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I knew there wasn’t a chance in hell Draven would take a hand Avriel proffered, but still, that didn’t mean Avriel couldn’t make things very difficult.
Draven’s face was stony as he reached his other hand up, his eyes fixed on Avriel.
But Avriel just laughed, said something none of us could hear, then tapped on the wall behind him.
The door appeared again. He turned and passed through.
I breathed a sigh of relief.
Draven pulled himself the rest of the way up, then stood back and waited while Selwyn reached the top. He didn’t offer Selwyn a hand. I supposed Avriel had rather ruined that gesture.
There was a crowing sound and I turned to see Avriel strutting through the crowd behind me.
People stood back, giving him a wide berth as he passed. The gallery had become unnaturally quiet.
I heard no congratulations.
The Queen Regent stepped forward.
Avriel sank to his knees. “I hope our performance has pleased you, my queen. May the blood of all who fell here today bring honor to the Siabra Empire.”
The Queen looked at him in silence for a moment, then extended a hand serenely. Avriel took it and rose to his feet with a smile.
“You fought very well,” I heard Sephone say as they turned away.
I spotted Lyrastra on the edge of the crowd, her lips pursed tightly. The Queen Regent had not commended her or offered her a hand. Or Vespera, for that matter. Did Lyrastra care?
Our eyes met. I watched as her serpentine gaze flickered over me.
“Well done,” I mouthed across the crowd, knowing she would be able to read my lips.
Lyrastra’s eyes widened briefly. Then she opened her mouth and hissed, her tongue briefly snaking out.
I rolled my eyes and turned away, just as Draven and Selwyn entered the gallery.
CHAPTER 20
