Chapter 56
Ihad to tell Dagen about the accidental poison. He said Kathreen was stealing from his people, still stepping out, and apparently raising taxes without his consent. He’s not condoning my recklessness, but he’d already ordered annulment papers. Kathreen was hurting his people in the lesser district. Our mother came from the lesser district.
It’s an unsettling feeling to go from deathbed to fully functioning.
Thanks to Dae, who somehow smuggled an enchanted potion to Preysee in the infirmary wing of the Megadome, I’m healed and standing on the outskirts of the afterparty.
Liha left as soon as she knew I’d live, and Dae told me it’s bad luck not to attend the ball after the King’s First Duel.
I guess it’s a good thing the three kingdoms operate on a “don’t ask about my affairs, and I won’t ask about yours” basis, since it’s obvious I had illegal help.
Besides, Kazem’s gaze keeps finding me from across the dance floor, appearing quite happy that he’ll get a chance to kill me himself.
“You should dance,” Dae whispers from all directions, his protective, dark-velvet voice curling around me.
Contestants and rich noble families dance about the grand room, celebrating the start of the King’s Duel.
“I don’t want to dance,” I hiss under my breath.
“Your desires say otherwise.”
A pinch tightens in my chest. “My desires are delusional from almost dying.”
“Have you ever seen the roof of the Megadome?”
I look up to the glass ceiling, toward the night sky. “No.”
“There’s something up there for you.”
I narrow my eyes. “What? A wind storm?”
He chuckles. “Maybe.”