1
“Eira, are you ready?” Alyss called through the door.
Eira continued to stare at the dagger in her hand. From the golden hilt to the channel up the fuller, it was identical in every way to the one she’d plunged through Ferro’s heart. Yesterday, his blood had flowed between her fingers as fast as the life that left him.
“Eira?”
She shut her eyes. Scenes from the ball were waiting for her. Dancing with the eligible men Deneya had organized for her, then Cullen, learning of his engagement, Ferro… She forced open her eyes, banishing the last memory. Ferro had haunted her long enough and she had put an end to him. He couldn’t hurt her any longer.
But his father still could.
The dagger trembled in her hand as she gripped it with white knuckles.Ulvarth, the leader of the Pillars, the man who claimed he was the Champion of the goddess Yargen and who used that claim to whip zealots into a frenzy of followers known as the Pillars. Her magic sank into the dagger, drawing forth the echo of his voice, as sharp and horrible as the first dozen times she’d listened to it:
Eira Landan,did you really think that you could thwart me? No, foolish girl. The games are only just beginning and I am the one making the rules. I do hope you and your Dark Isle friends are willing to fight like your lives depend on it.
Another knock scattered her focus.
“Yes, sorry, coming.” Eira stood quickly, turning to wrap the dagger inside some clothes before shoving the bundle into her trunk on top of the Pirate Queen Adela’s notebooks and haphazardly burying the items under her remaining clothes. She snapped the top shut as the door cracked open.
“Need help with anything?” Alyss asked, poking in her nose.
“Thank you, but no, I think I have it all.” There really wasn’t much for her to gather. It was hard to think she’d been on Meru for weeks now. Most of her time had been spent underground and running into and away from danger. There hadn’t been time for leisurely sightseeing or mementos to bring back home and now there wouldn’t be because she was still running. This time she was running toward the coliseum waiting beyond Risen. Racing to drive the new dagger through Ulvarth’s heart.
“How are you feeling?” Alyss dropped her voice slightly. Her emerald eyes betrayed the deep concern that had been only growing for weeks.
“I’m sorry for always worrying you.” Eira gave her friend a tired smile.
“I only worry because I care. It’s what friends do. And goodness knows someone has to worry in this group. Now, don’t dodge my question,how are you?”
There was a time Eira would’ve avoided answering honestly at all costs. She would’ve hidden the ghosts haunting her, threatening to jump out from the shadows and evaporate into nothing more than a bad dream the moment they hit the light. But that time was over.
Eira had very few people she could depend on in the world and Alyss was one of them.
“I feel like I killed a man yesterday.” Eira stared down at her empty hands. The phantom chill of the dagger tingled her palm. Ferro’s and Ulvarth’s words echoed in her ears, everything they said, and all they didn’t. The threat that still loomed over her, ever present. “I can still see his blood on my fingers no matter how hard I wash them. I can still see the eyes of the people gathered, looking at me like I’m a cold-blooded killer. Like they finally saw what they were all waiting for since I was fifteen. That’s about how well I’m doing.”
“You know you’re not, right?” Alyss frowned slightly.
I might have to be, was the dark thought that crossed Eira’s mind. But she kept the errant notion to herself, for now. “I’m not sure anymore.”
Alyss sighed and shook her head. “I wish they could postpone the tournament’s start. They should have after what happened last night.”
She shrugged. “I’m honestly glad they didn’t. I have all the motivation I need to tackle whatever they throw at me.”
Sitting still sounded oppressive. Overwhelming. Being left alone with her thoughts was the last thing Eira wanted. Even if her friends surrounded her, she’d still be at the mercy of her own mind. At least the tournament would give her something to focus on, she could feel like she was making progress even if Ulvarth eluded her.
“If you look that fierce heading into the tournament, we’re certain to win.” Alyss gave an encouraging smile, trying to lighten the air. Eira made an attempt at reciprocating. Her friend picked up Eira’s satchel as Eira grabbed her trunk. “At the very least, I hope it’s a fun distraction for you.”
“I can’t allow myself to be distracted. Ulvarth is still out there, and as long as he is, none of us are safe.” Eira wouldtell her friends about Ulvarth’s threat as soon as she could find a private moment. With attendants and knights bustling in the other room, now wasn’t the time.
“Do you really think we’ll be able to stop him?”
“I don’t think we have a choice; no one else is taking us seriously enough.” Eira also needed to tell Alyss what had happened with Vi and Taavin at the Archives. The morning had been nonstop so far.
“I’m sure—”
“Are you two ready?” Levit called from the main room, interrupting Alyss.
“Yes,” Eira called back before Alyss could continue. “We’ll talk more later; I have a lot to tell you,” she whispered with a nod to her friend.
