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Magda was frozen. She had no idea what was going on. All she could see were the assassins charging toward her. There had to be something here.

The tiles on the wall. They were stone. Stone would listen to her.

Magda thrust out her arms and the tiles burst from the wall, flying toward the two assassins like shattered glass. They both ducked, skidding onto the ground.

Ishani appeared from behind Magda, her two axes in hand. She used one, throwing it upward at the vines that strangled Queen Sanyal. The vines snapped as the axe tore them, and Sanyal dropped to the ground instantly, her body smacking to the stone floor.

Then Ishani whirled on the assassins, skidding through the open doorway. She threw her other axe before the assassins had gotten back up from the ground. The axe circled in the air before landing perfectly in one of the assassin’s chests. Blood spurted from the wound, and the assassin collapsed a moment later.

There was only one assassin left.

“Magda!” Ishani yelled before racing to recollect her axe.

Magda stared back at the last assassin, the white mask reminding her of her father and brother’s deaths. She would kill this girl, whoever she was. She wanted revenge.

Magda reached out, summoning the remaining vines that twirled over the balcony, but the assassin took one look at her dead comrade and fled.

The vines barely reached her, wrapping around her wrist and digging into her jacket.

The assassin was fast, pulling her hand from the sleeve and slipping out of the jacket entirely. She swung her legs over the railing and disappeared.

Ishani was panting, standing with an axe in hand. She looked at Magda, fear written on her face.

Kiran crawled over to her mother, shaking her as tears streamed down her face.

She looked up, her eyes bloodshot, and screamed, “She’s dead!”

CHAPTER 50

Dagmara

Dagmara’s heart pounded in her chest. This was the moment that she had dreamed about in childhood—getting married to her future husband. Not once in her life did she think it would be like this.

The doors to the ballroom remained closed, waiting for her grand entrance. She simply had to make it up the top of the staircase where they set up an altar so that everyone in attendance could see them on the balcony.

Bernadette had told her to legally marry the king, then immediately search his room. If things went wrong, she would be waiting with a carriage. This was now a direct order from the queen, and Dagmara had no choice but to go through with it. She prayed everything would go as planned.

Where was Magdalena? Dagmara hadn’t heard from her friend at all. Was Magda on her way here to Ilusauri? Had something happened to her in Flaustra? Did she decide not to come at all?

If you’re going to arrive, Magda, it’s now or never.

“You look beautiful, Princess.”

“Thank you.” Dagmara smiled at Martine, as she flattened her hands against the dress.

Her wedding dress was a full-length gown with a striking, fitted bodice that accentuated her waist, before curving up into long sleeves made of only sparkling beadwork that covered her breasts, shoulders, and arms. The back plunged into a deep v-shape, while the skirt flared out dramatically in mixed layers of silver and white, The heavy fabric was embellished with intricate silver embroidery that fanned out into a long train. Her silver-dyed hair was left hanging loosely around a diamond-studded crown.

“You also look nervous,” Martine noted, letting a smile form on her face.

Dagmara sighed. “I didn’t think I would be so nervous. I thought this wedding would be a formality. But…by the guardians, the way I feel for him…” her voice trailed off, embarrassed.

“You’re falling in love with him.” It wasn’t a question.

Dagmara nodded.

The fanfare began, and it was time to enter. She fixed her crown, feeling the sharp points of the diamonds nearly like daggers. She felt awkward not holding anything in her hands, but in Ilusaurian tradition, her hands needed to be free for the ceremony.

The doors opened, and white light poured onto her. She forced her feet to move down the makeshift aisle of people standing in groups on either side of the ballroom. There were tables set up for the dinner later, and a large area of the floor remained open for her dance with the king. Queen Bernadette had a special location to watch the wedding on the balcony, surrounded by Azuremi guards and her advisors. The musicians were on the other side of the balcony, their notes echoing through the room. The sun was setting, and rain began to fall, tapping on the glass windows beyond the chandeliers.