CHAPTER SIXTY-SEVEN
The brass horns blowing were our first clue that today would be different. I was struck with the memory of them being used to begin the race through Troas, and I had to push that thought aside.
Then we heard the criers calling out, Make way for Prince Alexandros! Make way!
Instead of their words clearing people off the street, they had the opposite effect. Members of the neighborhood hung out of their windows and crowded the sidewalks to catch sight of the prince.
No one has seen him in over a year, Ahyana told me. He won t attend state functions and doesn t leave the palace. They say he s hideous.
Io was far enough away that she probably didn t hear what Ahyana was telling me. I wanted to shush her but couldn t risk her asking why. I didn t want Io s feelings to be hurt.
I walked over to Io and put an arm around her shoulders. Are you doing all right?
She nodded, her eyes bright. I haven t seen him in so long. I m sorry, I know this is hard for you, but I ve missed him.
Then I m glad that you ll be able to see him again. I was personally hoping that he would be a reasonable, rational man and that I could do what Theano had ordered me to do-find a way to end this siege so that life could return to normal.
His chariot was being pulled by white horses draped in purple, the color of the royal family. People cheered for him as he went by, the horns getting louder as they came closer. There was a long processional behind him.
Prince Alexandros was certainly putting on a show.
Was this for my benefit? I almost smiled. It was a waste. He wasn t going to intimidate me into leaving the temple. Or impress me with his wealth. I wasn t that shallow.
The chariot reached the archway and the horns came to a sudden halt. I couldn t see him because of all the women crowding the courtyard.
Princess Thalia, come forth! That was Thrax s voice. I d heard it enough over the last few days to recognize it, that accent of his that made him roll his R s.
Do you want to come with me? I asked Io. I wanted her to have the chance to reunite with her brother.
I can t. If I do, everyone will know who I am.
I hadn t considered that. I was the only one who knew Io s true identity. I understand.
I m going to our room. She took a few steps backward and then said, Lia, I m so, so sorry.
I frowned at her strange response and then began to push my way through the crowd. They didn t part easily and I had to ask people to move more than once.
But then I broke through the final line, only to see . . .
Jason.
Jason was standing there with Thrax.
What was he doing?
I actually pinched myself to make sure I wasn t dreaming, that this was really happening.
It was then that I noticed the cut of his dark purple tunic. The quality, the expensive and detailed embroidery along the edges. The confident way that he stood.
The anger on his face.
But not surprise at seeing me. There was only fury.
I was misinterpreting this scene. I had to be. Maybe he was a messenger for the prince. What are you-
You will kneel before Prince Alexandros, Thrax said to me.
My heart beat so hard that it was cutting off my air supply and I felt sweat breaking out on my back.
Not a dream. Not a messenger.
Jason was Prince Alexandros.
By the goddess.
I will not kneel, I said, my throat tight. He is not my prince.
My mind was reeling. What was happening? Jason was Alexandros? It felt like I couldn t put coherent thoughts together to figure this situation out.
Thrax drew his sword at my disrespect and I did the same. I would welcome the fight.
Put your sword away, Jason said. No, not Jason. Alexandros. Alexandros told Thrax to put his weapon down.
He did as his prince commanded him and sheathed his sword.
I, however, did not.
Instead I gripped my sword so fiercely I worried I was going to leave permanent marks in my hand.
Alexandros was not surprised that I was Princess Thalia.
He knew it. I saw on his face that he knew exactly who I was. He d been expecting me.
My brain was flooded with unanswerable questions.
How long had he known?
From the beginning?
Why had he pretended to be someone else?
To what end? What was the purpose of all of this?
Did Io know that Jason and Alexandros were the same person? Was that why she had just apologized to me?
Was this all one giant trap that I had happily walked into, completely unaware that I was being manipulated the entire time?
When the time comes, say yes.
That bastard. He had known exactly what was going on the whole time. He knew we were headed for this moment and he had expected me to roll over and offer myself up to him.
Everything that had passed between us had been a lie. He had worn me down, tricked me, manipulated me at every single interaction that had occurred between us. He had taken advantage of my inexperience and naivete when it came to relationships between men and women in order to seduce me into agreeing to this marriage.
And I had been fool enough to fall for it. To even fancy myself in love with him.
