They wanted safety and security. They wanted enough food to feed their families. They wanted to live without fear.
I saw a hint of the same disgust on Lark’s dark features as her eyes scanned the crowd, her upper lip twitching as if holding back a sneer. She’d been forced to become so adept at restraining her emotions in this role. It was something I didn’t give her enough credit for, having to live in the middle of what we all despised.
“Would you like to meet your challengers?” Lark asked, and the guests erupted into cheers, feet pounding and glasses clinking. “Currently in first place is the Strider from Celestria, Arowyn Garrolas.”
The Strider stepped from the shadows behind the platform. She was a curvy woman wearing a silver bodysuit and navy cloak, with light blonde hair that flowed to her waist. I recognized her—she’d been in the bedroom with Rose and Nox the previous night. Rose had spoken of her some, mentioning how the three of them had formed a friendship over the weeks in the palace.
In second place was Callum, the Illusionist who’d attackedRose multiple times at the beginning of the tournament. The sight of his smug features as the guests cheered and clapped for him had me tightening my grip on my flute of wine.
“And finally,” Lark called out, “our three remaining challengers all hold the third position. Alaric Rinehart, Shadow Wielder of Tenebra”—the older man stepped out, waving jovially and nodding at his supporters—“Rose Wolff of Feywood”—she took her place next to Alaric, her face impassive and fierce—“and the Shifter, Nox Duma.”
The same man from Rose’s bedroom sauntered across the platform in his fine black apparel. Nox’s gaze landed briefly on mine when he looked out over the ballroom, and a prickle of awareness rose on the back of my neck. I shrugged it off as nothing more than jealousy, as Rose had accused me of.
The applause ended and the music began again. Rose made her way through the crowd and back to me, stopped every few feet by guests wanting to shake her hand and congratulate her. Her eyes brightened when they found mine. I glanced over at Horace, who stood near the entrance in his silver Royal Guard uniform, and he gave me a subtle nod, confirming his illusion was in place over me.
I stalked out of the shadows, drawn to her as if there was a string tying us together. There were so many threats looming in on us—the trial, the curse, Gayl—that had my protective instincts always on alert, always wanting to feel her soft and steady and safe at my side. I didn’t want to think about her competing in the third trial so soon, of her being out of reach, surrounded by people she couldn’t trust, facing magic she hadn’t been prepared for…it made a fear I’d only reserved for Rissa and my mother grip me.
Fear for her safety, and fear for what these emotions meant.
For how much I wanted her.
A month ago, nothing could have deterred me from this mission. From bringing down Gayl and finally making things right. My sister dreamt of a better future for the empire where justice and safety weren’t afterthoughts for our people. Of course, I wanted that as well. But I’d learned over the years that while she wasdriven by her integrity, I was driven by revenge. It made me cold and hardened, more calloused toward the feelings of others than I wished to be.
Rose made me see past that solitary motivation. Made me realize that perhaps there was more to live for than this fixation, this resentment. For the first time, there was something blooming inside of me instead of festering. And I wanted to hold on to that, toher, for as long as I could.
But how long would that be?
A cold weight sunk in my chest.
The curse.
My life…it wasn’t mine anymore. It was tied to the people of this empire, to the victims who had been suffering for over two decades. Entire lives, frozen. Gone. And I had the ability to end it. Theresponsibility. To save Rose’s uncle, Chaz, and countless others lost to the curse. If Rose’s plan didn’t work, if we couldn’t?—
Suddenly, Rose’s hand was at my cheek. “What’s the matter? You look worried.”
I wrapped one arm around her waist and covered her hand. I didn’t want to think about that. Not on one of the final nights I’d get to spend with her before everything changed. “It’s nothing.” I kissed her palm. “Will you dance with me?”
She gave me a light smirk, the one that made my skin heat. “Thought you’d never ask.”
My hand roamed to the small of her back and I pulled her flush to my body. It made me think of the first time we’d been this close and of all the excuses I’d made since then to touch her.
“Do you remember,” I said as we swept across the dance floor, “that morning in the alcove?”
She nodded, her eyes never leaving mine.
“I recognized you the moment I saw you. The Alchemist from the forest. I remember wondering what could have made that same fierce goddess appear so…”
“Weak?” she interjected when I paused.
“No, Rose. I don’t think you’ve ever been weak.” I twirled her intime to the music, and she spun back into me. “I was going to saylost. And afraid. All I wanted was to take that fear from you. To see you light up the way you do now. To hold you like this”—I pressed my forehead to hers as we moved—“and tell you that you weren’t alone. That I was lost, too. I didn’t even know your name, but still, I wanted you then.” Her breath hitched when I tightened my grip around her hand. “And when you broke into my house?—”
She scoffed softly. “I didn’tbreak in.”
A chuckle rumbled through my chest. “So stubborn.” When I saw her red lips twist into a smile and her green eyes sparkle, all thoughts left my mind. “So beautiful,” I said, the words leaving my mouth unbidden as my thumb brushed her jaw.
“Iwaslost,” she whispered, turning her head to gaze at the moving couples around us. We had slowly made our way to glass-paned double doors leading to a balcony. The evening breeze rustled against Rose’s flowing tunic. “Sometimes I think I still am. But I’m not scared anymore. Not with you, anyway.”
We drifted away from the dancers, through the doors and out onto the balcony. Vines twisted around the marble railing overlooking the palace gardens, our bodies sheathed in moonlight as the sounds of the ball faded.
