“We’ll be there,” Vera calls out as Lady Gallor takes her leave. With a quick spin, Vera interlocks her arm with mine. “Walk with me, Ariah.”
Together we stroll the room, examining the paintings but never speaking. People come in and out of the room until Vera and I are the only two left inside. It isn’t until the room falls silent when Vera stops.
She lets go of my arm and moves in front of a portrait. I am way too concerned wondering what this woman is up to, to notice the portrait is of a group of people on a summer’s day. There is a lake in the background with swans floating atop it. In the front is a gazebo covered in blooming flowers, and two women are painted on the steps. One of them is my mother, and the other has long, wavy hair with deep red lips.
“Is that your mother? Our parents were friends?”
“Partners.” Vera’s tone is cold, and all the light is gone from her face. I knew it was too good to be true.
“Your first lesson. Never let personal feelings get in the way of the job. Your loyalty is always to the Queen.” She steps closer. “A lesson your mother didn’t comprehend.”
There is about an inch of height difference between us, and we nearly come eye to eye when I close the gap between us. “Speak of me as you will, but my parents are off limits.”
She laughs at something sinister. “And is Ariah Tyddle going to be the one to stop me? Foolish girl,” she spits out mockingly. And before I can reply, she pulls a dagger from her sleeve and locks her hand deep in my curls, spinning me around and pulling my head back so she can have easier access to my neck. The metal is cold and stings my skin. “Ever threaten me again and I’ll have your blood stained on the floor before you can utter a sound. I’ll do what my mother should have done years ago.”
My head cocks at an uncomfortable angle, staring straight at a ceiling I didn’t notice is painted—I’d have more appreciation for its beauty if there wasn’t a blade to my throat.
Though out of sight, I recall a sculpture of a bird with a rather long neck resting to my right, which would now be on my left. Icould try searching for it with my hand, but there is no guarantee I could reach it before Vera has her way.
I don’t doubt her ability to kill me. The Foxes have all been trained to carry out such deeds in a multitude of ways. But she’s not daft enough to risk the Foxes’ exposure to carry out some harbored vendetta.
There are sudden footsteps, and she pulls my hair tighter at their approach.
“I recall the Queen telling us all to play nice.” Chana sounds as if she’s used to this constant behavior. “She’s ordered all of us to her study. Alive.”
“And lesson number two”—Vera releases my hair and removes the blade before pushing me forward—“be like Chana here, and always show up for your partner.”
She pushes past Chana and me.
My scalp is burning and there is an alarming sensation around my neck. My shoulders rise and I feel my airways tighten. My hands can’t decide if they want to hold my neck or chest, so one rests on each.
“Ariah?” Chana’s voice is growing distant, and I take a few steps away from her.
In my pockets I dig for my spray. I release one spritz and hold it in. When I release my breath it’s as if a thousand pounds fall from me.
“Ariah?” Chana calls again and this time it’s clearer. “Vera likes to put borga on her blade. A poisonous algae she makes Sky go searching for. It numbs the skin and surrounding area but it’s not deadly.” I feel her hands at my neck. “It didn’t get into your bloodstream. You should be okay.”
“She said the lesson was about not taking things personally. That felt personal to me.” I find my composure.
“Vera is what I like to call the Queen’s mask. She’s good at making people trust her. She wears many different faces anduses the best one to get close to her target. Secrets are far easier to unravel the closer you are to a person.” She tips her head to the exit. “The Queen hates belatedness. We should go.”
16
ARIAH
Aten-foot tall birdcage is set in the middle of the room—the golden bars house birds of various colors and sizes, jumping from branch to branch of the tree within the boundary.
Walls are lined with bookshelves and tables. Atop each table is some form of art—ceramic ware, paintings, sculptures—or terrariums. There is an overwhelming number of terrariums in the room, which adds life to the chamber. I was expecting gloominess. Dark colors for a dark soul, but it’s suspiciously bright.
Rounding the birdcage, I see Vera and Sky waiting on steps that lead up to a desk the Queen is writing away at.
Vera looks over and tosses me a malicious grin, but I cut it off with a bow I offer the Queen.
“King Marcel II of Saden has declined my invitation to join us for a ball to end our kingdoms’ long-running rivalry. However, he is for ending the feud. In exchange, he is sending not one, but two of his sons. Prince Marcel and Prince Iann.” She stands, displaying another jaw-dropping outfit that is more elegant thanall the outfits I’ve seen yet in this kingdom. Bending over, she scoops up the same kit I saw her with when I arrived. “We are scheduled to receive them tomorrow, and the ball shall be in a weeks’ time. Vera, you are to escort Prince Marcel during his time here. Show him everything Haymel has to offer.” I catch the side eye Sky throws Vera’s way but my vision snaps back to the Queen when she calls my name. “Ariah, congratulations, you have your first task. You are to be Prince Iann’s escort during his visit. Like Vera, your only goal is to focus on him, and him alone. You both are to keep the princes happy at all costs.” She descends a few steps.
At all costs?
There have been stories over the years of the three Saden princes. Each with a hunger for sovereignty and a thirst for riches and an appreciation for late night company. Bedding anyone they please just because they can. Possessing both women’s hearts and an overabundance of great treasures.
