“Elion’s dining with all the initiates tonight. They feast with the king the first night because most won’t survive past tomorrow, and even less the day after that.”
“And the drakins? Why are only some of them leaving?”
“It’s technically for the initiates, not official riders, but most high-ups within the army attend.”
I forced my face into a calm neutrality, years of being around Dahes was paying off, even as my insides were spiraling. This was it. I had the entire evening free and now I knew exactly where Hael would be.
“Where is the dinner taking place?”
Cash cocked a grin. “Jealous you aren’t invited?” he taunted. “No Wielders are, and the reason we aren’t training is because no one can be in the castle tonight.” He was still smiling. “But don’t worry, you’ll get your fair share of riders during the ball.”
“Ball?”
“Yeah.” Cash tilted his head back and downed the last of his drink before tossing the glass onto the floor. I cringed as servants immediately came to clean it up. “They always have one on the fourth day of the Vargothi. It’s their celebration for surviving and their commencementfor entering society.” He smirked as he eyed me. “So you better be careful, convict.”
“Why wouldIneed to be careful?”
“Because the riders that get sterilized, they’re allowed to fuck anyone they want at the ball—evenWielders.” He started leaving, and I realized the pit was slowly clearing out. “So if I were you, I’d train on your own tonight. You’ll want to work on overcoming your fear of being touched.”
Cash winked at me, before sauntering out of the balcony and down the steps. I stayed frozen for long seconds, trying to process his words, before I composed myself enough to follow the crowd.
Today was a complete waste of a day. Besides learning about the Vargothi itself, I gleaned absolutely nothing useful.
I couldn’t go back to Dahes and recite interesting facts about how riders lived their lives. I needed information that no one knew. I needed Hael’s secrets, and that had to start with figuring out who he was.
I had to sneak into the dinner with the riders tonight.
But even as my mind was circling on a plan for sneaking out, I couldn’t stop thinking about the ball, and the fact that Cash said I needed to be careful.
Chapter Sixteen
Rules
MAGNOLIA
Itripped over the hem of my gown as I quickly changed out of it. The amount of jewels sewn into the fabric would have instantly given me away.
Shrugging on a simple tan dress, I slipped back into the halls. Even though night was fast approaching, you couldn’t tell from inside the castle. Sconces illuminated the hallways, making blending in near impossible.
My first guess was that the initiate dinner would be in the dining hall—where I’d eaten every meal with King Elion since I adjusted to the altitude—but it was empty.
I went to the throne room next. Also empty.
I searched two more places before I realized I needed a new tactic. I hid behind a thick curtain, waiting for a servant to walk by. Three passed before I found one carrying a tray of meat skewers.
I followed him down the winding hallway, then up a flight of stairs, smiling as loud chatter sounded when he rounded a corner.
The servant entered through a large archway that led outside, and I had to put my hand over my mouth to stop from gasping.
I’d seen this terrace before—I saw it after my first breakfast with the king. After Bran brought me up to my room, I could just barelyglimpse it when I leaned out my window. Even from afar, I could tell it was massive. It was the first place I went to in the castle. Stone sprawled out over luscious gardens a few levels below and it gave a clear view of the Drakin Mountains. Some of the tallest peaks were directly in front of it, and the proximity made me feel so small, like a reminder that the world existed outside Dahes’ castle, that nature existed,beautyexisted. I’d been staring at it for an un-Sunly amount of time before I forced myself to explore more.
But now, it completely took my breath away. It was astounding.
The two suns were almost fully set as they hung low across the range, casting the entire place in a soft orange and pink hue.
I leaned forward, trying to get a better view without fully walking in front of the archway. Sconces were hung outside the castle walls, adding to the warmth and glow that wasn’t there the first time I saw it. Soft music played from a live octet and the sound alone had my heart stopping. I’d never heard anything like it. Moriann didn’t own musical instruments and no one risked drawing attention by singing.
In the Dead Kingdom, you wanted to blend in. But here, it was like a show of eccentricity to see who could stand out the most.
