Page 111 of Hunger & Harmony

He clears his throat. There’s the tapping of a boot, likely hers.

“Listen. I’ve been doing that research you told me not to.”

“Cass—”

“No, listen,” he says to her, and I bite my lip. “The Archduchess can only work off the information she has. Same for Ryel. Same for everyone. But I was right—something is missing.”

“How are you so sure?” she asks, and I find my own questions coming up. “You’ve said this for months.”

“I know. The Court has its own version of this . . . prophecy. A lot has been destroyed, but I’ve salvaged evidence that suggests it wasn’t always so bleak.” His voice lowers, and I lean in to hear every word. “On Friday, the Archduchess is coming for the show. Before then . . .”

“We need a solid plan,” she says to finish his thought. “Just not here.”

“Not here,” he hums. “We have to hurry. They can't get their way.”

My stomach churns. What does the Court want to do?

“Do we involve His Majesty in your findings? Cadence?” Selene asks.

“No.”

I tense, hands flexing against the wall. He’s saying that with zero hesitation, and I can’t imagine why he wouldn’t involve the ones most affected by this prophecy. False or not, this bond is real. We are real.

“I don’t have much to show yet. When I do, well . . .”

There’s the shuffle of chairs and shoes, so I fall back. My heart hammers in my chest as I make a run for it back the way I came, equal parts alarmed and resentful as I dip around the corner.

Because this is my life. I hold Niko’s jacket tighter around myself, inhaling his cologne to steady myself.

In the end, I don’t care. Prophecies can shove it. I’ll figure this out with Niko, and we don’t have to be defined by anything.

“And love will set the halls aflame.”

I clench my teeth as the song returns, echoing around me, mocking me.

Be it a prophecy of ruin or poison wrapped in a lullaby, I refuse this destiny.

And I’ll gladly proclaim that to the Court’s faces.

26

BLOOD CHORDS

Lips ghost along my neck, and laughter bubbles under soft kisses. When a fang comes up to graze against the shell of my ear, I accidentally snort before I whine at him.

“Niko.” I turn enough to press my pointer finger against his chest. “What’re you doing?”

I’m not sure when I signed up for a roommate. Not that I’d let him go anywhere. It’s only been a couple of nights, and he may not sleep like I do, but he makes a good teddy vampire.

“You’ve been so tense.”

I try not to let him see my frown. Turning back again, I muster a shrug.

“Just a bit tired.”

That’s only half the truth.

Cass and Selene’s private meeting continues to haunt me. Do I tell Niko? It doesn’t seem right to hide anything from him. We should face things as a team. Except Cass stole that from us, and left me unsure.