A strangled sound ripped up my throat. I shoved back from the table, my chair shrieking across the stone as my heart slammed against my ribs.
Reyla?Lore reached for my arm.What’s wrong?His voice turned deadly.Point to the threat, and I'll end it.
I forced myself to look again, but now the candelabra was just a sculpture made of wax balls and wicks and flame. No skulls. No Laphira faces.
“I’m fine,” I said, my voice thin, settling back in my seat.
He didn’t believe me. I could see it in the tense line of his shoulders, the way he moved closer, his fingers stroking my thigh. It reminded me I wasn't facing this nightmare alone.
The servants cleared the table for the next course. The fish vanished, replaced with a whole tiny bird right down to its beak, tail, and feathers. How could I eat something like that?
Across from me, Lady Hesta had returned, her eyes bloodshot and feverish. Someone had placed a fresh glass of wine in front of her, but she didn’t touch it. She moved in a stilted way. Her lips quivered, but she ate. Faked a laugh or two.
She kept glaring at me. We’d yet to speak, but I’d made an enemy.
Dessert came next, a delicate tart of violet-horig and something creamy, glittering with gold dust. Cordial glasses half-full of lavender fluid were placed beside each setting.
I couldn’t bring myself to taste. Couldn’t bring myself to drink.
When the castle guests had placed their forks on their empty plates, Queen Naveer stood.
Every person in the room other than me, Dorion, Lore, and Laphira jerked to their feet and lifted their cordial glasses as if controlled by invisible strings.
“Let us honor those who came before,” the queen said in a bright voice.
Lore, Dorion, and I rose, lifting our glasses as well, waiting for the queen’s next cue.
The guests began to chant in unison, their voices weaving together in an ancient language that made my skin crawl. Their words were hauntingly beautiful and unnervingly synchronized to Naveer’s.
Lore leaned toward me, translating. Dorion stared our way, watching Lore’s lips move. “Honor those who walked before. Their sacrifice opens every door. By choice they gave what could not be taken. So future paths might yet awaken. Time bends back for those who serve. The willing heart gets what they deserve.”
“Well, that sucks,” Dorion snarled.
The flames in the chandelier sputtered, and the room plunged into darkness. A shudder shot through me.
A blink, and the candles relit as quickly as they’d gone out.
Everyone had returned to their chairs and were drinking. Laughing. Talking as though nothing had happened.
Lore, Dorion, and I settled in our seats, sharing a long look. We’d talk about this later. For now, we’d watch.
When the after-dinner cordial glasses and dessert plates had been removed from the table, the queen’s chair scraped back, and she rose again, lifting her voice. “All contestants will meet in the foyer promptly at eight bells tomorrow morning for instructions regarding the first trial.” Her head swiveled inher daughter’s direction. “Laphira, attend me.” Her words cracked through the room like a whip.
Standing, the princess glided around the table, her skirts whispering across the floor.
The queen swept from the hall.
Laphira followed.
The doors slammed shut behind them with the sound of bone striking stone.
In the sudden silence, I could swear I heard the faint echo of chains rattling from somewhere deep within the castle walls.
Chapter 20
Lore
Back in our room, Moira and Calista waited by the hearth. Their welcoming smiles dimmed when they caught a glance of Reyla.
