Chapter 22 #3
“No,” I said, “I can come on my own.” I paused. “You’re sure it’s safe?”
“It is. This is a long-time member of El Zan Vylette.”
“Very well,” I sighed and followed him out of the room and down the stairs. He led me into a drawing room with two long couches. A middle-aged woman stood at once, nervous hands twitching together, her blue eyes widening as she saw me.
“Oh,” she gasped. “Your Grace.”
I started to shake my head. But what was the point?
“May I present,” Alistair said, “Lady Aliyah of Elyria.” He gestured to me. “And of course, Her Grace, Lady Julianna Azria.”
I stiffened. That name.
“My dear,” Lady Aliyah said. “You look …. By the Gods. You look so much like your father.”
I blinked. That was a new one. I looked like my mother. Like a Batavia. Like Lyr and Meera. And Morgana. No one who knew me now had ever known my father. Or the truth.
I had a feeling she was just saying it to say something. Make conversation, pretend we were actually connected. I doubted I looked anything like him. But I nodded graciously. “Thank you.” I drifted to the couch and sat down before any more formalities were announced.
Alistair and Aliyah sat across from me, silent for a moment. She had a determined look in her eyes, one that I immediately recognized and distrusted. I’d seen it before in the men at the Palace. It was the look of someone who wanted something from me.
“I can’t tell you what a wonder it is to sit across from you, Lady Julianna.
To know that Ka Azria’s time to rise grows ever closer.
I know you are busy, so I will get right to the point of my visit.
A long time ago, I was tasked with an important job.
I’ve been putting together money for you,” she said. “For a very long time.”
“Money?” I asked. “To do what?” Help me get to safety?
“To put you on the Seat of Power, of course,” Aliyah said.
My stomach sank. Of course. What else did these people ever want from me? My power so they could secure their own? I sat up.
“You say it’s nearly time for Ka Azria to rise, but how will money do that? There’s no Ka Azria right now. Gods. There isn’t even an Elyria to take over or back. It’s New Korteria now. So I ask you, how will your money change all of that?”
“There’s much it can do. We can buy favor, bring more nobles to our side, and of course, there’s the need for soturi—”
I shook my head. I’d heard enough. And I was done. Done wasting my time on fantasies, and done being used. “I’m sorry,” I said. “Can we do this another day? I’m just—not feeling well.”
Aliyah frowned, looking hurt.
“My lady,” Alistair said, and I could hear the anger simmering under his words, “Lady Aliyah has gone through much trouble to arrange this meeting.”
Fuck. And by extension, I supposed, so had he. This safe house was only open to us because of who I was—or rather, who everyone else wanted me to be. They only cared about the Heir of Ka Azria. Julianna Azria. Not Julianna Batavia.
“Tomorrow,” I amended, trying to sound as gracious as I could. I even smiled. “I would love to speak more tomorrow. And hear of your plans. But I truly am not feeling well.”
“Oh,” Aliyah looked relieved. “Of course. I understand, Your Grace. I’ll return tomorrow.”
“You’re too kind. Thank you. Please, excuse me.”
I drifted back upstairs on my own, unsettled by the conversation.
With nothing more to do, I returned to the balcony, looking out at the hills, the town.
The whole conversation just now had unsettled me.
Reminded me that our time here was limited.
A choice would have to be made soon, with, or without Lyriana.
Because as soon as Alistair realized I had no intention of taking back the Seat in Elyria, our little home here, would be gone.
I closed my eyes, trying to relax, trying to temper my heartbeat.
But my eyes opened, alarmed by a strange noise below the landing.
Aliyah leaving? I looked beyond the hills and down below.
There was nothing. But then that sound came again.
A metallic clanging, like something had snapped into place.
And then something else, like rope shifting. Like someone was climbing.
I looked over the edge, at the base of the building below. I’d been standing out here so many hours every day and I’d never seen anything unusual. Alistair’s grounds and home were well protected. There were hills detracting visitors, and walls, and even a sentry at the door.
Yet there it was again. That strange sound. And then … a grunt.
My stomach dropped and I stepped back, moving slowly back inside the room, reaching for the balcony’s glass doors.
A hand appeared on the balustrade. And then another. A head full of blond hair rose up wearing silver armor. Armor that looked like a wolf’s pelt. I shut the doors, just as black eyes, identical to the Bastardmaker’s, spotted me.
I locked the doors, my heart racing as I ran, tripping over the boxes where the snakes slept.
The glass shattered. I reached for the door, leading to the hall where Dario and Aiden were. I just had to scream. Just one scream.
A hand wrapped around my mouth.
I bit down, and they released me. “Dar—”
A cloth covered my mouth, some potion layered into it. One I’d experienced before. At the Palace.
He’d found me. The Emperor had found me.
My eyes widened, one last time, my heart racing, as I watched my fingers pull away from the doorknob. And then I lost consciousness.