“So we can hope,” Sharpe muttered. “That being said, when you access this so-called network, itwon’tbe from the alban in Gallamere. I won’t risk you taking out the whole city if something goes wrong. We’ll use an alternative tree, somewhere remote. But before all of that, there’s another matter to consider. Thepublic.” He swiped his tongue over his teeth with distaste. “Tomorrow, the pair of you will be presented to the country, as Summer and Winter. However, the people will have expectations of their Chosen Ones, and givenyourrecord andyourmagic, neither of you are enough to keep them sleeping easy at night. So you will play your parts as we assign them. That is the compromise. Is that clear?”
Domenic and Ellery exchanged a smile. They’d done it. Shitshow or not, they’d actually proven themselves.
“Perfectly,” he said.
“Absolutely,” Ellery chimed in.
Domenic locked eyes with Hanna next.Thank you,he mouthed.
Except Hanna didn’t join in their triumph. Her expression remained blank, unforgiving and unreadable.
But in her fist, her knuckles whitened around Syarthis.
XVIIIELLERY
WINTER
Ellery reapplied her lipstick, a light rose shade called First Blush. Then she studied herself in the vanity mirror of the Citadel dressing room, finally satisfied.
Ellery had only just begun to believe she was a hero. But in minutes, she needed to make the country believe it, too.
A ray of warmth grazed the back of her neck, and someone cleared their throat. Ellery spun to spot Domenic hovering in the doorway, beside two clothing racks and a discarded pair of heels. If not for his distinctive lanky frame, Ellery might not have recognized him. His normally unruly hair had been slicked into a gleaming side part, the divots of the comb still raking through the pomade. Bronzer framed every peak of his face to make his angles sharper, his features older; foundation masked his freckles; concealer softened his usually heavy stare. Complete with a tailored russet suit, waxy loafers, and Valmordion’s golden sheath at his side, Domenic looked like the leading man on an Aldrish movie poster.
He stretched out his arms in mock surrender. “Go ahead. Tell me how ridiculous I look.”
Ellery cocked a brow. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, Mr. Alderland.”
Domenic scowled as he bent to examine himself in her mirror. He tugged at his bow tie. “Right? I look like I’m about to break into the national anthem.”
Then he straightened and looked her up and down. Ellery was suddenly overly aware of every detail of her own appearance.
Ellery’s hair was flawlessly finger-waved, her makeup applied by professionals who’d wielded brushes and pencils as artfully as wands. Councilor Seong had outfitted her in a cream two-piece velvet jacket and blazer, with matching suede heels. Ellery had seen a similar outfit in a magazine ad billed as the stylish choice for the modern young career woman. Her favorite part was her necklace, a dainty chain studded with crystal teardrops that dripped elegantly down her throat.
“Well?” Ellery asked dryly. “What do you think of Miss Perfect?”
“Youlook great. The necklace, whatever wavy thing they did with your hair—it all suits you. Are you happy with it?”
“With the outfit? Sure.” Ellery heaved out a breath. “It’s the performance I’m worried about.”
“You’re telling me. I mean, who’s gonna buythis?” He shook his wrist, where a hideous, clunky designer watch jangled. “Have you seen the stuff they’ve printed about me in the papers? Half our classmates jumped at their five seconds of fame all to tell the country I’m a jackass. And now I’m going up there pretending I’m… I’m…” Even through his makeup, his skin went green.
“Hey.Hey. Why don’t you sit down?”
Domenic nodded and collapsed into the vanity chair. Ellery pulled Iskarius from its fancy new silver sheath and fetched him a glass of water.
“Drink this. And yes, the irony of the situation isn’t lost on me.”
“Ha. Ha,” he grumbled even as he accepted it. “I just—I know today isn’t as important as fulfilling the prophecy. But I don’t want the whole country panicking because I’m… because of who I was.”
“I get why you’re nervous,” Ellery said. “But if it makes you feel better, if the country’s going to panic about anything, it’ll be me. It doesn’t matter how good I look.” She grimaced andsheathed her wand. “I mean, I could go out there naked, and the only thing anyone would stare at is Iskarius.”
Domenic choked on his sip of water. Ellery flushed as she realized exactly what she’d said, and to whom.
“Oh, come on,” he said hoarsely. “I’m sure the reactions would be mixed.”
Ellery’s flush only deepened. “You flatter me.”
Domenic set down his glass and stood. This close, the heat of his magic radiated against her. “How about this? Whatever parts we have to play to make Alderland happy, we do it. But when it’s just us, no bullshit. Deal?”
