“No thanks needed,” Nereida says. “We’re pleased to aid you in any way we can. If there is anything the city of Aerantheis can do for you in the future, please let us know.”
“Thank you. I won’t forget this,” Dayton says, smiling.
“I will see you again, High Prince, Golden Rose.” Callistia turns to me. “One last thing. Have you decided on a name? You can’t go by Rosalina anymore.”
I place my hands on my hips. A name for a siren. I smile, thinking of one of my favorite movies from my old life. “Call me Madison.”
We spend the rest of the afternoon in Hadria. Dayton found his confidant, Claudius, who reported that a ship with a black flag did dock outside of Hadria with a crew loyal to Summer who snuck in after dark. He didn’t know if there was a girl named Wrenley among them, but he did have a small bag, given to him by the crew. Thankfully, it included Dayton’s dual swords. He’ll need to use them in the arena, as it’ll be too dangerous to let Kairyn know he has the trident.
When we returned to the apartment Dayton rented, there wasno sign of Wrenley. He collected some coin, and we used it to buy some new leather armor in the market.
It was an entirely different experience than the first time I was here. Goblins and soldiers lined the streets, and the vendors looked terrified of every transaction. This was not the vibrant city I fell in love with.
Pain is still etched on Dayton’s face as we leave the bazaar.
“We’ll bring it back to how it was,” I assure him.
“I suppose you’ll be wanting another stuffed nonsense as your reward.” He manages a smirk.
I smile back. “Two, in fact.”
Ahead of us, the Sun Colosseum emerges majestically, its pillars glowing in the warm afternoon light and casting violet shadows over the streets below. As we draw nearer, the roar of the crowd sounds in the air. The games are on.
“Are you sure we shouldn’t look for Wrenley some more?” I ask. “Perhaps we could find one of the crew and—”
“There’s no time,” Dayton says, tilting his face toward the sun. “We need to get into the barracks before sunset.”
Though there are rumors of the High Princes and their curses, and the people of Autumn have accepted Farron’s wolf as a protector, it may be an entirely other thing to see one wander the streets of Hadria.
“Besides,” Dayton continues, “Wrenley knew I was planning to join the games; she’ll find me. Maybe she went back to her work in the palace to spy on Kairyn.”
“I don’t think we should tell her about your token or who I am. Not that I don’t trust her,” I quickly add. “It’s only … I was Kairyn’s captive for months. If he suspects something, he could use her to get information.”
A muscle feathers in Dayton’s jaw, and he nods his head. “We’re almost at the arena.”
As we draw closer, Dayton throws back his hood and the reaction is immediate. The crowd lining up for the games begins to murmur, and I hear his name on the wind. The name Damocles is whispered too, like a ghostly echo.
Dayton acts like he doesn’t notice, though I’m sure he does. He doesn’t even turn his head as he walks straight up to a small booth, where a soldier of Spring sits with a long piece of parchment in front of him.
Dayton slams his swords down on the marble counter. “I’m here to enter the games.”
The reaction from the crowd is palpable, and when the soldier looks up, his eyes widen in recognition. “What are you doing here?”
“I told you. I’m entering the games.”
“Y-you can’t,” the guard stammers. He quickly says something to another soldier in the booth, who runs off. “Don’t move.”
“Are the games not open to any citizen of Summer? I am a citizen of Summer.”
“N-no, you’re the High Prince,” the soldier says.
“Oh, am I now?” Dayton’s voice oozes confidence. “Then as High Prince, I command all of you Springlings and gobbos to pack up your ugly asses and get the fuck out of my realm.”
The crowd laughs, and a few fae begin to cheer. He’s already having an effect on the people, and he hasn’t even entered the arena yet.
Red blooms across the soldier’s poxy face. “Summer is under the Green Rule now. I’ll let you in the barracks, but Emperor Kairyn will hear of this!”
Dayton picks up his swords, swirling them before sheathing the blades. His smile is vicious as he says, “I’m counting on it.”
