Page 185 of Captive of Secrets and Storms

“If only.” He laughs and shoots me a wink. “Good luck, Elara. I’ll see you later.”

Before I can say a word, Hali takes my untouched drink, swallows it in one gulp, and tosses it at Anders.

The Fae catches the flute with ease, earning a scowl from Hali before she tugs me away.

She leads me to the right, away from the direction the rest of the crowd is moving. A glance over my shoulder confirms they’re all heading inside the palace.

“Where is everyone going?”

“The ballroom. The final contest is about to start.”

We turn down an unfamiliar hall.

A servants’ corridor.

I lengthen my strides to keep up with her pace. The slit in my skirt parts, revealing the fancy pearl-encrusted sandals.

“Why are you dragging me along?” I huff. “Surely I can watch with the rest of the crowd.”

Hali’s steps don’t falter, but her brows knit as she flicks a look my way. “Mother, help you. Do you truly not know?”

A cold weight settles in my gut. “Know what?”

The corridor leads to a lone wooden door.

Hali’s free hand curls around the handle, and she meets my gaze with a regretful one of her own. “You’re part of the contest.”

My thoughts stall.

I’m what?

“No.” I shake my head. “That’s not possible.”

“Don’t you remember? Leto chose you as his companion for the final contest.”

Vague mentions of a contest and dancing flicker in my mind, but I fail to make sense of what’s happening.

“I don’t know what that means,” I confess.

“That snake,” Hali snaps. “Of course he didn’t explain it.”

“To be fair,” a masculine voice joins the conversation. “It wasn’t my doing.”

Hali and I whirl around.

Leto stands in the middle of the corridor. His smile is bright, but the skin around his eyes is tight.

He wears a toga that showcases his broad torso and leaves his muscular biceps exposed. And its color is a perfect match for mine.

Hali shakes off her surprise first.

“What do you mean?” she challenges. “You absolutely knew Elara was to be your partner tonight.”

“I’ve been trying to get her out of it.” His eyes shift to mine. “No offense.”

“None taken.” I don’t even know what the hells is going on.

“You still should have warned her,” Hali seethes. “She’s not prepared for this…spectacle.”