5
Shattered glass rainedfrom the ceiling and screams pierced the air. Elowyn yelped beside me. With a bright violet flash, she disappeared. I hardly had time to wonder where she went when the window above the dais shattered. Crystalline shards rained onto the floor as a band of people in black garb streamed in. An arrow whizzed across the ballroom, embedding itself inches away from Crown Prince Bennett.
“Guards!” King Maximus bellowed. His voice was drowned in the chaos of the guests, who all at once surged away from the assailants.
My gaze jumped wildly to each assassin, trying to identify any of their covered faces. None looked like Mother’s men, but she hired many. I could never be sure.
One of them was suspended eerily above the thrones, floating on thin air. They fired another arrow.
“Guards!” the king shouted again, swinging himself over the staircase and ducking for cover paces away from me. The crown prince followed suit.
This time, his call was answered. Members of the Royal Guard flooded in—some from the staircase and others from directly behind the assassins. The ones at the entrance had no such luck as the crowd was pushing themselves through the singular archway near the row of benches.
The benches. Lady Vanessa.
I forced my legs to move but promptly tripped over an extinguished candle, crushing the glass beneath my knees. Pain shot up my legs like daggers. I cursed, clenching my fists to gather myself.
Before I could attempt to stand, strong hands hauled me up by my upper arms. I turned to thank whoever it was, only to find myself face to face with Crown Prince Bennett. Surprise flashed through his eyes. He released his hold, as if burned.
I didn’t have time to dwell on his reaction—nor did I want to. I turned and ran, ignoring my spinning vision. Luckily, my thick velvet skirts took the brunt of the glass. A quick look down confirmed I wasn’t trailing blood across the marble. I only hoped it would stay that way.
The shrieks of guests grew even louder as I fought through the crowd. Somehow I avoided getting shoved or knocked to the ground. At long last, the benches appeared beyond the throng. Many were flipped in the chaos.
Lady Vanessa sat pressed against the wall near the archway, small and pale. My nails dug into my palms. What was wrong with the woman? Didn’t she have the sense to run like everyone else?
“Lady Vanessa!” I called out.
Relief flooded her face. “Narcissa!” She stood up. “Thank heavens you’re alright. I didn’t want to leave in case you came looking for me. What is happening?”
The crowd and commotion must’ve obstructed her view. “Assassins,” I said, catching my breath.
Lady Vanessa paled. It was then I noticed she had a scratch on her forehead, dotted with minute spots of blood. I tore my eyes away from it.
“They’re outnumbered by the Royal Guard,” I said, attempting to keep my voice level. “It should be fine.”
The singular levitating assassin came to mind. Could they possibly be a witch? My blood ran cold at the thought. Mother detested witches—but only those she could not control. Before my mind could wander again, Lady Vanessa grabbed my hand.
“Narcissa. Have you seen Maverick?” Worry lined her face. And with her hand grasping mine, trembling yet warm, something indescribable flooded my chest and threatened to burst.
