Present Day
She had stunned both men, leaving them wordless, and took advantage of their confusion to leave the water, allowing the bath attendants to wrap her in a robe, lifting her hair free and beginning to untangle the strands.
“As Queen, I was responsible for making a decision in the absence of both kings,” she said calmly, though her hands shook as she folded them before her, hiding them in the sleeves of the robe. “I could not punish the bards further for their role in Tillie’s escape as I was guilty too.
“In Elliard, I sheltered human mages seeking to escape these shores,” she saw a muscle twist in the corner of Macedius’ jaw as he clenched his teeth. “And Elorshin brought me to the cells before Tillie’s escape in order to heal a man. I did not know that Tillie would be fleeing with them, I only knew that the man was wounded and needed healing.” She saw Sylvin’s eyes widen.