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Cheers erupted and my heart cracked as recognition bloomed.

Lying at the base of the steps was Briar.

Forty

Maez’s scream tore above the cheering—a deep, sharp wail. She bolted forward, only to be yanked back by her collar, inches from reaching her mate. She scrambled forward again, reaching out her hand to try to grab Briar’s sleeve. Her fingertips skimmed the fabric, but she couldn’t grasp it.

“Pathetic.” Sawyn grinned as the Rooks erupted in laughter.

But I didn’t see anything pathetic about Maez’s attempts, and the only thing keeping me from doing the same was Grae’s grip on my arm and his soft, steadying words in my ear. For all that, I couldn’t tear my eyes away from my twin’s limp body. Her hair covered her face, her lifeless arms splayed at odd angles, her skirts askew. A river of white lace trailed out toward the quintet of musicians who’d resumed their lively jig. The merriment made me want to howl with rage.

I spotted Malou’s dark hair and gray eyes at last, weaving through the crowd. She held aloft a golden tray with a single bejeweled goblet in its center. In the tan garb of the royal servants, I’d almost missed her. One arm tucked behind her back and her head bowed. Her eyes darted to the tapestry where we stood and gave us a wink. My stomach lurched as she stepped up from the dais, curtsying as she proffered the goblet to Sawyn.

“It’s time,” Ora said from beside me, placing a hand on my numb shoulder.

I pulled my head away to look at our gathering group.

“Please tell me you brought more weapons?” Grae asked Hector.

Sadie opened her puffy costume jacket to reveal her fighting leathers. Armed to the teeth, each belt and buckle was strapped with knives and daggers. “Take your pick.”

“Esh,” Navin cursed at the armory hanging from the lining of her coat.

“Gods, I love you.” My heart raced as I took another throwing knife and paring knife from her belt to accompany my dagger.

I turned to Ora, gesturing to the busy room of performers behind me. “We need to get as many people out of here as possible. Sawyn will think nothing of the human casualties. When the fighting breaks out, you need to lead people to safety.”

“The people who are here want to be here, Your Majesty.” Ora pulled the fox badge out of their pocket and passed it to me. “Look for the badges.”

I furrowed my brow as I swept my thumb over the little fox face. “Look for the badges?”

Ora nodded, taking my shoulders and turning me toward the woven screen. “Do you like this song?”

“Why are you asking me that now?”

“Just tell me.”

I strained to focus on the strings above the sound of clamorous banter. It was quick-paced but melodic, a hint of sorrow amongst the sweeping crescendoes, trailing upward in a way that made my heart swell.

“It’s beautiful,” I whispered. “Who wrote it?”

“I did,” Ora said, pulling my gaze back to them. “This is Calla’s song. This is how I think of you.” I took in a shuddering breath as my eyes welled and Ora cupped my cheeks again. “You are not alone, Your Majesty. Look for the badges—”

A deafening crack of lightning shot through the air and everyone jolted.

“It’s time,” Grae said, grabbing me and pulling me into a burning kiss. His storming eyes met mine. “Let’s go save your sister.”

“Let’s go claim my crown.”

My lips collided with his in one more desperate kiss before I grabbed the hilt of my dagger and plunged through the doorway.

What I saw when I darted into the grand hall made my heart tumble. In a single breath, chaos had erupted around us. Screams and clangs of metal against metal echoed across the vaulted ceilings. A wall of obsidian cloaks blocked our path to the dais. My eyes flew to Malou, pinned to the wall, glowing green light circling her as she clawed at her throat.

“You try to poison me?Me?” Sawyn raged, squeezing her hand through the air as Malou’s eyes rolled back. The same chokehold that would’ve killed me in Damrienn were it not for Grae’s protection stone.

I raced forward, only to be met by a wall of Rooks. Mina darted out through the crowd, brandishing a fallen Rook’s scythe. The normally mousy twin looked ferocious, slashing at Sawyn. The sorceress gaped down at the split fabric of her dress.

“Curse the Gods,” she snarled. “More twins.”