Mor kicks the back of my legs, sending me to my knees. I try not to grimace as bone strikes marble floor.
I test the joints of my hand, but they scream in pain, completelyuseless. I say a small prayer of gratitude that it was the nondominant one she shattered.
“My, what exciting party crashers,” Bram declares.
“If you ever wanted proof of my loyalty to you, here it is,” Mor snarls, standing above me. “Your insolent wife came to me, begging me to help her and Emmett De Vere escape. She threatened to kill me if I didn’t once again lock the door between our worlds.”
Someone in the crowd boos and there’s another smattering of nervous laughter.
But my eyes are trained on my sister. I mouth,I’m sorry.
Tears well in her eyes.
I love you.
She shakes her head and mouthsWhy?in return.
I’m not sure what she means. Why did I leave her? Or why didn’t I tell her what I plan to do?
I suppose the answer to both questions is the same: I was trying to protect her.
“Kill your wife and be done with it,” Mor declares.
Do it, I’m tempted to urge, but for this plan to work, I must be patient.
Bram glances from me to Lydia and then back to me.
Queen Mor leans over to one of the banquet tables. From between the half-melting chocolate cakes, waxy grapes, and picked-over chicken carcasses, she grabs a paring knife.
It’s a delicate little thing, shiny enough to glint in the faerielight of the ballroom, sharp enough to slide right between my ribs.
“Please, no.” Lydia’s voice shakes as she swallows down tears. “I’ll do anything, Bram. Just exile her, I beg of you.”
I press my lips together and shake my head, just enough for her to see.
Please, I want to tell her.Let me do this.
“Send her away,” I say to Bram. “Go ahead and kill me, but as one final kindness, do not make my sister watch.” He remains expressionless.
“Ivy, no. Ivy, please.” Once upon a time, all I wanted was for my sister to fight for me, for any evidence that she loved me just as completely and wretchedly as I loved her.
But I do not want her to fight here. Showing any level of loyalty to me will only put her at risk. She needs to be somewhere far from this castle.
Rhion stands on the edge of the dais, his face a cool mask. This wasn’t his plan. It wasn’t even Emmett’s plan. It was the one I formulated in secret and prayed I’d never have to use.
I turn my gaze toward him and hope he can read the silent plea in my eyes.Take her out of here.
Rhion nods once and his deep voice fills the room. “I’ll take the queen, Your Majesty.” Before Bram has a chance to say no, Rhion has already scooped Lydia into his arms.
She flails her legs and arms, screaming, “Ivy, Ivy, Ivy!” I’ve never heard a noise like this come out of her. Not even in the darkest days right after her disappearance did she cry this hard, scream her voice hoarse like this.
I thought seeing visions of Emmett in the cave was the worst emotional pain I’d ever feel, but it’s nothing compared to this.
I want to shut my eyes and cover my ears.
I want to disappear.
I want to be anyone but me.
