“Seventeen members of various courts, but most of them were Quarnian guards and servants,” his father said, joining the conversation. “No victims on our side. All the assailants have been found dead.”
Rhay frowned. “How is that possible? Not a single one was caught alive?”
“I let one go, but Layken killed him,” Lora interjected, still fuming.
“Someone had to finish the job since you were incapable of it,” Karwyn mocked her. “All the attackers have been killed. Justice has been served.”
“Are you sure it’s over?” Rhay asked. Such a big attack had to have been planned strategically. With no royals dead, Rhay wondered if another attack wasn’t bound to happen. “Maybe I should talk to Queen Kaylanthea, find out what she knows.”
“We are not staying one more minute in this death trap,” Karwyn replied, almost snarling.
“The servants have packed our bags, and our skyaelo is waiting for us at the dock,” Rhay’s father added.
“What if it was more than some unruly subjects?” Rhay argued, feeling very uneasy about the turn of events.
“All the more reason to go back to Turosian.” Karwyn’s tone was final. He turned his back to them, not saying goodbye to any of the other royals. Rhay noticed that Wryen was also nowhere to be found. Another coward who would rather flee than face the truth. Was Rhay one of them? How long could he refuse to see what was happening in Turosian?
* * *
As Lora disappeared down the hall in the Parae palace with Layken and Rhay’s father, Rhay ran forward, catching up with Karwyn against his better judgement. Or against his usual ignorance.
“I have been thinking,” Rhay started. His hand went to his emerald flask for some liquid courage, but it had been emptied during their trip.
“I cannot wait to hear what ludicrous idea you had,” Karwyn replied, his eyes impatiently drifting to the staircase leading up to his rooms.
“I think Tarnan might be behind the attack.” He sounded insane even to himself. Their journey back had given him too much time to think. To doubt.
Karwyn chuckled. “And what made you come to that conclusion?”
“Don’t you find it weird that he was the only contestant absent? I’m certain he planned the attack and used Amira as a cover.” It would mean Rhay had misjudged the King of Carnylen’s intentions, but it wouldn’t be the first time. A newfound worry came to his mind: If he was right about Tarnan, he had sent Amira into the hands of a monster. Amira, who had been so innocent when Rhay had first met her, not yet darkened by Turosian, by—
Rhay wasn’t even sure how to end his own thoughts.
“You give him too much credit,” Karwyn replied, not the least bit worried. “Kaylanthea does not know how to rule over her subjects, that is all.”
Rhay took a deep breath. “I don’t understand why you won’t acknowledge that this whole situation is fucking suspicious. Someone must have planned this attack, someone who had something to gain from it. Kaylanthea couldn’t have done it. The attack completely discredited her. It can only be Tarnan.” Rhay paused to think. Only Tarnan or… The unavoidable truth lurked in the corner of his mind, but he refused to see it. “How did you manage to run away so fast?” Rhay asked quietly, his heart beating faster.
Karwyn squinted, seemingly sensing the underlying accusation. “I used my powers to get through the back door. Now, I am tired, and I would very much like to have five minutes to myself. Knowing you, I am sure you will find someone else to pester.” Karwyn gripped the bannister and went up the stairs, leaving Rhay behind.
Racking his brain, Rhay tried to make sense of Karwyn’s words. He had seen his father tear open the back door to hide with the other advisors before the vines had covered it. But Karwyn had already disappeared at that point. It was hard for Rhay to admit, but once again, Karwyn was lying to him. If he was responsible for the attack…no, he couldn’t be. Could he?
Rhay’s hand went inside his pocket again, feeling the cool metal of the empty flask. By Caelo, he needed to get out of this palace and drink his thoughts away. But not yet. He had to get his shit together for a little while longer. If Karwyn was somehow involved in the attack, Rhay needed to do something to prevent his friend’s descent into darkness. Or make sure someone else, someonebraver,could.
With a steady panic in his heart, Rhay turned and strode forward. His feet led him to Lora’s door.
Layken stared him down.
“I’m here to see if the princess is feeling all right,” Rhay said.
Layken leaned against the door. “I didn’t know you were her personal healer.”
“Move aside. I’m in no mood.” Rhay sighed. “I’ll be quick.”
Layken stepped aside and opened the door with a mocking smile. Rhay ignored the guard and walked inside the room. The bedroom was empty, but he heard water running in the bathroom.
He knocked on the door. “Lora, love, are you all right?”
Noise on the other side of the door reached Rhay’s ears. “I…I’m fine. I’m just cleaning up,” Lora yelled through the closed door.
