What if her brotherhadlied?What if this was all a ruse and she had left the city and was nowhere near the finale?I swallowed, scanning the ballroom again.With the increased presence at the palace, would she have taken that opportunity to escape through the city gates?
I ground my teeth together, sweat pebbling on my skin, not liking being at the finale.I had fixed the alliances I needed to, dipping into my own personal account to steal back the agreement from the diplomat from Bolera, but if I didn’t bring Analleia to my father before the end of the ball—he would name Ezrielle or Zandyr successor.
“Valeris.”
I met my uncle’s grim gaze.
“They’re ready for you on the dais.”
I lifted my chin even as my stomach plummeted.I hated this part.Standing next to my family and pretending to be something we weren’t.
My parents and Zandyr waited for me, and I looked out into the crowd as I climbed the steps, seeking a face I had come to know far too well, but I didn’t find it.Instead I noticed one of the poorly repaired boards on the steps, and a servant hastily pushing his way to the back of the crowd.I resisted a frown at the peculiarity and kept my face pleasant, a sea of faces staring at me as I took my place beside my family.
––––––––
Analleia
––––––––
MY LEGS BURNED BY THEtime I reached the highest balcony.It offered the best view of the dais and concealment from searching eyes.The curtain slid open a little farther beneath my touch, and I retreated into the shadows and out of view of the party below.No one would see me unless they ventured all the way to the last step, and I would hear them coming long before that.
I shrugged out of my gold skirt, removing the arrows from their concealment and then tossing the fabric aside.I ripped the swan feathers from my back next, removing the skin of the makeshift wings until my bow was revealed underneath.It took me less than a minute to secure the three pieces together and string the bow.I removed the upper part of my dress, pulling the headscarf along with it.It snagged on the wig, pulling it from my head and sending my white-blond hair spilling around my shoulders.I kicked it behind me with a growl.
There was no need to hide my identity now.
I wanted him to know who had nocked the arrow.Who had destroyed everything he had worked for.
I crept behind the curtain, the material swishing around me as I slipped the arrows into a pocket on the back of my shirt, doubling as a quiver.
The crowds milled about below, their attention on the dais as the royal family gathered before them.My heart raced in my chest, time moving too fast.I nocked an arrow, aiming, testing my shot.King Zaricor climbed the stage, and satisfaction and relief welled within me that my family could finally be avenged.
I planned two shots—to make sure.I pulled the string back, not ready to release, but prepared for when I did.I wanted to fire at the precise moment all the attention was on him.One arrow would go to the chest, piercing his flesh to slide between the ribs and puncture his heart.That would kill him instantly, but I had to be certain, so I planned another arrow to fire in quick succession, slicing his jugular to ensure death.I didn’t want there to be any hope of someone bringing him back from the edge of death.
Unease wound its way through me.I was all too aware of the instrument of death clutched in my hands.Lessons from the tower filled my mind, all the years of endless training funneling together into this one moment.
The first and only life I would take.
For my family.
For my kingdom.
But it didn’t make it any easier.
The announcer bellowed his opening for the ball, and my eyes drifted to Valeris, his gaze darting about the room.Looking for me?I swallowed.He would never forgive me for this.It didn’t matter.I wasn’t meant to see him again.But the sight of him made me ache, my own emotions rebelling against the reason in my head.
My mouth set in a firm line, my choice made.
––––––––
Valeris
––––––––
THE ODDITY OF THE REPAIREDboard stuck in my mind, and I glanced back at it as the herald continued.My hair stood on edge, my senses reeling.Another servant in the crowd threw the dais a sinister glare.My mind spun, working through the evidence around me.Ezrielle stood in the far corner of the room, not in any hurry to join us on the dais.Not even moving toward us as we waited for her.
She’ll be at the finale.
She hadn’t killed my uncle.She’d left him alive.
