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“Additionally, all those who aided you in your crimes will also be punished. The Adriel Priesthood shall be hunted across the kingdom, destined to live out the rest of their days in prison. And Kai Electus, the traitor who fooled us all, shall similarly die by execution once he’s caught.”

A tear rolled down Ryn’s cheek, leaving a hot trail on her skin. She wasn’t sure what she’d expected. Shehadbetrayed Xerxes. Shehadfooled all these people. Shehadcommitted crimes. She knew she would be in trouble, but she thought she’d at least be able to explain herself to Xerxes.

The Folke pulled her backward, and Ryn shook her head. Was he really going to let her die like this? What about Kai—where was her cousin? A well sprang up within her. “I thought wewere allies!” she shouted at the young man sitting on the throne. “Xerxes!”

A hundred horrified gasps filled the Throne Room.

“How dare you?!” Damon growled. “You should have your tongue removed before you die!”

Xerxes’s eyes opened slowly.

Dozens of people held their breath as Xerxes lifted his gaze to Ryn. She closed her mouth. She hadn’t meant to use his first name, especially not in front of all these people.

Xerxes stood. The silence remained while he descended the dais, every step echoing through the room. He kept his cold blue gaze on Ryn as he walked over the golden carpet. Her knees weakened, but the Folke held her up until he stood before her.

He stared. Ryn searched his face for hidden smiles, for a spark of assurance. For anything.

Xerxes’s brows tilted in. The corners of his mouth tipped down. Every movement was so slight, almost too small to see.

Then he said, “Liar.”

…

Time stopped.

Ryn no longer felt the rough hands of the Folke as they dragged her back from him.

Liar.

Xerxes was left standing in the middle of the Throne Room as they pulled Ryn through the vaulted entrance and into the hall. She didn’t fight them, even when their fingers dug into her flesh. Her gaze drifted down to the metal cuffs binding her wrists, weighing down her arms. It was nothing.

Nothing compared to the weight of Ryn’s heart sinking to a place she’d never find it.

All sound was muffled and distant as she walked, like she was standing at the bottom of an ocean. Like none of this was real,and soon she’d wake from a terrible dream and colours would return and she’d be able to hear again.

She was hardly aware of her feet moving. Of the halls changing. Of the stairs she descended.

Cold enveloped her in the dungeon below the palace. Only thin windows allowed any light inside. The cells were empty apart from one at the back where Ryn spotted a man passed out in a green robe. She didn’t recognize the priest.

She was shoved into a cell. The loud ringing of the door slamming shut behind her filled the whole prison. When she turned around, the Folke were already walking away.

She tried to inhale a deep breath, but pins and needles scratched her lungs. She placed her bound hands against her chest.

Liar.

Yes. Ryn was the biggest liar of all. And now, everyone knew it.

For several moments, she didn’t move from where she stood, staring at the cell bars. Her knees began to shake, her breathing thinned. She thought she would die standing up.

Execution.

Immediately.

A commotion sounded at the prison doors. Heavy footsteps echoed down the hall.

“Your Majesty!” someone shouted.

Ryn lifted her eyes. She came to the bars just as Xerxes marched into view, his navy coat quivering behind. Three guards chased after him with their hands on their sword hilts.