A Vow So Bold and Deadly (Cursebreakers, #3)(25)

My sister isn’t here today anyway. She told me she would be working with Ellia Maya, trying to determine where the woman who attacked me came from. Iisak says she was no magesmith, but she must have known people would suspect magic, that her actions would deepen the distrust of Grey and his ties to Emberfall. By law, if she killed me, she could have claimed the throne herself—but Nolla Verin could have buried a sword in her belly and taken it right back.

Was that the goal? To put my sister in power?

Do people think that would be better?

I wish I could feel like I did yesterday, optimistic about how I can rule differently from my mother, but all morning I’ve been rigid in my chair, now wondering who might be a threat. It’s making me tense and distracted, and more than once Clanna Sun has had to lean in and whisper, “Your Majesty, they are waiting for an answer.”

Every time someone moves toward me, I think of the girl. Of the explosion. Of the searing pain, the way the glass barreled into my skin.

“Lia Mara.”

Grey’s voice, low and intense and just for me. I blink and look over at him.

His eyes meet mine, then flick down. I realize I’ve wrapped both arms across my abdomen. My breathing is trembling.

I swallow and straighten, then look back at the elderly woman standing before the dais. She’s peering up at me in confusion. I can’t even remember her complaint. Something about chickens or roosters or maybe something entirely different. Maybe she hasn’t even made one yet. Her hands are twisting around the handle of a basket.

“Your Majesty?” she says.

Yes, I should say. What is your complaint? But I keep staring at the way she’s working her hands around the handle. I’m wondering if she has a hidden weapon. A bloom of sweat breaks out on my forehead.

This is ridiculous. She’s probably eighty-five years old.

But I can’t speak.

“The queen has been taking callers all morning,” says Grey to Clanna Sun, though his eyes are on me, and his next words are a request, not a demand. “Perhaps we could retire for a time?”

I should refuse. I want to refuse.

I don’t.

I expect Grey to return me to my chambers, or perhaps to the library, which has been my source of refuge since I was a child. Instead, he leads me to the large doors along the front side of the palace, which open to splashing fountains and a long marble staircase that descends into the city proper.

Guards will follow us wherever we go, but I hesitate on the threshold.

I’m such a fool. I’ve never been afraid of my people. I refuse to start now.

Grey says nothing, but I’m sure he noticed. He notices everything.

The streets in this part of the city are busy with both foot traffic as well as horses and carriages. It’s not common for the queen to quite literally walk right into the street, so we generate more than a few stares, before people scurry to bow and curtsy. My guards fan out so we have a good distance from the people, though Jake follows more closely.

I glance up at Grey. “Where are we going?”

“There’s a tavern not too far from here that serves sliced beef that’s been fried into twists of pastry. Hushna Bora. Do you know it?”

Hushna Bora. The Wild Horse. I don’t know it—but I love that he thinks of a tavern. Nolla Verin would have found it scandalous. The queen, I imagine her hissing, should not eat with commoners. My mother would never have deigned to eat at a tavern either—which makes it tempting all by itself, even if he hadn’t mentioned the food.

But a tavern will be full of people. Full of strangers.

“You hardly ate at breakfast,” Grey says. “And I thought you might like a walk.” His voice is easy, revealing no tension or concern, but then his hand rests over mine and he gives my fingers a gentle squeeze.

This is one of my favorite things about him. He could easily take control. He could have taken over in the throne room, and I wouldn’t have stopped him. He could be questioning my guards and making demands.

But he’s not. He’s not yielding, either. He’s … he’s supporting.

His voice drops. “Rumor of the attack will spread. It is important that you do not seem afraid.”

I have to swallow again. My fingers tighten on Grey’s arm. “I am afraid.” I speak the words so softly that I don’t want to hear them.

“I know.” He pauses. “But I also know you are stronger than your fear.” He nods ahead and inhales deeply, as if he’s unaware that his words have lit me with a warmth I didn’t realize was missing. “Can you smell the food? Let’s surprise them with their queen.”



The food is as good as Grey promised. The patrons cleared a space for us in a dim corner, but we’re near the hearth, so it’s warm, and the guards have formed a wall between us and the rest of the customers, so we’re safe. Jake and one of Grey’s guards are playing dice at a table near the bar, where they’ll be able to keep an ear out for trouble. For the first time all morning, I’ve been able to take a deep breath.

Honestly, it feels like the first time in weeks.

“Better?” says Grey.

I meet his eyes and nod. “Better.” I pause. “I almost wish we could stay right here for the rest of the day.” I glance away, ashamed that I’ve admitted that. “But that would be hiding.”