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Now was the moment to show the rest of the shatterlands and its courts how Love was not weak, how we would not suffer fools sent as spies, and how every broken heart had its price. Including mine.
Razak’s lip curled, then twitched into a smile. He slowly rose to his feet. “Prince Arin, it appears you have a traitor inside your court.”
“You know I do.”
His smile grew. “Then what are you waiting for? My permission? Kill him.”
CHAPTER15
Lark
I’d dancedfor Arin as though it was my last performance, and played the fiddle fearing that chance was also my last. Music was my sanctuary, dance, my soul. And I’d known this night would be my end.
But I hadn’t expected its final blow to come from Arin.
My knees struck the hard floor, darts of pain shot up my legs, and heat burned down my scalp, where Arin’s fist twisted in my hair. And then the kiss of cool steel touched my neck. This was no foreplay. No game. What had I expected? Had I blinded myself so thoroughly to Arin’s scheming that I hadn’t seen this coming? Was I so in love with the idea of Arin’s hope that I’d forgotten who I was and where I came from?
Of course, this had always been Arin’s plan. Why else would he have allowed me to live?
His betrayal burned more than all the other hurts combined.
Screams erupted, the king yelled for the guards, and Razak stood, saying something about a traitor. I smiled, because it was all I had left in me to give.
“Four years ago, Razak, you gave me a gift. You killed a friend, a courtly fool,” Arin said. “And then you sent me another. So, here’s my reply.”
Finally, the Court of Love was showing its teeth. I’d have enjoyed it more if its teeth weren’t in me.
Razak slow-clapped, then laughed. His laugh slithered over my skin, igniting old scars, making them burn anew. I hadn’t seen him in so long, but he never changed.
“I’mimpressed!” The Prince of Pain grinned and waved a finger at Arin. “You are quite the performer.” He strode out from behind the table but remained on the royal dais, elevated above Arin and I. He leaned against the table, legs crossed at the ankle, so relaxed, like a snake in the grass.
“Guards!” Albus boomed. “Guards, stop this at once!”
Razak tilted his head.
No guards came. Nobody moved to stop Arin, or arrest him. The king’s commands fell on deaf ears.
The crowd murmured and tittered, uncertain what they were witnessing. If any of them survived, they’d tell their children they were there the day the Court of Love fell.
“I am still king of this court! Where are my guards?” Albus blustered.
Satisfaction brimmed Razak’s grin, and dread sank like lead in my gut. Arin believed he’d turned the cards on Razak, thought he’d won. Arin would cut my throat in front of Razak—a show of strength the Court of Pain would recognize, in the language of blood—and Arin believed that would be enough.
But Arin had made a mistake. He’d played his hand too late, because this game had been lost long ago.
Razak gripped the edge of the table and leaned forward. “Do it, Love’s Prince. Bleed that man’s life from his veins.”
I couldn’t swallow, or speak, and the blade’s edge burned. Arin’s steady hand had cut my skin. But I could still breathe… and my heart still beat. I still lived for a few moments more, precious seconds.
“Kill him,” Razak urged Arin again. “He is your traitor, no? So, do it, prince!”
Someone in the crowd whimpered.
Arin had to do this, and really, the betrayal must have been the hardest part for him. After that, killing me should be easy. He’d twisted himself up, made himself anew, turned into the villain to stop Razak. This was his moment, his grand finale. He had to kill me, or his transformation, the lies, the hurt, would be for nothing.
“You put this viper in my court to feed you secrets,” Arin accused. As he talked, the blade burned deeper. Blood dribbled down my neck.
“Yes, I did.” Razak studied his nails. “YourLarkwas always mine. And now I own every person here. I own their fears, I own their failures. I know how weak you all are. You’re slaves to your secrets. Most of all, I own the king, who is the weakest of you all.”
