Page 79 of A Dagger in the Ivy

It’s hard for me to imagine that these events occurred mere years before I was born.

Ezra settles behind his desk. “But King Axel was not only concerned with external threats. Two lands were holding their own in the face ofadversity: Alphemra, the island of fae, and Messanya, the islands of the sirens. The fae, as they are now, were a peaceful people. And not only did they fall in favor of the king, but he fell in love with a fae and married her.”

I smile at the memory of my mother.

“The sirens were another story. They were reluctant to become allies with anyone, and King Axel found that the glamour of the sirens posed a danger that threatened to undermine his rule from within. Fearing that their seductive powers could erode the loyalty of his people and challenge his authority, he enacted the siren ban. It was a move meant to protect his throne and ensure that no outside influence, magical or otherwise, could diminish his control.”

“As the bloodshed ended, Terre Ferique entered the dawn of the Age of Silence,” Magister Ezra concludes, “a new era of peace upon our world, which we will touch upon in another lesson.”

It feels like we’ve been in the dim classroom for years when we finally emerge. When we get to the grand hall, I exhale a long breath, attempting to expel with it the somberness of Ezra’s lesson. I can’t say I didn’t sleep well, though. Ezra’s powder had certainly helped me relax. As he instructed, I put a pinch into some tea, drinking it right before I slipped into bed. My muscles relaxed in a matter of minutes, and once I was settled, I felt a weight press down on me. I closed my eyes and awoke refreshed, relieved that I hadn’t wandered in my sleep.

“Enough of this gloom,” Nadya says, linking her arm with mine as we walk. “I’m starting to feel like one of those old statues in the courtyard—cold, grey, and stuck in place.”

I can’t help but smile at her dramatics. “I suppose we could use a distraction.”

Nadya grins, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “Exactly! We need something fun, something that reminds us we’re still alive. We could ask Sir Holden to take us into town. Maybe buy some new dresses or jewelry.But first, how about sneaking into the kitchens and stealing some of the desserts they’re preparing for after dinner?”

I laugh, shaking my head. “Are you forgetting the last time you tried that? Or does the mention of Indira chasing you out with a rolling pin not ring any bells?”

She shrugs playfully. “Maybe, but it’s worth the risk. I still can’t understand how that woman can be everywhere at all times. But when was the last time we did something spontaneous?” She lowers her voice. “You’ve got to admit, it’s beginning to feel like we’re living in a golden cage.”

Her words resonate with me more than I’d like to admit. Ever since we arrived at Ivystone, it feels like the weight of duty has been pressing down on us, leaving little room for anything else. And it must be especially hard for her, not having the freedom she was used to back at the Garrison. I squeeze her arm, feeling grateful for her lightheartedness.

“All right,” I concede. “Let’s be reckless, just this once. But if we get caught, I’m blaming you entirely.”

Nadya laughs, a carefree sound that echoes through the hall. “I’m sure Indira will see it that way, anyway.”

As Nadya and I are about to make our way to the kitchen, the air is suddenly filled with triumphant fanfare. Cheery voices and shouts of congratulations echo around us. We turn to see Prince Torbin arrive with a flourish. His presence commands the attention of all who gather in the hall. Behind him, his hunting lads follow, bearing aloft the magnificent stag he has slain, their boisterous cheers reverberating off the walls.

Torbin strides into the center of the room with all the swagger of a conqueror, his chest puffed out with pride. “Behold, my noble companions. The midnight buck! They said it couldn’t be done. They said it was merely a myth. But I have proved them wrong and returned victorious.”

His voice rings out, brimming with arrogance and self-assurance, as he boasts of his skill and prowess in the hunt. His friends clap him on the back, while some lady courtiers look on with admiration.

“A trophy worthy of a prince, brought down by my own hand. Thismythical beast has met its match.” He smiles and raises a fist in the air.

“Prince Torbin, master of the hunt!” they call out.

As Torbin basks in the adulation of his followers, his ego no doubt inflated by their fawning praise, he scans the room until his fierce gaze lands on me. When he breaks from the crowd and heads my way, I steel myself to play the part of the dutiful betrothed.

“Congratulations, Torbin.” I incline my head. “Your hunting skills are as impressive as ever.”

Torbin’s eyes alight with satisfaction. His smile widens, and he leans closer to me. “I feel… an energy flowing through me. It’s exhilarating. I can’t explain it.” He settles his hands on my shoulders and slowly moves them up and down my arms. “I feel undefeatable.”

He looks me up and down with hooded eyes, his hands moving to my waist. Before I can react, he pulls me close and takes my lips with his. My whimper of surprise only causes him to pull me closer and deepen the kiss. His mouth is smooth and warm, and his hands move over my back with an uninhibited greed.

Cheers erupt around us, and Torbin breaks the kiss. He smirks, his eyes almost wild as he gazes at me. “Celeste, the world can be ours. I want nothing more than to give you everything your heart desires. And I’d very much like to share this elation with you. Tonight, perhaps.”

I’m caught off guard by his kiss and his words, and I’m not sure how I feel about them. There’s something about the gesture that causes alarms to go off in my head. But despite my reservations about him, I know the importance of maintaining appearances, especially in front of his loyal followers.

One of his friends steps forward and shakes his shoulders. “This calls for celebration! Tonight, we drink!”

I quickly hide my skepticism about him and flash him a coy smile. “I think your friends have other plans for tonight, my prince.”

Torbin laughs, but his smile falters as he studies my face. My heart thrums in my chest, and I can’t help feeling that he senses my apprehension.

There is a silent moment between us before his gaze softens. Thenhe takes a step closer, his voice lowering to a more intimate tone, his breath brushing my ear. “I’m sorry if I’ve alarmed you. You’ll have to excuse my enthusiasm, but in this moment, I feel like the luckiest man alive.”

The sincerity in his words makes me think of the young Torbin I used to know, and I find myself momentarily swayed by his charm. “Enjoy your triumph. We have plenty of time to celebrate.”

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