Fireblood (Frostblood Saga #2)(70)

“Well, now that you mention it”—he rubbed his chin thoughtfully—“that would be a benefit.”

“I’m glad you think this is funny.”

His smile disappeared. “I don’t, actually. I’m merely relieved the trials are over. You do realize that we’ll both be initiated as Fireblood masters now? That’s something to celebrate, surely.”

“Is that before or after the ceremony that chains us to each other for eternity?”

He put a finger to his chin. “Probably after. It’s going to be a busy week planning a wedding on such short notice.”

My instinct was to hit him, but if I started, I might not stop. Kai had either lied or lied by omission about so many important things. How could I ever trust him again?

“I’m tempted never to speak to you again.”

“That might make the wedding rather awkward.”

I forced myself to take a deep breath and think reasonably. No matter what he said now, he was not the marrying type. “You must have a plan to avoid it.”

“I don’t have a plan.”

“Well, make one.” My temples began to throb.

“If you can think of something, by all means. My plan is to get my island back and give the queen lots of grandnieces and grandnephews in gratitude.”

I wheeled on him. “I’ll stab you in your sleep first.”

“Now, that’s a little extreme.”

“Kai.” I grabbed the lapels of his tunic. “Be serious for a minute. How are we going to get out of this?”

We had reached the foot of the hill. For once, he didn’t complain that I was mussing his clothes. He just kept his hands by his sides and stared at me. “I don’t know.”

I let him go and we continued up the hill, my mind in turmoil. The queen had me cornered, and if there was one thing I hated, it was feeling trapped. I had come here to find a way to destroy the Minax I’d released, not to have my life upended. I’d seen the trials as a way to prove myself, to master my power, and to gain access to knowledge. I hadn’t realized the cost. I knew I’d have to take vows to become a master, but I hadn’t expected them to include wedding vows.

I also didn’t know what to make of the fact that it had been I, not Sage, who had stopped the lava. If that were even true. I didn’t know what to make of the lullaby. I didn’t want to think about those things at all. I was feeling more and more like the queen’s plaything. The walls were closing in and I needed to find a way out.

Kai seemed too willing to accept the queen’s manipulations. I wanted him to be as angry as I was, and the fact that he wasn’t made him seem like another adversary. I knew that wasn’t fair, but I couldn’t help it.

When we reached the carriage, I said, “I’m going to walk.”

His voice held surprise. “It’ll take you over an hour to walk back.”

“Good,” I said, turning away. “I need time alone.”





NINETEEN



THE NEXT DAY, I STOOD ON THE queen’s whitewashed stone balcony overlooking the castle grounds. The hum of an excited crowd floated up from an open area below. This was where the queen addressed her subjects during festivals or other formal occasions, and it seemed like the whole island had shown up for today’s announcement.

My legs began to tremble with the urge to run, to escape their stares. It was nothing like the arena, I told myself. No one was howling for my death.

Behind me, the doors to the throne room had been flung wide, letting sea-salted air circulate among the chattering courtiers like an uninvited guest. The nobles stood in groups, peering at me from behind fans or openly staring with a mixture of doubt, shock, and fascination. I tried to look demure and royal, since that was my role today. But sometimes I couldn’t resist staring one of them down until they shamefacedly looked away. After all, I outranked everyone but the queen—supposedly. And I was angry enough at the way I’d been backed into a corner to take advantage of that fact.

I knew I didn’t look my best. I had dark circles under my eyes after a sleepless night. Every time I’d fallen asleep, I’d dreamed of the Minax hovering over me, its black tendrils reaching out to feather across my skin in a possessive caress. I’d jerked awake, staring wildly at the shadows gathered in the corners and wondering why it felt so real. After the third nightmare, I’d given up on sleep. I lit a candle and listened to the wind rattling the casement as I tried to come to terms with the queen’s claim that my mother was her sister.

I couldn’t accept it. It was impossible.

So I’d moved on to thinking about what I needed to do next: get through the initiation ceremony, which the queen had informed me was in two days. Then I could figure out how to destroy the Minax. Then focus on finding a way to escape the madness of this engagement to Kai. For now, I had to play the queen’s game. This wasn’t King Rasmus’s arena, but I was here to perform.

Though, perversely, some part of me wanted these spectators to like me. No one here hated me for my gift. In fact, judging by many rapt and smiling faces, they seemed more than ready to embrace me as the lost heir. As I absorbed their unabashed approval, I was overwhelmed with painful longing. If things were different, this could have been the home I’d always wanted. For the first time, I contemplated how much it would hurt to leave Sudesia.