It’s only been a heartbeat since I burst into the room.
Taking a deep breath, I prepare for war.
“Galla Vividari!” My voice roars out through the hall. “You will stand in my presence.”
If I learned anything yesterday during my walk through the city, it was that all must kneel in Antony’s presence. Even the five injured lords in the distance are currently making the barest gestures of lowering themselves to the floor.
My command, the opposite ofwhat Galla’s supposed to do, might just rankle her enough that she won’t gather her thoughts fast enough to summon an instant retort.
It works.
Barely giving her a second, I scream, “Do you intend to insult me?”
I make a straight line for her, sweeping my glittering skirt up and away from the blood splatter.
Galla jolts, releasing the whip, which slips to the floor, before she scoots backward, her face pale.
I don’t delude myself that her reaction stems from fear.
She gasps. “That dress?—!”
Of course, she would focus on it. She’s pale with clear fury as her green eyes rake down my form.
Ignoring Rohan, I stop in front of her, turning the corners of my mouth down in disgust. “You have something on your face.”
Her hand flutters to her cheek where Rohan’s blood has splattered. “I?—”
“In the future, you will not bring blood into my presence.” Repulsion drips from my voice. “It offends me.” In a flash, I focus on Quintus. “Clean this up!”
Galla seems to find her voice, shooting to her feet. “Do not presume to tell my lords what to do. They’re mine to command.Mine!”
I arch my eyebrows at her, waiting for her to realize she has stood up as I commanded.
She tenses, but before she can spit another word, I give her a gracious smile.
“That’s better.” Ignoring her flushing cheeks, no doubt a new surge of anger, I glance around. “What a beautiful room. What beautiful fae you surround yourself with. It would be a shame for you to lose all of this.”
She takes a threatening step toward me. “If you try to stealanything that belongs to me, I’ll make sure you’re offended by the sight of yourownblood.”
I laugh. “Oh, darling. I don’t want any of this. Keep your lords and ladies and your beautiful…uh…cushions. I’m only here to warn you about your fate.”
She leans back from me, her head now held at a wary angle. “My fate?”
“Your king didn’t want to alarm you, but I insisted.” I press my hand to my chest. “I couldn’t live with myself if I didn’t try to save your precious life.”
Cassia has now stepped into my field of view. Her expression, previously blank, has become worried, her voice quavering as she speaks up, playing along as smoothly as if we’d rehearsed it. “Mother, please listen to the Oracle. We couldn’t bear to lose you.”
Galla’s too cunning not to suspect she’s being tricked, but I’ve planted a seed, and I intend to water it.
She takes a step back, appearing alarmed, but I follow her, not allowing her to increase the distance between her and me.
Lowering my voice, I ask, “Do you wish to live, Galla Vividari?”
Her eyes are wild with uncertainty, and I anticipate she’ll push back as hard as she can, unsurprised when she snaps, “How dare you even?—”
“Do you wish to live?”
“Donotpresume?—”
