Chapter Fifty-Six
CHAPTER FIFTY-SIX
Scarlett
Though I took no satisfaction in Aric’s pain, he would live, and his accident had finally convinced Mira to sever her ill-fated alliance with Cassius.
No matter how I looked at it, his hunting accident had been a stroke of genius.
But it left me with one last mess to clean up.
I strode through the streets, relaxed and unhurried. Thanks to my mother, I had been able to track the stableboy’s purchases – though I had covered most of the Higher Districts by now. I rolled the coin in my palm as I changed course, entering the Lower Districts. Sure enough, it began to warm as I drew near one of the pleasure houses.
He’s certainly made the most of his newfound wealth, I thought dryly. At least his final hours had been a satisfying ones.
Entering the brothel, I did my best to keep the distaste from my face. Plenty of my father’s Warriors and nobles visited establishments like this on a regular basis, but I had never thought that I would be one of them.
‘Are you looking for a male or female?’ a bored woman asked, not glancing up from counting coins. Beside her, a guard stood watch.
‘Both,’ I replied, finally capturing her attention.
She took a swig from the goblet in her left hand and focused her heavy-lidded eyes on me. ‘That will be an additional cost,’ she warned. Frankly, I would pay to be rid of her – and this place. ‘How much?’
I watched her debate, taking in the fine clothing I wore – though not so fine as to arouse suspicion.
‘A silver piece,’ she settled on, licking her thin red lips.
I handed it over without hesitation, suppressing a smile as the madam shifted on her feet. Clearly, she was regretting not asking for more – though one silver piece was more than generous. Especially considering the death magic in my veins, and the destruction I could cause if I decided to take what I wanted.
‘I’m meeting a friend here,’ I said, providing a brief description. ‘He should already be with someone.’
‘We don’t usually—’
Another silver piece silenced her protest.
‘A pleasure doing business with you,’ she said, and nodded to the guard, who escorted me through the brothel – past shadowy cavorting shapes on the other side of the thin curtains, with their guttural moans and breathy sighs.
The guard parted a strip of purple linen, and I recognised the stableboy’s sandy hair, his gangly figure intertwined with a female one. I moved inside, conscious of the curtain falling into place behind me.
I saw the exact moment the boy realised who I was. He straightened with a yelp, reaching for his discarded trousers.
‘Leave us,’ I told the girl. ‘I’ve paid for this time. Your services are no longer required.’
With one last glance at the stableboy, she scampered from view.
I waited until the boy was dressed before turning. ‘You couldn’t have spent my coin on something else?’
He must not have heard the amusement in my voice, because he looked terrified.
Good, I thought with some satisfaction. You should be terrified of me.
‘I did what you asked.’ His voice was strong, but his hands were trembling. ‘I loosened the saddle—’
‘You did very well,’ I said gently, removing my hood.
His tremble worsened as I dropped the illusion of Sabine’s face. When I had visited the stables, I had disguised my features.
But I wasn’t hiding now.
‘Y-Your Highness.’ He looked wildly around him, searching for a way to escape. ‘I won’t tell anyone. I swear I won’t. I’ll book passage to the Elusive Isles, and—’
I reached for my coin purse. Despite his fear, his eyes were drawn to it – and the greed in them was tiresomely predictable.
‘To cover your travels,’ I said, holding out a gold piece.
He didn’t even pause before reaching for it, his hand brushing mine. Touching my skin.
I closed my eyes as the black veins surged, revelling in the sensation of them moving from me and into him. When it was done, I felt warmer – and emptier. This time, there was nothing left. No death magic, no comforting ice. I had used up everything I had taken from Danica.
But that was fine. Now that I knew I could invite death into me, I was sure I could find another body somewhere – but there was no rush. I didn’t need death magic to kill my father.
The boy’s voice was little more than a gurgle, but it was enough to make me open my eyes.
Dispassionately, I noticed that he was on his knees. His skin was so dark that it looked charred – a bit like Danica’s body, after it had been consumed by Mira’s fire. It was strange to realise that our methods of killing had that much in common.
What a force we could have been, I thought with a trace of regret. If Mira hadn’t decided to run and had just accepted my deal, then perhaps everything could’ve been different.
‘H-help—’
I stepped towards him. One step, but it silenced him like a blade to the throat. ‘Don’t try to talk,’ I told him, taking hold of his shoulders and laying him back. ‘It’s almost over.’
I stayed with him until he stopped breathing, and the veins disappeared, leaving smooth, unblemished skin. For all intents and purposes, he appeared untouched.
Perhaps the madam would believe he’d died of natural causes. Either way, it didn’t matter. She wouldn’t want to make a fuss over his death; it would be bad for business.
I left the brothel behind, my mind already on what was to come. Zandri had wanted to use Mira to kill the emperor and then discard her afterwards – but so much of that plan relied on Mira’s cooperation, and there were too many moving pieces: Aric, Lillian, Cassius, even the court itself.
My plan was so much better, and I had no doubt Zandri would agree. During the wedding, not only would I be able to deal with Emperor Kalias, but I would deal with them all: Mira, Cassius, and the resistance. Everyone who could possibly threaten my rule – except for Roran, but he was in the North and out of reach.
For now.
I turned resolutely away from the Lower Districts, striding back towards the palace and my birthright.
The moment Mira had decided to reclaim Kalure and become a queen, she had left me no other option than to destroy her – as thoroughly and ruthlessly as I would my father and brothers. I would never allow her so much power. Never trust in vague promises to protect my throne – and my life – especially when I knew how much Mira despised the Ravalian Empire.
No – there could only be one queen, and it was something of a relief to face that truth. To stop pretending there could be anything more between us than blood and death.
It was always going to come down to this, I told myself as I walked. Mira or me.
And no one’s life meant more to me than my own.