I WAS HALFWAY asleep when the scream woke me. It was a faint cry, drifting from somewhere deep within the bowels of the castle, but I still heard it. I held myself motionless in the colossal bed, counting softly, hoping to give myself something to fixate on besides the goose bumps feathering my skin and the chill chasing my spine. Closing my eyes, I started to relax until it came again, just a weak thread of sound on the air.
Sitting up, I flung the covers back off the bed. I wasn’t sleeping anymore. Snatching up my robe, I shrugged into it and slipped out of my chamber.
Another scream shook the air. I followed the sound, my ears perking and straining.
I skimmed a palm along the wall, feeling my way, occasionally brushing tapestries and portraits and decorative sconces in my quest to track the scream.
A part of me acknowledged that this was probably not the wisest course of action, but then I reminded myself that the screams I’d heard were human. I knew a dweller’s cry. Someone was in trouble, hurting. I knew the sound of that quite well.
As I continued down the corridor, a low rumble surged on the air. It faded only to surface again moments later. This second surge was smaller, quieter, but this time I had no trouble identifying it for what it was—applause. Cheers.
Someone was terrified, in pain, and people were cheering? I shook my head. It didn’t make sense.
I hesitated before I continued, my pace quickening. Rounding the corner, I almost collided with another individual turning into the same corridor from the opposite direction.
“Oh, forgive me, I didn’t see where I was going.” Soft hands grasped my arms and the smell of dried lavender tickled my nose. I vaguely recalled the scent from one of the ladies at court. The first day I arrived I remembered smelling her sitting beside Gandal, the physician’s son. Her voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper. “I’m guessing you and I are headed to the same destination, yes?”
“Uh—”
“Of course you are. Who told you about it? Maris? The prince? Never mind. Well, you are in for a rare show indeed. Such a treat, I tell you.”
I decided to venture with honesty. “I heard a scream. I was following the sound.”
“Oh, very bold, are you?” She giggled. Not the reaction I was expecting, but nothing was as I’d expected since arriving here.
“Truly, I heard screams—”
“Of course you did, you ninny. Don’t be afraid. It’s not what you think.”
I wasn’t sure what I thought. “What is it, then?” I asked.
“The king likes to act as though these things are a secret. It’s special invitation only, but I know a way in.” She shared this with a hint of slyness to her tone. “Come on. Follow me. I’ll take you to the best seats in the house.”
She linked her arm through mine, and together we quickly walked down vast corridors, our steps ringing off the stone.
“I don’t think we have officially been introduced. I’m Riana. My father is the ambassador to your own country. . . . I suppose that makes us countrywomen, although I confess I was two years old the last time I set foot on Relhok soil.”
“A pleasure to meet you,” I returned.
“Likewise,” she murmured. “You are quite the hero, unifying two kingdoms that have been on dubious footing for generations. You have managed to do what Papa never has. I suppose that makes my father quite ineffectual and you a marvel.”
I inhaled uneasily. From that statement, it would not seem that she viewed me kindly. I especially did not think she would link arms with me and carry on as though we were the best of friends.
I heard myself asking, “And what is it that I have done?”
“Why, you have united both our countries—well, you will eventually. That will be the end result with your betrothal to Prince Chasan.”
“Th-Thank you,” I stammered, dubious of her sincerity despite her cheerfulness, and yet I wanted to know about that scream and what secret she spoke of.
“Perhaps Papa can work in the royal counting house. He was assistant to the treasurer in Relhok before he was appointed ambassador. You would think that being good with numbers would be an asset. Hmm, but the funny thing is that there is no money left to be had in Lagonia. Currency these days is anything deemed of value on any particular day. You, for instance, are currency.”
“Me?” I stiffened and would have stopped if she had not kept pulling me along.
“Yes. King Tebald is suddenly a far richer man than he was before you arrived. You are currency, leverage, a commodity. It’s all semantics. With your marriage to Prince Chasan—nicely done, by the way. He is quite the handsome rogue. Every girl here, me included, has been after him for years. What was I saying? Oh, yes. Lagonia is facing a far brighter future now that you are here, but forgive me. Let’s not talk policy. Not when there is fun to be had.”