Polite laughter ripples through the nobles. But it just grates against my nerves. Kiala is dead? She was trying to get me killed. I knew she wasn’t my friend, but she seemed to be less antagonistic than Merlina.
Either she or her family tried to have me killed.
She wanted to reveal my secret before marriage. That single word—barren. It echoes with every heartbeat.
I was so close to losing everything. I should be better. More grateful. More acquiescing to Arion.
This is my life now, and no one is coming to save me.
Arion turns to the assembled courtiers. “Let it be known that the palace stands whole, the traitors are dead, and the wedding is unchanged. Tomorrow at dusk, before the four high houses, the vows will be spoken.”
Applause fills the hall, sharp and rehearsed.
The meeting dissolves into clusters of murmuring nobles. Arion exchanges words with his generals. I remain seated until a hand—small, cool—touches mine.
Vesilane.
She bends slightly so her voice doesn’t carry. “Your Grace. It will be my honor to serve you.”
I hum. This is already so different from the way the other women assigned to me have treated me.
“It is my pleasure. I am sorry, I do not know more about your court or your family.”
The words are clumsy, but she smiles as if they were charming. “My father has always been careful about who knows us and our dealings with the outside world. It is I who is sorry for your loss. I can only imagine what last night must have been like.”
Her tone is gentle, not pitying.
Hmm. I don’t think she is a threat, Cursed One interjects. Perhaps she will be useful.
Useful for what?I respond.
For escaping.
It takes me a moment to find any words at all. After weeks of training, I am unaccustomed to any measure of kindness. “You shouldn’t speak to me like that here.”
“Then perhaps later,” she says softly. “When no one listens.”
I search her face for deceit and find none—just a quiet steadiness that feels like air after drowning.
“I’ll help you as much as I can,” she adds, and for some reason, I almost believe her.
Before I can answer, Arion’s voice cuts through the murmur of the room. “My lovely Arlet.” His tone is calm, but I feel every noble eye turn toward us again. “Come. There are matters to discuss before sunset.”
I rise. The hem of my gown whispers against the marble.
Perhaps, I say to my companion,we should just…accept our fate. I am marrying the day after tomorrow. Mrath might spare me if she takes power. The risk of turning my back on Arion before I know is too great.
In my first days here, Eslina had told me that the king makes people who betray him fight to the death. I can hardly wield a knife without the Cursed One’s help.
What about the man who came for you? He seems clever. He could?—
Vann hasn’t appeared since last night—maybe I was wrong. Maybe he is dead. I don’t have the energy to plot anymore. I just want to live.
My companion doesn’t respond.
Chapter 25
ARLET