Page 108 of Queen of War and Ruin

“I think so,” he replies.

His pace slows. We’re close enough to the banquet hall now that I can make out individual conversations, threads of laughter, and the gentle clink of crystal glasses.

“Something’s happening tonight,” Petrys whispers. “During the ball. Or after it.”

There’s an edge to his voice that makes me turn and glance at him. He looks pale in the thin, flickering light of the torches lining the hallway. My hands twist in the fabric of my skirts.

“Oh, gods,” I whisper as Blayne’s words come back to me. “The execution?”

“The execution isn’t tonight,” Petrys replies, grim determination on his face. “There’s going to be a—demonstration. Something to do with the weapon. Everyone says the advisor will be there.”

I shiver. Screams echo through my memory. I remember the taste of dust in my throat, the way the rising haze turned the sunlight red over the fields of Ethiria. Petrys clears his throat, bringing my focus back.

“That’s our chance,” Petrys says. “When the advisor is distracted.”

I nod, and Petrys leads me into the banquet hall where I once celebrated my wedding.

The crowd is larger tonight than it was when Zarek held a slice of cake out to me on the end of his sword. The room feels crowded, stuffed with a hundred disparate conversations. I see Blayne at the far end of the room talking with a group of men I don’t recognize.

Petrys leans over when we enter.

“Do you see him?” Petrys whispers. “The advisor? The one who has Zarek?”

Varitan. I take a deep breath and run my eyes over the room.

“No,” I whisper.

Petrys mutters something under his breath that sounds like fuck, then leads me to Blayne’s side.

Chapter 56

Lilias

ALIVE

The meal drags on forever. I keep my eyes on the doors, waiting for Varitan to enter and smiling politely whenever someone acknowledges me, which isn’t often. Petrys leaves at some point. When he returns, he gives me a single shake of his head. My heart sinks, and I stare down at the food I’ve been pushing around on my plate.

Dinner finally ends. The crowd moves into the ballroom, filling the hallways with laughter and the low buzz of wine-fueled conversations. Petrys takes his place at my side, and together we drift into the ballroom. Music floats through the air. A few brave couples swirl together on the sleek polished wood of the dance floor.

King Malrik stands at the far end of the ballroom, on a dais, of course. One of his sons stands next to him, looking like he’d rather be chained to a wall in the dungeons. Acelina stands next to him in a spectacular gown, watching the crowd with cold eyes. Basili sits beside an empty throne, completely covered in her mourning black, with Dulcia and Malrik’s youngest son behind her. And standing behind the king and his son, beside Syvan’s empty throne⁠—

My body stiffens. Fear ripples over my skin like flames climbing a dead tree.

Varitan stands behind the king.

He’s wearing a strange, low hat that covers his long, curving ears. Still, it’s a stretch to imagine anyone would ever think the tall man on the dais is a human. He’s watching the crowd from beneath the rim of his hat, his lips curled into a small, tight smile.

I step back, glancing at Petrys.

“That’s him,” I whisper. My voice sounds like it’s about to crack. “He’s here.”

Petrys nods. “Wait for me.”

With that, he disappears. I stand in the back of the room, trying to look at anything but the tall elf looming behind the king of Vsenrog. Music plays. People laugh, and dance, and the massive chandeliers cast their sparkling starlight across the ballroom. Blayne scowls at me a few times; I ignore him.

Finally, Petrys reappears in the doorway. He looks at me, then out across the dance floor. The song ends. The crowd cheers. Petrys lets his hand drop to his side. He flexes his fingers, beckoning. And then he turns to leave.

I wait until the next song begins, then step back until I’m almost pressed against the wall. I smile politely as I trace a slow path toward the doors. The song ends when I finally reach them. I glance over my shoulder, looking for Blayne.