Chapter 29
A bead of sweat trailed down Wren’s spine beneath her dress. She tried to swallow, but the walls of her throat stuck together. Her breathing was ragged, as though she’d been running, even though she was standing still.
“I killed Heron Kalyxi with Ambrose’s help,” Soren said in an even tone, his gaze never leaving hers.
Anger stabbed at her, but she was too disoriented to know who it was coming from. Shock and grief welled up within her. She was staring into the eyes of her brother’s murderer.
“Why?” Castien’s voice was hard and unyielding.
Soren’s gaze shifted back to Castien. Wren still felt incapable of drawing in a full breath.
“I suspect Ambrose told you some of the story. The coward’s version,” he spat.
“I rigged the most recent Grimhaven Games to kill a man who crossed Calypsia. She does not know because it was part of a greater plan to win her hand. Her father wouldn’t approve of our marriage unless I gave him reason to think I was worthy of her.
Ambrose helped me, in order to secure himself a better position once I was a prince. ”
Soren paused for a breath. He twisted against his bindings and winced.
“Heron overheard us speaking of it, I suppose. My butler caught him going through my desk one evening. He got away, but a few nights later I cornered him after dinner. Had Ambrose stay in the shadows while we talked.”
Wren’s stomach rolled. She could see it all so clearly in her head.
“I tried to pay him off or make a worthwhile deal to ensure his silence. He wouldn’t take it. Kept rambling about justice and bloodguilt.” Soren kept going. “The man was mad.” Wren wished he would stop. Her eyes burned with unshed tears.
Strong. I must be strong for Heron.
“I threatened him, thinking he’d back off.
He drew his sword and said something about cutting off the puppet’s strings.
” Soren shook his head. “But Ambrose was waiting and grabbed him from behind. We disarmed him. I didn’t intend on killing him, only scaring him so he’d agree to keep his mouth shut. ”
Wren squeezed her eyes shut. She couldn’t look at Soren or anyone. The floor felt unstable beneath her feet. A hand grabbed hers, fingers intertwining. She knew without looking that it was Castien.
“But he kept yelling, calling me a murderer and a hundred other names.” He paused, then continued, sounding defeated. “I went too far. Ambrose and I dragged his body outside the Wall and left him there.”
Images of Heron being held down, beaten, then left to be ripped to pieces assaulted Wren’s mind. Her knees started to give out. Castien let go of her hand and wrapped a supportive arm around her instead.
He drew her close, his mouth finding her ear. “I’ve got you. You’re safe.” The whisper broke the dam holding back her tears. They streamed silently down her face, soaking his royal coat.
“And the others?” Finn demanded.
“Others?” Soren sounded confused. “There are no others.”
“You expect us to believe you stopped with Heron? Ambrose says you got a taste for blood, then went after Kelda and Alysia next. Were they a part of this plan to win the favor of the Grimhaven crown?” Finn asked, his voice dark as night.
Soren shook his head, incredulous.
“I didn’t kill them. What would I have gained from their deaths?”
“Power.” Wren felt Castien’s chest rumble with his words. “Heron was a future duke. Kelda, a princess of her clan. Alysia, an heiress with a significant fortune. What better way to show the king your loyalty than by killing on his behalf?”
“And who are you to talk about gaining power, Prince Valengard?” Soren spat. “You, who was born into your station. You, who was born with a Gift that ensures you never have to work for anything. You, who was given the title of High Inquisitor because of legacy.”
Wren felt Soren’s anger tick higher and higher. It was like standing in a furnace someone kept feeding. Wren began to feel nauseous.
“Meanwhile, people like me are left to scratch and claw our way to a decent life,” he continued. “None of you have any idea of what it’s like to live in a place like Grimhaven. A blade is placed in your hand from birth. Blood is expected.”
“Shedding blood might be expected on Grimhaven, but it is not here. You will pay for your crimes,” Finn said once Soren was done.
