“That you clouded my judgment.”
“What?” I smirk. “This sweet little Opheran girl?”
“There’s nothingsweetabout you.” He spits out the word. “I didn’t know you before, but I know exactly what kind of girl I’m dealing with now. Conniving, vindictive, and cruel.”
I laugh mockingly. “You make those sound like insults. I’d rather be vindictive than an easy target. Since we’re being honest, let me confess that pretending to be your friend was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. Now I’m finally free to tell you how much I despise you.”
“The feeling is mutual.” He chuckles darkly. “I can’t believe I actually felt bad for toying with you. It seemed heartless to manipulate someone so . . .” He glances at my wrist, where the edge of my sun tattoo peeks out from under my sleeve. He stops himself. “Forget it.”
I glare, guessing what he doesn’t say. “Go ahead. What did you think of me? Did you think I was pitiable? A gullible fool?”
Kaidren meets my glare head-on. “Gullible, maybe. But more than that, I thought you were exquisite.”
I flinch. It’s not the word I was expecting. Worse, I’m ice-cold—he means it. He’s done nothing but try to manipulate me since we met. He pretended to like me, pretended he was drawn to me, and apparently, it wasn’t all fake.
The confession stirs something in me. I’m ashamed to admit it, but part of melikedthe way his gaze used to linger. Liked watching his eyes stare into mine and soften into something bordering on affection. At the time, I assumed it was for show, but knowing a small part of that was real . . . My stomach flutters weakly.
But then I remember the way he called me “the help” andordered me to fetch him water. The way he fed me lies about using his newfound position to better Ophera.
I smother that foolish, needy feeling. Kaidren only thought he had feelings for me because I pretended to fall for his nonexistent charm. A girl who is easily manipulated can be exquisite. A girl who does the manipulating . . . not so much.
I scowl. “Sorry to disappoint.”
“Pass a message along to your brother for me: I’m calling for Eteria. I’m no fraud, and I’m going to prove to the world that I’mexactlywho I say I am.”
It takes everything in me not to smirk. “Planning on cheating?”
“I believe cheating is your skill set, Remira.” His expression darkens. “It’s a shame. I felt guilty for manipulating the girl I thought you were. I will revel in destroying the girl I know you to be.”
My hand curls into a fist. Once again, he’s underestimating me. I might fight best from the shadows, unseen and unheard, but I’m more than prepared to battle Kaidren Vale out in the light where he can see me. “Careful. That almost sounded like a threat.”
“It was. Before, I declared war on your brother. Clearly, I threatened the wrong Kyler. Something you should know about me, Remira: I never make the same mistake twice.”
CHAPTER NINETEEN
WHERE THE BODIES ARE BURIED
Selva Sixmen only showed me one letter he received from the imposter Shadow Queen. He received it just before the start of the Tournament, two weeks ago, but according to Flynn, he’s been acting paranoid for months.
I thought it was strange that the note Sixmen shared from the imposter was so vague. There was no mention of what secret he’s being blackmailed with, and no specific demands.
Taken all together, I’m led to one conclusion: Sixmen has received more letters from the imposter than he let on. Probably because he didn’t want the real Shadow Queen to know what secret her imposter is holding over his head.
In preparation for today, I reviewed all my notes on Sixmen. He has one son, Flynn; his wife, Neveah, died last year; he had a number of affairs while she was alive; he falsely testified in court to get a former friend thrown in prison for a crime he didn’t commit; and he once accepted a hefty bribe to vote for an order regarding taxes.
For all the secrets I know about him, there must be another, darker one he’s hiding. Something he thinks the real Shadow Queen doesn’t already know.
Which is why I had Luc request a private word with Selva, why I checked on Flynn to ensure he’s on guard duty at the base of the mountain right now, and why I’m currently standingoutside the Sixmen residence, confident both of them are out of the house for the foreseeable future.
The outside of the Sixmen manor is gray stone. No tshira in sight, and no chance of me using magic to get inside.
I check the windows next, but unfortunately, all the ones on the ground floor are locked.
Which leaves my third strategy: knocking on the back door that leads into the kitchen.
No one answers.
After a long pause, I try again, more insistently.
