He stops when he sees us, drops to one knee. “Your Majesty.”
Arion doesn’t even glance at him. “Ah, yes. A welcome sight. Is it contained?”
“Mostly,” Thorne says, and I realize that he has blood in his teeth, as well as smeared across his cheek. “We’re sweeping the east hall. There are still pockets of resistance near the kitchens.”
“Burn them if you have to. We have more.”
“Yes, my king.” Thorne stands, and for the first time, his eyes flick to me.
“Actually, better yet, I will deal with matters myself. You take her back to her chambers,” Arion says. “See that she’s locked in until I call for her.”
Thorne nods once, then gestures for two guards to take position.
Arion steps closer to me. I feel the heat of him, the weight of his gaze. “Sleep, Arlet,” he says softly, then brushes a kiss to my forehead. “You did well today. I’m impressed. Remember—I can fix this. You don’t worry. Tomorrow, you’ll see what loyaltybuys.”
Then he turns away, walking back through the haze and firelight as if none of it touches him.
Thorne grips my arm, firm but not cruel. “Come,” he says.
I don’t argue. My body feels wrong. My limbs are all heavy, hollow, like something important has been scooped out. Each step down the corridor leaves a faint smear of blood from my hem.
I feel guilty for those who will have to clean this up tomorrow. Cleaning blood out of fibers is impossible.
When we reach the turn that leads to my wing, almost everything is silent save me, Thorne, and the guards. My ears ring, as if I’m remembering the shouting, the explosion, and the collapse.
At the door to my chamber, Thorne pauses. His knuckles are white on the key. “Arlet. Don’t try to leave,” he says, his voice full of meaning. I look up at him.
Does he know Vann was here? Will he try to kill him? Then he passes me a small pouch. “And do not forget this. We are so close to your wedding—we can’t risk anything now.”
“What will happen with the wedding?” I ask. I realize that I haven’t eaten since the morning, and all the iron in the air is making me sway.
“I suspect there will be a meeting tomorrow. You may be called, but worry not. You will be married soon enough.”
The words bite through me. Vann was here. He had come to get me—to take me away.
“What about my attendants? I didn’t see what happened to them?”
“Don’t know, my dear.”
He turns the key, pushes me inside. Before the door closes, he gives me a sympathetic smile. “Just sleep. Stay in your rooms.Please. You are in good hands.”
Then the door is closed, and I hear the lock slide into place.
The silence that follows is complete.
The room is dark, yet a fire burns. Strange, really, that someone came to do that while the rest of the palace was under attack. My legs give out halfway to the bed. I sink to the floor beside the cold hearth, pressing a hand to my chest. The emptiness there hurts.
Then, like breath against my ear, Cursed One speaks.That was a disaster. These people have no idea what they are doing, do they?she gripes.I can’t believe Arion is the one who holds my leash.
I don’t answer.
You are exhausted. Gods, I wish they’d feed you something. I can’t just take over and give you my strength anymore. It’s almost like…
She doesn’t continue.
“Like what?” I say aloud through a burning throat.
Nothing. I am sorry about your troll. For now… Just rest.