Page 67

Taly was glad when Kalahad rose to make a toast. It finally forced Skye’s eyes away from that homewrecker to the front of the room.

To be clear, she didn’t wish death on anyone. But, also, if Jezebel had been brutally mauled by shades, leaving her without an arm or two or maybe even in the realm of the dearly departed, she wouldn’t have been too broken up about it either.

Smiling, Kalahad set down his fork and addressed the room.

“Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed guests, cherished friends. Tonight, we have the extraordinary privilege of celebrating the return of a true hero. Her courage has been whispered about in taverns, praised in halls, and now, we have the unparalleled privilege of welcoming her back to where she belongs. It is with immense pleasure that I raise my glass to the evening’s guest of honor, a woman whose valor knows no bounds. Talya Caro.”

Taly smiled and rose from the table to the din of polite applause.

She hated this. Hated the attention. But she smiled nonetheless, just the way Leto had taught her.

They’d practiced in the mirror for hours, days, weeks—in the time loop, it was hard to keep track.

Any hint of insincerity or contempt would be met with swift correction until Taly had learned to suppress her inner disdain no matter the situation.

Whether it was Feyries screaming at her, the repeated lash of Azura’s fan across her wrist, or even the empty flattery of a room full of royal assholes who saw her as nothing more than an anomaly to be gawked at and patronized—she’d learned to endure it all while projecting a genuine, beaming smile.

“I must admit, I had my doubts when Castaro approached me about a joint venture.” Scattered laughter.

“An expedition to retrieve a rare and shining jewel amidst the darkness of our times. Her journey was one of adversity and courage—and a testament to what I can tell after only a few hours of knowing you, my dear, is an indomitable spirit.”

Down the table, Aimee rolled her eyes. Taly resisted the urge. Kalahad was laying it on thick .

“During the Battle for Ebondrift, she fearlessly fixed a malfunctioning flashcannon, turning the tide in our favor. Braving the treacherous wilds, she embarked on a perilous journey to send a message for help—and to this, I can attest. I was one of the refugees that gathered in Della. Without her, we’d all be ash or worse. ”

A smattering of applause broke from across the table in recognition of his grueling ordeal, and Kalahad eagerly soaked in the outpouring of sympathies.

“For a month, she survived amidst the unforgiving wilderness, demonstrating a resilience that is nothing short of extraordinary, and I want to announce tonight, to all you gentle people, that I have invested in her not only my resources but my faith. So, raise your glasses with me, and let us toast this remarkable woman. To the Savior of Ebondrift, the girl who lived despite the odds, and to what I hope is the beginning of a long and productive friendship between our households.”

Kalahad raised his glass high, inviting his guests to join him. Glasses clinked together, echoing through the hall as voices rose in unison.

Over the miniature forest, Ivain tapped his glass to Taly’s.

His expression remained carefully neutral—indeed, he’d only let slip a few flickers of animosity throughout the night.

For Kalahad, for having to be here, for the blatant double dipping into the city’s food supply, something he would no doubt be investigating come morning.

He gave her a polite nod of acknowledgement—a reminder to smile and bask in the praise, empty as it was.

“The way he talks, she sounds like something out of legend. Certainly more intimidating than the scrawny little adventurer I remember. Is any of it true?”

The voice belonged to Jezebel. In the crowd, Taly could pick it out. Maybe she was listening for it. Maybe she leveraged the bond to pick out the words. Maybe the harpy had a shrill, cutting voice that carried—the world would never know.

Taly listened for Skye’s response. Throughout Kalahad’s speech, he’d remained unreadable. When he spoke, his voice was quiet but certain. “She deserves every bit of praise and more.”

Okay… that felt good. Taly exhaled slowly, steadying herself against the unexpected rush of emotion.

“And now, if I may,” Kalahad went on, grave and commanding, “I must address a matter of great importance that has come to light. It is with a heavy heart that I reveal a shadow that has lingered over our noble society—the presence of traitors within my own household.”

A gasp rippled through the room. Down the table, even Sarina’s eyes widened with shock before she composed herself.

True, she’d planned for the possibility of Kalahad trying to get ahead of the story.

