It’s almost like I can feel his hands on my waist, but then I remember he hates me and a knot forms in my throat.
The moment the music starts, the ambassador takes the opportunity to paw at Sora. They make their way toward the center of the room, and I wander closer to the general while admiring the golden weapons on the wall. The part of me that will always be a thief considers stealing one. My fingers itch to take the jewel-encrusted throwing knife, but I leave the blade alone. The last thing I need is to cause a scene or alert the many guards in this room. We are only here to gather information.
Instead, I move toward the enormous map of Khitan. I find Lake Cerome. It’s not far from Vashney, the original capital of Khitan. Quu itself was once part of Yusan. Khitan invaded during a war centuries ago and battled Yusan until they gained this warm-water port.
“The queen remains sequestered,” a woman says in Yusanian. I think she’s speaking to me, but then another voice answers her.
“For her own protection and the prince’s, I’m sure,” a man’s voice says. “It was a terrible event.”
My heart races, but I stay still with my back to them, studying the map. I hope they’ll gossip freely in a room that can’t understand them.
“They blame Yusan, you know. The people of Khitan clamor for war, having already accepted her.” The woman sounds not entirely thrilled by either fact.
“Of course,” the man says. “The queen opened the coffers for a widows and orphans fund and built housing for the poor. She increased the realm food subsidy and allowed the gambling halls to reopen. All within the month since the king died mysteriously. All shrewdly popular moves. The queen may have murdered her husband, but she is brilliant.”
I wonder if these changes are as calculating as these diplomats believe, or if Quilimar has helped the people because she cares. If a ruler is doing good for the people, bettering the lives of thousands, does it even matter?
“The ambassador has a new favorite,” the woman says.
“I hear he’s to be made regent for the Count of Tamneki,” the man says.
“Then he’ll be able to afford such splendid company,” the woman says. “Unless, of course, Seok gets there first.”
I bite back a gasp at the mention of the man who holds Sora’s indenture.
“To the courtesan or to the young Count of Tamneki?”
“Both.”
They laugh.
I look back at Sora, and something is off about her. Her spine and movements are rigid as she dances, and she’s never rigid. She flows like water. So that’s weird.
But then I seehimand forget to breathe.
Shit. It took me way too long to realize who Sora is dancing with. She’d been dancing with the ambassador and then a handsome, older guy cut in. I didn’t think anything of it because nearly everyone wants to meet Sora. But I should’ve kept a closer eye on her. This one looks a lot like Ty. Which means that’s Seok—the count who owns her and her sister. The one the diplomats were just gossiping about.
Shit. Shit. Shit.
She walks away from him and makes it a few steps before her knees give out. Her palm smacks one of the tables as she tries to steady herself.
I race to her and catch her before she falls. She’s pale as snowfall, and her lips quiver. Sora doesn’t even flinch. She certainly doesn’t break down. So, something terrible must’ve happened.
I put my shoulder under her arm to try to help her walk out of the room. Seok stares and then shakes his stupor.
“Guards! Authorities! There is an assassin in the room! Protect the general.”
Great. His words cause pure chaos. Guards shift to alert, and people begin to scream and run. The general is spirited out by a squadron of guards.
“Run,” I whisper to Sora.
She can’t. Sora can’t move. She’s falling apart in a way I haven’t seen, which can only mean something happened to Daysum.
I eye her with sympathy, but we need to get the hells out of here. And it would be good if she could help.
She can’t.
Fuck. What do I do now? I’m not strong enough to carry her, and Royo isn’t here.
