‘Well, except our lives,’ Clover pointed out dryly.
‘What lives?’ Ingra shot back. ‘This isn’t alife– this is anexistence, and a pitiful one at that. If I don’t make it home, at least I’ll know that because of me someone else might.’
I remembered what she had told me all those years ago.
If I did nothing, I’d become nothing.
It appeared her courage was infectious, for the others all nodded. Not for the first time, I found myself in awe of – and a little frightened by – Ingra’s boldness, her bravery,her unbroken spirit. Perhaps I too would have revelled at her words, allowed them to raise me up and rally me to her cause, were she not planning on murdering the boy I love.
What was I supposed to do? Tell them Hal is nothing like his family? Tell them he was already planning on freeing them? And how would I tell them how I knew this?
‘We were going to delay a while,’ Ingra said. ‘But we heard the emperor is back on his feet, so I figured, why wait? Let’s strike while the iron is hot.’
It was then I asked my third and final question: ‘When?’
Ingra’s grin was catlike. ‘Tomorrow night.’
Which, despite how much I willed it not to, has now arrived.
I gaze out of the window in Elaith’s chambers at the crescent moon bathing Cor Caval in silvery light. King Gethen of Vost, brother to the Empress Dowager and, so far, Hal’s only ally, arrived this afternoon. He’s here to publicly pledge his allegiance, and presumably to negotiate the terms of whatever incentive Hal has agreed to grant him. Gold, I suspect.
Already I hear the courtiers making their way towards one of the countless gilded ballrooms, where a ball is being held in the Vosti King’s honour. Vost is a kingdom rich with expensive fabric and materials. It’s also one of the two places Hal said we might find my sister, if she’s still alive. I wonder what Astrid would say, if she knew what I’m planning.
I catch sight of myself in the mirror and look away quickly, unable to meet my own eyes. A lifetime of regret will not be punishment enough for what I’m about to do.
Elaith hovers by the door, dressed in swathes of crimson gossamer, her red hair unbound round her shoulders, concealing her necklace of bruises.
‘Are you expecting someone?’ I ask.
She blinks, then blushes. ‘Oh, well, sort of. Cole said he’d come by and escort me, but he must be running late.’
I do my best to return her smile before excusing myself.
The ballroom is teeming, the air thick and close. I skirt the perimeter of the dance floor, searching for familiar faces.
Hal isn’t here yet.
If I didn’t know what was going on, I might not have noticed the way the serfs keep glancing furtively at one another, shifting on their feet. I can feel it – that nervous energy, the sense of waiting for something to happen.
Where is Ingra?
I spot Clover carrying a tray of empty glasses, watching as her gaze flickers to the gallery above, the same one where Hal and I had danced together at the masquerade ball.
A high vantage point – private, easily concealed. It’s the perfect spot.
I don’t hesitate before taking off, weaving like a needle through the crowd.
The gallery is empty save for an old golden harp sitting forgotten in the corner. I move to stand beside it, shadows shrouding me in darkness as I wait for her to appear.
A hush falls over the ballroom below.
‘His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Haldyn Castellion,’ a voice announces.
I peer over the golden railing to see Hal standing in the doorway, dressed in an elegant burnt-gold doublet. To mysurprise he looks if notbetter, then not worse. The opium the physicians prescribed must be taking the edge off the pain, for he strides easily through the kneeling crowd, flanked by his mother and King Gethen – a portly, bearded man wearing a fine purple cloak. I feel the scars littering my back twinge – a gift from his daughter, Princess Lira, who thought spilling some wine was deserving of a dozen lashes. I remember it so clearly – the sharp whistle of the whip, my tunic ragged and covered in blood. But I know in my heart I would do it all again just to save Pip from the same fate.
Which only makes what I’m about to do a hundred times harder.
Chatter resumes as the Etheri rise, with several couples taking to the dance floor. I wait with bated breath, my gaze fixed on the door to the gallery.
