Page 26 of A World of Ruins

‘Keep walking.’ An Elf nudges his shoulder into me, and it takes all my powers of restraint not to react.

I clench my fists and begrudgingly allow them to manhandle us.

Just be patient, Nara.

As the doors to the castle open and we step inside, the only thing that can calm me down is repeating the mantra. But to my surprise, nothing has changed. The same gold walls shine beneath sconces, and crystallised windows adorn the hallways.

Lorcan and I exchange glances as we both notice a putrid odour in the air, similar to the smell of leather burning. And then I see it. Passing the threshold into the throne room, there are charred bodies piled on top of one another lying at the far end, near the dais. I can’t put a number on it; maybe a dozen of those could have been Venators. It’s difficult to tell from how unrecognisable they look, but the dragon’s crest still prominently shows.

My stomach twists and physical pain has me almost bending over, but the tug from an Elf forbids me from doing so.

‘Nara,’ someone says, and hearing that voice again sends a pang of nausea my way. ‘What a pleasant surprise.’

The Elves in front of me step off to the sides, giving me a clear view of Aurum sitting on the throne. His dark hair is shorter than when I last saw him, his clothing different, now matching Emberwell’s bright style. His legs dangle off the arm of the chair as he toys with a flame within his palm. He’s not looking directly at me, but just the sight of him brings back unwanted memories of that night.

‘I was beginning to think you wouldn’t ever come.’ He turns his head, revealing a golden eyepatch covering his left eye and a ghastly scar slipping diagonally beneath it all the way to his cheek.

My lips almost twitch into a smile, remembering thatIdid that – thatIcaused that, and it never fully healed.

Regardless, I try to lunge forward only to be held back. ‘What have you done to the tree?’ I demand.

He smacks his lips together, raising a finger as he drops his legs from the throne. ‘Ah, yes,that.’ He leans forward, steepling his hands. ‘I always hated that tree from a young age. I must say it felt great burning it down along with mortals. I mean, who knew that a bleeding tree could make you feel so . . .defenceless?’ He rises from the throne and strides down the dais with slow steps. ‘Of course, it doesn’t do much to me. I am a true-blooded Rivernorth, but Darius? Well, half Rivernorth or not, he was easier to manage with some of it in his system.’

‘You—’ My rage erupts within me enough to damn him and everyone in here as I lurch forward, only to be yanked back by the shoulders this time. I struggle against the Elf’s grip, wishing to wipe Aurum’s vile smile away.

That repugnant—

‘Now, Nara, what did I tell you about siding with a thief?’

My blood stops pumping through my veins and every ounce of colour in my face drains away at the familiarity of that graceful voice. A voice that hides the most sinister history.

Sarilyn surfaces from behind the throne in a flowing red gown with a plunging neck, still so beautiful and dangerous. She isn’t wearing her crown, but even without it, she doesn’t stop beingQueen Sarilyn, the one who tried to rip me apart.

She narrows her stare down at me as she slides up beside Aurum and drapes her jewel-covered hand over his shoulder.

What is happening?

‘Then again,’ she says, ‘I can’t say anything, can I?’ Her gaze flickers towards Lorcan beside me, and her lips lift into a smirk. ‘Nice to see you are alive and well, Deputy.’

Lorcan glares up at her, and I shake my head, dazed, as I lock eyes with Sarilyn.

‘You’re working with him?’This can’t be real.

She lifts her shoulder. ‘He came at me with an interesting proposition.’

Aurum chuckles. ‘She couldn’t stay mad at me for long. Sure, she tried to kill me and ruled overmykingdom for centuries. But it was either side with me, or— Well, you can use your imagination.’ He wraps an arm around her waist and squeezes. It makes it almost impossible to keep myself from being sick all over this floor. ‘She made the wisest decision.’

It doesn’t make sense. It’s ludicrous that the Queen – someone who despised Aurum and ended most of his bloodline – would now be with him despite the consequences if she disagreed.

My shoulders turn rigid, disappointment oddly coursing through my veins. ‘I don’t know what I expected,’ I say. ‘I suppose you both truly do deserve each other.’

Sarilyn’s smile is forced. A look I have often received from her in the past. ‘And how is the Golden Thief?’ She offers me a concerned look. ‘Oh, silly me.’ She laughs. ‘He is not even with you.’

Aurum joins in with a snicker, and I have never heard such a hateful sound in my life. A sound I wish to burn to the soils of the earth.

I cast a glance over to the windows, praying for the sun to rise soon before setting my scornful gaze on Aurum.

‘Don’t give me that look, Nara.’ He pouts mockingly as he gestures to the throne hall. ‘After all, this is all on you.’

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