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I followed Odessa out into the hallway where Crescent, Gawain, and Javer were waiting, solemn and silent.
The path to the gallery was already familiar.
As we entered, a hush fell over the Siabra inside.
The crowd parted as I stepped forward. Avriel and Lyrastra were already standing near the Queen Regent.
Sephone’s face was glacial as I approached.
“Your Majesty,” I said carefully, bowing as low as I could manage.
What was I supposed to say, I wondered? Thank you for giving me this opportunity to try to save your stepson and nephew’s life? Thank you for ruthlessly moving up the last trial in an obvious attempt to show just how little you care and how desperately you want him dead?
I closed my mouth and waited.
For a moment, Sephone seemed expectant. Perhaps she really did expect my thanks.
“Our third contestant,” she said finally, in minimal acknowledgement, her lovely lips thinning.
Then she turned away. The time for speeches had passed.
I started towards the other two contestants, then was shocked as Avriel reached an arm out and cinched the queen by the waist, pulling her towards him for a long open-mouthed kiss.
I was sure the Siabra were drinking it in. Their Queen Regent and her lover, not bothering to hide their lust–for each other or for the throne.
The rules were skewed and Draven must have known it all along. What was the point of even playing along with the game if everyone was going to cheat?
But I was trapped now. I was bound through Draven as much as if I had participated in the Blood Rise opening ceremony myself.
Because I was the Prince’s Paramour.
Nearly the closest fucking thing to family he had.
As I thought this, my eyes met Rychel’s. She had been standing near the edge of the room near Lyrastra. As her eyes found mine, I thought I saw her flinch. Then she stepped towards me.
“I couldn’t. I’m sorry, Morgan.”
For a moment, I didn’t understand what she meant. Then I suddenly I did.
“You could have taken his place. It didn’t have to be me.”
She nodded, her expression miserable. “I wasn’t cut out for it. I’m not saying you were. But...”
“It’s all right.” I forced a smile. “What’s done is done. I’ll do my best. Everything... Everything is going to be fine.” I touched her arm, then stepped past her, oddly shaken.
Rychel was probably right. She wasn’t cut out for this. Had she ever even been in a fight? Or had most of her young lifetime been spent in her workshop, looking for answers to problems created by a father she would never know and never love? Looking for answers that didn’t exist, no matter how hard she might wish they did.
A passage in the wall was opening up. It led into a long shadowy hall.
I followed Avriel and Lyrastra as they stepped in first.
The entrance sealed behind me.
I took one step, then another. In front of me, Avriel and Lyrastra were collapsing to their knees.
I opened my mouth to cry out but a mist swam before my eyes.
