The Adamantists (The Crown Prophecy Book 2)

by M. D. Laird

  If you are truly happy with your decision, then I am glad for you. I have only ever wanted happiness for you. You deserve it, and I hope you find it, Calab, I really do. It may be selfish of me to say this, but I cannot bear for you to think that I want this outcome or that I believe that my feelings are not my own.

  I will not try to contact you again. I will respect your decision, and I will not make things difficult for you.

  Warmest regards

  Genevieve

  Eve handed the letter to one of the Sonneillon demons to send for her and tried to compose herself. She was meeting the king tonight and could not afford to be an emotional wreck. She washed her face and selected the formal dress she had worn for her ascension. She planned to attend in full regalia including her crown which she had also only worn at her ascension. It was a cumbersome and uncomfortable thing, but she did not wish to meet the king looking any less than her best.

  She had asked the Impærielas if they could make her a lighter version of the crown but quickly changed her mind when Lord Ezra started to lecture her on what a waste of resources that was.

  Eve frowned. She had been disappointed that Lord Ezra had declined her invitation to attend. He and the Impærielas were becoming more inclusive, but he could not bring himself to stay at the Guild of Sonneillon.

  Perhaps he could have attended Axandria just for the meeting. It is too late now.

  She pulled on her dress and fastened the corset as much as she could before summoning Captain Leliel who had already agreed to help her fasten the corset. She had considered asking the princess, but it seemed too informal—she had promised herself to stop making friends with everyone. She wasn’t doing particularly well as she got on very well with Eleanor and Thomas, but asking her to help the queen dress was another matter entirely, so she asked her guard instead. The captain did not mind, and as was customary for an angel, he was a perfect gentleman.

  Once fully fastened into all her clothing, Eve began to sheath her weapons. She was not armed for war but had taken to carrying weapons at all times. She never intended to use them but had listened when Lord Ezra and her captains had told her that she needed to represent a new impression of the Impærielas. They were a peaceful people, but they would no longer avoid conflict if it became necessary. They said her magic was not representation enough and a sword would be symbolic. Captain Arwyn had commissioned her a beautiful rapier. It was an elegant blade that was lighter than her broadsword and less aggressive looking than her twin blades, but just as deadly. She also sheathed her angel blade. She always wore her angel blade, though she never intended to use it. Its lethality gave an unnerving impression of her. If she ever did unsheathe the blade, then it was not a warning—anyone injured by the blade would die.

  Eve fastened her sash over her shoulders and nestled the crown onto her head. She examined her reflection. She had changed dramatically since the first time she had worn this attire. Yes, she still looked sixteen years old, and she was still a good deal shorter than other thorian, but she had changed. She was stronger, she was confident. She did not need to remind herself to lift her chin nor did she have to remove a quiver from her voice when she spoke. She had the bearing of a queen. She smiled at her reflection.

  Yes, I look like a queen.

  Eve descended the stairs of the guild and was met by her entire Queen’s Guard. The angels were armed with their blades and the demons with their deadly claws. They wore their new ceremonial uniforms instead of their usual attire. They were still midnight blue but had highly polished Anaxagorean brass buttons that had the winged lynx embossed upon them. They wore a heavy gilded cloak embellished with the winged lynx stitched in gold thread.

  It was the first time they had worn the uniforms. Jacob had raised the issue of uniforms in the quorum and advised that the guard’s uniforms were becoming worn and needed replacing. The budget was agreed, and some alterations were made. Previously their uniforms had only an Impærielas lynx with winged lynx badges and the lynx was now replaced with the winged lynx of the Queen’s Guard. Jacob had suggested another uniform for special occasions and Eve was glad he had as she thought they looked wonderful and would be an intimidating sight for the king of Axandria.

  Eve was joined by Son Jacob and Lord Tharazan who both wore full suits. Tharazan, not afraid of looking intimidating, was armed with his twin short swords and Jacob with his angel blade.

  “I was going to wish you good luck, Your Majesty,” said Thomas, leaving his office, and entering the hallway, “but I think I should send my wishes to the king instead.”

  “Thank you, Prince.” Eve smiled before turning to Tharazan and Jacob. “Let’s go.”

  Thomas watched the entourage leave. They left in one vector carrying the queen, Jacob and Tharazan, the vector was surrounded by the guards who would fly the distance. The vector would travel at a lower speed so the guards could keep up and he and the princess could not leave for the king’s guild yet, or they would risk being seen. Thomas grinned wickedly to himself before midspacing to the bedroom.

  An hour later, Thomas travelled in the vector with the princess towards the Guild of Rexalis. The princess was dressed in dark trousers and dark tunic and had her hair bundled in a hat. The princess had informed him that these were the clothes she wore when sneaking out of the tunnels to see James. The scent of the male lingered on the fabric, but he kept that to himself and instead commented on how he liked seeing her legs in trousers. He could not smell the scent now she had the arcanus, he could not smell anything around her—including the scent he had grown to enjoy.

  At least it works.

  Thomas stopped the vector a few miles from the guild and flew the princess as close as he could to the guild.

  She checked her hair was tucked in and that the arcanus was safely tucked in the breast pocket of her tunic before giving him a quick smile and turning to leave. Thomas grabbed her arm.

