The crowd parts as the General of the decurio makes his way to Kaidren. It’s only when General Fain is directly in front of him that Kaidren finally looks away from me. His expression is angry, sad, and resigned, all at once.
“These are serious charges, Honorate Vale. I take them seriously.”
“I understand,” Kaidren says softly.
“We will need to search your home at once. You can give your consent and make this simple. Or you can fight us and make it difficult. Either way, wewillsearch. Whether we use a key or tear down the front door is entirely up to you.”
“Do what you must.” Kaidren’s eyes shift around GeneralFain to find mine again. He raises his voice. He wants to be sure I hear his next words: “Let me be clear, however. Whatever you find—I didn’t kill my father.”
I’m frozen solid.
Guilt sinks through my chest. I framed the wrong person.
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
INK-STAINED LIES
The Vale household is in shambles. Decurio peel through furniture, flip over tables, and rip paintings from walls.
This is my fault, so part of me wants to tell them they don’t have to destroy the house; they just need to look under the bed in Kaidren’s room. Of course, I can’t tell them this, because then I’d have to explain that I planted it for them to find. Or rather, that I had Sef do it, right at the start of the ball, so we could be certain Kaidren wouldn’t find and dispose of the evidence ahead of time.
So, I say nothing. Just keep my head down and wait with Luc in the entryway.
“Sir.” A decurio rushes down the stairs. “We found something in Honorate Vale’s room.” He holds two things: a vial of poison and a rusted silver compass.
Kaidren’s eyes shoot to me. He knew to expect the poison, but I think he’s surprised by the compass. He must recognize it—it’s identical to his aunt Jules’s. So similar, he likely assumes it’s the same one.
Kaidren might’ve planned to deny the poison was his, but he’ll be reluctant to contest the compass—he won’t want them to dig into his aunt and cause any penalty to her.
Luc catches the look Kaidren sends my way. His brows draw. “What did you do, Mira?” he murmurs lowly, so no one overhears.
“What I promised your parents.” I can’t keep the venom from lacing my words. “I ensured your victory. Congratulations on a second term, Praeceptor Kyler.”
Luc’s eyes widen, and he looks at me as though he’s never seen me before.
“I hate your brother because he doesn’t see you.”
Maybe Luc never has.
General Fain is clearly agitated. “You claim you’re innocent, Honorate Vale, but this is kishori—the same poison used to kill your father. And this false magical object is outlawed. If you’re innocent, how did these come to be in your possession? And how—”
“I’m not denying it.” Kaidren speaks woodenly as he interrupts the General. “Those are mine.”
“You admit to poisoning your own father?”
Kaidren wavers. “I admit the poison and contraband are mine. Do with that information whatever you will.”
The General motions to the decurio around him. “Then, Honorate Vale, I have no choice but to put you under arrest for the murder of your father.”
I thought this would make me feel in control again, but by the time I return to my chamber, all I am is tired and consumed by prickly, persistent guilt.
Why the hell did he have kishori hidden under his bed if he didn’t poison his father? I don’t know. Guess I never will. Can’t imagine he’ll be inclined to explain himself to me after this.
I kick off my shoes with a groan. All I want is to fall into bed and hunt for sleep, but I’m laced into a ball gown and my hair is extravagantly done. I should at the very least wrap up my hair for the night.
I sit at my vanity and start to remove the sparrow hair clips when I’m interrupted by a sharp knock.
I thought I was done being shocked tonight, but when I open the door, General Fain, four members of the decurio, and Luc stand before me.
