“My lord,” a clerk sputters, “the Chosen have already begun the examinations. We couldn’t possibly—”
“When the examinations are complete,” I cut in, “you will find one tributeunfitunder Statute 116.”
The square boils with intrigue, hungry for spectacle. A herald hurries to the dais and whispers to the Oracle. What he tells her, I already know.
“You dare question a Chosen’s eligibility?” another councilman snaps.
Darius beckons the high priestess of purification forward. With a bow, she leans close and whispers into his ear.
He straightens, clearing his throat. “Remove your hood and name the maiden.”
I step forward, letting my voice carry across the square. “Katherine Fairchild. But House Fairchild will still supply another bride.” I peel off my riding scarf and push back my hood. “I,Selene Fairchild, offer myself in my sister’s stead. I formally submit my substitution under the Blood Clause.”
The squareerupts into shouting, cheers fighting for dominance over the jeers. All eyes drill into our father. Councilman Fairchild goes bone-white.
“Honorable Council,” I call, stepping closer, “the fault is not the maiden’s. She wasseducedthis morning by a man selfish enough to think he could steal a prize from the mighty Drakonis.”
Silence drops like a blade, and every ear leans in.
Councilman Darius’s gaze fixes on me. “Continue.”
At the edge of the ring, Kat’s guard goes rigid. A failed Veilkeeper, he’ll retire in disgrace. I do not look directly at Kat, standing on the dais among eleven other sacrifices who will not be spared. I have eyes only for the truth that will save her.
“This morning, I foundTobias Reynoldswith Lady Katherine in the stables.”
“That’s a lie!” Kat cries, darting forward, but Dain grabs her arm.
I keep my eyes straight ahead. “I have a witness who will testify under Vareth.”
Darius’s voice booms. “Bring the witness forward.”
Finally, I let my gaze leave the Council. My eyes scan the assembly, begging one man to come forward. The only man who would sacrifice his reputation to save her.
The crowd parts as Tobias steps into the light. His face burns red, but he squares his shoulders, his eyes on Kat with a fear and a fire that tell me he’d stand against the whole city for her if he had to. Like my mother. Like many under my employment who never believed in the Rite.
He bows. “I offerone year’s serviceto the Temple in Miss Fairchild’s place. I let my desire overcome me. I seek atonement in the eyes of the Council and before the gods.”
“By ancient custom,” I say crisply, turning their words back on them, “trespassing upon a maiden’s virtue demands remedy:marriage at once, or service pledged to the temple.”
Darius faces his peers. They know I’ve trapped them—before the entire city, on their sacred day.
He exhales. “Very well. Should Katherine Fairchild fail her examination, she will wed Tobias Reynolds to remedy their sin.” His eyes drill into me. “And should your own prove admissible, Selene Fairchild, you will take your sister’s place.”
He gestures to the high priestess, who approaches my sister, and to the Oracle, who makes her way toward me, each holding a vial of red liquid that looks like blood.
Councilman Darius turns to the crowd. “If a maiden is indeed pure, liquid gold will pour forth from her nose,” he proclaims. “If she is not, the liquid will bleed black.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I watch my sister timidly sip at the solution, unable to fight the grimace that mars her face as the bitter liquid hits her tongue. I turn back to the Oracle, whose eyes seem to peer into my very soul. I take the vial and down it, breaking her unnerving gaze.
A hundred thousand bystanders hold their breath, an eerie silence settling over the coliseum.
Then gasps ripple through the stands as Kat’s nose oozes thick black. The betrayal on her face as she realizes what I’ve done breaks my heart.
I slipped an herb into the tea I brewed for her last night—one I learned about during my year of atonement, used by the Temple of Elarene as a contraceptive. Not harmful, but just enough to fail the purity test… and save my sister from the fire.
Then I feel it—a pinch, like holding back tears before they fall. I lower my gaze as gold drips from my nose and splashes onto the marble floor.
Relief and dread break over me all at once.Itworked.But sparing her life comes at a heavy cost. Unless I speak now—and convincingly—the law will devour her reputation.
