“All right, Mr. Cabal,” said Keale, suddenly grateful to Cabal for providing a distraction. “Exactly what have you been up to?”
Praeis walked beside Theia into the Debating Chamber. Everything was the same; marble tables, mosaicked floor, portraits of the Ancestors looking down and the Queens looking expectantly up. What was different was the air in the room. It quivered, with both anger and anticipation. What was also different was the way that Armetrethe hovered behind the sofas the Queens occupied. Five other Council members stood like sisters beside her.
Armetrethe's cold eyes confirmed what Praeis had suspected all along. She was not being called to report, she was being called to account, and not by the Queens alone.
Oh, Sister, my behavior has finally become too heavy for you to bear? Her flesh settled against her muscles with a sick heaviness. Theia pressed close to her. Now they both knew for certain why there had been no letter in response to the news that a sister and a daughter had died. Armetrethe had been too busy working on this meeting.
Praeis closed her eyes and raised her hands. “I am returned as ordered, Majestic Sisters. When I left, the strategic situation was as I laid out in my last report. The Humans’ presence has successfully warded off any Getesaph attacks. The infestation is being eradicated, and our arms-sisters are working ceaselessly to refit and repair their equipment and return our fighting capability.”
She waited for permission to open her eyes. It didn't come.
“Yes, your reports have been quite regular,” said Aires Byu smoothly. “Perhaps you meant this as compensation for your irregular actions.”
Praeis felt her throat close. To her surprise, Theia spoke. “Forgive me, Majestic Sisters. I'm sure my mother understands your meaning, but I, ignorant and childless as I am, do not.”
“You do not?” inquired Vaier Byu. Her voice was heavy and reluctant. Since the Queens were addressing Theia, Praeis opened her eyes.
Vaier Byu was clutching Aires's hand. “I will explain, then, since your mother has not.” She looked at Theia, but her ears focused completely on Praeis. “Praeis Shin t'Theria began a military action without orders from her Queens. She has used the lives and resources of her Great Family for her own purposes. After which, she entered into a private contract with the Humans to immobilize our military so they could serve their real partners in the Hundred Isles.”
“No,” said Praeis, more to Armetrethe than the Queens. Armetrethe's ears flattened. Praeis could feel the waves of hatred rolling out of her soul. Her skin shivered and danced as they washed over her. Sister, Sister, we are the last of our family. Don't do this. Let me come home. I swear we can come together again.
“It was fine while you were winning, Sister,” Armetrethe said bitterly, and Praeis knew not one of her thoughts reached Armetrethe. “The streets sang your praises. But what did you expect when this Human ‘accident’ happened?”
I hear what you're really asking, Sister. You're asking how I let my sister and daughter die? You're asking how could I rebel against you? You and she decided to take my daughter away from me into the enemy's islands, and now you blame me because they died.
“Ancestors Mine.” Praeis felt her muscles spasm out of control. “And I'm the one who's supposed to be insane. Armetrethe, it wasn't an accident. We are being lied to, but—”
“You hear!” said Armetrethe to the Queens without even closing her first lid. “You hear! She admits it!”
“Armetrethe Shin t'Theria, you will remember we are still your Queens!” thundered Ueani Byu.
“And my Majestic Sisters will remember what they did to help bring this about!”
That was too much even for her Wise Sisters in Council. One of them laid a hand on Armetrethe's good arm. Her stump beat the air furiously, but she closed her eyes. “My apologies, Majestic Sisters. I am… overwrought at seeing my lost and distant sister, Praeis.”
Oh, good, Armetrethe. Perfect. The skin shuddered up and down Praeis's back. What next? What's the next line in this scene?
“What answer do you have to make, Noblest Sister?” boomed Ueani Byu.
What answer? I have, served and lived and waited and come back to serve again, and you abandoned my daughter and you called me mad and now you call me to grovel in front of you because your enemies have the upper hand and one of them is my last sister who I was fool enough to believe would let me come home…
The room stank, Praeis suddenly realized. The air filled with the scents of fire, fear, stale breath, and blind anger. She took a step forward. The air brushed against her skin like silk. She could feel every draft She could feel everything. The warmth from the heating pit lapped gently at her left cheek and filled her ear like music. The tiles under her feet each had a unique shape. All their surfaces were delicately, individually pebbled. She wanted to touch them. She would touch them. They felt so good under her palms and knees, rough and cool as her hands traveled back and forth and back and forth. Hands touched her, and that was best of all. She would go anywhere, do anything to keep that feeling, warm and soft and infinitely welcome.