The Monster and His Queen

Chapter 29

"That's impossible! We've been in our quarters all night!"

Elaria stood in the Council Hall staring at the body of one of the male councilors. His throat had been slit with what looked like a shadow blade, and he'd been dead for at least two hours.

"Witnesses saw shadow magic being used," Council Leader Talira said, her expression cold. "And you two are the most powerful shadow users in the city."

"There are at least a hundred void-touched people in the Eastern Cities," Draven shot back. "Why assume it was us?"

"Because this was left at the scene." Talira held up a piece of fabric—torn from Elaria's dress. The same dress she'd worn earlier that day.

Elaria's blood ran cold. "That's from my formal gown. But I haven't worn it since this afternoon. It's been in our chambers."

"Convenient," another councilor said. "You claim you were in your quarters, but no one saw you there. You could have easily left, committed this murder, and returned."

"Except we didn't," Elaria said firmly. "Someone is trying to frame us. To destroy the peace we just negotiated."

"Or you're simply showing your true nature," the councilor sneered. "Shadow creatures incapable of peace."

Draven's shadows flared dangerously. "Say that again. I dare you."

"Draven, don't," Elaria warned through the bond. "They're trying to provoke you. Don't give them ammunition."

"They're calling us murderers!"

"I know. But losing control won't help."

Captain Ryver stepped forward. "Council Leader, I can testify that Princess Elaria and Prince Draven were in their quarters. I posted guards outside their door personally."

"Guards who might lie to protect their princess," the hostile councilor said.

"My men do not lie," Ryver said coldly.

"Someone here is lying," Talira said, her voice carrying authority. "The question is who. And why."

"I can answer that," Amariel said, entering the hall with Martha beside her. "We've been investigating the void disturbances since we arrived. And we've discovered something interesting."

She laid out papers on the council table, complex magical diagrams covered in notes.

"These are recordings of void energy signatures. Every time someone uses void magic, they leave a unique pattern. Like fingerprints, but magical." Amariel pointed to one diagram. "This is Prince Draven's signature. This is Princess Elaria's. And this,”she pointed to a third pattern—"is the signature from the murder scene."

"They don't match," Martha said. "Not even close. Whoever killed that councilor, it wasn't either of them."

Talira studied the diagrams carefully. "Can these be faked?"

"Not without knowledge of advanced void magic. And even then, it would be nearly impossible." Amariel's expression was serious. "Someone with access to void power killed your councilor and tried to frame Princess Elaria and Prince Draven. The question is who benefits from restarting conflict between our kingdoms."

"The Void Seekers," Elaria said suddenly.

Everyone turned to look at her.

"What?" Talira asked.

Elaria explained about the mysterious woman's warning. About the cult trying to merge worlds. About their plan to use her specifically.

"If they can restart the war, if they can make us fight each other instead of them, they have free reign to work their schemes," she concluded. "This murder, the ambushes, all of it—it's designed to keep us divided."

"That's quite a theory," the hostile councilor said. "Do you have any proof of this cult's existence?"

"Beyond the warning? No. But everything else fits." Draven moved to stand beside Elaria. "Think about it. Void creatures attacking randomly. Humans being possessed and turned into weapons. Conspiracies in multiple kingdoms. Someone is orchestrating all of this."

"Or you're inventing a convenient scapegoat for your own crimes," the councilor shot back.

"Enough, Marek," Talira said sharply.

Wait.

Elaria's mind raced. "Your name is Marek?"

"Yes. Councilor Marek Darian. Why?"

"Because the man who tried to have me killed in Astoria was named Lord Marek." Elaria's eyes narrowed. "Are you related?"

Marek's expression flickered for just a moment. Barely noticeable. But through her void senses, Elaria felt his reaction—guilt, fear, and a flash of hatred.

"That's a common name in the North," he said dismissively. "Coincidence."

"I don't believe in coincidences. Not anymore." Elaria turned to Talira. "I want him investigated. Thoroughly."

"On what grounds? A shared name?"

"On the grounds that he's been pushing for war more than anyone else. On the grounds that he conveniently found evidence pointing to us. On the grounds that every instinct I have is screaming that he's involved." Elaria's voice was steel. "And on the grounds that I'm willing to swear a void oath that I'm telling the truth. Is he willing to do the same?"

All eyes turned to Councilor Marek.

"This is ridiculous," he blustered. "I don't have to prove anything to you."

"Then I'll make it simple," Draven said, his shadows rising. "Swear a void oath that you had nothing to do with the murder, the attacks, or any conspiracy. If you're innocent, you have nothing to fear."

"I will not be subjected to barbaric magical interrogation!"

"Your refusal is noted," Talira said coldly. She gestured to guards. "Take Councilor Marek into custody pending investigation."

"You can't do this! I'm a member of this council!"

"A council whose member was just murdered. If you're innocent, the investigation will prove it." Talira's expression was hard. "If not, you'll answer for your crimes."

As guards moved to arrest him, Marek's composure cracked. He pulled something from his robes—a small crystal that pulsed with dark energy.

"You stupid fools!" he shouted. "You have no idea what you're dealing with! The Void Seekers have been preparing for this for centuries!"

He crushed the crystal.

Reality tore open in three places simultaneously. Void creatures poured through, not the small ones from before, but massive, powerful entities that made the guards scatter in terror.

"Run!" Captain Ryver shouted, trying to form a defensive line.

But the creatures moved too fast. One of them grabbed a councilor and dragged him toward a portal. Another smashed through columns, bringing part of the ceiling down.