Chapter 5
Raiden
“Idespise dealing with idiots,” I say with a sigh. “Do you know why?”
Baltas looms over the big-mouthed, balding fae I’m referring to, Dolan, backing him into an empty, dark corner of one of the alcoves carved into the breezeway outside the ballroom.
The orchestra plays, and I hate that I’m out here dealing with this shit when I could be in there looking for her. Watching her.
“Why, boss?” The grin on Baltas’ face reminds me why he’s my second.
I push off from where I’m leaning against the wall and move closer to them. “They always find a way to screw things up. Now, are you an idiot, Dolan? I hadn’t thought so.”
Dolan’s ruddy cheeks darken further, giving him away. This motherfucker is trying to ruin everything we’ve so carefully curated for years, and I won’t have it.
“I—I don’t know what you mean,” he stutters.
Baltas and I exchange a nod, and he has the stubby man pressed to the concrete wall with only his forearm in a blink.
“See, that’s not what I asked. Are. You. An. Idiot?” I whisper, standing to the side of their little scuffle.
Dolan struggles, as if he might be trying to respond, but his face is turning a shade too purple for my liking. I might be angry, but I’m not interested in killing him. Not just this minute, anyway.
I nudge Baltas to give the man some air, and he promptly releases his grip.
“No!” Dolan gasps, bending forward and clutching at his throat while his pigment normalizes.
I pat him on the back. “Glad to hear it! Then you weren’t the one mouthing off about going behind my back in an attempt to rouse the rebellion prior to my orders?
Such a relief. I thought perhaps we’d had some sort of misunderstanding.
” I don’t blame him for getting a little overexcited.
I want the bitch dead more than anyone, but we aren’t strong enough to take her on yet.
And I refuse to be unprepared. Not when I’ve done everything possible to make sure we get this right the first time.
Dolan stares, gob smacked, eyes wide with fear.
He should be scared. Though I know he’s harmless, his actions could destroy everything I’ve worked for, and then my sacrifices would be meaningless.
He composes himself, and I admire his gall when he says, “I don’t understand why we can’t get rid of her now.”
The answer to that is more complicated than he could even begin to grasp. I want her dead. I want the Smog to end, but I’m missing a few very important players. In order for this to work, everyone must be on the same page, and we have to work together.
I try to level with him, resting a hand on his shoulder.
“You just have to trust that I know what I’m doing, and that Konnor put me in charge of this particular part of the mission for a reason.
If you want to talk more about it, let’s be sure to do so below ground, where it’s safe from the wrong sort of crowd. ”
Dolan rips himself out of my grip.
“Who says the Underground is even safe these days? What with the lot you’ve allowed in,” he spits, and I take a breath before answering.
“The whole point of all of this is to save the people, or have you forgotten that you were once a starving Lukasian, dirty and wasting away in the streets, as I recall, before the Rhiza brought you into the fold?”
He has the decency to look somewhat ashamed, remembering his own humble beginnings.
Arina
MY SHOES CLICK on the brick footpath outside the banquet hall.
Sweat tickles my upper lip, and I wipe it away, fanning my face and begging my body to cooperate.
I can face blood and broken bones, fight off the toughest of opponents when placed in a ring, but a banquet is what sends my heart racing and perspiration dripping down my inner arm. Ridiculous.
I’m not used to making so much noise, and my feet are already killing me from the arduous walk, so I slip out of the dainty things and hook them on two fingers, lifting my gown with my other hand so as to move a little more swiftly.
The breezeway outside the hall is empty, but lively music and laughter pour out from within, and light shines before the doorway just a short distance ahead. The people look forward to events like this one. It’s another way Queen Daphne ensures we’re all fed, even when supplies are low.
It took me hours to convince myself to even come in the first place, and now I’m late. This is so far out of my comfort, and I fear making a spectacle of myself in front of so many. The last thing I want is for anyone to see me all dressed up and dainty and view me as weak.
“All I’m sayin’ is one quick arrow from my bow to the heart. It would be over in an instant.”
The whispered, raspy growl stops me in my tracks.
“Shhh! I’ve already told you we won’t be discussing this above ground. You can either shut up and fall in line or face the consequences,” another husky voice replies, and it’s clear the sound is coming from the dark alcove a few steps in front of me.
