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25. Keelan

Chapter 25

Keelan

I could hardly believe what I just heard.

I was a seasoned investigator, used to strange situations and even stranger characters, but the Priest smiling across the table had stunned me into silence.

“Lieutenant, are you all right?” the Ornish ambassador asked, gripping my forearm.

“Fine . . . I’m fine,” I stammered.

I nodded in thanks and returned my gaze to the Priest.

It had been months since Jess cowered in our fleeing boat and described her secret boyfriend’s betrayal. I strained, trying to remember if she had described what he looked like. The Priest before me was tall, which matched my recollection, but streaks of silver peered through the sandy blond of his hair, which was now tied tightly behind his neck with a black ribbon. Fine wrinkles webbed the tender skin around his eyes.

Surely, the gray marked him a man in his thirties, more than a decade older than the High Sheriff’s son. The bemused smile on the man’s face might’ve triggered my alarms had the Priest not worn that annoying smile the entire time he sat at our table.

I couldn’t very well ask if this Priest was the same man who kidnapped the Queen and participated in the deaths of her father and brother. Nothing in the man’s words triggered my Gift’s warning. Not only did the man believe what he said, his words rang true.

On top of everything, Danym was a common enough name.

This had to be a coincidence.

I dismissed the idea this was that Danym and pressed forward.

“What brings a Priest of the One to the capital? I don’t recall seeing you in the receiving line earlier today when the nobles pledged their loyalty to the Crown.”

“My loyalty is to the Faith,” Danym said.

“Surely, the Faith serves Her Majesty?” the Ornish ambassador asked.

Danym inclined his head toward the man. “We recognize the Queen’s place as a leader in worldly matters , but the Faith answers to a master far above any ruler. If you would come to know the One . . .”

“I thank you for the invitation but will pass. We Ornish have our own ideas of divinity, and they do not include murderous cults.”

The balding representative stood, bowed to everyone save Danym, and strode from the table, shaking his head and muttering to himself. On cue, the other ambassadors excused themselves and scurried after their Ornish counterpart.

As I scrutinized the Priest, I realized the massive hall was now quiet. Most of the royal guests had departed. Servants, still in their finest royal livery, cleared plates and platters while others scrubbed tables and floors, returning the hall to its usual pristine state.

I rose. “I believe it’s time I also took my leave. Good evening, Priest Danym.”

“A good night to you, Guardsman.” Danym’s oily smile almost made me shiver.

As I made my way back to my chamber, one of the Queen’s maids brushed into me as we passed in the hallway. I was so lost in thought that I barely noticed the woman walking toward me—until she was pressed against my chest.

Did she do that on purpose? I thought as I watched her disappear down the hall, giggling.

I shook my head and continued down the passage, only to encounter another maid.

“Excuse me,” I said, causing the maid to freeze, bow, and stare at her shoes. “I need to speak to the Queen. Would you let her know, please?”

The maid bobbed a curtsy but didn’t make eye contact. “I’m sorry, Ambassador, Her Majesty has retired for the evening.”

I nodded and smiled. “Fine. It can wait until morning. I’m sure she needs her sleep after today’s events.”

The maid vanished down the hallway, and I found my way to my chamber, disrobed, and threw myself onto the bed. I hadn’t realized how tired I was.

Comforting darkness closed around me, but my sleep was troubled. Images of the lanky Priest and his smarmy smile unsettled my dreams.

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