My brother is dressed in a rich scarlet doublet complete with a matching eyepatch. Renly clings to his back, adorable in a little orange-and-gold tunic. He slides to the ground and launches himself into my arms.
‘Blaze,’ he says, ‘your face is very white. Like a ghost. Are you frightened?’
I feel the frantic pounding of my heart as I hold him tightly, breathing in the calming scent of fresh linen and chocolate.
‘Nerves are totally understandable, sister mine,’ says Flint sagely, ‘but Hal’s beginning to look a tad unsteady on his feet and our dear sweet cousin is seconds away from throwing a tantrum, so best shake a leg.’ Then he pauses, tilting his head to one side. ‘Hm. On second thoughts, hand me that brush.’
Mouse crawls sleepily on to my lap as Flint dusts shimmering powder along my cheekbones and lines my eyes with slicks of gold.
It’s only when I glance down that I see a sleek black feather perched atop the vanity next to the wooden knight from Renly. My skin crawls. I don’t trust myself to speak. I can’t tell Flint what just happened, not with Ren here. But more than that, I’m still reeling from the Ventalla King’s words. From the awful, twisted truth of them. And what did he mean when he spoke ofmotivation?
‘There,’ my brother says with a flourish. ‘That’s better.’
Ren beams. ‘Pretty.’
A phantom breeze kisses my face as the door to my chambers swings shut behind us.
I clutch Ren’s hand. Blood rushes in my ears.
All too soon, we reach the throne room. I can hear the low rumble of voices beyond the towering golden doors.
My knees knock together.
‘Chin up,’ Flint instructs. ‘Shoulders back.’
‘Stand up straight,’ Renly says, mimicking Grandmother.
‘Oh, and whatever you do, don’t trip,’ Flint adds helpfully. He glances at Ren. ‘Remember what I taught you?’
I watch, utterly speechless, as my brothers bow deeply in unison.
Then Flint straightens up and punches me lightly on the arm. ‘All right, sister mine. It’s time. Knock ’em dead.’
With that, he ushers me gently through the doors.
A thousand heads turn in my direction. Hiding my shaking hands in the folds of my dress, I make my way slowly through the crowd of onlookers towards the daiswhere the new Council await. A pair of green eyes snaps to mine, burning holes in my skin. My stomach tumbles and I force myself to look away before I lose my nerve entirely.
Whispering fills the hall.
It’s madness.
The emperor must be out of his mind.
I don’t care if she wears a crown. I’ll never bend the knee.
What d’you reckon this weapon of hers is, then?
I just hope it’s not another storm, or we’re all dead.
She looks like she’s going to vomit.
Excellent.
I spot Elva, beautiful in a glittering gold dress. Next to her is Elaith, bouncing up and down excitedly on the balls of her feet. My friend and former training partner, Kai, gives me a little wave from where he stands with a few Aquatori courtiers, all craning to get a glimpse of me. I catch sight of Sheen, who looks as sullen as ever, and Spinner, who blows me a kiss. Cole gives me a look that suggests he’d prefer it if this were my funeral rather than my coronation. As for Marina, I can practically hear her grinding her teeth from several rows away.
Then my gaze lands on Caius Castellion and my insides turn to ice. Beside him, River nods in encouragement, his silver trident catching the light. Grandmother is gripping her ruby-encrusted stick, her expression unreadable. And there, standing at her side, is –
My breath catches, my already-fraying resolve unravelling until it hangs by a thread. It’s all I can do not to come undone.
