“When did he know?” she breathed.
Yemir didn’t have to tell her. But he no doubt delighted in watching the torture that was spreading across her features. He had the audacity to smile. “About a week ago. Why do you ask?”
Cullen knew…he knew and he didn’t tell her…he knew last night when he…when they…
Eira spun, unable to stare at the dancing couple. She was ready to charge out the door when Yemir grabbed her wrist. She glared at the man.
“You would do well to take no action that might risk this union. We might be across the sea, but don’t think that I couldn’t make your life difficult if I wanted to. You’re still of Solaris.Istill have power over you.” He chuckled. “You look so offended. I’m merely giving you some helpful advice.”
“I find everything about you offensive, Senator,” Eira hissed. “Now unhand me.”
“With pleasure.”
The second she was free, she started for the wall of windows that overlooked the city, relieved to find that they were actually doors that opened to a series of balconies. Eira practically bolted down the line, looking for the balcony that was the most secluded. Looking for a place she could breathe. Her dress was too tight, the music was too loud, the people were too oppressive, the eyes on her were too much—it was all too much.
She inhaled a gasping breath as her hands landed on the balcony railing. Eira exhaled, inhaled in the quiet, and stared up at the stars above. She blinked several times, refusing to allow herself to cry. Cullen loved her. He’d said so knowing the truth. He assured her nothing would change that.
But…what did any of that matter when he was going to marry another? There was no way Yemir would ever allow the engagement to be called off. She pressed her eyes closed and lodged every curse at herself that she knew. How foolish she had been. How—
“He doesn’t deserve you. None of them do.” A sinister voice slithered on the night air like poison through wine. “Men like that will toy with you.” Ferro slid a finger down her spine. Eira couldn’t suppress a shiver as his bare skin touched hers, continuing even after he’d crossed over her dress. His breath moved her hair as he whispered into her ear, “I’m the only one who could ever love you, spawn of Adela. I’m the only kin you will ever have.”
She bit her lip, staring forward, willing this horrible moment to be a hallucination. She’d rather have been broken by the news of Cullen than have this be her reality. All she’d wanted was a moment to breathe.
“Now, what would you like me to do to really get this party started? Kill them?”
36
It was hard to smile, harder still to lean back into his hand and tip her head so she could glance at him from the corner of her eye. Yet Eira managed it all and what she hoped read as a relieved smile.
“Ferro, I was wondering how long until you came for me. I have missed the Pillars and wish to return to their loving embrace.” As soon as she said the words, she wondered if she went too far.
He hummed, a little too low and for a little too long. His hand slipped around her waist, yanking her to him. “You didn’t look as though you missed your new family out there.”
“I danced with whoever asked. I don’t want to raise suspicions.” She stopped herself before her panic over-justified her actions.Let him not target Cullen. Even if Eira hadn’t combed through her feelings surrounding the engagement and how he handled all that, she never would if he was dead. She forced laughter. “I even danced with Alyss.”
“Very true.” His demeanor shifted slightly—from play to work. “Did you bring it?”
“I did.” Eira fished the piece of plaster she’d taken from the Archives out of a secret pocket she’d asked to be sewn into her gown. She used it as an opportunity to get some distance between them and angle herself so she could have a better view of the ballroom and other balconies. The nearest balcony was empty, but a couple was leaning against the railing two balconies over. Shadows? Maybe? Hopefully they were watching to make sure the princess’s and Deneya’s plan went smoothly—whatever it was from here on out. “What are we going to do with it?”
Ferro lifted it from her fingers and turned it over. “To think, something so small will be my father’s absolution,” he said to himself.
“Long may the Champion reign,” Eira intoned with all the blind faith she could muster.
“Indeed.” Ferro beamed at her with a wild glint to his eye. “You and I will be the first to march into his brand new world—a world illuminated by Her holy fire.”
“What must I do?” Eira tried not to seem too eager to get any information on his plan.
“First, we will absolve him using your power. Then…” Ferro unsheathed a familiar golden dagger from his hip. Eira’s eyes widened slightly. It was the dagger she had first discovered in the manor, the one the Pillars had stolen back from the court. “You will come with me into our new world.”
He held out the dagger to her. Eira accepted it with both hands. After all the Pillars had done to get the blade, he was justhandingit to her? New world? She must’ve looked as confused as she felt, because Ferro chuckled and hooked her chin with his thumb and knuckle.
“Do you want to be worthy of Yargen’s love, even though you were born in the shadow of Raspian’s tomb?”
“Yes.” She’d agree to anything if he started making sense and telling her how everything fit together.
“This is how you will. When the time comes we will use this dagger, a sacred relic of Yargen, to rekindle the flame.”
“Whatarethe sacred relics?” She counted to three while looking down at the dagger in awe to hopefully display the appropriate reverence.
