‘I’m sorry.’
He glanced away, and she thought he was angry, but then he wiped the tears from his eyes. ‘I have waited so long to hear you say those words,’ he said, trying to keep himself from sobbing. ‘You have no idea how much they mean to me, my dear Belinda.’ He stood. ‘Please excuse me.’
She watched as he hurried from the room. She frowned, wondering if he had left so that he could cry without her witnessing. What did it all mean? Had she betrayed him; had she been in the wrong? She tried to imagine what it had been like to be his lover. He was easily the most beautiful man she had ever seen; he was perfectly proportioned, and his face was truly that of a god. And yet, there was something not right about him. His cruelty towards Leksandr and Felice, despite what they had done to her, was beyond anything she could have conceived. And the way his face had changed when she had said that she cared about Corthie. He was jealous and spiteful, the opposite of how he appeared on the outside.
Lord Bastion entered the room. He glanced at her.
‘Third Ascendant,’ he said as he approached. ‘The Second Ascendant needs a few moments alone. He has given me permission to ask you a few more questions.’
‘Alright.’
Bastion sat. ‘How many Holdfasts are on Lostwell?’
‘Three.’
He nodded. ‘Corthie, the battle-vision warrior?’
‘Yes.’
‘Kelsey, who can block powers?’
She nodded.
‘Then the last one would be Sable, is that correct?’
‘It is.’
‘Does Sable have powers?’
‘Vision powers, yes; from battle to inner.’
‘Thank you,’ he said. ‘We intend to kill them all; how does that make you feel?’
‘Angry.’
He raised an eyebrow. ‘We also intend to destroy their home world. Mortals with those kinds of powers are a direct threat to our rule. Does that make you angry too?’
‘Yes.’
‘I see. My final question – will you accede to the Second Ascendant’s request to get married? Will you become his bride?’
‘I don’t know.’
‘Why not?’
‘I’ve only just met him.’
He smiled.
‘Did you really advise Edmond that I should be executed?’
‘Yes,’ he said. ‘It’s nothing personal, but I perceive you to be a potentially bad influence upon the Second Ascendant, and a threat to the stability of Implacatus. On a personal level, I quite like you – you make a refreshing change from the snivelling and grovelling gods that I usually have to deal with.’
‘You don’t think I could be a loyal and dutiful queen?’
He stood. ‘I’m hungry; let’s get some lunch.’
She followed him out of the study, and they went to the large dining room on the same floor. Inside, Edmond was sitting at the head of the table, drinking red wine from a large glass. His eyes lit up as he watched Belinda enter.
‘That dress,’ he said; ‘quite spectacular.’
‘Thank you,’ she said, sitting opposite Bastion.
‘I’ve notified the courtiers, my lord,’ said the Ancient; ‘lunch should be coming in a few moments.’
Bastion linked eyes with the Second Ascendant, and Belinda sensed the vision conversation going on between them.
Edmond nodded. ‘Angry? That’s a pity.’ He turned to Belinda. ‘You see, my dear, I have a plan…’
The sound of a commotion came through the door to the stairwell landing.
‘Where’s Leksandr?’ cried a voice. ‘What’s going on?’
Edmond chuckled. ‘It seems that the blessed Seventh Ascendant has returned. Bastion, would you fetch her, please?’
Bastion stood, bowed, then walked to the door.
‘Arete has been off hunting dragons,’ said Edmond.
Bastion came back into the dining room, hauling Arete by the arm, her face a picture of raw terror. He pushed her down into the seat along from Belinda, then retook his own place at the table.
‘Arete,’ said Edmond.
The Seventh Ascendant trembled. ‘I should be kneeling; I’m sorry, your Grace.’
Edmond waved a hand. ‘Relax.’ He looked into her eyes, then shook his head. ‘Defeated by two Holdfasts? It seems at times that everything we have tried to do here on Lostwell has been thwarted by that family.’
‘But, your Grace,’ said Arete; ‘I destroyed the Catacombs, killing two dozen dragons as punishment for the escape at the pits.’
‘Yes, but then you fled. You were supposed to return with the escaped dragon, were you not?’
She said nothing, her eyes wide.
‘Sable Holdfast was in your head, manipulating you; I can see the effects of her powers lingering in your mind. She persuaded you to abandon your mission and return here, and you fell for it like a child. That is the only reason you will be unpunished for your failure – you were up against a stronger opponent. I also see that you had no part in the masking of the Third Ascendant, though I sense that you wish you had been able to participate?’
‘Belinda is a traitor, your Grace. Along with the Holdfasts, who are her friends, she has been responsible for our failures here.’
Edmond nodded. ‘Lord Bastion has explained to the Third Ascendant that we intend to destroy the Holdfasts on Lostwell, and then, in time, we shall destroy the others on their home world.’
Arete glanced at Belinda. ‘Whose side are you on?’
‘My own, for the moment,’ Belinda said. ‘I am weighing up an offer.’
‘What offer?’
‘None of your business, Arete.’
Edmond smiled. ‘Well said, Belinda.’
‘Your Grace,’ said Arete; ‘may I ask what has happened to the Sixth Ascendant?’
‘Leksandr is resting in the dungeons,’ said Edmond, ‘along with Lady Felice. I gave them to Lord Bastion for a few hours, and they will need some time to recover.’
Arete shuddered.
‘It’s a pity,’ said Edmond, ‘as it has been a long time indeed since four Ascendants
