‘You could knock,’ they panted, their hand covering their heart.
‘And you could be direct for once in your godsdamned life,’ Aya growled as she stormed across the room.
Too much time. She’d wasted too much time in this godsdamn kingdom.
And Natali had refused to help. They’d left her to grasp desperately for answers, answers she couldn’t find on her own. They’d kept her drowning in this darkness inside of her, and—
Aya grabbed the Saj and thrust them against the wall with one hand, a knife in the other. She pressed it against their ribs, just enough for them to feel its presence.
There was no fear in Natali’s face. They just blinked at her expectantly.
‘Where do I find the Vaguer?’
This … this had been her last card.
Aya was done with foolish hope. She was no saint. But she didn’t have to be – not if she learned to wield the darkness inside of her. And if Aidon was to be believed, there was only one group in this godsforsaken kingdom whostudied the Decachiré enough to potentially hold those answers.
Do what is necessary. Come home.
Gianna wanted a weapon. Aya knew exactly how to be one.
Natali barked a laugh, the sound harsh. ‘So you have a death wish.’
Aya pressed the knife tighter to their side. ‘As do you, it seems. Don’t tempt my fury, Natali. I will persuade it out of you if I have to.’
‘And if I am not inclined to tell you?’
Aya’s lips twisted into a vicious grin. ‘I have ways to make you inclined.’
Still, no fear entered Natali’s eyes. If anything, there was grim resignation as they nodded to the paper on their desk. ‘You’ll want to write it down. At least then, when they find your body, they’ll know exactly what stupidity led to your death.’
Aya released the Saj and grabbed the parchment.
‘Save your lectures,’ she growled.
Natali merely cocked their head. ‘You deserve whatever fate awaits you in the desert.’
Part Three
SINS AND SAINTS
59
The tavern was loud, the crowd overly boisterous, the music grating on Will’s nerves. And yet he’d ordered another drink, and then another, until he’d lost track and the jolliness of the string quartet didn’t make him want to stab himself.
He’d left the palace first thing that morning. He couldn’t bear to see Aya, not after last night. So instead he’d wandered away most of the day, until he’d found this pigsty of a bar and parked it on a bar stool hours ago.
‘You look like shit.’
Will turned, the room tilting slightly as he watched Josie slide into a seat next to him.
‘Thank you.’ The words fumbled over his tongue, and he squinted at Josie. She wouldn’t stopmoving. He must’ve noted it aloud, because she let out a dull laugh.
‘How much have you had to drink?’
‘Dunno. Enough, I suppose.’ He leaned toward her, his brows furrowing into a deep frown. ‘Is this when you attack me for snooping? When my guard is down?’
The princess rolled her eyes. ‘I don’t need your guard to be down to best you in a fight.’
