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He sighs, a nearly soundless indication of exasperation. “Very well.”

She turns her interest on the Tower. “You’ve made quite the accounting for yourself, Champion Tower. What will you do should you become Cinque?”

I follow her gaze to him, wondering if he’ll speak about the things we’ve discussed. This might not be the time and place, considering we aren’t actually Cinque yet, but if there’s even a small chance to get the Queen of Swords on our side, speaking with her privately like this could be an opportunity.

But Nero just shrugs one shoulder, both his body language and expression locked down. “I suppose you’ll see when it happens.”

Her smile stays serene, but there’s a new edge beneath it, an increased tension in her body. It’s barely noticeable, but I’ve learned to pay attention when facing a potential predator. And no matter how charming and savvy the Queen of Swords is, she’s a predator right down to her bones. Maybe he was right to hold his tongue.

Thankfully, the trip is over quickly. I’m not sure what to expect as I follow the others out of the carriage, but it’s not to be deposited before a bathhouse—and not just any bathhouse, but a Ruby bathhouse.

The Queen of Swords leads the way into the building, bypassing a man in Ruby colors in the entranceway with a nod. My curiosity takes over as we walk down a wide hallway with high rectangular windows to take advantage of the afternoon sun.

The Ruby Guild is famous for their bathhouses—among other things—and while anyone can pay to be a patron of them, some of them are strictly for guild members. The stories of deep-set pools of warm water, of massage sessions, of the many other things one can find inside, were so extravagant I had all but chalked them up to fiction.

At least until we step through a door and into a large room with gently steaming pools. I clench my hands against the impulse to go to one knee and test the warmth of the water. I bet it would feel amazing on my tired muscles.

Apparently this isn’t our destination, though. The queen walks along the narrow spaces between the pools, following a pathway of slightly different colored tiles—a lighter gray than that of the rest of the floors and walls—to another door.

This one leads to a series of strangely curving hallways. Just in case this is all part of a plan to trap us here to finish the Trials, I track our path, memorizing the way to the exit.

A third door, this one to a small room with a scattering of couches, clearly meant for people to linger in discussion. The entire space is decorated in soothing blues and grays, with some browns. There’s even a narrow table with several trays of food to snack upon. Everything is small and easy to eat with our hands. I eye the selection, but bypass the table to check the view from the single window opposite the door. It looks out onto greenery, some kind of courtyard garden.

Of course there’s a garden in their bathhouse. Why wouldn’t there be?

“Please enjoy the hospitality of the Swords.” The queen’s voice is low and pleasing, creating an intimate feel in the room. She turns as seven Rubies file into the room. They’re all clothed in the traditional pink-red robes, and every single one of them is beautiful beyond measure. The queen smiles. “You’ve attended the … events … hosted by the Cups, Wands, and Pentacles. They’ve feted you and harassed you and generally asked for more than they’ve given.”

Oh, she’s good. I can suddenly see exactly where Vesper gets their canny mind from. The three other courts certainly made us feel like we were the entertainment. By turning that expectation on its head, the Queen of Swords is creating instant goodwill toward her court. Clever.

She continues in that soothing voice. “We ask nothing but that you remember us fondly once you ascend to Cinque.” The queen motions to the attendants. “When you’re ready, your attendant will escort you to a room for a massage and private bath. Should you want more personal services, they’re happy to see to that as well. We hope you’ll enjoy your time before sunset.”

A massage and a private bath? Sex? I certainly won’t be utilizing the latter, though offering it through the Rubies is very, very smart. They aren’t apolitical—not when Guild Master Fox is a member of the Concilium—but they are as close to it as anyone gets in Caelria. What’s said between a Ruby and their client is sacred. No Ruby worth their salt would risk their guild membership by betraying that confidence.

I turn toward Cato, intent on cornering him to speak despite Vesper’s intention to bring him around, but he’s already walking toward the queen and following an attendant out of the room. Vesper shoots me an apologetic look and follows.

I’m as alone as I was the first day of the Trials. It didn’t bother me then, and I desperately don’t want it to bother me now. A fool’s hope. I had a taste of an alliance, of friendship, of something infinitely more complicated … only to have it ripped away from me just when I stopped distrusting its existence. Despair lurks, darker than the darkest night, waiting for the moment when I let my guard down. I am well and truly on my own.

We must keep a close eye on the guilds. While they claim to be in support of the primordial gods, it’s possible their worship of the old gods lingers. Especially among the Rubies …

—EXCERPT FROM THE MAJOR ARCANA: A TREATISE ON THE HISTORY OF THE OLD GODS

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

THE CHAMPIONS— EXCEPTING Vesper and Cato—are the only ones in the room, aside from the Ruby attendants and the Queen of Swords, who stands idly by with a glass of wine in her hand. The room is too small for plotting—I can easily hear every word of the Star’s and the High Priestess’s conversation as they pour themselves glasses of wine. Even so, I instinctively look for Death. If I could just talk to him, even if we have to be careful with our words, maybe I could …

But it’s too late. He’s already following an attendant from the room. I exhale shakily. My heart is beating as if I’ve just run a great distance, and my thoughts are circling, faster and faster. It’s all too much. It’s been too much since I stepped onto that dais, since I offered everything to the Moon. I’m so bloody tired.

I trudge over to the shrinking line of attendants standing next to the Queen of Swords. “I’m ready.”

“Enjoy your time with the Swords, Champion Moon.” The queen motions to a tall woman with light brown skin with olive undertones and wavy brown hair. “Sophia will take care of you.”

I don’t know why it surprises me that she knows the attendant’s name. It’s something Vesper would do, a small act that is both considerate and calculated. I nod and follow Sophia from the room. She doesn’t speak as she guides me deeper into the building to a pair of doors that seem oddly close to each other. A quick glance back reveals that all the doors are in pairs.

The moment I walk into the room, I realize why. The laugh that erupts from my mouth isn’t kind or joyful. It’s harsh and so bitter, I can taste it on my tongue. “Of course. I knew this was too good to be true.”

The room is larger than I expected … because both doors in the hallway lead into it. The only nod to privacy is a semitransparent cloth hung across the length of the space. It hovers over the inset pool, nearly touching the surface of the water, but not dividing it. Not really. They’re going to put another champion in here and then the Sun will set and I’ll be trapped. Damn them.

The room has tiled floors similar to the ones in the main baths, half a dozen small round tables with candles lit, giving the space a dark, intimate feel. Or maybe it’s supposed to be relaxing. I don’t know.