“What the…” Eira whispered, lifting the paper. Her shock silenced the table.
“What is it?” Cullen asked.
“They already found the kidnappers.” Eira pointed at the headline; it read: TWO MORPHI APPREHENDED FOR KIDNAPPING. “They’re going to put them to death in the Queen’s Square later today.”
Silence fell across the table as they all stared at the ink. The paper was suddenly as heavy as a tombstone in Eira’s hands. For some reason, she couldn’t stop thinking about the young man who had been attending her during her time with the Pillars. He’d joined their group of his own accord, right? He hadn’t been forced, coerced, or brainwashed? Who were the two morphi that the Pillars had chosen as lambs for the slaughter?
“You’re happy, right?” Noelle said, somewhat forcefully. “These are the people who kidnapped you.”
Eira pried her eyes away and struggled to find words. Noelle stared at her with severity, as though she were trying to remind Eira with a look alone what was at stake—that Eira still had a role to play. Eira swallowed thickly and forced a nod.
People were watching and every action was a performance.
“Yes, of course. I merely didn’t expect for them to be found so soon.” She folded over the paper, unable to read the rest. She likely should. A good shadow would stay informed. But Eira didn’t have the will. Her gaze drifted beyond the wafting curtains of the archways and past the guards positioned throughout the terraced gardens. “I think I need to go to the square and see it,” she whispered.
“What?” Alyss said with a gasp. “Are you sure that’s a good idea?”
Eira nodded.
“There’s no way they’re going to let you leave.” Cullen frowned.
“I’ll explain it to them.” Eira took a deep breath. “I need it as closure. These individuals wronged me. I want to be there when they are brought to justice. I deserve that much.” What Eira really wanted to say was: the plan she pitched to the Pillars would cause two men to be put to death. Not looking away when the time came was the right thing to do.
Her friends all exchanged glances. Finally, Cullen spoke in what sounded like a consensus they’d wordlessly reached. “Fine, but if you’re going, we’re going with you.”
Alyss nodded aggressively. “Strength in numbers.”
“I’m morbidly curious.” Noelle took a sip of her tea. “I want to see who we’re up against.” The sentiment was met with noises of agreement.
“It’s settled then. I’ll talk with Levit and get it sorted,” Eira decreed. She’d succeeded in confirming Ducot was alive. But the manor was clearly too crowded between all the competitors and guards for them to get in a word now. She trusted he would come to her when the time was right. So, for now, she’d head to the Queen’s Square.
19
It was easier than she’d expected to convince Levit to let her go to the Queen’s Square. When Eira had made it clear she wanted to travel with all her friends, plus him, plus whatever knights needed to come,plusthe senators, it was difficult for him to argue on the grounds of safety concerns. Moreover, he reasoned the square would be closely monitored by a strong military presence. His only rule before they left was that she had to stay close to him and the rest of their party.
It was clear that it was a well-thought command when they stepped into the city.
After seeing Risen dormant since her arrival, Eira was caught off guard by just how alive it now was. People, mounts, and carriages had flooded the streets. Men and women strolled arm in arm, laughing underneath the shade of parasols. Lightspinning sparked in every direction, hovering over the backs of elfin’s hands, on their fingers like rings, even around some of their necks.
This was the Meru she’d dreamed of. A place alive with culture and magic and people that had been previously relegated to the pages of loaned tomes from Levit and her fantasies. Unfortunately, Eira couldn’t summon joy for any of it. These people carried on as though everything was fine. The world had returned to normal for them. The people acting against the competitors had been captured—Lumeria clearly had no publicly justifiable reason to keep the city under lockdown anymore. They didn’t know about the forces seeking to upend their pleasant lives lurking just underneath the surface of Meru’s carefully mortared streets.
“Is the city no longer under restrictions?” Eira asked one of the guards escorting them.
“No, much to the relief of a restless populace, they were lifted this morning. Your kidnappers were the ones who had made direct threats to the competitors,” the knight confirmed her suspicions. “Now that they have been brought to justice, the citizenry is free to roam.”
“Are you sure it was only the two of them?”
The guard arched his eyebrows at her. “You had said there were only two, and we didn’t see signs of others at their hideout. Unless you have other information?”
“No, of course not,” Eira mumbled. Alyss grabbed her hand and Cullen gave her a look from the corner of his eye.
They knew as well as she did the Pillars were still out there. Eira glanced around, searching for a face she might have seen in the Champion’s throne room. Of course, she didn’t recognize anyone, but the feeling of walking among her former captors—among the people who still held her by an invisible leash—made it hard to breathe throughout the entire trek to the Queen’s Square.
The castle of Meru was on the hilltop opposite the Archives of Yargen. Eira had seen its silhouette against the night sky when she’d sneaked through the city with Ducot. But seeing it in the daylight was an altogether different experience. Luckily, Eira could take in the majesty of the building without the memories of her night with Ducot haunting her too viciously since they’d come up to the castle on a different route.
Noelle let out a low whistle, tilting her head back. “That isalmostas impressive as the castle in Norin.”
“Did we see the same castle when we left? Because this is easily at least twice as impressive,” Cullen said with a grin.
