“The queen expects her ladies to eat breakfast with her this morning,” she said.
“I can get myself ready.” My voice was hoarse. After I’d begged Lorian for help, I’d cried myself to sleep.
Daselis just stalked into the bathing room. Water began running directly after, and I forced myself to get out of bed.
“Are you okay?” Erea whispered. “Your eyes are all swollen, your face blotchy.”
“It must be difficult landing such a coveted position,” Daselis said, stepping back into the room, her voice heavy with sarcasm. “Bathe.”
I didn’t have it in me to argue. I made my way to the bathing room, stripped, and slipped into the bath, my mind whirling.
I hated that Lorian had sounded so assured. That every word he’d said had made perfect sense. I’d known since I’d seen Asinia in the dungeon that I’d need a better strategy than “use my power to freeze time and sneak her out of the castle.” But the thought of Wila dying because of my stupid plan…
I couldn’t let her lose her life that way.
I wouldn’t.
Someone knocked on the bedroom door. Either Erea or Daselis must have opened it, because I heard murmuring. Erea poked her head into the bathing room.
“That was a messenger. Instead of eating in the queen’s rooms, you’ll be eating at a formal breakfast with the king. He has an announcement.”
A headache had begun to pound behind my right eye. But I nodded, stepping out of the bath.
“You need to hurry,” Daselis said.
I was barely present as they helped me dress. My mind returned to Wila in that cell again and again. The bruises on her face. The freezing air. And the thought of her being taken from that cell, only to die. There had to be a way to get her out. If Lorian wouldn’t help, I’d try something else.
I just needed a big enough distraction that I could buy Wila a day or two.
“Time to go,” Daselis said grimly.
Erea’s hands fluttered from where she’d been fixing my hair.
“It looks perfect,” I told her.
Getting to my feet, I made my way down to the royal dining hall. The last people I wanted to see were the king and queen. Although today, the thought of seeing Lorian was just as distasteful. The other ladies were already waiting, the same seat empty. I sat in it and glanced at Lisveth.
“Is this something that happens often?”
She shook her head. “Usually, the king doesn’t rise for another few hours.”
Obviously being an evil bastard took it out of him.
“Do you know what’s going on?”
“Nope. Want some breakfast?”
My stomach was churning too much to eat. I shook my head, and she sighed. “You barely ate anything last night either. Are you feeling okay?”
“I’m fine. I just don’t like big meals in the morning.” A man I didn’t recognize was sitting at the king’s table. A man with sharp features and cold gray eyes. “Who is that?”
“Rothnic Boria. He’s the one who used his magic to create the horseless carriages. He’s one of the king’s favorites, and everyone at court is desperate to see what he does next with his magic and genius mind.”
“And the man beside him?”
“His son Davis. He’s obsessed with Madinia, but she has been ignoring him for years.”
Davis was handsome, although he had a weak jaw. But his eyes were even colder than his father’s, and something about him made me shiver. Maybe he was the perfect match for Madinia. Although I wouldn’t wish someone with eyes that lifeless on anyone, even her.
We all stood as the king and queen walked in together. Behind them, Lorian strolled, his lithe movements making him seem less of the giant brute I knew him to be and more…elegant. He’d disappointed me. Not only because he’d refused to help, but because I’d gone to him when I should have known better.
Lorian was surrounded by men dressed in Gromalian green. His gaze slid to mine, and a muscle twitched in his cheek. His eyes were empty, his expression…apologetic.
Dread swept through my body in a wave.
The king stayed on his feet, so everyone else did too.
“You’re probably wondering why we’re eating together this morning. Some of you may be aware that my queen was almost gravely injured yesterday. I’m pleased to announce that the woman responsible was executed this morning.”
My vision narrowed. I clutched at the top of my chair.
No. No, no, no, no, no.
Lorian was staring intently at me. I knew that look. It was the same look he’d given me every time he was about to berate me, about to order me to hold it together. I sucked in a deep breath, the backs of my eyes burning.
Don’t fall apart here.
“While she was put to death, she screamed a name that one of my guards recognized.”
The thought of Wila screaming as she died… My knees went weak, and I was instantly covered in a greasy sweat.
The king was sweeping his gaze over the entire room. “That name belonged to her brother. One of the corrupt.” His voice lowered to a hiss. “The corrupt had infiltrated this castle.”
Murmurs sounded as the nobles processed this news.
I stayed very still, ignoring the instinct to make myself as small as possible. That would only draw attention.
“Due to this event, my assessor will be examining every servant in this castle and the grounds.”
Lisveth leaned close. “I’m glad we don’t count as servants. The king’s assessor is scary.”
I gave her a nod. Tibris would be okay. He wasn’t a hybrid. But he needed to get a message to Vicer. He still had another rebel in the castle, and they needed to get out.
The king was still talking, his cold gaze moving to our table. Lisveth straightened.
“Thankfully, another maid was nearby and saved my queen,” he boomed. “One loyal to the crown. I have learned she has been rewarded with a temporary position as one of the queen’s ladies.”
The king’s eyes met mine.
Smile like your life depends on it. Because it does.
I beamed, lowering my head in a bow. I could feel the court’s eyes on me. All of them judging, weighing.
“Now, eat,” the king said. “And let us celebrate the burning of yet another of the corrupt.”
“Promise me, Prisca. Promise me you’ll free them. And one day, you’ll come back and burn this fucking place to the ground.”
I looked over my shoulder at the king, who was smiling at Lorian.
Burn this fucking place to the ground.
I sucked in a steadying breath. Just a few minutes, and I could fall apart.
“I don’t feel well,” I murmured to Lisveth. “I’ll meet you in the queen’s quarters.”
Pelopia’s eyes widened. “The queen won’t like that.”
“She won’t like it if I disgrace myself here either.” I smiled to soften my words, and after a moment, she smiled back.
I could feel eyes on me as I walked out of the hall. I made it as far as the closest storage room before I fell apart.
Slumping to my knees, I stuffed my fist in my mouth, sobs choking me.
My fault. I’d thought I could do this. Thought I could stroll into this castle and free the king’s prisoners. Instead, I’d gotten a good woman killed.
Strong arms surrounded me, and I lashed out. The guards—