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She froze too, gasped and gulped air. But she wasn’t screaming. “Who… are… you?”
I’d tell her, but first. “Are you with Justice?” The blue overcoat slung over the nearby chair suggested she was. But I had to be sure. If anyone else knew the truth, it might get back to Razak and we’d both be dead.
She nodded. Her eyes were blue too, but not cold, like ice. More of a summer blue, of warm skies.
“I do not have long. I need your help. Please do not scream, or I’ll lose another finger, and as you can see, I’m already short a few.” I tried to smile, to alleviate some of the tension.
She didn’t smile, just looked into my eyes. “Go on.” She smoothed down her vest, trying to cover her panties.
My timing could have been better. “I am sorry for the interruption—”
“Are you all right?” she asked.
The question stunned a laugh out of me. Where to begin?
“Are you running from someone?” Her voice was soft, level, calm. No accusation, no fear. “Shall I call the guards?”
“No, no guards.” I’d done the right thing, coming here. Whoever she was, shecared. “What I’m about to tell you, you did not hear from me. I was never here. Please, if it gets back to him—
“Well, balance is all, and whatever you say will surely be judged. So, you’d better speak. Shall we start with a name? Mine is Noemi, I’m Justice Ines’s aide. I can get a message to Ines for you. I assume that’s what you want?”
“Names? Yes, let’s start there. Mine is Zayan.” It seemed strange, saying it aloud. So few knew the truth and Razak had kept it that way. Any mention of it, and he’d promised to take my tongue and hang it around his neck. “I’m the bastard son of Umair, King of Pain. I’m Razak’s half-brother, and the courtly fool who brought down Love’s court.” Her eyes widened again, forcing me to pause. Would she think me the enemy? Justice did not judge without a trial. At the very least, she’d have to listen.
“You’re the traitor’s son?” she asked.
“My mother was the traitor, yes. She attempted to kill Umair and was hung for her efforts. I’m the son she tried to protect.”
The woman—Noemi—bowed her head. “Forgive me, but this is… a lot. You burst into my chamber in a state of undress. How do I know you’re not insane?”
“You don’t, but can you afford to ignore me? Razak will not stop at ruining Love. He’ll come for War and Justice. But listen—” I stepped forward again and she tensed. I could go no closer. “Please, listen? Razak doesn’t want the kingdoms, it’s not about ruling anyone. He wants the crowns.”
“‘The crowns’?”
“Yes. He burned Love to the ground but took only King Albus’s crown. Nothing else. I don’t know why, but I’ve heard talk of crowns among his council, specifically the four crowns. And a key… But I admit, I don’t understand its meaning.” Much of it was a blur; I’d been hurting and lost, drifting far away, because it was easier there than here, in reality.
“Well, Zayan.” She lifted her chin. “This makes little sense. What good are crowns without kingdoms?”
“I don’t know. I wish I did, I wish I had more. But he doesn’t tell me. And please, I prefer the name Lark.”
“Lark, yes.” She arched an eyebrow. “The Prince of Love’s jester. You turned on him, betrayed him.” There was the cold justice in her gaze now. The facts were brutal, and each one true.
“I was never loyal to Arin’s court. I betrayed no one. Although, I suppose I am now…”
“You don’t sound convinced, Lark.”
She was astute, but Justice had to be. I raised my bloody right hand again, all scratched and raw, missing its fingers—the ugliest part of me. “I slipped Razak’s restraints to come here. I’ve lost much of myself to my brother. Where do you think my loyalty really lies?”
She took in my disarray, heard my voice, sawme. “Likely with yourself.”
Right again. “Nobody else will look out for me, Noemi. I am all I have in this world.”
“If that’s the case, then I am sorry for you.” She still hadn’t moved from the bed, likely afraid of me. “Nobody should be so alone in this world. When Ines returns from her meeting with the prince, I will make sure she is aware of this new information. Balance is all, thank you.”
Was that it? Was it enough? I tried to think of anything else I could tell her, but nothing came. “Razak cannot be trusted. He will lie and won’t abide by any word or promise. Justice has no power over him.”
“Justice Ines is familiar with the Court of Pain’s methods. She has dealt with our courts for longer than you or I have been alive. I’m sure she has the prince in hand.” Noemi stood. Until now, her face had been the picture of stoic grace, besides the occasional look of alarm. But she saddened now and took a soft step forward.
I stepped back.
