Chapter 19
Nineteen
Katherine sits across from me in the library, her finger trailing along the text in the book she’s reading.
I return my attention to my own research, my eyes blurring from strain.
Growing up, we were all taught how to read, but once we learned, there wasn’t a lot of options to continue.
I read with the rebellion, and while working at the printer, but not this long without a break.
I close my eyes and press my palms against them to try to alleviate some of the strain. When I open them, Katherine is gone from her spot. She’s back at the shelf, selecting a new book.
When she returns, she sets it in front of her, then slides another across the table to me. I look at the gold printed title. Rituals for Darkfall.
I shove the other book I was reading aside and open the new one. The first chapter is called “Preparing for the ceremony.” I begin to read.
“How much longer?” Brevan asks.
I glance over at the enforcer, who is pacing the length of the library. He’s alternated between pacing and sitting in one of the plush chairs for the last several hours.
“I’m rather enjoying myself,” I say.
He walks over to me and stares down at the book. “Darkfall? Still? Aren’t you tired of that yet?”
“We don’t celebrate the same way in Iskvaland, and I want to be prepared,” I say.
“Fine.” He sits again, stretching his legs out in front of him.
He’s abandoned his leather armor today, and when he sits, the sleeve of his dark tunic rises above his wrist. More of his gift mark is now visible.
The thick swirling lines wrap around his wrist, ending in points at the base of his hand.
He catches me staring and pulls his sleeve down.
“Why do you cover it?” I ask. “Why does everyone in the Night Legion cover theirs?”
Katherine looks up from her book.
“My marks are none of anyone’s business,” he says.
“Don’t you usually just get one? To go with your gift?” Katherine asks.
“There are many different ways they show,” he says.
Katherine shrugs and goes back to her book. I stare at Brevan for a heartbeat longer, then return to mine.
The lanterns on the table flicker to life, guided by some kind of magic. It’s enough to make me look up at the windows. The sky is steely blue, the color of twilight. We’ve been here all day.
My stomach grumbles as if the acknowledgment of the time has reminded it that I haven’t eaten since breakfast.
With a sigh, I close the book I was reading and add it to the stack. Nothing. No information about how a gift is given or how a gift could be avoided. And absolutely not a single thing about immortality.
“Find anything interesting?” Brevan asks.
“Yes,” I lie. “Did you know there used to be a whole weeklong celebration in the city prior to Darkfall? Everyone celebrated together. Nobility, royalty, and commoners.”
“I didn’t,” he says.
“I saw that mentioned in some of the books, too,” Katherine says.
“The emperor used to give gifts that the citizens could use to sustain themselves through the dark nights. Grain, oil, coin. Things to help them. They used to believe you had to stay in your home for the entire time the moons were gone.”
Interesting how they had the same tradition I grew up with but that the beliefs in the city had changed over time. “That would be a nice gesture. We should bring it back. The people could use the gifts.”
“If the emperor stopped that tradition, it must have been for a reason,” Brevan says. “Traditions change.”
“But they can be brought back,” I say.
“I suppose so.” He shrugs.
“When does Caiden return?” I ask. “I wonder if he could ask his father for us?”
“He had to extend his travels,” Brevan says.
I cross my arms. “And nobody thought to tell me this information?”
“I didn’t think you’d care,” he says.
“Well, I do.”
“I’ll keep you informed in the future.” He inclines his head.
“You should ask the emperor,” Katherine says. “You are going to be the princess of Pendralia. You could ask him.”
I smile at her. It’s a great idea. It gives me a reason to see him. Hopefully, in his private rooms. “Brevan, can you arrange that? Can I request an audience with him?”
“Nobody meets with him,” he says.
“Caiden does. But he’s not here and I am.”
“I’ll see what I can do but only if we can be done in here. It smells weird, and the ravens are giving me the creeps.”
I look up at the statues above the bookshelves. The stone birds are in various positions. Some are poised to fly away, others have their wings tucked and stare down at us. “I like them.”
“Of course you do,” he says.
As Brevan and I walk back to my rooms, we come across Juliette speaking with one of the legionnaires. He tenses when he sees us coming and backs against the wall. Juliette turns and smiles, then races toward us.
“I missed you at the last-minute ball,” I say.
“I had a terrible headache. I’m sorry I couldn’t attend.” Her face falls, and her tone turns sympathetic, she grabs hold of my hand and gives it a squeeze. “And I’m so sorry about Marian.”