She just hadn’t expected him to do it. Admitting that traitors were part of his household, whether he knew it or not, could make him look weak or, worse, complicit in a time when paranoia was running rampant.

It would open him up to direct responsibility for an attempt on the heir of Ghislain’s life.

His best line of defense was to conceal the evidence of what would become a scandal against him, not confess to it in front of every person of importance sheltering within Ryme.

“Yes, my dear friends, while we celebrate our hero’s return and the coming Long Night, it has come to my attention that there are those within my household who conspired against the very values we hold dear.

Vaughn Adamaer, the head of my guard, Carin Fenmar, and Asher Venwraith were entrusted with the task of protecting the Emrys brothers during the retrieval of our fair hero, and I regret to say they used that opportunity to mount a betrayal. ”

“To what end?” someone asked from down the table, followed by a chorus of similar questions and calls for details.

Kalahad shushed them. “We may never know the full scope of their malintent. Who can ever understand the twisted machinations of such fiendish minds? We suspect there may have been an assassination plot targeting the heirs of Ghislain. Perhaps even an attempt to sway their allegiance. I have it on good authority that the enemy is in possession of mind-altering magics.”

Jaws dropped, and hands flew to cover mouths. Taly could see it on Ivain’s face—that wasn’t public knowledge. Yet another fire he would need to put out come morning.

“But no matter the reason, I’m happy to say, nay, relieved that you succeeded despite them. Your grace.” Kalahad met Skye’s gaze down the table. “I sincerely hope you will not allow this to become a rift between our two great Houses.”

Beneath the performance of contrition, Kalahad was maneuvering. Ghislain could weather a war. Arylaan, however, was small, consisting primarily of the Dawn Court and those wealthy enough to live near it.

The room held its breath as Skye considered. He knew exactly how long to wait for maximum dramatic effect before venturing into rudeness, perhaps hostility… He chose to wait a moment longer. “Your apology is duly noted.” He left it at that.

A ripple moved through the room. The nobles in attendance exchanged discreet glances, some catching on immediately to Kalahad’s thinly veiled attempt to extract a public statement of forgiveness.

A few stifled smiles hid behind raised glasses, while others remained still, masking any reaction beneath layers of politeness.

Kalahad’s gaze locked onto Skye’s, who held it, neither blinking. Beneath their tight smiles, a current of hostility flickered between them.

Kalahad turned to Ivain next. “Lord Castaro, it is an honor to have you here, and I am deeply grateful for your presence despite the egregious transgression that has been committed to you by those under my command. I want to assure you that my commitment to our city’s welfare remains unwavering.

The discovery of traitors within my own household is a grave matter, and one that I have taken to heart. ”

Kalahad snapped his fingers. A curtain through which butlers and other serving staff had been streaming all night parted.

“Rest assured, I have spared no effort in assisting with the investigation. We are united in our pursuit of truth and justice. In these trying times, it is our collective strength and unity that will see us through. Your guidance, Lord Castaro, is a candle in the dark, and I am committed to supporting you in every way possible.”

Six butlers in black suits, white ties, and white gloves marched single file from behind the curtain, each carrying a silver tray covered with a white cloth.

They assembled in a line behind Kalahad as he announced, “The laws in Arylaan are resolute in their delineation of treason, and as the highest-ranking member of its presiding family present on Tempris, the heavy burden of justice has fallen to me. It is with a somber heart that I must act, but act I shall . Justice has been served!”

With a flourish, he removed the first cloth. Gasps and cries of shock rang out.

“Let this be a warning to all who would dare betray our trust.” Kalahad’s voice thundered through the room as one by one, he revealed each horror in turn: six heads with six sets of dead eyes that stared vacant and fixed upon the audience.

“These were the individuals who plotted against us, who sought to undermine our unity and our noble values.” Kalahad tossed the final cloth aside. “Their actions threatened the very fabric of our society, and they have paid the ultimate price for their treachery.”

Taly tried not to look, but she couldn’t stop herself.

Tangled locks, matted with sweat and dirt, clung to lifeless faces.

Their mouths gaped, and their cheeks were sunken, eyes forever frozen in fear.

Instead of death, they smelled like whisperleaf.

There were stalks of it arranged artfully on each platter.