CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Gazing sadly at the assassin, I groaned. “It feels like anytime someone opens a door unexpectedly, I always get bad news. Araceli, why do we never get any good surprises?”
“Why do you never lock the doors?” Araceli countered.
Hey, I was already working my ass off pretending to be the duchess. How could I remember to lock doors, too? I whispered, “It’s not my fault this time, the guards should have done that.”
Araceli glared at Ma’qas. “And you! You should know better than to attempt a frontal attack on the Blood Duchess. If she were the real thing, you’d already be dead. Speaking of which, she’s not—”
“I knew you’d noticed me,” Ma’qas said. “You’re so confident, you didn’t even bother to lock the doors. There’s no point in stealth, so let’s see if your trap can kill me.” A chain whip unfolded from her hands and lashed at me.
I yelped. Araceli shoved me sideways. I landed on my hands and knees on the carpet. The whip shattered the sun globe hanging over the throne. Bits rained down on me, and I felt grateful for my lack of exposed skin.
Araceli leapt between us, holding out her hand. A diamond on her pinky glowed, forming a shield.
Ma’qas stared. “You have her rings. The Blood Duchess gave you her rings.” Her tone turned from stunned to furious.
“I’d almost dared hope it was all a pretense, but you must be truly bound to her.
Was that act back there real, too? Did you fall in love with the woman who murdered your parents like something from a bad play?
I never took you for someone so shallow and pathetic. ”
“Listen to me, please,” Araceli shouted. “She’s not the duchess.”
“Tell me more—” Ma’qas leaned in as if listening, then she lashed out with her whip.
The metal dagger at the end of the whip curved at my neck, so fast it must be a relic, too fast for me to duck. A beam of light blasted from Araceli’s hand, severing the metal in two.
With no more words, Ma’qas dropped the whip and drew a longsword from her back.
I ran and crouched behind the throne. I wanted to help Araceli, but I knew I would only get in the way if I acted recklessly. Should I throw something? But I might hit Araceli. I always made my siblings chase after the ball when I threw it too far off during games of catch …
A beam of light extended from Araceli’s ring. Gripping it like a sword, she blocked an attack. The two combatants strained as they locked weapons. They seemed to have once been friends. Would Araceli be upset if I summoned the guards and they killed Ma’qas? What should I do?
“Just give me a moment to explain,” Araceli cried. “You know I’d never forgive the Blood Duchess. This isn’t Duchess Hedri!”
Ma’qas’s lack of reply was a refusal to listen. She dodged sideways, trying to stab Araceli between the ribs.
Araceli sidestepped, the blade sliding past her. “Can’t you trust me just a little? I know we were always rivals, but I thought we respected each other.”
“I could almost believe you mean what you say.” Ma’qas eyed her opponent coolly as she came to a halt. “Mind control?”
“Please let her talk. She’s nothing like the duchess.”
“Are you kidding me? That stunt back there was exactly like the Blood Duchess! Who else would dare throw Ava’s sacred treasure or take the Holy Maiden hostage?”
I was a little flattered that my performance had been so convincing. But now wasn’t the time for such thoughts. While distracting us with talk, Ma’qas’s left hand reached for a dagger strapped to her back. A green light glowed from her fingertips.
“Look out!” I screamed. Fearing my warning would be too late, I lunged forward and grabbed Ma’qas’s ankle, yanking hard.
The dwarf tumbled to the ground. Kneeling over her, I said, “I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to hurt you, I just had to stop you.”
Ma’qas leapt to her feet, but she didn’t attack. She stared at me. “What did you just say?”
“Um, I’m sorry. I’d like to make a good impression on Araceli’s friends.” I smiled winningly.
Ma’qas’s whip went limp. “Whoa, that’s not the Blood Duchess.”
Araceli nodded. “I know, the apologies convinced me, too.”
“I should have figured from the unlocked door.” Ma’qas shook her head. “Seeing that expression on her face is creepy.”
“I’m sorry!” I cried.
“Extremely creepy,” Ma’qas mumbled. In a louder voice, she asked, “Is this a magical disguise? Did you kill the real duchess? I’d be disappointed at missing out myself, but it would still be good news.”
Man, it was a little embarrassing how everyone kept catching on to my act, but at least this time it turned out for the best.
Araceli shook her head. “A body swap. Unfortunately, the real thing is still roaming free in Bora’s body. Ah, by the way, this is Bora.”
Ma’qas sheathed her sword. “Why this risky masquerade?”
