I stared at the stone.“What do you mean?”
“It’s on a timing mechanism.It’s already moved farther up than it was when I first stepped on it.I would guess an hour or less.Once it reaches the top, it should click into place and release the door, but the ball will probably be over by then.”A sour tone entered his voice.“And we’ll lose.”
A slight wave of dizziness passed over me, my shoulder aching.I eased down to the floor, seeking a comfortable position that worked well with my sore abdomen.“Who cares if we win, Valeris.I’m more concerned about getting out of here.”
“Icare about winning.”
“Why?”I laughed.“It’s just a stupid game at a ball.”
He sat down across from me.“Maybe for you.”
“Does this have anything to do with your siblings?I heard you whisper Ezrielle’s name when the door locked in the other room.”
He glanced away, avoiding the conversation.“Of sorts.Ezrielle will probably win, and then we’re all doomed.”
“For winning a game?”
He hesitated as if he’d said something he shouldn’t have.“Never mind.It’s nothing.”
From the look on his face, I wouldn’t say it was nothing, but he wouldn’t reveal whatever it was.
He looked up at me.“You never had any rivalries with your siblings?”
“Of sorts.”I shrugged, wincing at the sharp pain in my shoulder.
There were many experiences and rivalries I should have had with my siblings, but all of them had been stolen from me.“My brother and I get along well.”
Valeris found that detail amusing, as if it were odd to him.“I haven’t met your brother.You’ll have to point him out and introduce us sometime.”
“Yes,” I sounded distracted.“Sometime.”
I had no intention of giving him any access to my brother.
An awkward lull in the conversation fell between us.
“Have you found him yet?”Valeris asked.
My brow scrunched in confusion.“Found who?”
He peered at me.“The man who murdered your family.”
I swallowed.“Not yet, but I’m close.”
Valeris sighed.
I cocked an eyebrow.“I’m sorry, am I boring you?”
“No, but these walls are.”
I rolled my eyes, and he smirked at my irritation.
He scooted closer as if sharing secrets.“Where did you learn the skills you possess?”
My heart hammered in my chest, the question too specific.Did he suspect I was involved with his uncle’s attack?Suspect I was an assassin?
I laughed it off.“Scaling the side of a building isn’t a special skill, considering you did it as well.”
“Barely.”He ignored the jab.“But that was with the ledge.There’s no lip outside of Ezrielle’s rooms, which meant you had nothing but stone to scale, but that’s not all.You’re cunning and smart, especially in how you think your way through problems.When you sabotaged my alliance with Lord Eyreling, you knew exactly what you were doing.I also know you placed second in the archery tournament—I bet you could have placed first if you wanted to.”
