My heart sank to my stomach. The tea inside me gurgled. I whispered, “If there’s no other option to save Arahasnor …” I couldn’t quite bring myself to say it. I couldn’t be brave enough.
Ysabel reached over and grabbed my hand. “You don’t have to do this. I’ll come up with a new plan.”
“What will happen to Queen Antonia? The duchess abused her.”
Ysabel paled with horror. “Maybe she can flee to Conollia with us?”
“Can she, without starting a war?”
Ysabel’s shoulders sagged. “No.” She straightened. “I’ll think of something. Give me more time.”
But I didn’t believe there was truly another option.
My sister left me alone to my tea and my cowardice, trying to decide if I had what it took to sacrifice myself for my country.
As I nursed the last dregs of my tea, I heard a knock on my window. I looked up.
Ma’qas balanced on my windowsill. With a cheerful grin, she said, “Good news and bad news. The good news is, I found the Blood Duchess.”
I sighed. “Yes, I know. She marched into the city and put me on trial.”
Ma’qas had the grace to look sheepish. “Ah, I see you already know the bad news. It’s not my fault! She had already reached the Conclave Headquarters before you sent me after her. It was too late from the beginning. She must have headed straight there after the body swap.It always would have been difficult to stop her. She was surrounded by too many guards for me to do anything by the time I caught up with her. But I have more good news! The Living Shadow called together the rest of the Twelve Avengers. Although, we’re the Ten Avengers now—”
“I know,” I said. “My brother-in-law killed two of you. One before this mess started, and the clown recently. I’m sorry.”
Ma’qas shrugged. “Don’t be. I never liked those guys. Besides, anyone stupid enough to fight Dark Lord Kaine deserves what he got. Sorry,formerdark lord. He’s still the scariest bastard to walk the face of the earth. I don’t know how your sister can handle him.”
I had some idea, but nothing I’d say out loud. “I think they’re good for each other. Such a cute couple.”
“The point is, turns out the Living Shadow knew all of our identities and summoned all of us for the final assassination. That thing might not be as scary as Kaine, but it is a far more subtle and efficient killer.”
I had a bad feeling. “You gathered to do what, exactly?”
Ma’qas beamed. “To kill the Blood Duchess! Fear not, I explained to them that she’s in your body now. They won’t come after you any longer. They’ll go after the real one instead.”
“But they’ll kill my body!” I slammed my teacup down. This time, it cracked. “I was planning to go back to that.”
“Tough luck.” Ma’qas shrugged. “Sorry, but we all want revenge, and we don’t have any attachment to you. I suggest you learn to love the body you currently have. Ari seems to like it.” With that, she climbed out the window.
I screamed after her, “That’s my body! It is not yours to kill! Get back here!” I kept shouting until my throat gave out, to no effect.
Ma’qas didn’t know what she was talking about, unfortunately. If I couldn’t swap back, then my love life would forever have the flag of doom hanging over it. Araceli was not the only reason I wanted my real body back. But that particular consideration did weigh heavily on my mind. Even though Araceli was willing to try with the duchess’sbody, I didn’t want to cause more trauma. Plus … you know … it was very scary to think of someone killing my body!
I still needed to talk to Araceli. It had faded from my mind in light of the many, many shocks of the day. But it would be discourteous to not say something complimentary to the lover who had rocked my world last night.
Rather than show up empty-handed, I stopped by the kitchens for a snack. Then I stole a cluster of flowers from a vase and hid them behind my back.
I’d planned to talk to Antonia first, but as it turned out, both people I needed to speak to were in the same place.
Araceli sat on the floor of Queen Antonia’s room. A tiny table held four empty teacups. Two dolls filled up the table as guests.
Raising her teapot, Antonia asked, “Would you like more, Lady Araceli?”
“It’s Lord Ari right now.”
Antonia nodded gravely. “My apologies. You may now wear the lord’s hat.” She offered a tall top hat.
I cleared my throat. “I have additional refreshments.” I held up a cheese pastry.