  “Be careful,” he whispered.

  She smiled warmly at him before kissing him and flitting away from him towards the guild. Thomas followed her in the midspace until he was within two-hundred yards of the guild and then he watched her make her approach.

  He was impressed with her skill. She spent a few minutes taking in the guards’ rounds and timing how long they were taking to make the round. Already familiar with the layout, she only needed to observe them briefly before she was ready to go. She checked the area surrounding her hiding place in the bushes was clear and then, when the guard had made his pass, she was off. She did not have to worry about making a noise as the arcanus kept her silent, even to Thomas’ ears, and she made her way straight to a flower bed and then she was gone.

  Thomas squinted and still could not make out the entrance. It was well hidden amongst the flowers, which showed no sign of disturbance as the princess passed through them. Now he would just have to wait.

  He rose up in the midspace to get a clear view of the Guild of Rexalis. It was well-guarded by heavily armed soldiers with most, as the princess suggested, guarding the entrance to the guild. The queen’s vector was stationed in the front, and four Queen’s Guard stood with it surrounded by the King’s Guard who all waited anxiously to see if they were needed inside.

  Thomas caught a glimpse of the queen and the rest of the guard entering the guild, he presumed there would be a large guard presence inside as well. The Queen’s Guard were vastly outnumbered by the King’s Guard, but they stood confident and strong whilst the King’s Guard appeared nervous. The queen had been right to bring her entire guard; they were certainly effective in intimidating the king’s men.

  The king’s men would normally be unconcerned with demons as they were noble and Axandrian demons couldn’t touch them, but the Queen’s Guard were different. The demons in the guard were not of Axandria, and they were there to protect the queen of their land, and the usual rules did not apply. The men knew this, and it made them anxious. Thomas hoped it would make the king anxious too�
�whilst the queen was inside his guild, he was not so invincible.

  The Captain of the King’s Guard approached Eve as they entered the guild.

  “Good evening, Your Majesty.” He greeted her with a bow. “I shall show you through to meet the king, but first I must ask all of you to disarm.” The party did not move and Eve did not allow any change in her expression. The captain hesitated. “I shall need you to leave your weapons here, Your Majesty.”

  “That won’t be necessary,” said Eve sternly. “We shall keep our weapons. Please take us to His Majesty.”

  “Your Majesty, I must insist. The king will not see you if you are heavily armed.”

  “Captain, I grow tired of this exchange,” Eve snapped. “If His Majesty wishes to see me, then he will do so as we are. Disarming my party is fruitless; Lord Tharazan and I can hardly disarm ourselves of magic nor can the demons disarm themselves of their claws. Now enough of this nonsense, take me to the king at once.”

  “Yes, Your Majesty,” said the flustered captain, turning to lead the party into the dining room.

  “Good evening, Your Majesty,” Eve greeted the king, dropping into a slight curtsy.

  “Well met, Queen Genevieve,” replied to the king, bowing towards her. He cast a glare towards the captain upon noticing they were still armed before plastering a smile on his face and inviting them to sit at the table. Once seated, the king regaled them with details about the wine, the local area and many tales about himself and his ancestors.

  Eleanor crept along the dark tunnel towards the dungeon. The tunnel was pitch dark, but she was familiar with the route and made her way along without light. She had a small alchemical lamp with her though she dared not use it until she was certain she was alone.

  She made her way quickly through the tunnel and soon found the entrance to the dungeon. She took a deep breath and took a seat to wait and listen.

  Eve nodded politely at the king’s tales until the first course was brought to the table, then Eve and Tharazan blatantly handed their goblets and platters to Captain Leliel and Barakel so they could smell them for any traces of poison. The king drew his stories to a close as he realised his attempts to knock her off her guard were failing.

  He snapped his fingers at his attendant to bring the bread and turned his eyes towards Eve. “Well, Your Majesty,” he said, forcing another smile. “What was it you wished to discuss?”

  “I am here for your benefit rather than my own, Your Majesty,” she replied. “I understand that you are anxious that the allegiance I offered verbally is not secure enough for you.”

  “It is less than I am accustomed to. In Axandria, allegiances are secured with marriage.”

  “In Arkazatinia they are not.”

  “That is my understanding. Though I would feel more secure if you would agree to a marriage. Normally it would be your heir I would proposition, but, in your case, I proposition you directly. I offer you my oldest son and the heir to my throne. I shall invite him to join us if you would like to meet him. You will find him delightful company, and he is well-practiced, and will ensure your happiness in all areas of marriage.”

  Eve resisted the urge to shake her head. “Your Majesty, that is very kind, and I appreciate the offer though I am somewhat baffled by it.”

  “Please, tell me what troubles you.”

  “As you correctly point out, I am unable to produce a child, and if I did, they would not be the heir to my throne as the Crown is passed on in the traditional manner in Arkazatinia. In Axandria you have a line of succession, and yet you are proposing a marriage of the next in line to the throne to a queen with no future line of succession to her own throne who cannot produce an heir for the line of succession to your throne. I am struggling to comprehend why you might do that.”

