she said is true…if Sadi…” He choked.

She still had nightmares about Daemon Sadi. So did Philip, for different reasons. Sadi had threatened her when Jaenelle had been put in Briarwood for the last time, had given her a taste of the grave. When he unleashed his dark power in order to break the Ring of Obedience, he had destroyed half the Jeweled Blood in Beldon Mor. Caught in that explosive unleashing, Philip’s strength had been broken back to the Green Jewel that was his birthright.

“We can get a Coach this evening,” Philip said. “If we buy passage on one that rides the darker Winds, we’ll be home by tomorrow.”

“Not yet. I’d like you to talk to Dorothea’s Steward. See if you can set up an audience for me.”

“You’re a Queen,” Philip snapped. “You shouldn’t have to beg an audience from a Priestess, no matter who—”

“Philip.” She squeezed his arm. “I’m thankful for your loyalty, but right now we are beggars. I can’t afford any more assumptions. I’m not convinced that Dorothea isn’t the monster she’s always appeared to be, but I am convinced that the High Lord is a greater threat.” She shuddered. “We have to go to Kaeleer to find Wilhelmina. We can’t afford to go there without having as much knowledge of the enemy as we can gain, no matter what the source.”

“All right,” Philip said. “What about Vania and Nyselle? Will they go with us?”

“They’ll stay or go as they choose. They certainly won’t care what I do.” She sighed. “Who would have thought, even a month ago, that I would have to entertain the idea of Dorothea being an ally?”

3 / Terreille

Kartane SaDiablo wandered through the formal gardens, trying hard to ignore the speculative or pitying glances of the few people who hadn’t retreated indoors.