Chapter Sixteen #2
I took his words to heart, grateful for his encouragement.
We entered a spacious ballroom with ornate white columns stretching toward a vaulted ceiling adorned with intricate gold filigree.
More statues along the walls depicted some of the same gods I’d noticed in Bala City, their stone faces frozen in expressions of silent judgment.
At the far end of the chamber, a royal dais loomed, its steps polished to a mirror sheen, leading up to a single throne made of interwoven horns, most of them jagged, as if they’d been torn from their owners in battle.
The air itself trembled with frantic energy.
A hum ignited beneath my skin, setting my nerves on edge.
Mr. Vyle climbed the steps and stood at the right side of the throne. At the same time, the royals formed a row just below the dais, as if they’d practiced this until achieving perfect coordination. They faced the executioner, leaving us with a view of their backs.
The baron who’d accompanied us directed us to form a line behind them, standing in the spaces between their bodies. Domino remained at my side as promised, an endless well of calm.
I wished so badly we were in the library, and I was reading my book. Or his. I needed to learn more about “the end.”
A soldier blew a trumpet, the sound scratching more than my ears. My skin crawled, but I forced myself to stay still.
The emperor entered the chamber from a side door, and I blanched.
I’d never seen him in person, only in news clips on screens as I jogged to my different jobs, in holograms played on a loop twenty-four seven inside certain buildings, and when Domino had led me through the base as a spirit.
Today, shadows slithered all over him, so thick they resembled a voluptuous black robe.
Like his son and grandson, he was tall and leanly muscled. He was also steady on his feet.
A crown studded with rubies rested on his full head of hair. Despite his age, the only wrinkles to mar his countenance stretched across his brow. In one hand, he held a scepter. In the other, a sword topped by a globe of the fused worlds.
Upon reaching the throne, he stopped and faced us.
“Bow,” Mr. Vyle commanded, and my stomach churned.
The royals dropped to one knee and lowered their heads without hesitation. The trainees did too, including me, though I moved slower than everyone else. This didn’t feel right.
Able to take the sensation no longer, I popped back to my feet. Thankfully, Cyrus did as well, and others followed.
“Welcome to my home.” Emperor Dolion eased upon the throne.
“My utmost congratulations on your accomplishments. From my princes and princesses who vie to become my successor to the candidates who seek positions on my council. I’m told you have excelled in numerous ways, and yesterday’s battle was no exception. ”
I didn’t have to wonder if his “council” would consist of godly hosts.
“In the coming days,” he continued, “you’ll undergo rigorous testing.
Some will not survive. I don’t say this to scare but to prepare.
The end will be worth the means. Those who succeed will enjoy privileges you’ve only ever dreamed possible.
” He paused to drum up drama. “This is your chance to change your fate.”
No, thank you. Not for this girl, and not for Cyrus. We were made of stronger stuff.
Domino settled his hand on my shoulder. He didn’t say anything, but then, he didn’t need to. I accepted the gesture of comfort with my chin lifted high.
“Now go,” the emperor said, motioning to a door. “Eat. Drink. Celebrate your great accomplishments. Tomorrow we begin.”
Tomorrow.
Tick tock.
The royals exited first. The librarian released me and stepped back, disappearing as if he’d slipped behind a curtain.
Though I missed the direct contact, peace flowed between us.
I might not be able to see him, but he was here, as promised.
Grateful, I followed my fellow soldiers out of the ballroom into a wide, empty room with tall ceilings.
Cyrus and the others remained in the area.
Miller bumped me with his shoulder and mumbled, “Let’s talk later, yeah?”
I nodded, nervous and hopeful. He joined Roman and Merlot, and the trio drew together to whisper, leaving no room for anyone else. No matter. I had my sights set elsewhere.
I closed in on Cyrus, who was speaking with his half brother, neither party particularly happy about it. Their conversation ceased upon my nearing, with a nod from both men. Hmm. Cyrus’s expression. I’d never seen such coldness from him.
“Lady Roosa,” Felix said, giving a stiff incline of his head before striding off.
Before I could ask what that was about, Lolli sauntered over.
“Congratulations, Arden,” she said with a fake smile.
