Page 83 of A Dance of Lies

He nods solemnly. “Indeed, and it’s rumored that—”

“Gustav,” Anton murmurs, approaching. “Not here.”

And I no longer believe Gustav; now that Anton’s here, it’s clear I’m the source of his glowering discontent.

His court, some of whom had drifted casually away, inch back when they notice the presence of their king. Gustav moves the conversation away from the prophecy, instead telling tales of Eremis’s life. The lovers he took, the children he sired, the treasure he hid—a pietersite gem from Morta’s Lair, though some argue it was her hardened heart. Half the room mills around us now, and I wrap my arms around myself, growing increasingly uncomfortable—especially with the weight of my task pushing down on my shoulders.

My stomach plummets like a stone in water when the general appears.

I shuffle back, back, back until I’m deeper in shadow, though it can’t hide me for long.

A tip to the general was all it took,Illian had told me. A tip to set the general on Gustav’s tail, to announce the poisoning to the rest of the Gathering right when Illian wished it to be known.

I don’t see Laurent yet, and I pray to anyone who will listen that he’s far away.

Fast as a whip, my father seizes Gustav’s arm and shoves up his sleeve, examining the swath of skin. “Who allowed this man entrance into the Hall of Thrones?” he clamors.

Anton doesn’t miss a beat. “General, kindly remove your hand from my subject.”

My father, undeterred, brandishes Gustav’s arm high, letting us see for ourselves. “This,” he shouts. “The yellow splotches here are symptoms of bellamira fever, brought about from a recent poisoning. Your Majesty, King Anton, am I wrong?”

Splotches.Like the ones I have. Sallow in tone, though my cosmetics cover them. Gustav is not so lucky.

Murmurs arise, the packed array now backing off, opening a spacious ring around Gustav and King Anton.

All over, I begin to tremble.

At a mere lift of Anton’s hand, the bustle silences. “I did not wish to raise alarm until we knew more,” he says coolly. “Lord Bayard was indeed poisoned, though as you can see, he is quite well. Our investigation was better orchestrated in private. My physicians have alleviated any concerns of contagion, so you need not be worried—”

“You mean to tell us there was a poisoning here at the Gathering, and you kept it a secret?” King Rurik pushes through the horde. “Anton, you’ve put us all in danger.”

A deep chuckle slithers from the shadows. “I shouldn’t be surprisedto find you’ve incited such chaos in my absence,” King Estienne says, his dark form propped against a column to my right. “It’s so like you.”

“Be that as it may,” Anton responds, “everything is quite under control.” But the uproar has begun, voices competing against one another.

“Your Majesty, how could you have kept this from us?”

“How can we feel safe here?”

Prince Raiden, the young prince of Zar, stalks over, his brown skin almost glowing in his silver jacket. “The culprit,” he says. “Have you detained them?”

Illian selects this moment to slink forward. “Please,” he calls over the chaos. “Calm yourselves.” The commotion dies down, a temporary hush. He rests a hand on Anton’s shoulder. “My little brother has the best intentions, I am certain. Let us allow him the chance to speak. Please, Anton, tell us what happened, from the beginning.”

Anton, unamused by Illian’s act, clasps his hands together behind his back, surprisingly stoic amid the turmoil. He recounts the night of the banquet, including the meal that was served, the timing of events, and lastly, the guests in attendance.

He does not mention me.

“Just to confirm, Your Majesty,” my father cuts in, “you said it was your most trusted nobles alongside the Razami court, yes? Would you vouch, then, on your honor as a Miridranian Crown, for every attendant that night?”

I hold my breath, fingers carving into my palms. My father is trying to get Anton to admit he doubts either his own court or Razam’s.

But it was me.

Me.

Anton senses the trap. “Every last one, General.”

I understand why he can’t hesitate. If he questioned them, it could lead to accusations against Razam.