“What are you doing here?” I ask.
“Charity work.” Sandria sweeps past me, moving in to examine the windowsill. She checks it, then switches to investigating the doorframe while I rub tears furiously from my eyes. She looks like she’s appraising a country inn rather than someone’s cell. “You should probably start packing, by the way.”
“What?” I ask.
“I said, you should start packing. Y’know? Clothes? Books? More of those kerchiefs you’re so keen on?” she says. I watch in confusion as she picks up a book, frowns, and chucks it onto the bed. “You’re fleeing to Ruin, yes?”
She knows about Ruin?
“I…” I make a choked noise.
Sandria drawls, “You’re not the only one at court with secrets, Lyria.” She leans back against a wall to evaluate me. “They say you’re the Heir of Evermore. Are you aware of that?”
My stomach roils.
“As of…very recently, yes,” I admit, feeling stupid. All at once, the ulterior motive of her invitation to Sebastian’s name day is painfully obvious. Did Sandria know then? Was she testing me?
Is every so-called friend in this palace an utter fraud?
The princess cocks her head. “And…?”
“And what?”
“And what do you think? Are you up for it?”
I draw a long breath. “Honestly? I don’t know.”
Her smile thins. “What a stirring battle cry.”
Irritation rushes through me. “Well, I’msosorry to disappoint you,” I say sarcastically. “I haven’t had much time to think about it! In case you haven’t noticed, I’m in a bit of a complicated situation.”
“None of this is that complicated.” Sandria’s eyes harden. “Don’t let them delude you into thinking it is. Theywantyou scared. Theywantyou questioning yourself. It’s the only way they win. If you play their game, they will destroy everything you love while you’re twisting yourself into knots. Don’t let them.”
I gaze back at her, heart pounding.
“Can you do that?” she demands. “Can you trust yourself?”
The truth is all I can manage. “I can try.”
She sighs. “Gods, you better muster more conviction than that. If we’re winning this war, it’s together. I can’t afford for you to be scared. No one can.”
I steady myself.
“Now, I need you to listen very carefully and follow my instructions,” says Sandria. “I’m going to get you out of here, but all holy hell is going to break loose the second I do. You’re only going to have a few minutes to get to safety, and during that time you cannothold back. Do you understand me?”
I nod.
She flicks her glossy hair over her shoulder. “The Verdish are prepared to kill you before letting you leave. Every fight from now until you reach Ruin will be a fight to the death. This is not the time for squeamishness and mercy. I need you to look me in the eyes and tell me that if I give you a chance to run, you’re going touseit.”
I swallow and nod. “I understand.” This is not a chance I’ll get again.
“Tell me that you’re willing to fight,” she demands.
“I’m willing to fight.”
“Tell me you’re willing tokill.”
“I—I’m willing to kill.”
