“Of course, Mother,” comes the stiff reply.
My focus flashes across the lords, seeking my youngest brother. He’s never far from Galla’s side, but he must have been standing against one of the walls and outside my field of view for me to miss him.
Theclickof a door closing reaches me, and I have to assume he’s left the room.
It will take him several minutes to return with the requested knife.
I can’t waste that time, but I count my heartbeats, forcing myself to strategize. I need to wait just a little longer so that Galla will have expelled enough fury that I can safely escort Thyra inside. Even if it means Rohan passes out in the meantime. Not so long that Galla has the chance to use her blade.
Suddenly, I’m aware of Thyra’s hard gaze, the determined set of her jaw, herrage.
Once more, she is furious.
The same fury burns in her eyes as when I came upon her surrounded by stalactites and prepared to sacrifice her hand to escape.
Her eyes meet mine.
My poisoned heart nearly stops.
She isn’t going to wait.
With a smile, she pushes on the door and strides inside.
Chapter Forty-Five
Thyra
Iprepare to play the most dangerous game of my life.
Everything I’ve learned about Galla Vividari warns me she will go to any lengths to destroy me.
If I break the curse, her power ends.
Cassia might not believe it, but Galla will want me dead at any cost.
If I had any doubt about the truth of what Antony told me, it was banished the moment I heard Galla’s petulant scream, along with the wet splatter of blood across the floor, and the fact that, of all the lords she could punish, she chose Rohan.
I’m not sure what he means to Cassia, but watching her soundlessly scream nearly shattered my heart. I may not love or trust Cassia as Antony appears to, but her pain is real. And it’s eating her up from the inside.
Antony wanted me to wait, but I won’t.
My silver-clad hands smack the door, deliberately loud.
I’m gratified when Galla’s head snaps up across the room, her current kneeling position in front of Rohan forcing her to lean awkwardly to the side to see me.
Within that heartbeat, I take in the rest of the room and the people in it.
The five men who fought us in the air stand with their arms folded across their chests, forming an arc ten paces away at Galla’s back. Their white clothing reveals all the places Azul cut them.
Behind them, five more men, along with ten women, lounge on plush seating facing in my direction, some of them on seats while others are sprawled on large cushions on the floor.
The women have painted faces, pure white with a golden pattern of stars on their cheeks. I recognize Lady Delphina, clearly visible on my far left, but it’s the woman sitting beside her who holds my focus for a split second longer.
She’s the only one without stars painted on her cheeks. I make a quick mental note to ask Antony about her before my attention returns sharply to Galla.
Her hair is a lustrous blonde. Her eyes are bright green. She’s dressed all in white, a trailing shawl attached to each of her shoulders, while her long pants and corset are streaked with blood.
I stride toward her while Antony keeps pace exactly so that the chain between us retains its slack. I’m aware of Cassia following behind him.