Now he was forcing my hand, threatening people that I loved, to make me comply.
And all of this after he had destroyed my nation with his excessive tariffs, slowly choking us to death by devaluing the few goods we had left to trade with.
He was the reason my brother was dead.
I couldn t even confront him about all of that. Hundreds of witnesses surrounded us-his army, the women of the temple, the locals who had come out to watch this scene unfold. I was not going to let my personal business be the gossip of Troas.
Gritting my teeth, I put my sword away. I wouldn t draw his blood. I wouldn t give him the satisfaction of behaving that way.
Not yet.
What do you want, Alexandros? I said, emphasizing his name.
He didn t even flinch.
Thrax, however, put his hand on his hilt again. That is Prince Alexandros to you.
Ignoring his guard dog, I directed my attention to the royal liar, waiting for him to answer.
He moved as close as he could to the archway without stepping over and technically entering the courtyard. You know what I want. We have a signed betrothal contract. Come out and keep your word.
I wanted to rage and shout and make him admit to what he d done. How he had used me, tried to coerce me. I would have had more respect for him if he d just been honest with me from the beginning and admitted who he was and what he wanted.
I had no respect for this kind of targeted, constant deception.
So I stepped up to the line as well so that we could speak without every single person being able to hear what we were saying.
I am not going anywhere with you, I said. You can set that contract on fire. Ball it up and throw it in the ocean. Eat it, for all I care.
His honey eyes flashed with anger. You will marry me. There is no other choice for you here.
I will stay in the temple, where I have made vows to serve, I snapped back.
Alexandros leaned in closer so that he could breathe the next words against my skin. Perhaps I should go tell your high priestess what you were doing with me the night of the festival.
I gasped. I had never wanted to hit someone so badly in my entire life. You bastard.
I assure you, my parents were married and I m entirely legitimate.
Fury wrapped itself around me like a water dragon, all sinews and teeth, urging me to strike out at him. It would be your word against mine.
My word is royal, he countered.
So s mine. Which they all know now, thanks to you.
He shook his head and clasped his arms behind his back. Don t stand here and pretend to be pious when we both know you have no problem skirting dangerously close to breaking the vows you ve made.
Again I was so angry that I was afraid I was going to physically attack him.
He pushed his suit. You will leave and you will marry me.
No, I won t. As I d told Thrax, Alexandros wasn t my prince. He couldn t order me around. I was not subject to him.
There was only an invisible line separating us. I realized that he could reach out and yank me to him, force me into his chariot.
The laws he was so easily dismissing were the only things keeping me safe at the moment. He couldn t enter the temple and he couldn t force me into marriage. I had to agree.
Which was why he had stooped to so much subterfuge to get me to do so.
He also had to know that Antiope was itching for an excuse to come out here and slaughter some soldiers.
His gaze was hot, intense, and despite how incandescently angry I was with him, despite all the things I blamed him for, I could feel my body responding. It urged me to step forward, to go with him if it meant he would kiss me again.
I let out a small sound of disgust. All I could think about was that while we stood here, being watched by so many, I still had the mark he d made on my chest. I was glad he couldn t see it. That no one could.
But I knew it was there.
You are being unreasonable, he said. Honor the contract that you and your father made.
He wanted to speak to me of honor?
I am giving you one last chance, he said. Or you will not like the consequences.
Do your worst, I hissed at him.
He pressed his lips into a thin line. Remember this tomorrow when I show you my worst-you told me to do it.
Then he reached out and grabbed my hand so quickly that I didn t have time to react. For a second I was worried that he might do what I d imagined and attempt to pull me over the dividing line.
But he wouldn t dare risk that.
Let go of me! I told him.
He stared intently at me and, keeping his gaze on mine, brought my hand up to his mouth and kissed it.
My throat closed in on itself.
Then Alexandros whirled about and climbed into his chariot, turning his white stallions back into the street and driving away much quicker than he had when he d arrived.
I put a hand over my stomach and walked back into the courtyard, in complete shock.
He had let me know just how deep the deception had gone. How was it even possible? I had a very limited understanding of the power of life mages. Could they connect dreams?
Had he used their power to set out to seduce me even when I was sleeping?
There weren t any answers to be had from Alexandros or his entourage, but there was someone at the temple who could give them to me.