“You lured him here to possible torture and death. Did you ever think about that?” I stared at him, the flames in my heart burning hotter.
He leaned in urgently. “I’ve done everything I could to protect him, as I have with you! I instructed the scouts to avoid the eastern edge of the island, creating false reports that it had already been searched. I assumed his ship was most likely to find a hiding place there. I’ve kept Nalani from questioning him until now. But you must understand, the risks to him were secondary to my goal. I did all this to protect my wife. I love her more than anything.”
This was too much. If what he was saying were true, it meant I did have royal blood, because Arcus and I had created frostfire when we’d melted the throne of Fors. If the book was right, I really was the queen’s niece. “You couldn’t just tell me all this from the beginning? You let me take the trials—risk my life—for nothing!”
“Not for nothing. Your training has made you stronger. And I needed the trials to reveal whether you were truly the princess.”
I pulled from his grasp and looked down at the book, forcing myself to take a moment to think. I hated being manipulated. I hated lies and subterfuge. He’d not only risked my life by letting me take the trials, he’d put Arcus in danger, too. My emotions were raw. My chest hurt, as if my very heart were bruised. I felt like a fool for not seeing through him.
I lifted my head and looked at Prince Eiko. He was watching me anxiously, one hand clutching an oval pendant that hung from his neck on a silver chain. As his thumb caressed the smooth ivory, I saw that it was a miniature of Queen Nalani, her distinctive features replicated with tiny, delicate brushstrokes. My heart gave a little squeeze. He wore an image of his wife around his neck. There was nothing deliberate about his nervous gesture, his hold on this small likeness that gave him comfort. It was clear that he truly did love her.
I let out a long sigh and asked myself one question: What wouldn’t I do to protect Arcus? I could hardly blame Prince Eiko for doing what I would have done in his shoes. Besides, we had a common goal. I needed the Minax to destroy the other one, and he needed to get rid of it.
“When?” I asked. Prince Eiko looked confused, so I added, “When do we melt the throne?”
He blinked and his lips curved in a tentative smile full of warmth and gratitude. “As soon as possible.”
“Arcus is being transferred to the prison tomorrow after the initiation. We don’t have much time.”
His face lost color. “If she’s sending him to the prison…”
“I’m assuming she means to interrogate him.”
“That’s not the worst of it.” He looked disturbed. “I heard her saying… she wants to send a message to the Frost Court. She has spoken of how the king’s death would plunge Tempesia into chaos. If she plans to send him to the prison already, that means she intends to carry out her plans sooner than I thought.”
I couldn’t breathe. It felt as if someone had grabbed my throat and squeezed. “No,” I whispered. “She’ll kill him?”
“She doesn’t make idle threats.”
The blood abandoned my limbs, making my legs weak. Somehow, I had to get him out immediately. I picked up the book and turned toward the door.
“Ruby, wait! We must plan.”
I closed my eyes and halted. For a second, he’d reminded me of Brother Thistle when he’d warned me not to take unnecessary risks.
“You’re right,” I said through numb lips. “The initiation ceremony tomorrow…” I no longer needed to take my vows to keep the queen’s trust or to access the knowledge of the book. And saving Arcus was far more important than becoming a Fireblood master—no matter how much I’d longed to gain their acceptance. But what would be the consequences to Kai? Would the queen still allow him to go through with the initiation if I didn’t show up? Would she revoke his rights to his title and land? Would she take her disappointment and anger out on him?
I had no choice but to hope that she wouldn’t. I had to trust that the queen was honorable enough to keep her word.
Prince Eiko picked up on the idea immediately. “The masters will be there, as well as the queen. The throne should be unguarded. That is our best chance.”
TWENTY-FIVE
MORNING CREPT IN FURTIVELY, A burglar skulking behind black storm clouds. The ocean had darkened to the gray of dirty bathwater, the whitecaps like leftover soap foam. Treetops genuflected to the sky and branches snapped off and sailed away like poplar fluff. Rain lashed the island in horizontal sheets, raging in from the east.
It was the morning of my initiation.
I dressed in my leggings and tunic, then covered those with the clothing provided, accepting Ada’s help to put on the loose-sleeved orange silk robe covered in golden embroidery. Metal wrist guards were embossed with the shape of licking flames. Silk ribbons secured a satin cloak around my neck.
If anyone saw me, they’d think I was fully prepared to pledge my life to the queen today.
Ada smoothed my hair back and wound it in a simple knot. My face in the mirror appeared stark, almost lifeless, the bones protruding more than usual. My pupils were small in the meager light, leaving amber-gold irises below thick, dark lashes.
A princess? No. I looked like a terrified warrior before her first battle.
So many things could go wrong. If any one of the moving parts of our plan went awry, it would throw the rest into chaos.
Kai appeared in the open doorway as Ada disappeared.
“Ready?” he asked, everything about him from his bright hair, rich-toned skin, and engaging grin adding sunshine to the gray day. He was dressed like me, though his tunic hugged the muscles of his shoulders and chest a little more lovingly than mine, and his polished black knee boots added a touch of style.
“You’re early,” I pointed out. But I had expected him to be early. Counted on it, in fact.
He jerked his head toward the hallway. “Carriage is waiting.”
I sat at my dressing table to pull on my calfskin boots. When I stood, I made a show of stumbling, stepping hard on the hem of my cloak. The stitches I’d pre-loosened gave way with a gratifyingly loud rip. Half of the cloak’s collar fell at an odd angle against my shoulder. I cursed and scowled at it.
Kai chuckled and shook his head in wonderment, stepping close to inspect the damage. “Did you just trip over nothing? Surely you will be the clumsiest master ever to take the vows.” His elegant fingers explored the delicate fabric. “Quite a tear. But I don’t suppose they’ll reject you for it. The masters don’t worry much over sartorial concerns.”
I quirked a brow. “You’ll be wasted as a Fireblood master, then.”
He grinned. “I don’t have to wear the robes all the time, little bird.”
He hadn’t called me by that nickname since the night we kissed. The reminder brought heat to my chest. He was standing very close. I could feel the heat of his body and smell the scent of his skin. To avoid whatever was brewing in his warm, intent eyes, I untied my cloak and folded it over my arm. “I’ll get Ada to mend this. It won’t take a minute. You go on without me.”
His face flickered with annoyance. “I’m capable of waiting for a few minutes.”
“No, I’m nervous enough as it is without you tapping your foot in the hallway. Plus, I have to find Ada and… it might take longer than a few minutes. I’ll meet you at the school.”