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"It is you!" he said, his voice plaintive yet his expression racked with guilt and confusion "But look at you Where is…Lia…the baby? Where is the baby?"

She saw it on his face with her hunter’s gaze There was a dab of rouge on the corner of his mouth where a woman had kissed him

"You wanted to beco "Instead, you helped destroy the about, Duerden? What baby?"

His face twitched with spas with emotion "You were sent away to another Abbey To keep it secret! You ith child The Aldermaston’s child – the baby The child You…you ith child What…but…were you not with child, Lia? Like Reome?" His eyes were desperate and helpless The cup dropped fro her head violently "That is a lie! You were deceived by the Queen Dowager Duerden, do you not understand? The Aldermaston was murdered He was not a traitor It was not an execution He was murdered Demont was murdered!"

Duerden shook his head in a daze "No, he fell sick He was poisoned by Pasqua"

"No, Duerden! He was murdered All of the mastons have been ave hi to the Queen Dowager? You are hers I can smell her on your clothes Her stain is in your blood as well When, Duerden? When did it happen to you?"

His expression was haunted, his voice quavering "Before…Whitsunday She spoke to ardens She…oh, Lia, what have I done! She was so friendly to me She did not tease me She…Lia…she…what have I done!"

"You are infected," Lia said, shaking her head "The Blight You are infected with it She kissed you She kissed you again tonight" Lia’s heart broke with pain "You cannot leave these shores You will die, like everyone else I am so sorry, Duerden You will be sick You will be very sick, very soon Leave Muirhile you can A storht Go as far away as you can, but you can never return Go!"

Duerden began to sob like a child, overwhelrabbed his shoulders and shook him "Go!"

Lia felt the Myriad Ones surround her Theirand ani at her hts She turned around slowly and there was Pareigis, the Queen Dowager, in a gown as dark at the night, the silver fringe glittering Her eyes glowed silver and the wind rustled her hair Her fingers were curled like talons

"He is not yours to cois said with an iirl Rerit her teeth but did not back away "I broke your hold over Seth I will break your hold over hiust of wind swept across the grass, bringing the scent of fire is’ hair whipped across her face Pressure began to build in the air Lia felt it inside her ears

"It is your pity that you do not fear is said "You have been troublesoht You are the last an to whip is said with delight "I am the Queen of storms Water is my dominion"

"You have no do is truly yours I know your power I do not fear it You cannot haris’ eyes flashed with murder "Harm you? I will kill you, little one You also will be trapped on this pitiful earth The mastons who fell before you were fortunate because they could return to Idumea But not you This is your reward, foolish child This is what the Medium bestows on you for your faithfulness" She spat the word "Misery That is your reward I give youfor cider"

In the distance, there was thunder

Lia stared at Pareigis, unconcerned "You will go Depart from Muirwood and never return" She took a step towards her

"You cannot cois shrieked in fury "I command the oceans and the waves and they obeyFire burns at my will You cannot command me!"

"By the Mediu up her hand in the n