I straighten under her relentless tone. "The night of the ascension, he went to her house. I found him yelling and her crying." I pause. "Supposedly, he was taken to the prison, but when I went to see him almost two days later, he had been released. I still haven’t found him, but I have been concerned for a while that he would come to Arlet's house. And now…this."
Estela's expression shifts—not fear, not worry. Rage. The kind that burns slow and deep. The kind that has festered for years.
"That filth,"she murmurs.
Teo watches her carefully. "We don’t know exactly what he did yet."
She shifts, adjusting Arlet carefully before lifting her chin to face Teo. “But if he is to blame, we have to know. Send a guard to find him that we might question him.”
Teo places his hand on her shoulder. “Yes.”
I wanted to be in that room. They could argue over the leftover scraps.
“Lord Vann, you said that she told you to let her go? Was it because you were restraining her?” Fira asks, changing the subject.
I frown as I consider.
“I don’t think so. It was like she wanted to get out of the room.”
“Likely to get to the king or queen,” Ra’Salore insists.
He could be right.
“Does this have anything to do with the missive,” Lady Fira asks.
Queen Estela shakes her head. “The more I think about it, the more it seems impossible. I was in Zlosa when King Rholker forged an alliance with the elves. Arion hated the witches. He was disgusted by them, and this is their magic as far as we know.”
Teo watches, taking in all the opinions. “Is there a way to find out exactly who did this?”
Mother Liana gives a slight shrug. “Perhaps? If I can remove it, I can consult the gods.”
I suck on my teeth before continuing, my voice steadier this time. “So if we do not want to impose the law upon her, what can we do?”
“Some part of her killed someone. She needs to be put in prison," Ra’Salore says.
Fira glares at him. "Arlet has cared for our children and woven our clothes. While I understand the threat she poses in this state, she deserves more respect than what you are giving her. Put her somewhere better. I offer my own home, and we can restrain her against something.”
I nod my agreement.
Ra’Salore throws his hands up. “If what you say is true, she is not in control of herself when she isin that state.She needs to berestrained, because if she wakes up again she could kill. Do you want her to be killed out of self defense?”
The responding silence is tense.
“I understand this situation is delicate, for myself included, but Lord Ra’Salore is not wrong,” Teo says firmly. “In my experience, we need to demonstrate to our people that we will not put friendship over collective gain.”
Estela closes her eyes. “This isn’t solely about friendship. Arlet’s character is well established and we have evidence of her curse. I will not condemn her for actions she did not make, even though I do agree she is dangerous. I prefer her being under the watch of someone trusted. We can figure this out.We will figure this out.”
She looks at me, but I notice Liana and Fira nodding.
“A prison cell is not so awful,” Faol says. “She can rest.”
“She’ll be humiliated! And her position will be undermined. Who’s to say she won’t hurt herself if we leave her alone? And is it right that we subject anyone in the prison to her curse?” I say. “I agree with the queen’s proposal that she be detained with one of us. I also offer my home. Anyone at risk can be temporarily vacated from the nearby houses.”
Ra’Salore frowns. “And go where? I have a wife and two children, plus a wolf. We can’t just move.”
I step into the middle of the room. “It won’t be a move, you will merely stay somewhere else for a few days. I will help you myself. Three days, please. We will fix this.”
Ra’Salore raises his brows, tilting his head to the side at my offer.