Araceli and I exchanged glances. Even though she was one of the Twelve Avengers, Ma’qas was also a dwarf.
I didn’t know how she’d react if she found out that we were planning to scam the dwarven kingdom out of the rights they’d won in the last World Games in order to protect our own nation. Nor could I think up a decent excuse.
“We’re turning the Blood Duchess into a dark lord,” Araceli explained. “After she becomes the target of the Conclave of Kings and hated by the entire world, we’ll swap their bodies back. She’ll never be able to survive.”
“Hmm.” Ma’qas tapped her chin. “A more vicious revenge than merely killing her. I approve.”
Either she didn’t have that much loyalty toward her kingdom, or it was outweighed by her hatred of the duchess. A lucky save either way.
“Of course, I’m still going to try to kill the duchess after we swap back their bodies,” Araceli said. “But she’s gotten out of seemingly impossible situations before.”
Ma’qas nodded. “She survived my poison the last time. In fact, she didn’t even notice I’d poisoned her.
I didn’t think it would work this time—it just seemed worth a try.
Especially since she wouldn’t notice if I failed, like she didn’t notice my last dozen attempts.
She’s entirely too tough. But not even she could survive a full crusade from the Conclave of Kings. ”
“Don’t you think it’s fitting, too?” Araceli grinned.
“Duchess Hedri always skirted on the edge of what she could get away with. Sherda allows nobles to murder, as long as they don’t target anyone important.
When she went after other nobles, she used assassins or framed them for treason.
It would be satisfying to see her die, but even more satisfying to see her properly executed for her crimes. ”
“I’ve always liked how you think.” Ma’qas grinned back. “Very well. My lips are sealed concerning this plan of yours. In exchange, I want you to let me help when you’re ready to kill her.”
I exhaled in relief. It seemed to be settled.
I felt grateful for that first night when Araceli had tried to kill me, because I wouldn’t have lasted long in this masquerade without her.
At the same time, I didn’t entirely like how Ma’qas smiled at Araceli, though I had no good reason why.
It was a friendly smile, full of shared understanding from someone who clearly knew Araceli much better than I did.
“Have a Bookmaker create a pair of linked books for us,” Araceli said. “I promise to write to you. In exchange, will you help us find the real duchess?”
Ma’qas raised an eyebrow. “You don’t know where she is? Whoa, I am rapidly losing faith in this plan.”
“If I did, she’d already be in a dungeon.” Araceli shrugged. “It’s not an insurmountable obstacle. We’ve got her body. We have the gifted who caused the swap to begin with. But I confess that knowing where to find her stolen form would take a weight off my mind. Tie off one last loose end.”
“A very, very big loose end,” Ma’qas growled.
Although I knew she was right, I resented the tone of voice.
I’d been careening from one crisis to another since I’d ended up stuck in this body.
There had been no time for anything except survival.
At some point, had I stopped even thinking about getting my body back?
The realization unnerved me. I’d enjoyed some aspects of having power, but surely it hadn’t been enough to make me forget about my original goal.
Had it? “Donya has been trying very hard to find Duchess Hedri. Surely she can’t cause that much trouble while stuck in my impoverished peasant body? ”
Ma’qas crossed her arms. “You might be unpleasantly surprised. The duchess clawed her way up from minor nobility once before. I’d bet she has a few contingency plans in case she falls from power—allies or money tucked away. It’s strange you haven’t heard from her. Strange and worrying.”
“Then help us.” Araceli’s tone turned wheedling. “You were always better at tracking than me.”
“Flattery will get you everywhere.” Ma’qas shrugged. “I’m only agreeing to this because I can’t have my revenge if you two fools lose track of the Blood Duchess. I’ll have a pair of linked books made, and you get me a portrait of her real body.” She gestured at me.
“Done,” Araceli said.
“I’ll find an excuse to leave the delegation and stay in town.” Ma’qas turned away and vanished out the door.
Once we were alone, I said, “Nice. Fast thinking.”
“It wasn’t entirely a lie. I’ve given some thought already to how satisfying it would be to see the duchess face justice.” Araceli’s gaze became distant. “Even though I accepted it as unlikely a long time ago, I’ve always wanted to prove that she framed my parents.”
“Thank you for helping find my body, too. It’s been worrying me,” I admitted. Even worse, I’d been helpless to do anything to speed up the pursuit.
Araceli patted my shoulder. “I know. Do you want to get some food? I’m hungry.”
My stomach growled in response. “Before, I could barely eat for nervousness.”
“Then you deserve a treat. Come on.”