We couldn’t be heard.
“What happened to you?” Naria asked. “You’re hurt.”
“What do you think,” I gritted. I had no idea how I looked. But I was sure the glamour was completely gone now and I looked like shit.
“I mean,” her eyes flashed again on my hand, then slowly across my face, “do you need medical attention right now?”
I shook my head. “No.”
“Okay,” she said quietly. “So you came here?”
“I just didn’t want to be alone.”
“You said.” She bit her lip, silent for a moment. “I heard about Galen.” She looked away. “It’s fucked up.”
My chest heaved. There was nothing to say to that. Because it was.
“I didn’t think I’d see you again after the Palace,” she continued. “Especially after what you did. Betraying the Emperor, escaping with Galen.”
“Sorry to disappoint you,” I said dully. “I didn’t think I’d be seen again either. Apparently my name and face were worth more than my crimes.”
Naria’s eyes narrowed. “I didn’t say I was disappointed to see you again.” She frowned. “Is it true? You really ran with Lyr and the others? Or were you taken by them? Held hostage?”
“Depends on who you ask. The Emperor? The Bastardmaker? The Court of Bamaria?”
“I’m asking you,” she said. “The truth.”
“What does the truth matter? Or what’s real?”
“Then nothing matters,” she said. “You don’t have to tell me. But I am asking.”
“Why?” I gritted.
“Because it matters. Because it’s real,” she said. “Because you came to me. I’m trying to understand.”
I looked away, trying to breathe through my nose.
“Did you?” Naria asked again, her voice softer. “Did you choose to run?”
I shook my head. “What if I told you I did? What if I told you that I hate the fucking Emperor, and everyone who bent the knee to him?”
Naria exhaled, her hand tightening around mine. “I’d say it’s a good fucking thing we put the silencing spell in place.”
I huffed. “Why the fuck does it matter?” I asked. “They know what I did. They know exactly what I’m guilty of. And they don’t care. They don’t care!” I felt hysterical. “I thought rules meant something, that there were laws in place for a reason— for justice. That I was helping get rid of the criminals. Making my people safe! But all the time, the laws meant nothing. Right and wrong are fucking gryphon shit! Because my best friend is dead! All because he couldn’t stand the fact that the Emperor himself made Bamaria unsafe. Exposed us to akadim. Killed the love of his life. My cousin. Haleika! The ones who rule, they get to kill anyone they want, they get to commit murder legally through their laws and their carelessness. Because they have power. But Galen stands up to them; he tries to find a sense ofjustice, demand fairness. He follows their commands. And he’s the criminal?” My nostrils flared. “Oh. But not me. No. Never me! I’m the great vorakh hunter, the little dog bound to the Bastardmaker, licking his fucking feet.”
Naria frowned, biting her lower lip in contemplation. “You were a fool to believe that for so long. Justice doesn’t come to those who deserve it. The ones in power simply take what they want, and when they want.”
“What?” I blinked.
“You heard me.” Naria shook her head. “Anyway, some of us are still playing the game, and not throwing a temper tantrum while we do it. Your secrets may have been exposed. But mine haven’t.” Her nostrils flared. “I intend to keep it that way.”
I stilled, meeting her blue eyes. Moonlight poked through the silk curtains, only half-closed around her balcony. There was a soft breeze from the Lumerian Ocean blowing against them, and the scent of salt filled the air along with her flowery perfume.
Her words sank in, and I looked at her almost as if it were for the first time.
My pulse raced. “What secrets?”
“Now you want my secrets? I’m furious with you, you know,” she said. “We’re betrothed. But you left me behind.”