There isn’t another way into the banquet hall, and I either have to pass this alcove or turn around and go home, which doesn’t sound like the worst option.
But Phillipa will kill me if I don’t show up tonight, especially after all the work she put in to have me looking halfway decent.
I tiptoe closer, hoping the sound of my feet on the stone doesn’t give me away, and careful not to allow my shadow to reach the alcove.
My back is flush against the cool stone of the wall, and I’m grateful that it seems to at least slow down the fountain of sweat that is my body.
“But it’s time that bitch pays! Isn’t that the point of the rebellion? To get her off the throne.”
“I said enough!” There’s a thud and a whooshing sound that has me believing someone has just been punched squarely in the gut. “She is not yours to worry about. We will move when I say.”
Red-hot anger, and a twinge of fear, roll in one long wave from my head down. These voices belong to rebels. And if I know one thing for certain, it’s that when they catch me eavesdropping, they will kill me.
My heart starts to thud so hard I can feel it in my gut.
I might be totally insane, but it sounds like the Rhiza are planning to kill the queen. There aren’t many things that could keep me from protecting Queen Daphne, and I might be scared of the rebels, but I refuse to let them kill my queen. Over my dead body.
Still frozen in place, I contemplate my options.
The only true choice is to pass by as if I’ve heard nothing. Which means I will have to save putting my shoes back on for when I reach the door.
“Until then, I suggest you enjoy the tournament.” The angry second voice sounds as if it’s growing closer. There is no time, and I’m going to die.
I drop my shoes on the ground and bend down to fasten them, holding my breath and battling over if I should look up at them when they pass by or not.
I risk a glance over my shoulder, flipping my hair out of my face to make it more convincing.
Golden amber eyes attached to a brooding, but handsome, male find mine, and I give a small smile that I’m certain comes off as more of a grimace. Those eyes. I’ve definitely seen those liquid gold eyes before. Two additional large shadows move behind him.
“Good evening.” His velvet voice entrances me.
I smile and tuck my hair behind my ears. “Hello. Please excuse me, this blasted shoe strap is being fussy. Can’t seem to keep it snug.”
He bends down just as the other two men step into the light. “May I?” he asks, and I don’t see how I can refuse him.
I shake my way up to stand and step one foot out from under my dress in his direction.
When the back of his hand brushes my skin, I want to hurl from the contact. Anticipation creeps down my spine, and my hands get hot. I ache to reach out for the stone wall to cool them.
His fingers rest on the back of my ankle, holding me in place. He’s not gripping too tight, but he does focus his attention to my shoe strap, fitting it snugly to my foot. Then he lets go, and the loss of stability almost sends me toppling into the wall.
I catch myself with one arm and stare down at him.
He holds a hand out, gesturing for me to give him my other foot, and I do. I can hear nothing except the drumming of my heartbeat. This is it.
He’s going to signal to one of his friends, knock me to the ground, and end my life right here.
But he doesn’t. He secures my shoe, this time setting my foot down gently and offering me his hand as he stands.
“Can’t have you losing a shoe or breaking an ankle,” he whispers and steps to the side. He’s just going to let me leave.
I don’t take the time to ask questions. It’s all I can do to keep myself from sprinting to the doorway, but I’m moving so fast that I don’t see the massive body step out in front of me.
Eryk catches me before I hit him with full force. I’ve never been so grateful to see his stupid golden hair in my life. I don’t even mind that he’s touching me sans permission.
Still, he removes his hands quickly when he realizes it’s me. Maybe the uncivilized brute is learning.
I look over my shoulder to find there’s no one in the breezeway behind me. I could’ve sworn …
“Arina, you look. I mean … wow. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you in anything other than your leathers or healer’s smock.
” He stumbles over his words, and I’d be lying if it didn’t make me feel a little more confident.
Thank the gods for Phillipa’s in with the local seamstress, I think as I smooth out the front of my dress, admiring it.
They had the mossy green gown in the back, growing cobwebs. It was the first dress they brought out for me to try on, and by some stroke of luck, it was a perfect fit.
I promised to pay Phillipa back for whatever she’d bartered away, but she refused. She even lied and said they wouldn’t take her coins. I’ll never know what I’ve done to deserve the blessing of her friendship in my life.
“You’re very kind. Thank you.” I beam at him, truly relieved to have run into a familiar face.