Before I can apologize to them for the distraction, the hand on my waist pulls me in closer, too close. I can’t think.
I search his eyes, attempting to discern whether he’s serious or simply testing me. He gives me nothing.
“I can guarantee not a soul will bat an eye at one more death in the name of your precious queen.” His nose scrunches in disgust at the last words.
The song ends, and he leads me to the edge of the dance floor, rolling a lock of my hair between his thumb and fingers when we stop. “Do we have a deal?”
Kill a rebel. Save Phillipa. Protect the queen.
Steeling my spine, I simply say, “Accidents happen all the time.”
The surprise on his face is well worth it. “So we understand each other?”
“Of course.” I swallow and blink up at the stranger.
He leans in close, his lips dangerously nearing the shell of my ear. “I’m counting on you, Arina.”
I do my best to numb the shiver that him speaking my name sends down my spine.
When he pulls away, he bends into a deep bow, never taking those golden eyes from mine.
“I look forward to seeing how this plays out. I hope your fighting skills are more impressive than your dancing.”
I clench my jaw so tight, I’m surprised the bones don’t crack.
Raiden
Contained beneath the Smog, the tournament grounds already smell of blood, mud, and shit. It’s a wonder we don’t all drop dead where we stand from the smothering toxicity of it all. What I wouldn’t give for one breath of clean, fresh air. Though that comes with its own price, as well.
The people gathered here are a sea of brown, tattered clothes hanging from bone-thin, walking ghosts. They are shells. Their sunken, wide eyes carry little life within them.
“Do you think she has what it takes?” Baltas asks as I hand him a pair of black leather gloves.
The girl definitely overheard our scuffle with that fool, Dolan, last evening. I could tell she was debating whether to stab me herself or expose me to the entire banquet hall.
Wisely, she chose neither. Perhaps she will keep her mouth shut, but I’ve come to learn that having loose ends is messy. Either she’ll take Dolan out for me, or she’ll die trying. I push the thought out of my head before it can take root. She will not die. She can’t.
It is a mere coincidence that she stumbled so perfectly into my path, but I’m not one to squander opportunity. From what I’ve witnessed, she’s a loyal friend to the barmaid, and I doubt she’d let anything unsavory befall her. There’s also a fire in her that burns solely to prove to herself and others that she is more capable than they believe.
“She definitely does.” I look across the crowd to where Arina has been casting hateful glares in my direction all morning. When I catch her eye, she holds my gaze. Brave little thing.
“And do you think she’ll be a problem?” Baltas asks, readying the horse the crown herself has provided for the jousting portion of the tourney. There are no signs of other living animals anywhere in the land. Only those whose purpose is to serve at the pleasure ofHer Majesty.
Queen Daphne is the only person in all of Lukasia to own any livestock at all. It’s fitting as all hells that she’s willing to contribute more innocents to the potential death toll of her pointless games.
It’s a wonder the people haven’t questioned or revolted. Not that they have the energy or resources. She keeps them so sick. But then, it’s hard to see past the end of your nose when your entire life is work, sleep, survive.
“I think we’re going to add a healer to our numbers very soon, old friend,” I tell him with a grin as he mounts the horse.
Baltas laughs. “You might be the fool! That one would rather hang than join the likes of us.” He nods in her direction.
“I never said she’d be joining willingly. Sometimes, one must force the right path to bend in the direction of their will.”
The games have only just begun.
Arina
MY CONFIDENCE WANES the closer we get to the opening ceremonies of the tournament. The buzzing of the crowd meshes from many individual sounds into one constant roaring in my ears.
