Page 16 of Tanglewood Magic (The Three Sisters 2)
“Ah, but a little bird told me you are pregnant, Medea. A falcon, to be exact, from a sympathizer within your kingdom.”
Circe exchanged glances with Rhys. So, it was true. Lazys had communicated everything to Paragon before his arrest. It had to have been Lazys. And the Council of Elders knew about Tavyss and the baby. She felt sick. This was the worst-case scenario.
“Who told you this?” Tavyss growled, as if he didn’t know about the man whom, only days ago, they’d watched bash his own head in.
“Don’t deny it. I can hear the whelp’s heartbeat.” Eleanor’s eyes narrowed on Medea’s belly.
“I don’t deny it.” Tavyss’s lips pulled back from his teeth. “I asked who the sympathizer was.”
Eleanor ignored his request for a name. “The child in Medea’s womb is the heir to Paragon.” She turned her gaze on Circe, who ground her teeth, and then on Rhys. “As witches, you couldn’t possibly understand how rare dragon children are. I may be queen, but I have not yet found a consort of my own. Even when I do, a successful pregnancy is never guaranteed among our kind. The old law is designed to ensure the throne is never left empty.”
Medea scowled. “What exactly are you suggesting, Eleanor? Are you saying that you wish to cast off Brynhoff and take Tavyss as king?” She said it incredulously, like the very idea was ridiculous, but Circe saw the exact moment when she realized the truth of the matter.
Not a hint of humor colored Eleanor’s expression when she answered. “That’s exactly what I’m suggesting, Medea. Tavyss is the rightful king of Paragon, and he must do his duty or be put to death.”
ChapterEight
Throughout his life, Rhys had struggled to act in a crisis. He tended to overthink things, which left him hesitant and fraught with indecision. But it took no deliberation on his part to leap in front of Circe when Tavyss shot out of his chair and Eleanor sprang to her feet.
“Be careful what you wish for, Eleanor.” Tavyss’s dark wings stretched above his head, forming a wall of leathery flesh between Eleanor and Medea. From everything Rhys had heard about dragons and their mates, he had no desire to be in the vicinity of one whose protective instincts had been triggered. He glanced toward the exit and found an armed guard waiting there.
Circe slipped her hand into his.
“I don’t waste my time on wishes, Tavyss,” Eleanor said. “I am too focused on what could be. Whatwillbe. If you take the throne, Medea will be your consort, effectively uniting our kingdom with Darnuith. Your heir will be the next ruler of Paragon.”
Medea got to her feet, wand drawn. “You’d force Tavyss into an impossible situation. Where would he live? Apart from me? By your side? Would you take my child from me too? Ruin our marriage, our mating? Cause us to fight each other if there is ever a political divide?”
“Lower your wand, witch, unless you’d like to pit it against dragon fire,” Eleanor hissed, her voice gritty and raw. Rhys drew Circe closer to him when Eleanor’s silver eyes flashed with light. That was her inner dragon coming to the surface.
Tavyss reached behind him and gently pushed Medea’s wand aside, shaking his head. Smart move. None of them needed a war today or to be eaten by Eleanor’s dragon if she shifted inside this room. Already, the temperature had risen several degrees. Sweat dripped from Rhys’s temple.
“There must be another way to appease the old law,sister, that doesn’t involve tearing my family apart.” Tavyss said the word sister like it was a curse.
Eleanor raised her chin. “Simple. Medea must step down as queen of Darnuith and serve as your consort. She’ll live here, in Paragon.”
“How dare you suggest such a thing!” Circe snapped. “My sister was named queen by the Fates. You would offend the gods of Darnuith to appease the Goddess of the Mountain?”
Rhys squeezed her hand. “Careful,” he warned. Eleanor’s eyes were glowing again.
“I am told that queens have stepped down before,” Eleanor said. “The Fates will name another. In Paragon, our goddess demands rule by blood. Not so in Darnuith. You or your healer might be chosen should your sister step down, and there would be no harm to your kingdom.”
Circe looked as if she might crumple. She trembled in his arms, and a quick glance at Medea showed her visibly shaken as well. Rhys’s blood began to boil. This wasn’t a diplomatic dinner. It was an ambush. Eleanor might as well have punched all of them in the gut. Rhys could no longer bite his tongue.
“You’ve given our queen and consort a lot to think about, Eleanor, but as the queen’s personal physician, I must demand you allow us to leave so that she can consider this matter in a less stressful environment. If she indeed carries the heir to Paragon, I think you’ll agree she should be careful with her health.”
Eleanor clasped her hands in front of her hips. “Very well, apothecary. Take your patient. I’d so looked forward to our dining together, but perhaps you’re right. Tavyss and Medea do have a lot to think about.”
Rhys had ushered Circe halfway toward the door when Eleanor addressed Tavyss again. “You have three days. Brynhoff and I have already shared your good news with the Council of Elders. They will expect your decision at their next gathering.”
Talons sprang from Tavyss’s knuckles, and a growl snapped from his throat. “Just tell me one thing, Eleanor. What does Brynhoff think of this plan you have to replace him with me? Does he realize he won’t be king anymore if you succeed?”
She made a sound like a dark laugh, the corner of her mouth curling. “Brynhoff will do as I tell him to do. Why do you suppose he’s not here?”
Tavyss shook his head. “You’d sell out your own brothers for more power. This is low, even for you.”
“Everything in life is about power.” Eleanor’s silver eyes took on the quality of frozen steel. “The sooner you realize that, Tavyss, the better off you will be. Power is far more important than wealth. All the riches in the world are useless if they can’t be wielded to bend a knee or force a hand. Power transcends love. Love wanes. Love dies. Have you thought about what will happen to you if she dies?” Eleanor pointed her chin at Medea. “Love is a liability. It is meaningless. Long after her bones turn to dust, you will endure, and this mountain will likely outlive us both. Power is endurance. Power is strength. Power is eternity. And I plan to take it where I can get it.”
“You’re mad,” Tavyss spat. Rhys had to agree. His skin was itching to get out of this room.
