Before She Ignites (Fallen Isles Trilogy #1)(72)
The Luminary Guard unfolded himself and opened the door, admitting a gust of stinging rain into the carriage. And then, the rush was cut off, leaving Elbena and me alone in the dim space.
“This is going to change things,” Elbena muttered, almost inaudible under the storm.
I could hardly breathe for the numbness creeping through my body. From the cold rain. From the sight of the ship sinking. From the memory of Lex in chains.
I’d done that. Maybe I hadn’t physically put the muzzle on her, or captured her in the net, but without my interference she might have gone away from the city—toward freedom, rather than toward me.
“Is this why you brought me here?” My voice sounded scraped away. Hollow. “Did you bring me here to name me a savior of the people while I watched dragons die?”
A smile twisted up her face. “I brought you here to give a speech. Do you recall giving a speech while you watched dragons die?”
Strength through silence. I desperately wanted the kind of strength Aaru displayed, but he had a lifetime of practice and I had a lifetime of doing as I was told.
“But I suppose,” she went on, “anything is possible. You think I’m some sort of monster now, and perhaps a monster would arrange for a dragon to escape its confines just at the moment of your arrival.”
The shipping order I’d seen had given the Shadowed City as one of the locations where dragons would be, but the transport ship should have left over two decans ago. So why were they still here? Or rather, why were only some of them here?
Elbena wore a faint smirk as she watched me struggle to decipher her intentions.
I dropped my eyes to my hands and forced my expression neutral, though even thinking the word dragon made hot tears swell in my eyes.
“Tomorrow is a big day.” Elbena leaned back in her seat. “Your speech will be given at a state dinner in the evening, so you’ll spend the day preparing. Hair, face, clothes—everything. It will be just like before, though your mistress of beauty won’t be here. The inn has a wonderful staff that will assist you in her absence. I’m sure you don’t mind.”
My heart squeezed at the thought of Krasimir, but of course she wasn’t here. She was too sympathetic to me. “When will you give me the speech?”
“It will be waiting for you in your room. Councilor Bilyana will have brought it when she arrived in Bopha on last night’s tide. Your speechwriter sent it with her so that she could have a couple extra days to finalize it.” She leaned forward. “It’s a delicate thing, you understand. We needed to make sure every word was perfect. And if you have any questions, we can talk about it tomorrow.”
“What will the speech say?”
She shook her head. “We’ll discuss that tomorrow.”
Dimly, I knew that denying me answers was another method of controlling me. Maybe she had arranged for Lex’s escape, and the deaths of the two on the ship. I wouldn’t put it past her. Not since learning of the council’s involvement with the disappearance of dragons. Or, if not involvement, concealment for sure.
“You said if I give the speech tomorrow, then I’ll be set free from the Pit.”
“Yes, although I suppose I shouldn’t have assumed that you knew your good behavior was also a factor.” She gave me an annoyed look. “You aren’t as necessary to the council as you think. We could easily elevate another pretty face to replace you.” Her lips curled up. “Unfortunately, prison time doesn’t seem to agree with your pretty face.”
Her blow to my vanity stung.
Before I could devote any more thought to it, someone pounded on the carriage, and a Luminary Guard opened the door. Quickly, I was shuffled into the inn. The space was dim and quiet, save the inconsistent number of Luminary Guards prowling through the parlor as though searching for threats.
Without stopping to greet the owners, Elbena took me to a room upstairs. Before we could enter, yet another Luminary Guard emerged.
Above the white mask, his eyes darted first to me, then to Elbena. “It’s clear.”
My heart stopped. I knew that voice.
“Thank you,” Elbena said.
The Luminary Guard bowed and started toward the stairs. He didn’t look back.
Elbena nudged me toward the open door. “In you go.”
“Where are you staying?” My words sounded breathless. I could barely form them around the pounding of my heart.
She smiled sweetly. “Down the hall. You’re on your own tonight, but there will be guards outside your door and window. Everything is locked and I’m the only one with the keys. I hope you’ll behave.”
I gave her a look that just oozed obedience, and when I stepped inside the room and shut the door, I barely paid attention when the lock turned behind me with a heavy clunk.
Instead, I was thinking of the miracle that had just occurred. The barest eye contact. The timbre of his voice. The mask pulled tight against his dark skin.
Hristo.
BEFORE
Five Years Ago
WHEN I WAS TWELVE, I PROPOSED MARRIAGE TO HRISTO.
It was a dragon day. Ilina and I were hunting small game in the sanctuary, near the ruins. LaLa perched on my glove, her wings pulled open to catch the sunshine, while Ilina and Crystal took their turn. LaLa and I had already finished for the day.