Yes. I absolutely do. And considering how she died, I can’t imagine this will be an uplifting affair. I swallow hard. It’spossible this isn’t a ball at all. What if it’s something nefarious? Someone did just try to kill the emperor.
My ladies watch me with worried expressions. “I’m sure it’ll be fine. Maybe the emperor wants to do something to take our mind off it.” I force a smile. “You all should go get ready.”
“I’ll stay and help you,” Katherine offers.
“Thank you. The rest of you, I’ll see you there,” I say.
As soon as the others are gone, I turn to Katherine. “Is there another rebel in the castle? Anyone who might be trying to kill the emperor that you’re not telling me about?”
“All I know is that someone takes my messages. But I was told that was their only job.”
“We need to know if it was a rebel or if we’ve got competition,” I say. “Can you get a message to your contact now?”
She nods. “I already wrote it. I just need to drop it.”
“Go.”
I just hope that whoever else is after the emperor is friend and not foe.
Eighteen
“Princess,”Brevan greets me. “I’m here to escort you to the ball.”
“You left my door,” I say, noting the stiff formal uniform he’s wearing. It’s the first time I’ve seen him without the leather armor. Well, besides that first night when he removed it to sleep in my room.
“The emperor wanted a formal event tonight.” He looks uncomfortable in the starched collar and shiny silver buttons.
I hate how attractive he is in the uniform. I’ve seen other men in the Night Legion’s formal uniform, but none of them wore it the way he does.
“Is Caiden back?” I ask.
“No, he’s still away. He might be gone a while.”
“Oh.”
“Disappointed?” he asks.
“He is my betrothed,” I reply.
“That’s not an answer.” His expression is smug.
“It’s not really any of your business, is it?” I snap.
“I suppose it’s not. Aside from the fact that while he’s away, I’m required to be your shadow.”
“You left to change,” I point out.
“Seven men stood outside your room while I was away,” he explains.
“Seven? What exactly are you all worried about happening to me?” I ask.
“It wouldn’t be a good look if Iskvaland’s princess died on Pendralian soil, would it?”
Anxiety spikes and my stomach twists. She already did, but he doesn’t know that. “No. Not at all.” The dead princess’s face flashes in my memory. Pale skin, lifeless eyes staring at nothing. Blood everywhere. So much blood.
“We should go, they’re expecting you.” Brevan takes a few slow steps, waiting for me to join him.
I blink away the memory, then catch up to Brevan. “Why are we having this ball?”
