As he strode down the tunnel, away from the bloodlust traveling like a swift wind among the men present, his lips formed a thin line. There were so many things he was sorry for.
So many.
~
The festival was just beginning when Hadrian and Avalon reached the outskirts of Hilsian.
The city was alight with paper lanterns that hung from fishing wire throughout the cobblestone streets, and dancers twirled as the moon rose to its highest peak in the sky. Musicians played at every corner, and vendors shouted their wares as they competed for the attention of curious passers-by. Bunches of herbs were strung above doors, and young girls stuffed wildflowers beneath their pillows with the hope to dream of future husbands. Fey and humans alike leapt over bonfires down by the river, and ate bread soaked in hot milk and flavored with sugar.
Avalon and Hadrian wove through the crowds, their hoods pulled down low to conceal their features. Avalon was thankful they’d arrived on the night of the festival, for masks of witches and animals concealed many faces, making it easy to blend in.
In a back alley, Avalon found a cart brimming with clothes of silk and lace; cloaks of every color; masks and more masks. After sifting through the pile, she selected one for Hadrian that was shaped like a bird’s skull, complete with a curved beak that nearly touched his chest.
“I’ll be able to recognize you easily in this,” she said as she pulled the mask down to cover his handsome face—and the scowl he wasn’t even attempting to hide.
“What areyougoing to wear?” he muttered, his voice nearly inaudible behind the mask. Music flowed through the alley like liquid silver.
Instead of answering, Avalon shuffled through her bag until she found the Iron Blind.
Hadrian tried to object, but Avalon cut him off with a finger to his beak. “No one will notice,” she purred as she slid the mask on. “Besides, Sable deserves to know everything we do, no matter how stupid or reckless.”
That’s right,Sable said from within the mask as she took her place beside Avalon, catching just enough of the conversation to know exactly what was going on. She took in her surroundings while Avalon shrugged on a pearly velvet cloak. When the warrior looked at Hadrian, taking in the ridiculous mask concealing his face, she barked a laugh. Avalon was glad the captain couldn’t see the grin that broke across her face.
“Let’s go, beautiful,” Hadrian said, adjusting the strings of her hood. “We need to get you to the temple.”
~
Avalon lost sight of Hadrian in the crowd. One minute he was behind her, and the next he was gone.
She craned her neck to see over the heads of the revelers. Bodies wreathed in silk and lace undulated like ocean waves, their every move fueled by the zealous musicians playing on every street, alley, and corner.
“Hadrian!” she shouted. The din of the festival swallowed his name.
Using her elbows as leverage, she pushed her way through the crowd, narrowly avoiding being stepped on as people twirled and laughed and leapt. Never had she seen bodies move so rhythmically. Her father rarely permitted her to attend dances, let alone the lively solstice festivals he claimed were only for the scum of Elderyn.
Your father sounds charming,Sable said in disgust.
There’s no time for bickering,Avalon snapped.Help me find Hadrian.
It would be easier if I had my own pair of eyes.
As she made her way through the crowd, she was elbowed, shoved, and nearly pulled into a circle of dancers, their arms linked. She was thankful no one could see her expression as she tactfully declined those who offered her a dance.
Pushy people,Sable growled.
Quiet,Avalon said.They’re just trying to be nice.
I’ll show them nice—
Shh!
When she was nearing the edge of the crowd, near the steep staircase that led up to the House of Fire, Avalon caught sight of Hadrian from across the square. He was no longer wearing his mask, and his eyes were lit with panic as he stared at her from across the throng of people. A guard was on each of his arms, and several more watched nearby as he was forced into the closest alleyway. A handful of onlookers whispered among themselves, though no one went to his aid.
Avalon flinched as a guard struck him in the gut. Hadrian doubled up, his face contorting in pain. Someone’s fist slammed into his ribs—once, twice, three times. Avalon swore she felt her heart snap in two.
Damn it.Her lip wobbled as her heart broke into a sprint. She wasn’t sure she could do this without Hadrian. As she realized that she was horribly lost without him, he and the guards disappeared down the alley.
What do we do?she asked Sable. Her hands were trembling.
