Page 112 of Hunger & Harmony

The show is tonight. In less than twelve hours from now, we’ll be at the venue. My stomach churns, and I bury my face in my pillow. Niko’s embrace remains steady.

“What’s your relationship with your aunt?”

Every possibility about tonight plagues me, but knowing the Archduchess will be there scares me the most. She wants to sacrifice me. Would she hurt her own nephew, too?

Niko hums, like he doesn’t quite know the answer himself.

“My family has never been warm,” he says. “I used to believe she was my only ally. After my father’s passing, she tasted power, and it all changed. Though, some say she orchestrated his downfall.”

I roll onto my back, and he adjusts around me.

“Why can’t you give her what she wants?” I ask. “Since you don’t want to be king.”

The silence doesn’t stretch long.

“I’ve considered it,” he says, his admittance so soft, a butterfly’s wings could break it. “Maybe I’ve held on for my mother. To change the system that destroyed her.”

I smile sadly. He returns it.

“We’ll get through tonight,” he says. “After that, we’ll see. Maybe I’ll leave my crown for good.”

“Yeah.”

Forcing a smile, I try to ignore my twisting stomach.

“We’ll get through tonight.”

Cameras flash at a dizzying pace. Even backstage, the weight of scrutiny and hysteria out there crushes my chest. I’m laboring on my own breath, trying and failing to remain calm.

Human media, the Midnight Court, and a selection of fans all gather in Sunveil’s historically brimming arena. This was the first stop of the tour, and the bright beginning I always wished for. Now, I pace the black floors dusted with rosin and glitter, gnawing at my inner cheek. This feels wrong. Even if I can’t hear them anymore, Dissonant notes would fit here.

“Cadence!”

My spine straightens when I hear her calling for me. Lorelai has been buzzing around since we arrived. Her energy isn’t helping. I know we’re all nervous, so I’m trying not to snap at her.

“Yeah?” I call back as I cross the hallway to ‌find her in an empty dressing room.

“Hey, I need to go to the bathroom,” she says, doing a little dance where she stands. “I know it’s kind of awkward right now, but can you deliver this to Ryel?”

She offers me a small box. It’s metal, and no bigger than a tin of mints. I tilt my head as I take it from her.

“Right now . . .?”

“Please,” she says, and I bite my lip. “Listen, I have to go so badly! You've gotta hurry before the show starts!”

“Well . . .” I close my fingers around it and shrug half-heartedly. “Okay.”

“I owe you big time!”

She shoos me away, and I take a breath after the door closes on me.

Confronting Ryel is the last thing I want to do. Niko’s been shielding me from him, and I’ve only seen his scowls in passing. Still, a job’s a job. I let a sigh loose and make my way to the band’s main lounge, knowing we’re within ten minutes of go time.

I knock on the open door. When I look inside, Ryel isn’t there. No one is.

Huh.

“Where’s—” I start to ask a crew member rushing by.