The Scourge of Muirwood
Page 98

“It is you!” he said, his voice plaintive yet his expression was wracked with guilt and confusion. “But look at you. Where is…Lia…the baby? Where is the baby?”
She saw it on his face with her hunter’s gaze. There was a dab of rouge on the corner of his mouth where a woman had kissed him.
“You wanted to become a maston,” Lia said, her heart breaking. “Instead, you helped destroy them. What are you talking about, Duerden? What baby?”
His face twitched with spasms, his voice choking with emotion. “You were sent away to another Abbey. To keep it secret! You were with child. The Aldermaston’s child – the baby. The child. You…you were with child. What…but…were you not with child, Lia? Like Reome?” His eyes were desperate and helpless. The cup dropped from his hand.
“No, Duerden,” she said, shaking her head violently. “That is a lie! You were deceived by the Queen Dowager. Duerden, do you not understand? The Aldermaston was murdered. He was not a traitor. It was not an execution. He was murdered. Demont was murdered!”
Duerden shook his head in a daze. “No, he fell sick. He was poisoned by Pasqua.”
“No, Duerden! He was murdered. All of the mastons have been murdered. The Abbeys are no more. When, Duerden?” She gave him a fierce look. “When did you begin listening to the Queen Dowager? You are hers. I can smell her on your clothes. Her stain is in your blood as well. When, Duerden? When did it happen to you?”
His expression was haunted, his voice quavering. “Before…Whitsunday. She spoke to me while I was walking in the gardens. She…oh, Lia, what have I done! She was so friendly to me. She did not tease me. She…Lia…she…what have I done!”
“You are infected,” Lia said, shaking her head. “The Blight. You are infected with it. She kissed you. She kissed you again tonight.” Lia’s heart broke with pain. “You cannot leave these shores. You will die, like everyone else. I am so sorry, Duerden. You will be sick. You will be very sick, very soon. Leave Muirwood while you can. A storm is coming. If you stay here, you will die tonight. Go as far away as you can, but you can never return. Go!”
Duerden began to sob like a child, overwhelmed by his despair. He was devastated. She grabbed his shoulders and shook him. “Go!”
Lia felt the Myriad Ones surround her. Their mewling sounds and hisses filled her senses with loathing and animosity and pure hatred. They were drawn to her, wheedling at her mind with their thoughts. She turned around slowly and there was Pareigis, the Queen Dowager, in a gown as dark at the night, the silver fringe glittering. Her eyes glowed silver and the wind rustled her hair. Her fingers were curled like talons.
“He is not yours to command,” Pareigis said with an imperious voice. “You spurned him, girl. Remember? A broken heart is easily seduced.”
Lia grit her teeth but did not back away. “I broke your hold over Seth. I will break your hold over him. I do not fear you. I know who you really are.”
A gust of wind swept across the grass, bringing the scent of fire mixed with flowers. Pareigis’ hair whipped across her face. Pressure began to build in the air. Lia felt it inside her ears.
“It is your pity that you do not fear me,” Pareigis said. “You have been troublesome to me. That trouble will end tonight. You are the last maston. I have saved you for last.”
The wind began to whip more violently.
“You summon a storm?” Pareigis said with delight. “I am the Queen of storms. Water is my dominion.”
“You have no dominion,” Lia said. “You only steal. Nothing is truly yours. I know your power. I do not fear it. You cannot harm me.”
Pareigis’ eyes flashed with murder. “Harm you? I will kill you, little one. You also will be trapped on this pitiful earth. The mastons who fell before you were fortunate because they could return to Idumea. But not you. This is your reward, foolish child. This is what the Medium bestows on you for your faithfulness.” She spat the word. “Misery. That is your reward. I give you misery for bread and suffering for cider.”
In the distance, there was thunder.
Lia stared at Pareigis, unconcerned. “You will go. Depart from Muirwood and never return.” She took a step towards her.
“You cannot command me!” Pareigis shrieked in fury. “I command the oceans and the waves and they obey me. The winds come at my calling. Fire burns at my will. You cannot command me!”
“By the Medium, I command you to leave,” Lia said, holding up her hand in the maston sign.