The words scrape against the dark like sparks. “So you have been working on the inside with Arion?”
“I am one of those who play both sides,” he says simply.
“For once, do not be fluent in fabrications,” I spit. “You’ve given lies dozens of legs to stand on in the time we’ve known each other. You probably started leaving me breadcrumbs months ago just to draw me out like a fool.”
His eyes flash. “I speak—” He catches my hand as I muster enough force to attempt to stab him again.“The truth.”
I pause at the husky desperation in his voice. The way his eyes bear into mine, bouncing back and forth as if trying to find the more sympathetic of the two.
“Who do you think arranged for you to enter the city? Who bribed the guards and cleared the way for Mrath into the palace’s gardens? Who helped her attack him during the masquerade? I’ve been feeding her everything from inside the Dominion. I’ve spent a long time working in this place, sweet one. I am important to this court, Liana. You need me.”
I let the dagger drop a fraction, but my stance doesn’t soften. “Then what news do you bring?”
“Not good news.”
My shoulders tense and a chill runs over me. “Mrath is dead.”
He shakes his head. “No, but she is wounded. When she saw Arion, he unleashed some sort of dark magic on her. Likely from the Throne of Living Wood, but we are not sure. He killed almost all of the assassins she brought with her. She has been transported out of the city,” he says.
I take a deep breath. “This is very bad. This would be her second failed attempt on the throne. Is she really up to this?”
Castien hums. “Arion is meddling with dark things. The power you see now will not last forever. When I left, the king had ordered everyone to keep everything silent till morning. Then he will send out callers with an announcement. You should have tonight, at the very least, to escape.”
My heart drops. “And the king’s bride. What happened to her?” I study him through the veil of shadow. His face is older, sharper. There’s something haunted in his eyes I don’t remember.
“One of yours took her. They were intercepted by Arion. The king is hoping to distract from Mrath’s attempt on the throne with a public execution.” He frowns. “Star-crossed lovers betraying the king. They’ll be forced to fight in the arena.”
Something in his voice makes me shiver, and ice slowly spiderwebs across my skin. Arlet and Vann. Star-crossed lovers.
“But they are not dead yet?”
Fuck. “Vann, the troll you speak of, was given something byMrath. Something that would turn the power of the throne. A seed. He was supposed to use it with Arlet. If he has been taken into custody, they could find the seed and destroy it.”
He shakes his head. “I assume they have been taken to the dungeon. I will visit him.”
My mind races, and I step away from him and the strange, cocooning warmth that he has always provided.
What will happen if that seed has been taken?
“So what now? We just retreat? Give up?” What am I going to tell Teo and Estela?
He gives me a knowing look. “Breathe, sweet one. There is a plan. Mrath will heal and bring more women. There will be another attack soon. She just needs a day or two to visit with her healers.”
“There are hundreds, if not thousands of soldiers swarming the city. Do they not pursue her?” I continue.
He nods. “They do, but Mrath is wise. She prepared for something just like this to happen and has misdirected them effectively. It should buy her that extra day or two to finish the job.”
“Why didn’t you help Mrath fight? Surely your services were needed. You could kill Arion with your shadows.”
“Liana, you have been gone a long time. I am integral to this court. If I kill Arion now, I could lose everything. The other courtiers would turn against me. Mrath must kill her brother and take control of the throne if there is to be a new sovereign. My plan is to be one of the first to accept her as queen. That way I can keep…my people safe.”
“Your people,” I scoff. Then I think of the child I’d known all those years ago.His child.My eyes widen—I had been told that the informant had a family member who was helping to get close to Arlet. I blink, a strange surge of emotions building inside me.
I step back again. “You’ve played both sides before.”
“I had to,” he replies. “To keep her alive.”
Something in his tone makes my gut twist. “I am glad she still lives.”