“She has to pay for what she did!” Wren’s childhood voice pierced her mind. She hugged Castien tighter.
“Do what you wish with me—just let Calypsia go. She had nothing to do with this.”
“It’s not what I wish,” Finn said darkly. “Your fate will be decided by the one you hurt most. Lady Kalyxi, speak and it shall be so.”
Wren pulled back. Castien wiped away her tears with featherlight touches. She met his gaze. His irises were like fiery coals.
“You are in control, dearest,” he whispered to her.
Her heart beat at a frantic pace. A man’s life was in her hands, really two, considering Ambrose’s role.
Kill him. Make him bleed for his sins.
Wren pulled her dagger from the belt at her waist. Castien’s hands fell away, and he took a step back to give her room. She turned to face Soren. Lifted the dagger so he could see it. His fear beat against her nerves like a drum.
It would be easy to kill him. He was helpless, just like Heron had been the night of his death.
Just like she was with the duke. Her mind conjured up the image of Heron soaked in rain and blood.
The way he’d looked so hollow for the weeks that came after the incident.
How his guilt suffocated her whenever they were in the same room.
Quit stalling. Slit his throat. He deserves to die. The dark voice in her head snarled at her.
Wren looked down at Castien’s dagger. She spun it the way he taught her. Felt the anxiety tick higher. If she killed Soren, would she taste his fear forever? Would his blood always mar her hands?
You’re already stained. Embrace it. Become who you truly are.
Wren watched the blade. Round and round it went. No one said a word.
“No.” The word was barely audible; she’d only mouthed it. “I won’t become a monster like you.” She spoke to the voice in her head and to Soren at the same time. “Killing won’t bring Heron back.”
Wren stopped the dagger and looked at Soren. His jaw was slack with shocked relief. He might have feigned bravery before, but in the face of death he’d been just what Heron had deemed him: a coward.
“You’ll be turned over to the academy. The headmaster can decide what to do with you and Ambrose.”
“And Calypsia?” Soren pleaded.
Love really does turn men into fools. If something so sinister could even be called love.
“She seems as innocent as someone like her can be,” Finn told Wren.
“Then she’ll be sent back to her chambers. If the academy wants to question her because of you, then they can make that decision.”
Soren sagged. “Thank you.”
“She didn’t do it for you,” Finn snapped, standing to tower over Soren. “She did it because she’s better than you. Better than me, too, because I’d still like to slit your throat.”
“Finnick,” Castien warned.
“He killed three innocent people,” Finn growled.
Soren’s jaw clenched, but he did not deny the others now. His eyes relayed he knew he was in a precarious position.
“Wren made her decision. I need you and Eindar to help me transport him to the headmaster’s chambers.” Castien was much calmer than anyone in the room felt.
“Fine,” Finn bit out. He leaned over Soren. “But you should know—Calypsia was not kidnapped. She’s not fearing for her life. She came down here because Castien brought up a marriage alliance. And this?” Finn held up the ring. “I didn’t have to steal it.”
He let Soren fill in the blanks. The man’s face turned red, then purple with anger. He began spewing curses akin to Ambrose. Finn stepped back, his lips pressed into a hard line.
“You’ve made our job harder,” Castien said with a sigh.
“He deserves worse. I’ll knock him out, then carry him myself if I have to,” Finn grumbled before turning on his heel and heading for the door.
Castien reached out for Wren’s hand, his palm up.
Wren slid her dagger back in the belt, then took it.
They walked out the door together to the sound of Soren’s vehement curses.
Finn slammed the door shut after they’d all left it.
The sound echoed through the halls. He stalked away, his hands pushing up into his hair.
“We’re going to take a few minutes to regroup, then make plans on how to proceed,” Castien said to both Wren and Eindar.
Eindar grunted in affirmation. He locked Soren’s door, then took his station again.
Castien tugged Wren in the opposite direction of Finn.
“Where are we going?” Wren asked him.
“Someplace where you can breathe easier.”