Prince of Slavers.
As if he wasn’t already utterly irredeemable.
‘Gods, he’s gorgeous,’ says Elaith with a sigh.
‘Seriously, Elaith, I think you’ve got a problem,’ Kai tells her.
Elaith is unfazed. ‘Oh, I love this one!’ she exclaims as the musicians begin playing the fast-paced music of the Firelands. Handing me her glass of champagne, she tosses her hair over her shoulder and yanks Flint through the crowd and on to the dance floor.
With them gone, and Kai now deep in conversation with Spinner, I am left standing alone as Fjord sidles over to me, a cruel smile splitting apart his face.
‘So,’ he says, his nose just inches from mine, ‘I believe congratulations are in order.’
I say nothing, desperately hoping for someone to come to my aid.
‘Tell me, Blaze, because I’m curious – how did you do it?’
I stare at him. ‘What do you mean?’
‘Oh, I don’t know. Maybe how you managed to blag your way through the first trial. Or how you managed to trick the Council into believing thatyou, of all people, are worthier of the Aquatori throne than I am.’
I take a step back, swallowing my indignation.
‘Ormaybe,’ Fjord continues, taking a step forward, ‘it wasn’t the Council you tricked. Maybe it was someone else, someone with the power to influence such decisions. Someone you’ve made it your mission to become close to ever since you arrived here.’
I frown. But before I can ask who he means, Hal’s eyes find mine from across the dance floor. He smiles, almost shyly, ignoring my cousin as she prattles into his ear.
Fjord watches this exchange. ‘Touching,’ he says. ‘Though I must admit, I underestimated you, Blaze. It shows real resourcefulness on your part, selling yourself like this, using what meagre advantages you have to win the prince’s favour. After all,’ he continues, gesturing to my glowing brandmark, ‘it seems to be working.’
A familiar coldness begins to spread through my chest at his insinuation.
‘I had you down as many things,’ says Fjord, not bothering to lower his voice. ‘A murderer, a changeling, a Gods’ damnedlittle freak.’ He pauses, his eyes travelling slowly down the length of my body and back up again. ‘But I never had you down as awhore.’
It happens so fast.
A blur of colour, a terrified scream, and Fjord is lifted clean off the ground. He hangs there, suspended high above the heads of the crowd, held in place by what seems to be thick green rope. As I look closer I realize it’s not rope – it’svines, coiling themselves round Fjord’s wrists like snakes, slithering along his arms and up his back.
All around the room voices are petering out, instruments falling silent. Dragging my gaze away from Fjord, who is dangling trussed-up and helpless in mid-air, I see that a small clearing has formed below him, and feel someone brush past me as they walk straight into the middle of it.
‘It seems a pity to spoil such an occasion,’ says the Earth Cleaver. ‘Only it appears someone has forgotten their manners.’
My chest rises and falls rapidly, my breaths coming fast and shallow.
‘What is the meaning of this?’ Emperor Alvar demands, parting the crowd. I notice that he looks rather weary. Haggard, even. He makes to speak again, but Kestrel Calloway places a hand on his arm, silencing him.
Fox doesn’t spare his father even a glance.
‘Let me down,’ hisses Fjord, his pale face pink with humiliation and terror.
‘Would you like to repeat what you said?’ Fox’s voice is unwaveringly pleasant.
Fjord swallows hard, the vines undulating as they wrap themselves tighter and tighter round him. ‘I didn’t say anything.’
Fox shakes his head fondly. ‘Oh, but that’s simply not true, is it?’ he says in a tone one might use to admonish a small child. ‘You see, I overheard you. And I would like to see if you’re brave enough to say it again, for all to hear.’
I am rooted to the spot as if bound by vines myself. Fjord struggles against his restraints, but they hold fast. His eyes flit between the Earth Cleaver and me, confusion furrowing his brow, which is already damp with sweat.
When he speaks, his voice is stretched taut. ‘I. Didn’t. Say.Anything.’
