40ELARA
Elara’s hands weren’t shaking from nerves.
They were shaking from rage.
Before her was a mountain of fresh vegetables, herbs, and meats—enough to feed an entire tenement of people for weeks. And it was all poison. Lafontaine disguised a weapon as the one of the most precious things the Counseil had deprived the Restes of for years.
Elara hated violence.
But tonight, she was ready for war.
41NIK
Nik smelled burning.
“Shit! Shit!”
Fernand jerked a pot from the stove, calling the ruined orange sauce enough colorful names to make the audience laugh and the guards wary.
Elara was busy with her own dish, and time was ticking.
“What’s the problem?” he asked.
“Nothing.” Fernand shoved by him to toss the smoldering pot in the sink. “Get out of my way.”
He returned to the oven, cranked the burner to high, and started with another pot. The flames licked angrily at the base.
Nik turned the dial back. “It’s too hot. The sugar will burn before it caramelizes.”
This knowledge must’ve seeped in over the last few weeks. That and his ability to correctly measure. He poured in red wine vinegar with the sugar.
“Just let it slowly turn brown,” he said. “If it starts to darken in other spots, give it a gentle stir.”
He clapped Fernand on the shoulder. “Breathe. You’ve got time.”
Fernand shrugged him off, but Nik swore he heard a quiet thanks.
42ELARA
“TIME!”
Elara threw down her towel and stepped back from the bench. Six hours had disappeared in a blink, and the station was a wreck. Sauces dripped from the ledge, crumbs stuck to her boots, and the sink overflowed with dishes. Blai, if they were out there, would’ve been horrified by her even-more-ruined dress.
But the meal was done.
And the real plan was just beginning.
Fernand and Nik, both in their strange appearances, looked as if they’d gotten more food on them than in the bowls and bottles.
Elara’s gaze lingered on Nik, who was staring coldly up at his father. Was it because Lafontaine had ruined his plan to keep her in the dark? Or was it because he wanted to prove tonight whose side he was finally on?
If so, what side had he chosen?
Haydee had turned on Corinne and the rebels at the last minute.
Would Nik do the same?
“Gather round! Gather round!” Lisette Plouffe’s banner cried. “The final feast of the Objet d’Art has arrived! Each guest will only be served one helping tonight so as to share the bounty. Your votes will be tallied at the end.”
