Something dawned on Lora. “He knows, doesn’t he?” Amira’s secret. Her witch powers.
Amira nodded, not saying it out loud. It wouldn’t be wise in such a public setting.
“Of course Rhay’s solution is to ignore it, make it go away.”
Amira’s lips twitched. “You’ve noticed that about him too? It’s infuriating. I actually talked to him yesterday. Said the word right to his face. I’ve never seen him more uneasy.”
Lora held back a laugh. “Well, then he got a double lecture because I talked to him too. To say he didn’t appreciate it would be an understatement.”
“He deserves it.” Amira’s expression lightened at their shared experience. “It’s been a long time since I had hope, but now I do. For the both of us. For all of Liraen.”
A part of Lora did too, but she was scared to admit it, fearful of dooming their fate by putting the words out into the universe. “Too many things could go wrong.”
“You have friends on your side who will fight tooth and nail for you,” Amira said. “I will be one of them if you’ll have me.”
Lora smiled at that. “My friends, Elyssa’s friends, they’ll be yours too. We all have your back, don’t forget it.”
The princess’ face lit up at her words.
Though her conversation with Amira had eased some of Lora’s worries, one was still loud in her mind. Her eyes travelled around the room. Karwyn remained on the opposite side of the large ballroom. Rhay was closer, still at the bar, a drink in his hand.
“Should we corner Rhay?” Lora asked, tilting her head towards him. He couldn’t deny both of them, could he? “Eyden told me we have to convince him...”
“Elyssa filled me in.” Amira followed her gaze. “Let’s try.”
Lora started towards him, and Amira followed.
Rhay was staring into his almost empty glass as the two of them approached, taking a seat on either side of him. Though his outfit could outshine the sun, his eyes were troubled, and the dark circles under them distracted from the golden glitter sprinkled there.
Looking between them, Rhay asked, “Is this my intervention? I promise I won’t drink any more. Well, after I’ve downed the whole bar.” He laughed, but it sounded broken.
“I need your help,” Lora said. “Weneed your help.”
Rhay brought his glass to his lips and swallowed the rest of the liquid. “And I need another drink. I already told Amira I won’t stand in your way.”
“We need you to do more than that. There’s no time left,” Lora insisted.
Rhay sighed, turning the glass in his hand as if looking for one more drop. “Let’s talk tomorrow after the ceremony when I have to be sober.”
“Itcan’twait,” Lora repeated.
He finally looked at her, unconvinced. “Why? You’ll still hate Karwyn in twenty-four hours just as much as you do now.”
Twenty-four hours could change everything—wouldchange everything. Lora’s gaze went to Amira. She couldn’t tell Rhay why, but Amira could. The princess gave her a questioning stare as if unsure if Lora wanted her to proceed. Lora tilted her chin down.
Staring right at Rhay, Amira proclaimed, “Karwyn forced Lora into a blood contract and if you don’t help us break it, shewilldie tomorrow.”
Rhay’s gaze snapped to Lora as if awaiting a denial. She didn’t give him anything, but it was answer enough. “Fuck, I need another drink,” he said, leaning over the bar to grab a bottle of vodka.
Before he could pour it, Amira took a hold of the bottle. Taken by surprise, Rhay didn’t react fast enough before Amira slid it out of his reach.
“You can’t drink what I told you away,” Amira insisted. “Not if you don’t want to add another name to the list of people you couldn’t—wouldn’t—save. And not just any name.Lora’s.Are you seriously going tolet her die?”
Rhay’s eyes were empty pools of sorrow. Hard acceptance flashed in his stormy eyes. Staring straight ahead, he said, “What do you need me to do?”
Chapter63
Amira
