“Are you sure you can trust him?” I asked hurriedly.
She paused, startled. “Who, Nox?”
“Yes. There’s something off about him.”
“I told you how he feels about all of this. He doesn’t even want to be here, but his province forced him. And he’s done nothing but help me.”
“What exactly did he say about his province?”
A small crease appeared on her forehead above her mask. “He said that—that there was no higher honor than being the Drakorum challenger, and implied he would’ve been punished had he not come. He didn’t have a choice.”
“Or so he told you.”
Her voice became impatient. “He was drinking Grimlock wine when we talked, Leo. He couldn’t have lied.”
“Grimlock wine doesn’t always work. Not on someone strong enough to fight it. And Nox…” I ran a finger along my lower lip. “Shifters have this instinct when it comes to those who share our magic. I canfeelhis power. He is by far the strongest Shifter I’ve ever come across.”
“Just because someone is powerful doesn’t mean they’re hiding something. Aren’tyouthe one who told me we’re more than our magic?” she countered.
I let out a breath. “You’re right. Maybe he’s telling the truth. But you said it yourself, he didn’t have a choice. Drakorum has been hiding him this entire time. We would have heard about someone like him, unless they were intentionally keeping him out of sight. What if it’sthemwe can’t trust?”
Rose faced the gardens beyond the balcony and scratched her neck. Leaning my head back, I sighed, frustrated at myself for turning this night around. I knew she struggled with trusting others, and here I was, causing her to doubt one of the only friendships she’d formed here simply because of my paranoia.
I stood behind her and planted my hands on the balcony rail, pressing a kiss to her temple. “I’m sorry, Rose. It’s probably nothing. Let’s forget I said anything and go enjoy the ball, alright?”
Craning her neck to look up at me, she searched my eyes for a moment before nodding, then twisted out of my grip and led meback into the ballroom. I pulled her in for another dance, trying to let go of my apprehension.
Her eyes fixed on something behind me and her features hardened instantly.
Someone tapped on my shoulder.
“May I cut in?”
61
Rose
Leo stiffened. I could barely breathe, hoping and praying that both his mask and Horace’s illusion were enough to keep the emperor’s attention away from his identity.
“Of course, Your Majesty,” Leo said, clenching my hand briefly before releasing it. He kept his eyes to the ground when he bowed to Theodore, then swiftly slunk into the shadows. His gaze caught mine for a split second, revealing onyx pits of wariness and anger. I gave him a small smile as I tried to silence the fear screaming in my head. I hadn’t seen Theodore since I ran out on him in his chambers. Would he be angry with me? Did he know Leo was here? Had he discovered what the Sentinels had been planning?
I swallowed and schooled my features, taking my uncle’s gloved hand.
“You look lovely, niece,” Theodore said. He kept me at arm’s length as we danced alongside the other guests.
“Thank you. The ball is beautiful. You must be proud.” My voice was stilted and cordial. He tilted his head, his hair pouring over one shoulder at the motion. Those mismatched blue and white eyes sliced into me, so much brighter surrounded by a deep emerald mask. He wore a black tailcoat inlaid with fine green and gold threading, but otherwise, he appeared like any ordinaryguest. I wondered how many people flying past us even knew the emperor stood in their presence.
“I know what it is to be proud, Miss Wolff, and this pageantry”—his gaze roamed over the ballroom—“is not it.” Each word was crisp, each syllable enunciated.
I kept my mouth shut for once, even though I wanted to snap and ask why he continued to hold such an event if that’s the way he felt. I fixed my eyes on some point behind him, focusing on controlling my breaths.
“I saw such potential in you, you know,” he said after a moment, almost inaudible over the sound of the music. “Daughter of the great Hamilton Wolff. As fierce and cunning and curious as he was. But I pushed you too far.” My eyes shot to his. “I wanted my brother back, and it was unfair to place those expectations on your shoulders.”
I stayed silent, blinking back my surprise.
His grip tightened. “Make no mistake, Rose. We could do many great and wonderful things together. Things your father and I only dreamed of. But it has to be yourchoice.” The word came out in a hiss.
“Theo—Emperor Gayl,” I stuttered. “I’m grateful for what you’ve taught me. And getting to learn more about my father…it’s something I never thought would be possible. You’ve given me a piece of my past. But this—I can’t be what you want me to be. I’ve made my choice.”
