Chapter Thirty-Three
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
Mira
In any crowd, in any place, Aric always drew my attention. Tonight, he was dressed in an embroidered doublet and fitted black pants, the fabric contouring beautifully to his form. But my gaze lingered on the statuesque girl at his side, her head thrown back in a laugh.
Candlelight played across the golden snakes emblazoned on the bodice of her ebony gown, and it was impossible not to notice the panels cut out at the waist, showing a daring amount of skin. Black diamonds sparkled as she moved, woven into her wine-red hair. As always, she looked beautiful – and deadly.
When her ice-blue eyes met mine from across the banquet hall, I could have sworn they gleamed with challenge.
Most of the royal family were already in position at the high table, servants bringing out steaming dishes. But knots of courtiers and candidates stood in front of the banquet tables, waiting to be seated. A glint of gold caught my eye as I approached a group of noblemen exchanging coins. They eyed me consideringly; no doubt my odds had gone up since defeating Nikolas in the ring.
I kept my eyes forward and my chin high, doing my best to discourage conversation. I didn’t want to be anything to these people, but perception was everything in this court.
Apparently, Aric had learnt that lesson as well. Too well, I thought as Scarlett strode over with him in tow.
‘There you are,’ she said, a hint of admonishment in her voice. ‘I’ve been looking for you.’
‘Oh?’ I asked, unsure what to expect.
‘Your friend visited the palace this afternoon. The girl from Aldara – Lillian.’ Scarlett smiled – a pleased, self-satisfied smile that put me on edge. ‘Apparently, she’s been looking for work in Ravalis, hoping to reconnect with the two of you. When she told me Aric was her brother, I offered her a position in the palace. It’s dependant on you becoming a member of the Order of Masks, of course – but if you do, then Lillian can serve as your personal attendant.’
I stared at Scarlett. Lillian had been safe on Aldara, but if she came to work at the palace —
‘I realise it’s not a prestigious position, but in time, Lillian could rise to become a palace dressmaker.’ A trace of defensiveness entered the princess’s voice as she added, ‘Lillian seemed thrilled by my offer.’
Opposing desires tugged at my chest. I wanted Lillian to be safe – but I also desperately missed my friend. And though I hated to admit it, Scarlett was right; a position like this could lead to the kind of career Lillian had always dreamt of.
I glanced sideways at Aric, who shot me a cautioning look. Clearly, only one response was appropriate.
‘Thank you,’ I said reluctantly. ‘That’s very kind.’
‘You’re very welcome,’ Scarlett replied, but her gaze was already scanning the hall. ‘I’d like to introduce Aric to some people,’ she said. ‘You don’t mind, do you?’
Before I could respond, Scarlett linked her arm through Aric’s. He shot me a rueful look but allowed the princess to guide him away. I knew Aric was only using Scarlett for information about Kain’s death, but the sight was still painful. They looked good together – too good.
The sound of Scarlett’s purring laughter was more than I could take, and I left the banquet behind. After climbing the grand staircase, I approached one of the deserted balconies, seeking solitude and fresh air.
Up here, the evening was peaceful. The city was a distant constellation of pinpricks of light – candles and oil lamps burning in the windows of the pitched-roofed buildings. It was a beautiful view, but to me, its beauty was tainted. After seeing the divide between the Higher and Lower Districts, after experiencing the emperor’s cruelty for myself—
I wanted to tear it all down. Brick by luxurious brick.
‘Do you know how painful it is,’ a hard voice commented, ‘to have healers work on you for close to four hours? To realise that even with their assistance, you might never be able to walk properly again?’
I turned slowly, annoyed at the intrusion. ‘You shouldn’t be here, Nikolas. Tonight’s celebration is just for candidates.’
And you’re not one. Not anymore.
‘I am still a noble, which means something around here.’ Nikolas moved closer, and I noticed that his right leg – the one I’d slashed with my dagger – had a pronounced limp. Frankly, it was miraculous he was standing at all.
‘I’ve already proved that I’m capable of besting you in a fight,’ I warned, holding my ground. ‘You don’t want to provoke me, Nikolas.’
‘But that’s exactly what I want to do.’
He lunged forward, ramming his shoulder into mine—
The wind muffled my scream as I teetered over the railing. Only instinct saved me as I grabbed for the one thing that would stop me from falling to my death: Nikolas himself.
Panic clawed at me as I clung to him, my fingernails sinking into his forearms. No, I thought frantically. Not like this.
‘Don’t worry.’ This close, the triumph in Nikolas’s face was highlighted in terrible, unforgiving detail. ‘It’ll be quick. So quick you’ll barely feel a thing.’
My grip tightened even further, as if clinging to Nikolas could somehow save me. He smiled, an amused flash of white teeth, and I tasted bile.
All I needed was a distraction. It wouldn’t take much – if he shifted even slightly, then maybe I could regain my balance. But Nikolas knew he had me trapped. He wouldn’t be baited into giving up his advantage—
Until he glanced reflexively over his shoulder.
I didn’t know why, and I didn’t care. I moved quickly, kicking Nikolas’s legs out from underneath him. He fell heavily onto the tiles, and I used those precious seconds to step away from the edge. Before he could retaliate, the knife I carried – hidden in a thigh holster beneath my dress – rested against Nikolas’s neck.
The fear on his face was glorious, almost as thrilling as the sight of his pulse pounding beneath his skin. Tempting me to apply more pressure, to—
‘Your Highness!’ Nikolas cried out. ‘She’s trying to kill me!’
