Four Dead Queens(60)

Keep her safe. Keep her hidden. That is all that matters. The throne is your responsibility, not hers.

“We have increased the number of guards,” the inspector said. “We will ensure the assassin does not have the time or opportunity to strike again.”

“You said that before.” Marguerite shook her head. “And now Stessa is dead.”

“We thought we had the murderer contained in the processing room,” he replied.

“Why don’t you force everyone to leave?” Corra asked. “At this point, our protection is more important than finding the assassin, correct?”

Marguerite could not help but agree. “We must protect Quadara and Queenly Law, whatever the cost.” And yet she would not reveal her daughter. No matter what happened to her. Her daughter had not been prepared for a life within the palace; she did not know how to be queen. She didn’t even know her real parentage. Marguerite would not falter now. Her daughter would live a normal life. Most importantly, her daughter would live.

The inspector pinned the queens with his black eyes. “What if the assassin has been part of the palace all along? What if they were waiting for their moment to strike?”

Marguerite’s tongue felt dry and heavy in her mouth when she replied, “Then we are doomed.”





CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO





Keralie



What happened back there?” Varin asked as we ran down the stairs, away from the House of Concord. Away from Mackiel’s screams.

I didn’t look back.

Had I gone too far? Was Varin finally done with me? I was surprised he’d stayed around this long.

The Concord began to fill in preparation for the day’s business. People stopped and stared as we fled. I knew we looked quite a sight.

Once we reached the center of the Concord, I halted and looked up. The Queenly Reports repeated the same news from yesterday. Nothing about the queens’ murders.

What was going on? Why hadn’t we heard anything? I understood the need to keep everyone calm, but surely something should’ve been leaked by now? Why was everyone acting like nothing had changed?

I took in some shuddering breaths. Everyone needed to know what had happened. I didn’t want the two of us to be alone in this.

“Are you all right?” Varin asked, standing beside me but still keeping his distance.

I shook my head. I couldn’t look at him. I could barely breathe. What had I done?

“What are we going to do now? We didn’t learn anything,” he said. He was right. We didn’t know much more than what we’d already suspected. He let out a breath. “You could’ve warned me about what you were planning to do.”

“How?” I said, finding my voice. “Mackiel was right there. I needed the element of surprise.”

“You certainly had that.”

“You can go now,” I said. “It’s over.”

“What are you talking about?” He shook his head.

“I’m tired, Varin. I want . . .” I was going to say I want to go home, but I didn’t know where that was anymore. Certainly not the auction house.

Varin stepped a little closer. “You’re scared. Take a breath.”

A laugh burst forth. “Scared? Didn’t you see what I did back there?” If anything, Varin should have been scared of me. It was like I was back on my father’s boat, steering toward the cliffs. I’d been enraged. I’d wanted destruction. So I lashed out.

There was a fury within me that I couldn’t control. A darkness attached, like a long shadow. And whether Mackiel had created it, or whether it was always within me, I wasn’t sure.

All of a sudden, the alley spun. Stars glimmered; the queens mocked me from above.

I fell toward the grimy stone.

An arm snagged my waist at the last minute. “Keralie?” Varin said, holding me inches from the ground. “Are you okay?”

The world spun again as he set me on my feet, keeping his hand on my arm. I looked down at his dermasuit-covered fingers, surprised by their steadiness and strength. Neither of us had flinched upon the contact.

“I’m fine,” I replied.

“No, you’re in shock. Take a moment.”

Though I hadn’t actually seen it, I imagined Mackiel’s flesh falling from bone. How could I have done that to someone? Someone I once thought was my friend? And did I dare admit the truth to that day on the dock after all these years?

When we had jumped into the water, I’d expected Mackiel to struggle. I’d known he would. I’d wanted to show Mackiel that I belonged in his world, that I could be ruthless too. I’d overheard him talking about his new recruit to his father days earlier. He’d said I was soft but could be molded. It had maddened me.

So I dared him to jump, to see Mackiel flail and have a taste of weakness. But I’d saved him before his final breath.

I’d always thought I’d never meant to hurt him. That it was a game, and Mackiel liked games. But today wasn’t a game. I wanted to hurt Mackiel, maybe more than I wanted to escape.

It was life or death, said a voice deep within. A voice that sounded suspiciously like Mackiel’s. Damn him! I couldn’t get him out of my head. Out of my life. Out of me.

I pushed Varin away. “I need to sit down.” Sinking to the ground, I pressed my forehead against my knees.