‘Quiet,’ Cole admits. ‘Subdued.’
I can’t pretend to have any strong feelings for Aunt Yvainne, but there’s a part of me that pities her. To give a crown means to take a crown. This is only the beginning for the Heirs, yet it is also the end for the Council.
Elaith notices my expression. ‘Listen,’ she says gently, ‘your aunt is beloved, by the court, by the realm. If I’m crowned queen –’
Cole pretends to cough. ‘Unlikely.’
Elaith narrows her eyes at him, then turns back to me. ‘As I was saying, if I’m crowned queen, I hope that I could be half as good and gracious as her.’
Flint clinks their glasses together.
Cole lets out a whistle. ‘Seriously, though. To spend all those years as ruler only to go back to being …’ He trails off, taking a swig of wine. ‘I can’t imagine how that would feel.’
‘Well, that’s lucky,’ Elaith tells him sweetly. ‘Because you’ll never have to.’
Cole just smiles to himself. A moment later the sleeve of Elaith’s dress catches fire. I step back, alarmed, while Elaith shrieks and Flint roars with laughter.
‘Bastard,’ Elaith mutters, extinguishing the flames and dusting herself down.
‘Easy, little girl,’ Cole purrs, slinging an arm round her shoulders.
‘Least you didn’t drop your wine,’ Flint tells her.
A group of Ventalla courtiers is watching us, not caring to lower their voices.
Is that the Storm Weaver?
Did you see her with the prince?
‘Have you met the other Heirs?’ Flint asks loudly, moving closer to me.
‘Some,’ Elaith replies. ‘Most we know, or at least know of.’
Cole smirks. ‘Training hasn’t even started yet and the Eyes have already been placing bets. There’s a couple of underdogs, so that should make things interesting. Nice trick, by the way, at your ball.’
Flint presses a hand to his heart in mock gratitude. ‘Why, thank you.’
‘Notyou. I was talking to your sister. Smashing glasses is definitely one way to liven up a party, Blaze. You know you’ve had a good time when you’re still picking ice out of your –’
‘Shhh!’ Elaith hisses, grabbing his arm. ‘Look.’
All around us, voices are starting to fizzle out. The four of us turn just as the horns begin to sound.
As one, we sink to our knees.
10
The emperor strides through the centre of the kneeling crowd, his cloak of spun gold fastened across his chest with a thick golden chain. Behind him walk his Crowned Council. First comes Aunt Yvainne, wearing a garnet-red gown and a strained-looking smile. Queen Aspen wanders dreamily after her in a dress made from flower petals, her long coppery hair falling to her waist. My heart jolts as Queen Hydra comes into view, my gaze lingering on the Aquatori crown of curling waves perched atop her head. Last of all is King Balen, his raven eyes roaming the room, mouth curved in an amused smile, as though he alone were privy to some secret joke. I think of his soft voice, his cold lips pressed to my scar, the way he raised his glass to me among a sea of ice and blood.
The Council climb the steps to the dais and take their thrones.
‘Rise,’ booms the emperor.
Flint holds out a hand to help me to my feet as the crowd makes their way towards the banquet tables. The Eyes claim the one in the centre, with the four Crown Courts takingthose opposite their sovereign. I swallow hard, pressing closer to my brother.
Elaith notices. ‘It’s all right, the Heirs sit together.’ She points to the table below the dais, the one that had puzzled me earlier. The other Heirs are practically elbowing one another out of the way to secure a place near Hal, who is already seated at the head.
‘My lady.’ Cole offers his arm to Elaith, but before she can take it he darts off into the throng with a hoot of laughter. She scowls, stalking after him.
