“He did not break my arms this time.”
“So? Any harm is unacceptable! The king said—”
“No!”
“Why not?” I ask. “Why not ask for help?”
“The House,” she whispers. “The House cannot appear divided.”
“Fuck the House,” I snarl. Kassandra bares her canines.
“Avery!” Briar scolds.
“Punish me for saying this, for it needs to be said. LordDominik is an unstable, abusive, violent male. He needs to be stopped.”
“My father is dying,” Kassandra snaps. “My mother is dead, I have few friends in this court, and the laws are not written in my favor. What do you suggest?”
“The king,” I repeat. “The king just said—”
“I canceled my appearance tonight. I have already sent word. I want to be alone.”
“Hewillpropose.”
“And I am to stake our safety on the whims of another male?”
Our safety.I promised to become her spy, confessed to knowing a way around the oaths. She’s merely protecting her newest asset. Right?
We stare at each other, the pause unsettled.
“Perhaps we speak to the Council of Keepers,” Briar suggests softly.
“Hearts of Houses do not get a vote on the council unless they’re pregnant with an heir. We don’t even get a seat.”
“What of the debt you won?” I ask.
“The debt?” Briar echoes.
“It goes to House Illusion,” Kassandra says. “Even if it’s in my name, I do not own it.”
“Write to the advisor,” I say.
“Dominik reads every letter I send.”
“Then let’s—”
“Do you think I have not tried for two centuries, Avery? Do you think so lowly of me that I would not fight at every turn? Because I have. I have and it only makes things worse and I am so tired. I’m so tired.”
I blink, feeling numb.
“But we won,” I say. “You won. Today.”
Kassandra scoffs. “Only because the king allowed it.”
“But—”
“It’s rigged, this game. If I win by following the rules, they change them. If I win through subterfuge, I am punished. Thepoint is not their victory; it is watching me lose. As long as Dominik is heir, he will always use his strength to hurt me. If I say anything to Maxian, Dominik will make sure I will never speak again. Not even as queen will I be safe.”
“You don’t know that,” I say weakly.