  “An allegiance with Arkazatinia is important to us.”

  “Why?” asked Eve. “Why after all this time is it necessary? What has changed? We have made no threats towards you or acted in any way that should give you cause to fear us.”

  “May I speak with you alone, Your Majesty?”

  “I’m afraid not. Son Jacob and Lord Tharazan are members of my democratic quorum, and you can talk in front of them.”

  “It is a rather sensitive matter, Your Majesty. I shall send away my own men.”

  “I’m sorry, Your Majesty, but I will not conduct matters in secrecy.”

  The king hid his displeasure under another smile. “It is the nature of members of your quorum and your guard that concerns me. Their loyalty is to Heaven and Hell first and foremost.”

  “I fail to see the issue,” she said impatiently. “I will not send them away.”

  The king sighed. “Very well,” he said reluctantly. “It is your…abilities that have made the difference.”

  “What about my abilities?”

  “Your ability to craft adamantine.”

  Eve felt Jacob and Tharazan stiffen at her side, and she inwardly cursed Thomas.

  This is what he wouldn’t tell me!

  She gave her expression a touch of confusion. “What makes you think I can do that?” she asked.

  “Because I know what your magic is, Your Majesty, and where it has come from. Once you master your abilities, you will be a desirable allegiance for anyone and I wanted to beat others to it.”

  “Beat who to what?”

  “The Vernasian king, the island lords. They will all approach you.”

  “For what?”

  “Surely you are not this naïve, Your Majesty.” The king grinned arrogantly. “You carry an angel blade at your waist—you must know its power. Hell has its own equivalent in adamantine except there are no adamantine blades…yet. You, Your Majesty, are the only person capable of crafting them.”

  I am going to kill Thomas. How could he let me waltz in here so unprepared?

  “Why would I craft adamantine blades?”

  “For the very reason you carry an angel blade—for your protection. For our protection. Our armies could be armed with adamantine and no one could touch us.”

  “And where do you expect to get adamantine?” she asked.

  “All demon guilds have a store of it that they do not use, demons rarely need their dungeons—perhaps we could come to an arrangement.”

  “Who is we? The adamantine belongs to Hell—are you planning to make an arrangement with the high princes?”

  The king laughed. “There are ways around the rules if you know them well enough. We could make a deal which benefits everyone. It could benefit Arkazatinia, Axandria and all of their demons and no one will get into trouble.”

  Eve dropped her napkin onto her plate and stood. “I have heard enough. This meeting is over.”

  Jacob and Tharazan stood and Eve started towards the doors surrounded by her entourage.

  “Wait, Your Majesty.” The king motioned to the guards. “Hold the doors.”

  Eve blasted the doors from their hinges without breaking her stride, and they all left the guild and marched towards the waiting vector.

  “Please listen, Your Majesty,” shouted the king.

  Eve ignored him and boarded the vector.

  Thomas whipped his head towards the guild entrance when he heard a loud crash and moments later the queen, Jacob, Tharazan and the guards filed out of the building. He left the midspace and hid amongst the bushes as the vector and the Queen’s Guard flew above him.

  He entered the midspace once they had passed and looked towards the flowerbed for the princess.

  Eleanor had listened and waited at the dungeon entrance and had heard nothing. Slowly, she peered into the darkness, sniffed the air and could sense no one. She left the tunnel and began to make her way around the dungeon. When she was confident there was no one around, she lit the lamp. No guards meant no prisoners, but she wanted to be sure and made her way around quickly to check every cell—they were all empty.

  She was about to leave when she spotted t
he space where James had been shackled to the wall. She stopped and stared at the space where his head had stared back at her. She dropped to her knees and put her hands on the stone. The blood was gone, and there was no trace that he had ever been there. She started to weep.

  “I’m sorry, James,” she whispered. “I love you. I will always love you.”

  A bang sounded from upstairs, and she heard angry shouts. She stood quickly, and casting one last look at the stone, she extinguished the light and ran into the tunnels. She moved quickly to the exit and poked her head through the flowers. The guards seemed preoccupied with whatever was happening. She heard her father shout at the queen to ask her to listen. Eleanor stayed where she was, it sounded like the queen’s party were leaving and she would be seen if she left now. Moments later the vector flew away from the guild surrounded by the Queen’s Guard.

  Angry shouts came from the guild as her father bellowed at his men asking them why the queen’s party were allowed into the guild heavily armed and screaming at them to ‘fix that door’. The guards who should have been making their rounds were still distracted by the commotion and Eleanor, taking advantage of their lapse, left the tunnel, and made her way quickly to the point where she would meet Prince Thomas.

  Prince Thomas left the midspace and picked her up before flying her to the vector. Once on board and in the air, she finally relaxed. The prince set the vector to take a detour so they would arrive at his guild by a different route as he wanted to be there before the queen and without being seen so they could pretend they had been home all night.

  “There was no one there,” Eleanor said, peeling off her tunic. “There were no guards in the dungeon, so I left the tunnel to examine every cell—they were all empty.” She peeled off her trousers and pulled a dress from out of a sack before stuffing the pants and tunic in it. The prince stared at her hungrily. She smiled. “Don’t you ever get tired?”