Ari.Of all people, she'd chosen Ari to escort Alice.
The bastard who had helped torture her. Who had watched with those cold red eyes and done nothing.
And now he walked beside her like a gentleman, his hand on her arm, playing the role of courtly escort.
The bastard. Touching her. Parading her like a prize.
My blood boiled. I clenched the goblet so hard it broke. Glass shattered onto the floor. A servant came over immediately with a towel to wipe my hands, then knelt to pick up the glass.
Alanna furrowed her brow, sending me a message. Reminding me who held the power. Who controlled Alice's fate.
The cruelty was deliberate. Calculated. And utterly Alanna.
Alice's gaze locked with mine. She smiled—a real smile, full of hope and relief—and it made her look even more dazzling. Like a jewel. Like everything good in this miserable world.
My heart cracked.
Alanna placed her hand on my arm. Her touch felt like a claw sinking into my flesh. "It's time."
I grabbed another goblet of Queen's Blush and downed it in one swallow before doing the same with another. The sweetness turned bitter in my throat.
I love you, Alice. Please forgive me.
I clinked the two empty goblets together, the sound cutting through the chatter. The court fell silent.
I was about to lie. To Alice. To everyone. And the worst part? I had to make it convincing.
"Please, may I have your attention?" My voice didn't waver. It couldn't. "I have an announcement to make."
All eyes were on me. Including Alice's. A pair of golden ones danced in the corner.
"Darius, what?" Alanna asked, her voice dripping with false sweetness.
I wanted to toss a glass of wine in her face. Watch the pink liquid drip down her perfect porcelain skin.
But I had to play my part.
"For some time now, I have wanted to win the queen's heart." The lie burned my tongue. "She hadn't noticed me, so I tried to make her jealous."
Alice frowned, confusion flickering across her face. “Darius, what are you talking about?”
Behind her, Chester's golden eyes flashed, then disappeared.
Do it. Just say it. Destroy her so she can live.
Alanna's gaze sharpened. A warning.
I pointed at Alice.
"That woman. Alice Ravencrest. She was pathetically easy to manipulate?—”
"Stop." Alice yanked against Ari's grip. "This isn't you. Whatever she's done to you, fight it!"
Her words were a dagger to my back. She thought I'd gone mad. That Alanna had broken my mind.
Let her believe it. It's easier that way.
"A lonely, desperate witch so starved for love she'd believe anything," I continued, keeping my voice cold. Dead.
