As entertaining as that would be, not yet.
Queen Naveer lifted another pastry from the ornate platter on the table beside her and took a bite, speaking around it, scattering crumbs across the front of her pretty gown. “I once watched a bird sing as I slowly ripped out its throat.” Her voice had gone lighter, almost dreamy. “It made the most exquisite sound. Have you ever heard a death song? The moment when hope dies but the body still fights? Intoxicating.”
This wasn't a throne room. It was a hunting ground dressed in finery.
“There'sbeauty in a creature's final song,” she said. “Both bitter and sweet.”
Hot air rolled from the hearth, slamming against my back, making sweat prickle down my spine. The heat mixing with the spice-heavy air made nausea swim through me.
The pendant flashed light, catching me in the eyes.
Farris snapped his head toward Laphira.
At first I didn’t notice anything else. Then something shifted on the floor behind her chair.
A dark and serpentine thing slithered soundlessly across the floor, testing Laphira's scent before sliding toward Lore.
My hand flew to my boot, my fingers finding the blade I'd kept hidden.
With a single pull, I had it in hand, though not for long. Steel flashed as my dagger spun through the air, finding its mark. It struck the dark thing, slicing it in two. The serpent hissed, writhed, then dissolved into the stone.
Naveer finished a pastry, acting as if nothing had happened, but her gaze had sharpened.
Laphira continued to stare at the wall, seemingly oblivious to what was going on in the room.
Farris snarled.
Lore sent a lifted eyebrow look my way.Nicely done, wife.
Thanks.My voice shook.
The pendant secured to Laphira’s throat jerked, its wings fluttering before it stopped moving. Its eyes went glassy and still.
A twitch of Lore's fingers, and my blade slid across the floor, coming to a stop by my left boot.
I stooped, grabbing the handle deftly to return it to its hidden location. Blood streaked the edge in a bright red smear. A quick wipe across my pants removed some, though it didn’t clean the blade. I tucked it into one of my sheaths on my thigh rather than returnit to my boot where the creature’s fluids would touch my skin.
Queen Naveer finished her tea, placing the cup back on the table with a clink. She lifted a small pouch from the table and untied the cord. After loosening the tie at the top, she reached inside, plucking out something round and thin. A flick of her wrist and a coin tumbled toward me.
I snatched it out of the air and opened my hand with it lying on my palm.
How thoughtful,I told Lore.A token with her own lovely face.
“Congratulations,” she purred. “You’ve won the first competition. Let's see how long you can keep me entertained.”
The fire cracked louder behind us. I turned, expecting to finally catch a glimpse of the hidden figure.
The nook was empty.
Were they moving through the castle, hunting other players who hadn't been fast enough to reach safety?
Chapter 30
Reyla
Dorion was wearing a path in our suite's carpet when we returned, his face grim with whatever he'd discovered.
I held out the token. “We won this round. Pray we win tomorrow’s contest and then we’ll leave with the pendant.”