“Thank you, High Princess Lolli,” I said, mirroring her expression. “Shot anyone lately?”
“Many anyones.” She arched a brow. “Are you referring to someone specific?”
Dang her. I pressed my tongue to the roof of my mouth.
She wasn’t done. “One day, I’ll be queen, and you’ll be punished for your insolence.”
“I warned you what would happen if you threatened her.” Cyrus whipped out his arm and grabbed her by the neck.
Her eyes widened, her mouth opening and closing with only broken sounds escaping as he squeezed.
All conversations ceased, every eye on us. Shock created a dam in the river of my peace. He exhibited the same unnatural sharpness he’d displayed on the bus.
Something was wrong with him. “Cyrus,” I said as gently as I was able, wrapping my fingers around his wrist. “Let her go. Please.” This kind of violence wasn’t like him. He exuded the same kind of hatred I’d felt for Mr. Vyle, and it helped me realize the danger of such emotions.
Cyrus blinked fast, as if trying to clear his thoughts, and released her abruptly.
As she gasped for oxygen, he popped the bones in his neck and asked me, “Why don’t I show you to our room?” He sounded almost pleasant, but strain gave him a harsher edge.
“That would be nice, thank you,” I said, eager to get him alone.
“This way.” He slung an arm around my waist and led me away from the gaping group.
We passed through a shimmery curtain of air, entering a moving hallway. I gasped as the entire space swung to the left before settling, ending in a winding staircase.
“What just happened?” I squeaked, flattening a palm over my racing heart.
“The palace readjusts when new guests visit, ensuring they can’t memorize the layout. For the emperor’s trusted few, however, it returns to the original floor plan.”
Wow, wow, wow. “It’s, like, alive?”
“I honestly don’t know.”
We traversed a wide hallway with multiple doors, each flanked by armed guards. Meta of various sizes patrolled here and there. They were ferocious up close, with metal teeth and claws.
I cringed as one sniffed at me, only then noticing the portraits on the wall.
The emperor, holding a jewel-studded goblet in toast. Tagin, the former king, with a spear.
Some high princes. Felix, with two axes.
And there was Cyrus. How distinguished he looked, decked out in a royal uniform, holding a bejeweled sword.
“Hey, what were you and Felix discussing?” I asked.
“We agreed to be the last two royals standing.”
A secret alliance. Smart.
Cyrus led me to the farthest entrance, which opened automatically as we approached. We swept inside an opulent chamber with antique furnishings I’d only ever seen in history books. Polished wood, fine fabrics woven with bold colors, and massive portraits of only Cyrus hanging along papered walls.
As soon as the door shut behind us, he heaved a heavy sigh and scrubbed a hand over his face. “I didn’t mean to go so far with Lolli. One moment I intended to respond verbally, the next I held her throat in my hand, whispers of ‘kill her’ filling my head.”
Only one explanation made sense. “Astan.” I took his wrists and guided his arms around me, stepping closer to put us chest to chest. “He’s influencing you.” Exactly as Domino had said.
“I’ll work harder to guard against him.” Cyrus tangled his fingers in my hair and angled me to ensure I looked only at him. “Tell me again you’ll never leave me.”
“I’ll never leave you.”
A tinge of relief. “I need to kiss you right now, but I would be kissing Domino, too, would I not?” He searched my gaze. “I can almost see him in your eyes.”
“He’s here with me, yes.” I refused to lie to him.
With a huff of resentment, Cyrus released me. “Let me show you what we’re up against.” He stalked to a set of double doors, opened them, and motioned me through.
I passed him, ignoring my dismay and stepping onto a wide balcony. Our room occupied the top floor on the east side of the palace, allowing us to peer down at the grounds and beyond the dome.
My mouth hung open in disbelief. From this vantage point, I saw the battlefield, the berries now shielded by that protective barrier. A sea of feeders attacked the contingent of glowers assembled there, the two engaged in fierce combat.
“We’ve got to help them,” I said, white-knuckling the railing. “Maybe there’s a switch to shut off the frequency. Lolli could have it. Her men set up the equipment needed to create the shield.”
“Judging by things I’ve overheard her say, there’s a single doorway, but whoever opens it experiences unmitigated pain.”