Page 9

Clarissa

“ O ne more drink!” I said with a laugh as Chaz slammed three small glasses on the table, courtesy of Dippy, our favorite bartender. “You know I have to be up early tomorrow.”

“Yes, our big world traveler off on her epic adventure,” Lark teased, holding up her drink.

“Something like that,” I muttered.

“Then let me treat you to this last round, Your Majesty,” Chaz said with a mocking bow, his nose almost hitting the top of the table.

“Her last round as a single woman,” added Lark.

I rolled my eyes. “Fates, did you have to bring that up? I’m trying to enjoy the evening.”

The familiar sights and sounds of the Drakin’s Lair, our favorite bar in the south sector of the capital, washed over me and set my mind at ease.

The carefree laughter, loud chattering, and week-old ale that smelled like piss but somehow tasted slightly better than you’d imagine.

People from all walks of life filled the dusty old tavern to the brim.

Cracked glass at the windows let in the dry summer air, a hint of moonlight sneaking in as insects buzzed in the background .

The Drakin’s Lair had always been the meeting point for the close members of the Sentinels, like Chaz, Lark, and my brother.

Nobody asked questions. The south sector was often referred to as the underbelly of the capital, as people from various provinces who didn’t have much power or money ended up finding their way here.

They came to the safety of the bar to get away from their troubles, away from the Royal Guard or pompous Veridians who treated them like scum simply because of what they were born into.

It felt like home, in a way. A depiction of the true empire. A conglomerate of magic and people who just wanted somewhere to belong.

Thankfully, in the few months since I’d started pushing for changes, I could already see how much better off the citizens here were.

Crime had gone down tremendously. There were hardly any attacks or thefts or vandalism like the kind we used to see when I had my Sentinels patrolling the streets.

No more bodies found in alleyways, half beaten and left for dead.

No more would-be arsonists attempting to set fire to storage facilities.

On days when it felt like I’d never live up to the expectations of my people or the legacy of my father’s rule, I reminded myself of this. Of the people I’d helped. The lives I’d improved. It gave me the will to keep going.

“Promise me things won’t change between us,” I said to the two of them. “This marriage is in title only. Everything else will be exactly the same. I’ll still be here with both of you, making sure you don’t make fools of yourselves in front of half the sector.”

Chaz snorted and scratched at the short-cropped black beard on his chin.

“We’re out drinking in the dirtiest tavern in the capital with the soon-to-be empress of the empire.

I’d say not much has changed in the last year, Rissa.

You taking some Mysthelm prick’s last name isn’t going to make a difference. ”

“Excuse me, I’m absolutely not taking his name.”

“Good, because Clarissa Grimaldi is a bit too pretentious, even for my taste,” Lark said, chuckling into her drink. She wore her dark curls in a thick braid wrapped around the crown of her head today, framing her deep brown features.

I was glad the three of us could get away for a night out before the trip. Our group had gotten smaller over the months, ever since Leo and our friend Rose had left on a mission across the provinces to help wake those who had fallen prey to the sleeping curse during Gayl’s rule.

My eyes lingered briefly to the left of Chaz, where one last familiar face used to be. Horace, our dear friend and former Sentinel, had lost his life protecting Lark and me eight months ago. The same day Theodore Gayl died. The same day he?—

A shudder swept over me, the ghostly pain of that day rippling through my bones once more. I shook off the sensation and gave them a tight smile across the table.

Lark set her drink down. “Seriously, Rissa, you don’t have to go through with this if you don’t want to. Nobody is forcing you to marry their king.”

“Yeah, if you want a reason to get out of it, you can just marry me,” Chaz said with a wink.

I laughed. “As romantic as that proposal is, I think I’m going to pass. Really, I’m alright. I’ve had some time to come to terms with it, and it’s what’s best for both our lands. You heard what the council said last week—this will open up trade agreements, give us more security against?—”

Lark cut me off. “I wasn’t asking Clarissa the Empress; I was asking Rissa . Our friend. This shouldn’t just be some strategic political move. This is your life . You have a say in it.”

I took a long sip of my drink, swishing the warm ale in my mouth. It was always irritating when others perceived me so well.

That was my job.

People were easy. Reading them, discovering what they wanted, working their motivations and desires in my favor—those were some of my strengths.

Being open with those closest to me was not , evidently.

“They’re one and the same, Lark. My life is basically one large strategic move.

You know that—it’s been that way ever since we decided to start the Sentinels.

And I’m fine with that, I promise ,” I said quickly as she opened her mouth to continue arguing.

“I’ve never been some hopeless romantic.

Love and marriage and all of that haven’t even crossed my mind these last few years.

” I waved my hand in the air, trying to show my nonchalance.

It was only a partial lie. I had been far too busy with the Sentinels since my early twenties to even think of settling down. I’d had a few relationships over the years, but nothing serious. Nothing that outweighed my purpose.

But when Leo met Rose a little less than a year ago…

Watching my brother fall so deeply, so completely in love, pricked something in my heart. Not jealousy, per se—I wanted him to have all the happiness he deserved. And they truly were perfect for each other. It did, however, make me think about what I might be missing.

The way he lit up around her, the way she came alive with him, the way they were—sickeningly—all over each other…it was endearing. Beautiful.

Something I would never have. Not anymore.

And…that was alright. I was alright.

Lark leaned back in her wheelchair and crossed her arms. “I’ve always looked up to you, Rissa. You never fail to put the needs of others before your own.”

I quirked an eyebrow. “Why do I get the feeling this is a reprimand and not a compliment?”

“Because she’s great at those,” Chaz interjected.

Shooting him a look, Lark continued, “Sometimes you need to be selfish, though. I’m worried you’re going to look back on your life in thirty or forty years and realize you lived it for everyone but yourself.”

Chaz added, “If she even makes it that long.”

“Not helping.”

“Just trying to bring some levity to the conversation.”

I took another drink, listening to their banter as Lark’s words sank into me. I lived for myself, didn’t I? I’d done things for me , because I wanted to and for no other reason.

Hadn’t I?

I let my gaze wander with my thoughts. At the window next to the corner table we occupied, a small sliver of light twisted through a crack in the glass.

I leaned forward in my seat to get a better look.

I thought it looked like Lightbender magic—thin, bright strands of light that could go through solid matter.

Some drunk Lightbender must be showing off for their friends.

I brought my hand up to the windowsill and smiled, letting the thin thread wrap around my fingers.

It was so lightweight, I could hardly feel it, almost like a piece of hair tickling my skin.

Then an arrow whizzed through the hole in the window and embedded itself in my hand.