Even though he was gone, Father still cast a shadow over us as he had our whole lives.
I reached across the table and clasped her hand, then Everett’s. “When this is over, I promise I’ll do whatever I can to make sure you both get to lead the lives you’ve always wanted.No more worrying about late nights in the library or ink-stained fingers. No more stress over a secret lover and perfect appearances. You’ll be free. I promise.”
“You should also have the life you want, Kiera,” Delysia whispered, a breeze toying with her golden hair.
Everett nodded, squeezing my hand.
I gave them a weak smile. All I wanted was for Rellmira to be free. To get my friends and family through this last battle alive. Beyond that, my dreams were wisps of light—vague hopes of love and happiness and freedom... and Aiden. But those dreams kept dancing out of reach in my mind, frightened of the darkness that still held it captive.
Later that night, I knocked on Renwell’s study door. The two guards flanking it didn’t look at me. Nor did they seem to care that I had a knife in my boot.
“Come in, Kiera,” Renwell called.
My eye twitched.Always reminding how well you know me, aren’t you?
Iopened the door, forcing my expression back to its calm facade. “I’m here for a rematch,” I announced.
I sat in the chair in front of his desk, tossing my braid over my shoulder as if I hadn’t a care in the world.
Renwell’s narrowed eyes took in my perfectly still hands and loose posture. Gods, it was almost painful not to fidget.
The fire in his hearth crackled in the silence, but I didn’t fill it. Just lifted an eyebrow at my former mentor.
He wore the crown this time, making me wonder if he’d come from a meeting. Who remained on his High Council if Korvin and Dracles were dead? Perhaps he meant to have no High Council as well as no People’s Council. To rule alone and independently.
Except he had offered me the position of High Enforcer. He wantedmeat his side.
It’s not because he cares for me. He doesn’t. He hasn’t. He never will.
Renwell withdrew the box from a drawer in his desk. “Stakes?”
“I want what I wanted before. An evening with Melaena.Alone.”
The corner of Renwell’s mouth lifted. “Did you not have enough time to discuss your rebel business before your captivating dance?”
Heat crawled up my neck, but I didn’t break eye contact with him. “I told her who was still alive. And who wasn’t. As well as what happened at Calimber. Seems your subjects aren’t very well-informed.”
The other side of Renwell’s mouth ticked upward. “A lapse in judgment you’d like to rectify, High Enforcer?”
“One of many,” I said.
Renwell dumped the Death and Four tiles onto his desk. “If you think you can turn the people against me, you’ll find that they know exactly who I am and what I’ve done. Fear is an axe to the tree of discontent.”
“Do they know you murdered your father?” I asked, nonchalantly flipping tiles over.
Renwell froze. His pale cheeks were like marble. “My sister truly unburdened her mind before she surrendered the fight.”
The cold way he spoke of Nikella’s heroic sacrifice hardened something inside me. “She told me the truth. She wanted me to know who I was dealing with.”
“And do you understand me now?” Renwell breathed, leaning over the desk. His eyes were nearly black with leashed rage. “Have you found a weakness yet? Something to use against me?”
“I’m sorry your father beat you,” I whispered, clutching the seat of my chair to keep myself from bolting. “No father should do that to a child.”
“Is that your play?” Renwell sneered. “Your father had you beaten once, and you think we suffered the same.”
“No, I?—”
“You know what my father used to say to me? Or did Nikella not tell you that?”
