“Enough, Noir. I’ve got far more pressing worries than that at the moment.”
Her frown was troubled as she focused on some part of the wall rather than meet any of our gazes. Her mood brought the rest of us down. The silence weighed heavily, thick with tension.
“In two weeks, I’ve accomplished afractionof what I’ve intended to do. But when I’m queen, I can do it all without wearing a mask. Surely that’s acceptable. Surely…that’s enough.” Her voice broke with uncertainty.
Zane rubbed her arm in soothing circles. “You’re doing more than enough.”
You are going to be queen. We will make sure of it.Finn leaned over and kissed her cheek.
She took a deep breath. “You’re right. Also, screw Tierney and her accusations. In less than a week, she and all the other candidates will be dead.”
I snapped my fingers behind my back, though with the awkward angle, it didn’t make a sound. I knew what I’d get Sidney for her first courting gift. Something much more meaningful than a fistful of roses.
Now, if only I could remember what my next victim’s face looked like…
Chapter 31
Sidney
Later that day, I slipped into my old room to retrieve the few supplies I had left: a handful of ration bars, the consecrated water, flasks of rupture, and one final vial of my healing serum. I dropped to my knees and reached under the wardrobe, fingers sweeping through dust until they brushed the wood of my blessed stakes. One. Then nothing.
My breath caught. I shoved my arm deeper and scraped my knuckles. Still no second stake.
A cold jolt shot through my gut. With shaking hands, I thrust everything else into my satchel. The bag’s strap barely hit my shoulder before I bolted from the room, heart pounding as if guards closed in behind me.
Back in my new quarters, I locked the door. Crimson myrrh thickened the air inside, curling into my lungs like a warning. A sweetness like heated sap mingled with a hint of citrus and a richness that settled low and heavy.
Zane and Finn were waiting for me in the receiving room. Zane shot to his feet. “Did it go well?” His gaze swept over me, a frown tugging at his lips. “What’s wrong?”
I ran a hand through my hair. “A stake is missing. Someone must’ve taken it.”
Finn’s expression sharpened.I will send scouts to find who has it.
I nodded, though unease clung to me. “It’ll probably be okay.” Movement from Noir’s room caught my attention. “I’d better check on our guest before bedtime.”
Through the open door, I could see him tied in a chair by the bed, head swaying as if he were listening to music no one else could hear. I crossed to the doorway. He looked up, and that manic grin spread across his face.
“Hello, flower.” Nostrils flaring, he leaned forward. “You smell like fear tonight. Something interesting happen?”
I ignored his comment and eyed his restraints. “I can loosen these straps enough for you to sleep in the bed.”
He settled back into the chair. “This is more comfortable. I can see the door from here.” His eyes glinted in the low light. “Besides, I haven’t slept properly in decades. Too many dead people wanting to chat.”
He didn’t blink, didn’t shift, just watched me with a distant stare.
I recoiled from him. “Right. Well. Good day.”
“Is it?” His head tilted. “I can never tell anymore.”
Closing the door, I returned to my bedroom. Zane was already under the covers, one arm extended in invitation. Finn sat on the edge, unlacing his boots. The sight of them eased my tension a bit. I wanted to lose myself in them, to feel their touch and drown out everything pressing in on me.
I climbed into bed between them. I pressed a fingertip to my lips before easing the sheetsdown, exposing Zane’s bronzed chest inch by inch. His gaze flashed amber. When he went to sit up, I pushed him back down, licking my lips.
Don’t make a sound,I signed.
I’m good at that,Finn responded. After flashing a thumbs-up, he reached for me.
We shared in one another’s bodies, mostly silent past a few muffled sounds. Sated, I fell asleep between them, Zane’s arm draped over my waist and Finn's warmth pressed against my side.
