Page 75 of Between Smoke and Shadow

“Yes,” I admit. “I despise Viana, but if I hadn’t fallen in love, I would have tolerated the marriage.”

“Love,” Tora repeats. Her mouth twitches into a frown. “What happened tolove is not for us, sister? What about it being for the best?”

“She happened,” I say. My voice softens when I speak about Rune, and I look away, hoping Tora can’t hear it.

“Wow,” she says. She scrutinizes me for a long time before breathing out a harsh puff of air. Finally she nods. “So you’ll ask the Committee to wed this woman. Is she of high enough rank?”

I swallow. I should look Tora in the eye so she doesn’t get suspicious, but my brain suddenly doesn’t feel like it’s working. Everything feels mushy and slow, and I swear I can hear Tora’s mind working through all that I’ve said.

“She’s not, is she?” she asks, confirming my suspicion. “You don’t think they’ll say yes.”

I want to laugh. Of course they wouldn’t say yes. Rune would be blamed for seducing me, for pulling me away from my duties. Whether or not I’m made king, the Committee won’t approve.

“Oh Harrick,” Tora says. Her expression has turned pained, pitiful. “You’re going to get her killed.”

TWENTY-FIVE

RUNE

I don’t know why Harrick left this book in my quarters. It must have been why he was here last night, and yet, he didn’t mention it while we were together. We’d gotten distracted, but it still doesn’t make sense.

What do you know, Harrick?

I absently touch my lips. Even thinking of him makes my skin tingle. I told myself I needed him to kiss me, that it was the only way to keep him from questioning where I’d been last night. I wasn’t sure I could keep myself from confessing everything, from demanding to know what the Architect planned with all that excess magic—and whether he was in on it.

It was all too easy to steer him off course–but it was harder than I imagined to keep myself on mine. Far too soon, I was leaning into him, kissing him, devouring him as much as he was devouring me.

And now, flipping through the chapters of thisIllia’s Tome, I feel a pang of guilt. He may have left this as a gift, as a show of trust, and I just used his lust against him. I squint at the crisp pages. Most of this is too advanced for me to understand. Luckily, the maps are easy. It only takes a few minutes to figure out what’s being depicted: the Reaping Grounds, the Pit, the Cityof Mirrors. Each section breaks further into featured buildings, major landscapes, and divided property lines. For the Tower, that means a map of the main sections and noteworthy locations within each.

Without Viana to serve—and until I’m reassigned elsewhere—I have the luxury of wasting time. I’ve spent all morning memorizing the military section and certain levels within it. There’s nothing to indicate the lift Vale and I used, and of course, there’s nothing in the book that references the magic at all.

I think back to Caleah. She’d found hints of this last season, and though I doubt even she knew how much magic we’d find, she was still right. I hope she’s alive so I can tell her. It’s foolish to even hope for it, but I resolve to ask Harrick the next time we’re together. If anyone can find out for me, it’s him.

For now, I study the maps, memorizing weak points and potential exits. I look through the pages until the lines start to blur and I can’t make sense of them anymore. I doubt Harrick will take back the book anytime soon, but it’s a risk I can’t take. With my breath held tight, I rip out two pages. The first, a broad map of the Tower. The second, a detailed series of military floors.

I force myself not to dwell on the potential consequences. Instead, I consider all the possible rewards.

Two nights later,I wait in a pantry closet for Vale. I sit cross-legged on the floor, back propped against a stiff bag of flour, and attempt to clean the permanent layer of dirt under my fingernails. I came down here early, and I’ve been alone with my thoughts for too long. It’s not Vale I’m thinking of though. Ihaven’t seen Harrick since we kissed in my quarters, and despite logical explanations, I’m feeling anxious about it.

Is he planning to frame me with that book?

Is this all an elaborate trap?

Is he mad at me? Disappointed?

Does he notice the dirt under my nails?

The door opens while I’m still obsessing over my insecurities. It’s too dark to see anything, but I can tell it’s Vale from the way he breathes. He shuffles through the room, bumping into the far shelf as he finds a place to sit.

“What do you have for me?” he asks. He sounds even more stressed than usual.

“A map,” I say. I twist my hands together. “Two, actually. From a copy ofIllia’s Tome. The Tower as a whole, then a few floors of the military section.”

“Good,” he says. Then, “Where did you find it?”

“It was one of Viana’s books,” I say. A moment too late, I realize it’s a bad excuse. I don’t work for Viana anymore, and Vale likely knows that. I chew on my tongue, bracing for him to call me out.

“Escape routes?” he asks instead.

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