“We’re not playing the game! We just do what they tell us to do.”
“And we’re alive because of it,” she said. “Eathan asked one question. One. He framed it innocently enough, and you saw what happened. Now just stay calm.”
I tapped my foot. We’d been having these parties almost every night for a month. Celebrating Arianna’s consecration as Imperator. Celebrating the decision to bring Bamaria and Elyriatogether under New Korteria. Pretending Arianna actually wanted that, or our people liked the decision. And worst of all: pretending it was temporary. And it didn’t stop there. We had another celebration when Viktor was made Arkasva of Korteria. And another yet again to mark the Emperor’s first month on the throne. Next thing I knew we’d be having a party because the Bastardmaker took a really clean shit. Anything to keep the Council distracted and happy. Anything to keep them from asking questions like Eathan.
“Mind your thoughts,” Naria said quietly. “You don’t know who’s listening.”
I sighed. It must have been all over my face. And she was right. Someone wasn’t listening though. Someone was watching.
The Bastardmaker crossed the room. “Smile. It’s a party.” I smiled, like an idiot.
Some time passed, musicians played, and water dancers traipsed through the ballroom to perform several songs. Drum beats echoed against the walls, and I drank two more glasses of wine.
I was about to call over Bellamy, have him send word to Galen that we should get some real alcohol later. Like we usually did. Then I remembered. The sorrow crashed back into me, nearly knocking me over.
I eyed my grandmother, desperately hoping she’d at least let me retire for the evening.
But she shook her head, her eyes cold.
“We have one more surprise for you all tonight,” Arianna announced. “I know that in our positions we are often not able to see what our people do. And sometimes it can be hard to understand where they’re coming from, or their needs. We represent them, and we care for them with our leadership, and our policies. I think to do so effectively, it’s important that we connect with them as deeply as possible.”
I eyed Naria suspiciously. Where was this going?
But she only shrugged. Since we’d actually started having real conversations, I’d learned that her mother kept her in the dark about nearly everything. That one of the reasons she always seemed angry, was because she was actually nervous, never knowing what Arianna would ask of her next.
“I’ll let Arkturion Waryn share with you what’s going to happen next,” Arianna said.
The Bastardmaker walked into the center of the ballroom, a dangerous gleam in his eyes.
“We have with us three accused vorakh,” he announced.
I paled.
“Now they are only accused,” he said. “Which means, they have a chance to prove their innocence. And as you don’t usually get to see the way this happens, I thought it best to use this opportunity for a demonstration. Further proof of how strong Bamaria is. How strong New Korteria can become. And how the betrothed of your Heir Apparent, Lady Naria Batavia, is able to do this for you.”
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck!
“Lord Tristan, come and show everyone just how skilled you are at protecting your people.”
I joined his side, using all my willpower to keep from trembling.
The Bastardmaker leaned in, whispering in my ear. “And this time you only have to hold your stave, not your cock. Smile.” I grinned, my stomach roiling.
Soturi, all in silver, marched through the doors, each one holding the ropes of a bound mage. Two women, one man. They all seemed to be around my age, probably still at the Academy, studying.
And completely undeserving of what was about to happen.
“Well,” he said, “go ahead.”
I cleared my throat. “I usually apprehend at the time of a vision or when they’re in the act of using their vorakh. It can be hard to say when the ability is docile.”
“But you’re our star hunter,” he said, and snapped his fingers. A black box floated into his hands. “Now,” he said, pulling back the lid. A black nahashim poked its head out and hissed. “Go and hunt.”
My stomach clenched in pain, fear choking me from the inside. I’d never touched one. I was just the face of this task force. Yes, I’d had to arrest a handful of vorakh—the ones having visions in front of me. Like I always had. I’d had no choice—not when there were witnesses. But this—I’d never done this, and I did not want to touch this snake. This snake that was primed to sniff out the very thing I had inside, that I had to hide.
“Do it,” the Bastardmaker hissed. And pain shot through my arms and legs. I had to obey.
I picked up the snake, shocked at how hot the scales were in my palm.
