"Quickening - 02 - Blood And Memory" - читать интересную книгу автора (McIntosh Fiona)

As he pulled away, her gaze was locked on his face, but her expression suggested her mind was far away.

УDead?Ф she said, as though she were testing the word on her tongue. He nodded. Valentyna moved fast, leaping to her feet, grabbing her commanderТs shirt in her fists. УRomenТs dead?Ф

УYes, my queen. He was murdered,Ф Liryk answered as gently as he could.

He was relieved when the door softly clicked open and Krell tiptoed through, something steaming from the mugs he carried. The man said nothing, walking silently across the rugs to lay down the tray nearby. Liryk caught a waft of dramona. It was a wise choice. The medicine was strong. It would help with the shock.

Valentyna became aware of Krell. His presence helped her to compose herself as she released her grip on Liryk and felt for the chair behind her. She found herself wringing her hands and regained control of them, locked them together. The Queen took a long, deep breath. She remained silent for a moment or two longer and then lifted her chin, returning a steady dark blue gaze at the man whose news had just stuck a blade into her own heart. There was some pleasing symmetry to that notion, she thought bitterly, for if her ears had heard correctly among her frantic thoughts, a blade in the heart was the manner in which Romen had died.

УCommander Liryk. You will tell me everything once again so I understand thoroughly the events that unfolded last night.Ф

The QueenТs words fell like ice crystals now. They matched the hard and wintry expression that had frozen on her lovely face.

And so for the third time that morning Liryk told his sad tale, this time sparing her no detail. He delivered his report in the detached military manner he knew best, devoid of emotion and embellishment.

УЕonly later we discovered his ring finger had been removed,Ф he concluded.

УWhy?Ф

He shrugged. УA trophy perhaps, although I do believe, your highness, that this was an assassination. People who kill for money, especially if their victims are of high status, must provide proof of the death before they are paid in full. It is my belief that Koreldy was murdered on someoneТs order.Ф

УWhose orders?Ф

One name hung silently between them. Neither dared speak it, for if they did they would both believe it, and the repercussions, should they act upon that notion, were too daunting to contemplate.

Instead Liryk chose a safer path. УWe have no firm evidence as to who perpetrated this.Ф

УOther than the blade,Ф she replied.

УYes, highness. Other than the weapon.Ф

Krell took this moment to offer the mugs. They were taken silently.

УDrink it all, your majesty,Ф he whispered before taking his leave.

She smelled the dramona, knew its intention, and put it aside. They would not sedate her. УLiryk. Did Koreldy say anything to you before he died.Ф

The man was sipping from his mug of strong, dark tea. He nodded. УHe told me that he did not kill your father. He wished you had given him a sign that you knew him to be innocent of all accusations leveled at him.Ф

ValentynaТs newly calmed expression faltered, as the words hurt. She knew Liryk had not meant to drive a further wedge of pain into her. She expected him to be truthful but could not know that he was honest only to a certain point. Liryk had told Koreldy he would not do anything to dissuade Valentyna against the marriage to Celimus even though Koreldy had begged him. As promised, he held his tongue now. For BriavelТs sake, the marriage must go ahead.

It was taking every ounce of ValentynaТs courage to remain composed and not crumble. That would come later. Right now she had to learn everything she could about RomenТs death.

УThe whoreЧФ

УHildyth?Ф

УYes, her. Where is she now?Ф