Page 115 of Queen of the Night
“And what of you ignoring me these past days? Is that how you will treat your head originator?”
“You may go. Resume your duties as normal.” He waves his hand at me as if I am a nuisance.
“But—”
“Now.”
Two guards step forward, and I quickly spin away in order to avoid their grasp on my arms. I silently curse my uncle and wonder how to fix the things I’ve done. Or rather, undone. There must be a way.
The guards corral me toward a door set in the far wall that will take me toward my office. I stand in the hallway, fuming as they close it behind them, and I listen as their footsteps fade. I turn to leave, but upon hearing the throne room doors once more slam open on the other side of the door, I pause. I risk cracking the door open the tiniest bit, and the ring of swords being swiftly drawn within the throne room sounds at the same time as Waylon raises his voice.
“Renton. What is this? You’ve already been paid.”
I turn and peek through the crack when I hear the tread of many boots cross the marble floor.
“I’m The King of Shadows, here to reclaim my throne.” He glances all around the throne room as if letting the long-awaitedglory of it settle in his vision. “The kingdom of Moneyre is rightfully mine.”
Waylon laughs, loud and low. “You are a simple mercenary. I’ve never heard of what you speak.Shadows?” he asks mockingly.
Even from my secreted space, I feel the tension seep from the throne room into the hallway where I hide. Dread pools in my belly.The King of Shadows?
“Arrest them,” Waylon commands, his voice cold.
I open the door a little wider, just enough to see what’s happening, when a burst of black engulfs the room. Its smoky, wispy edges begin to crawl swiftly toward me in the hallway like writhing snakes, weaving amidst the shouting of guards. Then there’s a strangled shout—louder than the rest—and a gurgling choke. As the darkness clears, I gasp to see Waylon slumped over one side of the throne. Gray… and verydead.
A whimper begs to escape, but I clap a hand over my mouth and remain still.
Renton speaks, his black-clad entourage of soldiers unmoving. “I am King of Moneyre. You answer to me now. If you don’t, you’ll be as dead as he.”
The guards look between each other, then sheathe their weapons, one by one.
“Good.” Renton nods as he smoothly climbs the steps and tosses Waylon from the throne with a sickening thud before taking the seat. “Arrest all originators, and prepare the Tulip.”
Arrest us? And the Tulip?Breath refuses to come fully as I realize the consequences of my actions are bigger than I ever could have imagined. Shadow King? Renton?
I press a hand to my head, feeling faint for the first time in my life, as my thoughts spin.I did this. My stomach turns as if toheave its contents, and I resist the urge to sink to the floor. Those wisps of gloam are growing thicker now, slithering along the crevices and smooth stone walls around me. I step away from them in horror. Ikar is the only one who can fix this… All at once his anger over my actions hits me with painful understanding. The betrayal on his face… I cover my mouth with a shaky hand as the thud of Waylon’s body hitting the floor echoes in my ears.
I can’t fix what I’ve already done, but maybe I can still help.Drade.
I lift my dress above my ankles and run, the words to a message already running through my mind.
Chapter 64
Vera
Iwake from the icy darkness I never wanted to experience again, shivering at the tingles that run through my veins as my blood reheats. I open my eyes to find myself in what I can only describe as a room fit for a royal. I lie there, staring at the ceiling and the strong, wide beams that run across it, while the memories of what brought me here begin to unfurl.
I remember the battle, and I remember with horror the way Ikar, Rhosse, and Darvy were knocked out… but I don’t remember gettinghere. Here,on a bed so large I could probably roll across its expanse five times.
I sit up and swing my legs over the edge, but it’s so tall my feet dangle in the air. I face lofty windows, framed with drapes so long they leave elegant puddles on the expensive rug that spans the entire room. My eyes drift to an exquisitely crafted table with an enormous mirror and an array of feminine jars and bottles in neat rows on its surface. It’s all very light and bright, and dread brews as I consider where I might be.
I scootch off the large bed, the thump of my boots on the ground muted by the thick rug, and push aside a heavy drape topeek out one of the large windows that overlooks… the south side of Moneyre. My guess was correct.Ikar’s castle.
My breath catches. Is it possible that Ikar, Darvy, and Rhosse are here too? And where is Rupi?
It’s then I notice a second door in the room, and I swallow tightly. Is this… thequeen’schamber? I stare at it for a moment. In the next day or two, I’ll be married to one of two kings. My heart and soul yearn for Ikar. I can’t bear to think what will happen if it’s Renton—to see that door opening with his face behind it. I find my breath grows shallow at the sickening thought. I’d rather try to escape and die than marry a man who will leave me frozen and dark while he ruins my kingdom and my people.
The suns are setting, the dwindling light heading toward darkness. It’s disconcerting to realize I have no idea what day it is because I don’t know how long I was in that frozen, sleeping state. But even as my room darkens, I resist lighting the candles or stoking the embers in the fire, and I’m certainly not climbing back on that bed. I’m not ready to sleep again. My body thrums with energy—the type that leads to impulsive and reckless decisions. I’ve got to find a way out of here.