“I didn’t know her well, but nobody deserves to go like that.” I return the squeeze.
“I agree. It’s just awful,” she says. She drops my hand then bounces up to her toes. “I know what will make you feel better. How about dinner? Tonight?”
“Yes, I’d love that.”
“Bring one of your ladies. I’ll inform my maid that we need dinner for three”—she looks at Brevan—“or should that be four?”
“I’ll wait outside your rooms, no need to make a fuss over me,” he says.
“Nonsense. If you’re there anyway, you might as well join us.” She grabs my hands. “In fact, bring all your ladies. Let’s have a proper meal. It’ll be fun. I’m sure they could use it after their loss.”
“That’s very nice of you,” I say.
She bobs into a curtsy. “See you at seven, Your Highness.”
Juliette welcomes us to her rooms, and we all stop to marvel at the decorations the second we step through the door. I’m surprised that Brevan follows us. I thought for sure he’d insist on staying in the hall despite Juliette’s invitation.
My ladies dressed as if they were attending a ball and insisted I do the same. My gray gown with black lace trim matches the décor and doesn’t look like too much next to Juliette’s white and gray ballgown.
“Sabina.” Juliette curtsies, then turns to my ladies. “Ladies. Thank you for joining me tonight. Please come in.”
“Thank you for inviting us,” I reply as we enter her room.
Brevan bows to Juliette in an unusually formal way, then leaves the group. He’s probably checking the rooms for anything suspicious. My ladies follow next, all greeting Juliette like an old friend.
“I’m so glad all of you could come. Usually, my exile to the castle is dreadfully dull. It’s nice to have friends to spend time with,” Juliette chirps.
I look to see where Brevan has gone and I’m surprised to find him standing in the back of the room, his body tense, as he speaks to another man. He’s older, with gray hair that might have once been any color. His bright blue eyes make him stand out, though. Iskvalandian eyes. Like mine.
“Is that another friend?” I ask.
“Oh, yes! Nikolay, come here please, I want to introduce you,” Juliette calls.
The man strides over to us, a wide grin on his handsome face. “Well, well, Juliette, you didn’t warn me that I’d be surrounded by so much beauty this evening.”
The ladies giggle and Charlotte and Genevieve both turn pink. I offer a smile, but I’m not impressed by the flattery. There’s something about him that doesn’t feel right.
“Princess Sabina, ladies, I’d like you to meet my dear friend, Nikolay. He’s a former ambassador from Iskvaland, turned Pendralian. Perhaps you met when you were young, Your Highness?”
My blood runs cold.
“I never had the honor,” Nikolay says. “I haven’t been back to Iskvaland in more than twenty years.”
Tension eases from my shoulders. “What a surprising gift to meet someone from home,” I say, then quickly move farther into the room to avoid more conversation with him.
He bows, then rises. “It is an incredible honor to be in your presence, Princess. Though I may be more Pendralian than Iskvalandian now, please consider me your devoted servant.”
“That is very kind of you.” I incline my head.
A hand brushes against my back like the flutter of a butterfly’s wing. So brief I might have imagined it. I don’t need to turn to know Brevan is behind me. He must not trust this man, either.
“Everyone, please make your way to the dining chamber for dinner,” Juliette announces.
Candles and vases of black roses adorn every surface. Black lace is draped over the tables and furniture. It’s stunning and looks nothing like it did last time I was here.
“It’s beautiful, Juliette. How did you have the time to do all this?” I ask.
“I have nothing else to do around here,” she says.
The dining room table has a cloth covering it made of some kind of shimmery black fabric. Silver plates, goblets, and cutlery wait at each of the place settings.
Two servants stand in the back of the room, wine bottles in hand. It’s a much more formal event than I anticipated. Tea with Juliette did not prepare me for this side of her.
Nikolay pulls out the chair at the head of the table. “Your Highness?”
I hesitate, then take the offered seat. Juliette sits next to me, and Katherine sits next to her. Nikolay chooses the seat on my other side.
As everyone settles around the table, I notice Brevan whispering with Charlotte, who is sitting by Katherine. Charlotte gets up, and he takes her seat. He’s diagonal from Nikolay.
The servants fill wineglasses, then leave the room. Everyone is silent, and most of my ladies are sipping their wine. I take a drink from my own cup because it gives me something to do.
“When did you return to the city, Nikolay?” Brevan asks, breaking the silence.