Third Earth by Cami Murdock Jensen

Author:Cami Murdock Jensen [Jensen, Cami Murdock]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Value Publishing LLC

18

Liars Can’t Testify

Sleep wouldn’t come. I needed to recharge, but my brain allowed no peace. Eyes closed, the minutes ticked into hours as I replayed my report to the noblesse over and over again. I didn’t include Kyprios in my telepathic images, or Thayn, but only Iloress stomped off in a huff. Even Regent Menneth commented on how she chose not to stay. It was her fault, right? Or, at least, not my fault? Either way, that little mistake blew up enough to warrant the death of my sciftan friends.

Ugh. I’d had enough of Third Earth. If I ever got out of here, I’d never come back.

“Grandfather Thayn has slipped in his ambassador duties. These quarters are not fit for an arch mage.”

My eyes snapped open at the familiar voice.

“Nemantia?”

By the door, yellow satin, glistening with golden protection enchantments, floated as Bandlash set a very welcome guest into the door frame. Rather awkwardly, since he was too shy to look at her.

“Nemantia!” I cried, climbing to my still unsteady feet. “What in the name of sweet Second Earth are you doing here?”

“You’re kidding, right?” She smiled and came to my pile of coins in the corner. “My dearest friend is imprisoned and I’m to, what? Stay home and wallow in worry?”

I wrapped my tired, acid-spattered arms around her shoulders.

Past her dark, royal updo, a tall, handsome figure nimbly jumped from Bandlash’s back into the cell.

“You came too, Jenz?”

“She threw the biggest fit when the king commanded her to stay home.” He smirked.

He stationed himself at the door and assessed the empty room with the trained eye of a paladin. His eyes paused only at the narrow drain in the corner opposite from me. At least four elemental weapons hung from his dark gray uniform, which made Bandlash squirm.

“Father needn’t worry when I have you, Jenz,” Nemantia said, stroking my back to comfort me. “Right now, Agnes is far more important.” She turned to Bandlash, but I didn’t let go and leaned around with her. “Thank you for delivering me to my friend, noble Bandlash.”

Oh, well, my pleasure. Uh, I’ve been assigned, he stammered in furious embarrassment. I’ll just wait by the main door. Call when you need me.

His blue eyes, wide with awe, slid below the doorframe and he gave us some privacy.

Nemantia held me until I pulled away. “Dragons have very strict rules about visitors,” she said, “but in the case of trials, a defense team is legal. Father brought our most skilled lawyers to advise him, but he will speak on your behalf himself.”

“And you?” I sniffed. “You’re not a lawyer.”

“No, but I am a necromancer. Necromancers are handy at murder trials. Now, tell me everything.”

She took my hand and settled onto the dirty floor like a dahlia falling to the garden soil. Knees wobbling, I sank to my perch of coins next to her, and my remorse over the whole scandalous afternoon gushed out.

“I lied, Nemmy.” I put my hands over my face to hide my shame. “I lied to some of my favorite people in the universe.

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