The head of our royal guard stepped forward, addressing all of us.“Until we find out exactly what happened, none of you are to eat or drink anything at the ball.A royal guard will always be one step behind you.If you do require sustenance, you will take the back stairwell down to the royal sitting room in the kitchens where a taster will test everything before you are allowed to consume it.”
Inwardly, I groaned, but I knew it was necessary.The last thing we needed was one of us turning up dead because we failed to follow the proper protocols.
Ezrielle examined a colored fingernail, picking out dirt that had burrowed beneath.“What do we know about this girl?”
“Not much yet,” Uncle Wylan said.“The royal guard is working on it as we speak, but we needed to address all of you before moving forward.Once it is appropriate, the king will be taken to a different room for a full debrief.You are free to return to the ball, but watch your backs and look out for danger.”
“Understood,” Ezrielle sighed.“Are we free to leave?”
The head guard nodded, and she sauntered out of the room.Zandyr and the other guards followed behind, leaving my uncle and I alone.
“Do you think the Kallistar girl was involved with this?”he asked.
My eyebrows shot up in surprise.“She was dancing with me the whole time your drink was getting spiked.”
“But she—” Uncle Wylan cut off, shaking his head.“I don’t know.I have a bad feeling about her.”
My eyes drifted to the far wall.“She’s lying about who she is.”
“Didn’t we already know that?”His voice turned cynical.
“We suspected that,” I corrected.“But I got her brother’s name.Desmiondo Kallistar.”
“You don’t think she can help you solve your brother’s murder, do you?”
I grinned.“Not in the slightest.”My smile fell.“But as long as she thinks she can help me, we’re in good standing.She’s lying about who she is and why she’s here.None of her motives have made any sense yet.”
“I’ll look into her brother’s name, ask around, but right now I have a prisoner to interrogate, and you,youhave alliances you need to secure this evening.”
I groaned, crossing the room and flinging open the door.“And no pastries to help me do it!”
Chapter Twenty-One
Analleia
My ruined skirts tangledaround my legs as I padded across the floor.I ran a shaking hand through my hair, seeking a solution, but I couldn’t think straight.Panic coursed through me.Desmond was no better, his long strides giving him little room to pace across the suite.Fear tinged his every movement, a fear so deep I hadn’t seen it since our kingdom burned.He hadn’t been in the castle that night.As I was fleeing, he had seen the flames and was racing down the road where we crossed paths.We had watched from a hill as everything we had ever known and loved was destroyed.We had been helpless.Hollowed out.
