Issy hoped their plan would work. It depended on Uncle Iago being completely unaware that the Princesses, Princes and dancers had escaped the shadow realm. If he even suspected they’d gotten free, he’d abscond before he could be apprehended and punished. And Issy wouldn’t allow her mother’s murderer to get away with it for any longer.
Music and laughter drifted from the open doors to the ballroom, accompanied by the clinking of glasses and the clatter of tiny forks on tiny plates. As they approached, Issy was glad to see that the room was already beginning to fill up. She recognised the royal families and nobility of several neighbouring countries, dressed in the traditional attire of their home nations. They were making polite conversation with each other and admiring the gold leaf detail that trailed up the marble pillars, supporting the high, elegantly frescoed ceiling.
She felt Anders stumble slightly, as though he’d missed a step. She glanced up at him, but his eyes were fixed on a point somewhere across the dance floor. She followed his gaze until she found them, standing with Uncle Santiago, and her blood ran cold. The King and Queen of the Northern Isle were deep in a serious-looking conversation with the man who had entrapped their sons, killed his own sister, cursed Isadora and her sister, and was, even now, attempting to murder their father and steal the Golden throne.
Issy felt a hand on her arm and heard a high-pitched voice in her ear. Lady Fiona was standing beside her, her heavily-painted mouth pulled back in a smile that bared too many teeth.
“I am so glad Princess Livia and yourself liked the dresses, Princess Isadora. I can’t apologise enough for my behaviour the other day, but I’m pleased that my little olive branch has been accepted. And I’m sure we can all move on and continue with our etiquette training after the ball. Oh, and happy birthday, of course!”
Issy kept a smile on her face and spoke under her breath. “Lady Fiona, you need to leave. Right now.”
Lady Fiona’s smile faltered. “Pardon me? I think I misheard you. It sounded like you told me to leave?”
Issy took Fiona’s hands and pulled the woman close, as though to kiss her cheek. “It’s not safe for you here. Uncle Santiago is the one who cursed Livia and I. He’s trying to kill our father and steal the crown.” She leaned back and scanned Fiona’s face, looking for understanding, before pressing her face to Fiona’s other cheek and muttering, “Please go. Get in your carriage and leave, now.”
Issy stepped back, dropped Fiona’s hands and gave her a firm nod. The noblewoman’s expression was bewildered and Issy worried she might faint. But before she could say anything else, someone rang a bell and the room fell silent. All eyes turned to the man who had commanded their attention.
Uncle Iago stood in front of the wall of full-height windows overlooking the ocean, a solemn expression on his tanned and lined face. Dressed in a pale gold jacket and trousers, with sunbursts embroidered around the cuffs, he held the attention of the entire ballroom in the palm of his hand.
A white-hot anger filled Isadora, from her fingers to her toes, as she watched her uncle standing where her father should be. As though he were already on the Golden throne. She couldn’t wait to watch him get his comeuppance. Just as soon as—
“Thank you all for being here to celebrate the coming of age of Princess Isadora today,” Iago began, his voice reverberatingoff the high ceiling. His sorrowful tone was like nails on a chalkboard to Issy. “Unfortunately, it falls to me to be the bearer of bad news on this, what would have been an auspicious day for my brother-in-law and his daughters. But, it saddens me to tell you all that the Princesses, my beloved nieces, have fallen victim to a terrible curse and have not been seen since yesterday evening.”
Gasps and whispers broke out amongst the gathered guests, and Issy did her best to stand behind Anders so her uncle wouldn’t spot her, tugging Livia out of sight, too.
“King Aurelio is, understandably, devastated. I’m afraid the news of his daughters’ disappearance has brought on a terrible illness in our once strong ruler, exacerbated by grief, and he has been prescribed bed rest by the royal physician.” Issy’s breath caught, she hoped it wasn’t too late to save her father.
Iago cleared his throat, attempting to smoothly transition from solemn and concerned, to proud and strong. “Until he is well once more, I shall be supporting my brother-in-law through this difficult time and offering my advice and guidance on all matters of state. If there is anything at all I can assist with as we all navigate these troubling events, please do not hesitate to speak with me. I shall be launching a full investigation into the fates of my dear nieces, and the whereabouts of your esteemed sons. I assure you, no stone will be left unturned, no shadow undisturbed by the light.”
Issy rolled her eyes, she could tell he was pleased with himself for that little turn of phrase. She looked around for Anders, it was almost time for them to put their plan into action, and she for one could not wait to see her uncle get his just desserts.
A servant in brown livery wove through the gathering of royalty and nobility, bearing a silver tray. He reached the front of the crowd and swept into a bow before her uncle. Iago frowned,worry creasing his brow and puckering his mouth. He took a folded piece of parchment from the tray and thanked the servant before opening the note and scanning its contents. His head dropped as he refolded the note. The entire room held its breath, hanging on the Duke’s every word.
Finally, his deep voice broke the silence. “It is with great sadness that I must inform you all of the passing of King Aurelio.”
Issy closed her eyes, feeling Livia beside her squeeze her hand. She squeezed back and began to move, carving a clear path towards the front of the crowd, followed by Anders and Hans.
Their uncle hadn’t finished his speech. Apparently, he was enjoying having complete command of the audience’s attention. Issy couldn’t believe she had never seen him for the narcissistic, self-absorbed monster he truly was, until now.
“In the wake of these tragic circumstances, I shall act as regent—”
“That won’t be necessary, Uncle.” Issy had reached the front of the audience and now stepped out from between the King and Queen of the Northern Isle, coming to a stop in front of Iago. She reached up and removed the hammered copper mask from her face. “As heiress apparent, I will handle Orovia’s affairs, in the absence of my father.”
Uncle Iago’s face turned ashen, his mouth pressed into a hard line. “P—Princess Isadora, thank the stars you are safe!” He stammered. “What fortuitous luck. Well then, I shall step aside and leave you to your guests. Do enjoy the rest of the ball, everyone. Music!” He clapped his hands and began to back away from Issy, fear now tattooed across his features.
Issy held up a hand, halting the musicians from resuming their performance. “Not so fast, Uncle. Won’t you stay for the dancing? Or have you had your fill, since it was you who cursedLivia and I, and enchanted the sons of these poor, unwitting guests to dance each night for months on end?”
Chapter 25
Isadora
Aripple of shock ran through the crowd, hands flew to cover mouths and one lady near the back fainted into the arms of her husband.
“Tell them, Uncle.” Her voice began to rise, and she tried hard to keep it steady as she spoke, but the anger that had been building inside her needed a release. “Tell our guests how you lured their princes here to unravel a curse you yourself had set in motion, tricking them into vying for my hand, before ensorcelling them and keeping them prisoner for weeks?”
Gasps and angry muttering crackled amongst the nobles, and Issy didn’t need to take her eyes off Iago to know how they were looking at him now. The terror in his eyes told her everything she needed to know. She lifted her voice higher, not wanting her next words to be lost in the growing hubbub.
“Tell them, Uncle, how you poisoned our mother six years ago. Tell them how you murdered your own sister, all because you were jealous of her title as Queen. Tell them how, even now, you attempt to murder our father and steal his crown, all to satisfy your petty greed and arrogance.”
