Horrified, I turn to Flint, who’s looking pretty sheepish.
Ember smirks. ‘What’s the matter, cousin? Didn’t you miss me?’
An echo of the rage I felt at the ball thrums through me. Why must she torment me so? What have I ever done to her? If I didn’t know any better, I’d think she wasjealous. As if she fears she’s being overshadowed. Which is perfectly ridiculous, of course. From where I’m standing, my infamyserves only to cast her in a brighter light. She is everything a daughter of House Harglade should be – poised and bold, fearless and flame-wielding, just like her mother, and mine, and our aunt, the Fire Queen.
Alator peers at us, his interest piqued. ‘Three Harglades at the Choosing. How history does enjoy repeating itself.’
The sun beats down mercilessly as we make our way through the palace grounds towards the Golden Keep. I hang back, skulking at the rear of the group. Part of me is just angry that I didn’t figure it out. My cousin may only be fifteen years old, but she’s powerful, and she knows it. She’s always taken considerable delight in her gift, ever since we were very young, when she would singe the hair off my dolls or burn the very last page of my book.
I think back to last night. What was it Elaith had said when I noticed that the fourth Ignitia Heir was missing?
Oh, the last Pyro’s here, all right. She just considers the feast far less important than her training schedule.
So, Ember has already started training. Judging by her blatant absence, she’s not making any secret of it either. If she were keeping her extra training sessions a secret, it would suggest that she needed them. But she’s not. Which means she doesn’t feel threatened. Which means she thinks she might actually be in with a shot. Dread courses through me as I consider what could happen if my cousin wins the Ignitia crown.
Ember.Queen.
I’m so absorbed in this nightmare that Elaith has to wave a hand in front of my face to get my attention. She and Flint have broken away from the group to wait for me.
Elaith cocks her thumb at my brother. ‘He said you wouldn’t take it well.’
‘Oh, he did, did he?’ I snap. ‘How intuitive of him.’
Flint suddenly becomes very interested in the sleeve of his tunic.
Elaith shrugs. ‘I don’t blame you, Blaze. I swear that girl came out of the womb a raging bit–’
‘Elaith,’ Flint warns, trying his hardest not to smile.
I watch Elaith glance over to where Ember is whispering something in Cole’s ear.
‘If it’s any consolation,’ Elaith says tightly, ‘I’ve never liked her either.’
The palace gardens spread out for miles, enclosed by a wall of solid gold. Paths spiral off in all directions from the one we follow, winding through the perfectly manicured lawns, the grass soft and vivid green despite the heat. All around I can see serfs pruning, weeding, watering flowers, planting seeds.
‘Is that a maze?’ I ask, pointing at a cluster of high hedges far in the distance.
Elaith nods. ‘It’s enchanted. Few have ever found the centre – it likes to move around. Piece of advice – don’t play hide-and-seek in the maze after dark.’
‘What shemeansis don’t play hide-and-seek in the maze after dark after drinking your weight in wildfire wine,’ Flint tells me.
Elaith is unperturbed. ‘Seriously, it seemed to go on forever. I had to send up a flare.’
‘AndIhad to find you and carry you out of there,’ Flint mutters.
We pass a row of rosebushes. At first I thought it was a trick of the light, but no, the roses themselves aregold, their thorns glittering in the morning sun.
I flinch as Elaith loops her arm through mine, then instantly feel foolish.
‘Come on,’ she says. ‘Let’s catch up.’
The tower stands at the edge of the palace grounds. It stretches high into the sky, windowless, doorless and impenetrable.
‘Welcome to the Keep,’ says Alator.
Elaith frowns, puzzled. ‘There isn’t any door,’ she points out.
Alator turns his smile on her. ‘Quite right, Elaith.’
