‘I’m fine, just give me a moment,’ I said, grabbing a handful of snow to cleanse the bitter taste.
‘You did well. No one got hurt, and that bastard deserved everything you did to him,’ Irsha said.
‘It’s not him, I… My threats… This whole mess with the cubes and Tangra. I’m not cut out for this. What if I’d had to follow through? What if the fate of all of Dagome hung on me doing…’ I fought the tears and the horror that burned inside me, because standing here in the cold night, I didn’t know what choice I would take.
Irsha cupped my face in his large hands and looked at me with compassion in his dark eyes. ‘Then you would’ve done whateverwas needed. I know, though, that before it came to that, you’d search for a way, a loophole, something that would keep that woman and child alive.’ He said it with such conviction that the knot in my chest loosened ever so slightly. ‘We’re not evil people, Sana, just the ones willing to do what it takes to survive. The fact that this kingdom’s fate rests on the shoulders of people like us? Well, the gods must have a morbid sense of humour.’
‘We need to catch Jagon and Tymon. I need the truth, and I need it now,’ I said, allowing myself a moment of weakness, and he sighed, pressing me to his chest. ‘When will this end, Irsha. When will any of this end?’
‘Soon, my heart’s sister. But not tonight.’ He reached for the mask and fastened it back onto my face. ‘Let me take you home; you need to rest.’
As we walked towards my house, one restless thought hammered in my mind:I need to go south. Not just for the schemata or the marriage contract, but to find out what was really going on. The longer I thought about it, the less sense Tivala’s plans made.
Void cubes, Tangra, a political ploy that wouldn’t help anyone. There was nothing to gain. Was Duke Tivala destroying Dagome so completely that there’d be nothing left for Tangra to take?
If that was his plan, then I prayed to the gods for the strength to stop him.
Chapter 14
Roksana
Two days had passed since, as Irsha called it, the Night of the Viper. Despite my attempts to silence them, the Blades keep bragging about one of the biggest escapades the Brotherhood pulled in a single night. We only lost one man that night, in a mansion where security was tighter than expected, but his companion assured me the noble swallowed the pill.
Now it was time for my grand entrance. I took the secret tunnel to Reynard’s private quarters. Its narrow, dark confines, so oppressive the first time I’d used it, no longer held any secrets. I could walk its length blindfolded.
Reynard’s personal guard drew his sword as I entered. I didn’t react. The porcelain assassin’s mask I wore announced my intention to kill, and anyone blocking my path would face the same fate. That was the Brotherhood’s way, and every citizen in Truso knew that.
I’d shattered the porcelain disguise when I left for my new life in Wiosna, but Irsha did an excellent job of repairing it. The flowers were exquisitely rendered. The delicate purple nightshade was more intimidating than the commonly useddemonic designs favoured by the Blades. And the gold used to repair it glimmered each time I moved, resembling the aether imbued in creation.
I removed it to prove my identity. This man didn’t deserve to pay the price for opposing me. When he lowered his sword and relaxed, I covered my face, pulling the hood up and hiding my features. Next, I ordered him to escort me to the royal council chamber.
A few minutes later, I was facing the curtain covering the entrance. The hidden door opened with a soft click the moment I pressed the latch. Those gathered were oblivious to my presence, arguing like a gaggle of geese. Factions traded almost poetic insults, each accusing the other of treason. The loudest was Yarran, who grimly insisted the only way to save the kingdom was to beg for military support from Duke Tivala.
Riordan sat in the regent’s chair, quietly massaging his temples. His grim expression and the delicate fluctuation of the aether surrounding him meant he was using his gift to eavesdrop on their thoughts.
As I listened, one thing became obvious: the royal council was teetering on the edge. If one or two of those supporting Reynard swayed, Tivalaran would have a majority, and they could push Riordan out of the regent’s position, effectively installing Tivala in his place. I’d bet the news of the marriage contract could sway those few. The brief tightening in my chest followed the thought before I reminded myself it was a forgery, not the document Rey intended to sign.
I dropped my mental barriers, pushing my thoughts towards Ri.Trouble managing the idiots fighting over scraps?His head instantly turned in my direction, and something akin to relief lit his features.
His hand dropped to the side, giving me a covert gesture to approach. I sauntered forward. My steps, slow and measured,didn’t draw immediate attention, but as I passed, several nobles stopped talking, turning in my direction. By the time I was beside Riordan’s chair, the room was silent, with several faces pale and frightened.
‘Who’s that?’ asked a young man at the end of the table.
Riordan lounged back in his chair, the corner of his mouth lifting just as I sent him an image of Yaran on his knees, swallowing my poison. ‘My lords, ladies. Many of you asked for proof our king is still in control.’ He paused for effect, letting his words sink in. ‘It is my pleasure to introduce the king’s shadow.’
Murmurs swept through the council. The weight of the title, the expectations tied with it, was almost too much, and I was grateful for the mask hiding my expression.
‘Smoke and mirrors. This is the royal council, not a freak show.’ It was the same young lord speaking, rolling his eyes in disdain. ‘Remove your mask, woman, and explain yourself to your betters.’
I recognised Niemir Valenrot from my briefing with Riordan. The young lord had been thrust into a position of responsibility by the untimely death of his fiercely loyal father, and whilst he was also loyal to Rey, his inexperience made him a target for manipulation. Add in his estate’s proximity to Tivala’s home, and we had a recipe for disaster. It was time to teach him that his duty lay in serving the king.
‘Betters, my Lord Niemir? It seems your education in court affairs is sadly lacking if you don’t recognise the significance of my mask. Perhaps one of your more experienced compatriots could enlighten you on the price of seeing a shadow’s face? It could be arranged.’
‘You…’ He gasped, choking on my words, his face turning purple with anger. I dismissed him and turned to the others.
‘What exactly are your concerns?’
‘The Lord Marshal should command the army. The king is needed here, not playing hero on the battlefield.’ The noble who responded shrugged, and I added his face and name to those I needed to visit. ‘It is the king’s duty to safeguard this city and its people. If he’s unwilling to return, we should appoint a noble to lead.’
