“With your permission, then, Speaker Jemson and I will walk the burial site later today and make a decision about my father’s rites and the placement of his grave.” Amon rose and bowed. “If I may, I’ll take my leave.”

“Not so fast,” Lord Bayar said.

Amon froze in place, not looking up.

“Corporal Byrne, the Council of Regents must request a little more of your time,” the High Wizard said. “Please, sit.”

C H A P T E R  E I G H T E E N

A WEB OF LIES

Amon sat down again, endeavoring to keep his face as blank as new snow while his heart hammered under his uniform coat. He looked up and met the High Wizard’s cold blue eyes.

“While it is difficult to look beyond our recent losses and Queen Marianna’s burial, we must consider the issue of the coronation,” Bayar said.

“The coronation, sir?” Amon said. He glanced at Princess Mellony, then back at Lord Bayar.

“As you astutely pointed out, our enemies are gathering to the south,” Lord Bayar said. “Have you heard the news? Tamron Court has fallen to Gerard Montaigne.”

Amon shook his head. “No,” he said, pretending surprised dismay. “I hadn’t heard that.”

“We cannot afford to leave our throne unoccupied for long,” Bayar said. “It will be perceived as a power vacuum that our enemies to the south will be only too happy to fill. Montaigne may decide that it’s easier to conquer the Fells than to continue fighting against his brothers.”

“I can see where that might happen,” Amon said truthfully.

“Given the princess heir’s extended absence, Queen Marianna made a difficult decision,” Lord Bayar said. “She modified the succession, recognizing that the Princess Raisa might never return home. She named the Princess Mellony her successor in the event that…that the throne became vacant and the Princess Raisa could not be located,” he finished delicately. He shook his head. “None of us ever anticipated that this alternate plan would ever be needed.”

“Raisa may still return,” Mellony said, a faint protest. “I don’t want anyone to think that we’re setting her aside.”

“That is exactly what people will think, daughter, the Demonai in particular,” Averill said. “That is one reason I voted against it on the council.”

“This is difficult for the Princess Mellony to accept,” Lord Hakkam said, speaking up for the first time. “But, in recognition of the current crisis in Arden and Tamron, the Council of Regents has determined that if the Princess Raisa does not return for Queen Marianna’s memorial service, we must proceed with Princess Mellony’s coronation.”

Amon wished he could watch all the faces at once so as not to miss anything. He looked first at Speaker Jemson. The speaker’s face was smooth and untroubled. He was a smart man. He probably knew the price of resistance as well as Amon.