My heart sank as I followed Nikolas’s gaze. It wasn’t a trick; the youngest prince was standing at the balcony entrance, taking in the scene with unnerving calm. His dark clothes blended in with the shadows, but the gleam of his golden hair was unmistakable.
I gripped the knife even tighter, trying to decide between two bad choices: killing Nikolas and running or backing down and accepting my fate. If I let Nikolas live, it would be his word against mine, and Cassius had no reason to take my side.
But Cassius didn’t call for the guards. He only raised a blond eyebrow as he moved closer, his gaze briefly shifting to Nikolas. ‘And what would you like me to do about it?’
Nikolas hesitated, his expression incredulous. ‘Your Highness,’ he protested, ‘she is in direct violation of the laws of the empire. Surely she should be punished for it. She drew a weapon—’
‘From what I saw, she didn’t actually use it. So really, there’s no harm done – unless Kasmira decides to kill you.’ Cassius took a sip from the goblet in his hand. ‘If you do survive, you can take it up with my father. But I wouldn’t advise it. You’ve made enough of a spectacle of yourself today, and you’re only here as a courtesy to the Aldarian governor.’
Nikolas’s face flushed with rage.
‘I think it best that you release him, Kasmira,’ Cassius continued conversationally. ‘And that you return to the banquet, Lord Atwood,’ he added in a silken tone, which did nothing to disguise the order.
Nikolas clambered unsteadily to his feet, cutting me a cold glare as I reluctantly withdrew the knife. Then he turned wordlessly towards the hallway, his hands clenched into fists at his sides.
‘There’s no need to look so concerned,’ Cassius said as I straightened. ‘I come in peace.’
‘Somehow, I doubt that.’
A small smile quirked his lips. ‘I do enjoy your honesty. Not many people dare to be so open with me.’
His tone was pleasant, but his warning rang in my ears: You don’t want to play games with me, Kasmira. They usually have deadly endings.
The prince strolled languidly towards me. I’d forgotten how tall he was, and how lethally attractive: like a panther in human skin. My stomach dipped as I remembered the last time we had been on a balcony like this one – and the hot press of his lips on mine.
Cassius smiled as if he knew exactly what I was thinking. And not one of his devious half-smiles, but a real smile, designed to dazzle. He continued all the way to the railing, his body brushing against mine.
‘That’s twice now you’ve helped me.’ It came out sounding like an accusation. It was an accusation.
‘Are you worried I’m keeping count?’
‘I’m wondering why . After what happened during the first Trial—’
His low chuckle interrupted me. ‘Have you considered, Kasmira, that’s the reason I helped you?’
No. No, I certainly hadn’t.
‘No one challenges me.’ His voice sharpened. ‘No one.’
Our gazes locked, and I felt his stare like a brand across my skin. His eyes were a deeper blue than usual, and the shadows within them only added to my sense of impending danger.
‘I didn’t do it to win your attention,’ I said warily. ‘Or your approval.’
‘No? Maybe you should have. The people down there—’ he jerked his hand in the direction of the banquet hall—‘desire my approval very much. To become a part of this court, you need allies. And I could be a very good ally,’ he added, his voice midnight-soft. The kind of voice that promised other things.
My mind flashed back to the memory of his tongue on my skin. Heat rushed through me, too much all at once, and I backed away from him. ‘You don’t know anything about me.’
‘I know enough,’ he said softly, holding my gaze intimately. ‘Though I’m sure there’s more to discover. You’re strangely unpredictable, Mira.’
I blinked up at him, unnerved both by his comment and his use of my preferred name. ‘Is that supposed to be a compliment?’
‘I haven’t decided.’
There was something ominous about that statement, like it could turn into a threat. But I refused to be intimidated. ‘So – what? I stole from you and now you’re intrigued?’
Cassius only smiled. ‘Something like that.’ When the silence lingered between us, he asked, ‘Did you really try to kill Nikolas?’
He phrased it like an idle question, as if the answer was of little consequence. It irritated me.
‘Nikolas attacked me ,’ I said, meeting the prince’s stare with a burning one of my own. ‘He tried to push me over the balcony.’
‘Ah.’ Cassius leant against the rail, casually folding his arms. He didn’t seem surprised in the slightest. ‘Well, I suppose that makes sense. He was cut from the Trials because of you.’
‘How easily you justify attempted murder,’ I said bitterly. ‘It’s not like I killed Nikolas in the arena.’
‘No,’ Cassius agreed. ‘You just humiliated him.’
‘Are you really turning this back on me? Nikolas was the one who—’
‘I’m not saying what Nikolas did was smart,’ Cassius interrupted, something hard and dangerous entering his voice. ‘His strategy was flawed, at best. But you were foolish to put yourself in this position. If you want to survive here, you have to know who your friends and enemies are.’
‘Which are you?’
‘That depends,’ he said slowly, ‘on your answer to a very simple question: what do you want?’
‘Pardon?’
‘I think we both know your ambitions extend far beyond these Trials. The fools inside might believe otherwise, but I’m not naive enough to think that your motivations are so simple.’ Cassius’s expression turned serious. ‘This is your chance, Mira, to convince me that you’re worth backing.’
‘You already know the answer, don’t you?’ I said as he pushed off from the railing. ‘You’ve known what I want all along.’
Cassius smiled, but it was a strange smile. The blasé pose was gone, the nonchalant prince discarded just like another mask.
‘If you make it through the third Trial, Mira, perhaps we can help each other.’ His voice was low and very, very dark. ‘If we struck a bargain, you and I, I could give you everything you desire.’ Cassius stepped closer, until his breath tickled my ear: ‘I could even give you my father’s head on a platter.’