Without waiting for my reply, she jogs away. Whatever she’s imparting must be important, as her hands gesticulate wildly and her brow crinkles into a fierce frown. She points to the location of the arena, and I let out a resentful breath. Of course she’s aware of far more than she lets on; unlike me, who is usually in the dark, they’re both kept informed at every step.
Roshan thinks he’s protecting me from unnecessary violence, but the irony is plainly lost on him when he usesmeto eliminate threats to his crown here in Kaldari and elsewhere in the realm. When Clem turns to signal me to continue without her and yells that she’ll catch up, my blood is already simmering.
Tight-lipped, I stride past the entrance to the second turret, which leads to the outer arena in the back, and then slow my steps as the path to the amphitheater beckons. What do Clem and Hamid know that I don’t? What is Roshan hiding here that he doesn’t want me to see? While I recognize his power as king, perversely, I want to go in theredespitehis high-handed command.
“My lady,” one of the guards interjects. “The king was very firm in his orders.”
I grit my teeth and send him a blank look. “I require use of a privy. Would you prefer to seek out his approval while I soil myself here in the courtyard?”
His eyes widen beneath his helm. “Of course not, my lady. Then I shall accompany you and—”
I interrupt before he can continue. “General Jinn will find me in short order. Wait here, all of you.”
“My lady, the king—”
“I’m well aware of whatmy betrothedhas said,” I say, discomfort filling me at the lie and the unsubtle emphasis on the fact that I’ll be queen someday. But the reminder does the job. “You’re my escort, and I am instructing you to wait.”
They look uncomfortable but, to my great relief, don’t attempt to contradict me. Or perhaps it’s just that I don’t give them opportunity to do so when I whirl on my booted heel and leave. The corridors are cool in the shade, the pristine marble floors polished to a high shine. Aran’s quarters are in this tower, but I’m not interested in our usual meeting spot. I want to find the arena and see the azdaha. I glance over my shoulder to make sure that my overzealous guard isn’t following. They will send someone to report to the king, I have no doubt of that, but I have at least a few minutes before they do. I increase my pace.
I’m panting when I exit the tower and enter the wide doors leading into the arena. The sight of the circular dome with its stone rows of seating always hits me the same way. The smell of blood and sweat is embedded in the sands, along with the memory that I almost died here not that long ago. My Starkeeper gifts hadn’t yet manifested when we’d been thrown to the wolves—or to the azdaha, in this case—in a fight for our lives on the whim of a selfish crown prince.
The arena is empty now, but I’m interested in the paddock behind it, where I suspect they’re keeping the dying azdaha. Not that I don’t trust Roshan’s word, but I want to see how bad it is for myself. I jog along the perimeter to the exit in the back, passing curious servants. No one tries to stop me, however. Instead, they give me a wide berth. Normally, I’d bemoan my feared status, but now I’m grateful for it, and the closer I get to the paddock, the more the akasha in my blood hums.
I swallow my scowl when I see the entrance to the corral blocked by two heavily armed men, and instead smile pleasantly. “I wish to see the azdaha.”
One of the guards stares at me, lifting his lance to bar my path as the other follows his lead. “By order of the king, only the beast’s handlers may enter.”
“Do you know who I am?” I ask calmly, despite the weapons in my face. When they nod, I step closer. “Then move aside.”
“We cannot, my lady.”
I barely picture the rune for melting, feeling my power surge, as the two steel lances pointed at me glow white and then red hot before turning to silver liquid. The men shout and drop the ends, staring at me with fright, their wide eyes flicking to my rune-lit arms and wild, glowing hair. “I don’t want to hurt you,” I say, still calm. “Let me through. When the king comes, tell him I gave you no choice in the matter.”
They acquiesce with shaky nods, and I enter the darkened enclosure.
It stinks of blood and excrement. Lifting my sleeve to my nose, I walk quickly past rows of empty stalls to the back where the magic signature is the strongest.
I gasp when the massive creature comes into view, my arm dropping to my side. The azdaha is seemingly bigger now than it had been when I saw it last—especially in these close quarters—and I nearly weep at its enfeebled, sickened state.
It’s much worse than I ever could have imagined.
“By all the gods,” I whisper. “What have they done to you?”
Chapter Five
Stars,isit dying?
Scuffed black and green scales absorb the light. The azdaha’s pained, wheezing breaths are loud in the outwardly cramped space. Its enormous head is twenty times bigger than me, with pointed teeth as long as my arm, and its body is the size of a small house. I estimate it’s about thirty to forty feet in length, though its tail seems to be curled around itself with its tattered wings folded loosely over scab-ridden flanks.
Jadu bracers are secured to its neck and legs, impairing any magic it might have, and several thick iron chains keep the creature secured to rings in the ground. Two grooms are tending to open wounds on his hindquarters, while a runecaster appears to be working on the cuffs on its limbs, the symbols glowing in the gloom. They all rear back when the beast lets out a tortured, keening whine.
“You’re hurting it,” I snap.
“My lady,” the runecaster says, whirling around. “You can’t be in here!”
I straighten my spine. “Leave, all of you.”
“It’s not safe,” he argues. “His Majesty—”
