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Kazi ached with wanting that horse, but Kaden had already told her no. He said Mije was strong willed, and too much horse for Kazi.”
“The Keep couldn’t deny Kazi, and the horse became hers that very day.” “She bribed Mije,” I said.
“Blazing saints,” she mumbled as she rode forward. “I need Kazi here.”
Ancient people were slung over open doors or hanging out windows, many still bearing their discolored brittle skins and horror-stricken expressions.
“His Vendan soldier to do with however he pleases.”
“He’s had a promotion since he worked for you. He’s a lieutenant in the king’s army now. Probably in charge of that Vendan soldier you’re so concerned about.”
In a matter of days, if not hours, his horror-stricken face would join the army of those already down here.
He is older than me. Bigger than me. Stronger than me. He says I must obey. That I must open our gate. But he is not angrier than me. He was one of those who killed my grandfather.
And I would be with Jase again. I would take care of him. Nurse him back to health in the root cellar until he could manage to ride again, no matter how long it took. Whatever it took. And then we would rebuild Tor’s Watch together. A dream that I thought was stolen began to bloom in me again, unfurling like spring in the middle of winter.
I spun. The room was quiet, unnaturally still, yet the air prickled. I felt the ghosts hovering, watching. Their cold feet paced, nervous. One of them slid a cool fingertip along my jaw. Shhh, Kazi, don’t—
Then terror shot through me, and on its heels, a hot rush of awareness returned. I slammed the door shut, but before I could latch it, he burst in, a fit of strength and rage, the door flying open, striking me and sending me stumbling back.
“Your dead lover nearly killed me. I wish he could see this now.”
That you caved under questioning and gave up his name to Jase. Devereux. You told Jase he was the one who gave you the money for the labor hunters. How do you think that will sit with the general? Think you’ll still be his lieutenant? No, you’ll be swinging from a rope faster than you can wet your pants.”
“No, she isn’t. And I know where she is. It’s not far from here.” “You’re lying. I know—” “She’s alive. I’ll take you to her as soon as I can. But you keep your mouth shut about me to Banques. Understand? Or you’ll never find out where she is.”
But after tomorrow, I would still know where to find him. After tomorrow, everything would change. But he didn’t know that. Yet.
Head up, Kazi. You can do this. Feet forward. We’re almost there. Almost. Jase. He was alive. That was all I needed to remember. And that tomorrow was almost here.
The brokenness wasn’t just in the buildings or the cobbled streets—it permeated the air—and soldiers posted at every avenue and every rooftop kept hopelessness pinned in place.
Except for one. One vow began in the wilderness with Kazi. I swallowed.
If the settlement location was deliberately chosen to rouse our anger, that would mean our recent trouble wasn’t a power struggle spurred on by my father’s death, as we had believed, but a plan that had been in the making for a very long time—before my father died.
“We thought you were dead. That soldier who took you away said you’d been hanged. She said—” “That soldier? You mean Kazi? Where is she?” “She works for the king now, for the whole rotten bunch of them.”
I grabbed his shoulders. “What is the rule, Aleski?” I whispered. “Catch them off guard. You know that. Take them by surprise. And that’s what we’re going to do. Why isn’t the town decorated for Winter Festival? It’s less than two weeks away. Do it. Today. Tell everyone to do it. Plan a celebration. Make these bastards think they’ve won and you’re going about your business. Don’t tell anyone I’m alive—not just yet—but tell them to be ready. The Ballengers are taking this town back.”
Is this big brute going to be trouble? Yes. I was going to be trouble. In due time. They would be sorry they had ever laid eyes on this brutish Kbaaki. But for now, they would only see me head straight for the livery as we said we would, their concerns relieved. What is the rule? Catch them unaware. Aleski was going to tell me everything he knew to help me do just that.
The townspeople were decorating for a festival. Gaiety on the streets of Hell’s Mouth? It was a well-aimed punch in my stomach. They’re forgetting the Patrei. Moving forward.
Patrei? Of course they are, Kazi. You called him a convicted criminal who was served justice. You said he was dead and told them to move on. Did Paxton loathe playing the traitor as much as I did?
Paxton was an ally, but he was no Wren and Synové. I didn’t know if he even had any fighting skills or only relied on his straza to get him out of tight spots. But he had been able to whisk Jase away without detection, and I prayed that feat was all devious craft and no luck.
find where Banques and the king had the ammunition stored, and then somehow destroy it—without destroying the entire town.
Die tomorrow, Kazi, for everyone’s sake, die tomorrow. Not today.
“No,” I answered, “in fact, I detest butter. I only like the way the knife feels cutting through it. So smooth and easy.” Zane’s eyes froze with fear.
I released the knife, letting it clatter loudly against the crockery, and ate my cold dinner. Food should never be wasted.
Riddles? My temples burned, wondering how he knew. I had never told riddles to anyone but Jase and—
“A true kiss?” Garvin called out, laughing. “Do you really believe in such a thing?” Yes, you backstabbing asshole, though I would never expect you to experience anything true.
“I need you in my study.” I whirled to face the king. “There’s something we need to discuss. Now.” He walked away without looking back, knowing I would follow. Had Paxton’s suggestion backfired? Something had gone wrong.
I knew that wasn’t possible, but something was keeping her there. What was it? Blackmail? What could Montegue be holding over her head?
“She’s all the family I’ve got, Patrei. Her and Wren. I’m not going to lose her because you want to kill a bunch of dogs.” I squeezed my eyes shut, grateful she couldn’t see me in the dark. I’m not going to lose her either.
“I don’t know what—” “You claimed you were absorbed with your food, but it was Zane you were absorbed with. You loathe him. Why?” Zane. My skin crawled at just the mention of his name.
moment. “I understand the sting of disdain,” he finally said, “but that was a long time ago and Zane is useful to me. He’s a comforting, familiar face at the arena. Merchants know him. I’d like you to bury your past grudges.” I noted his use of the word like, instead of simply ordering me to bury my grudge. Patience, Kazi. He’s circling, swimming closer. I paused as if I was weighing his request. “If he’s useful to you, of course. I will do my best to bury the past.”
I shrugged indifferently. “I suppose his kisses were passable, but nothing about them was lasting or really mattered. I’ve already forgotten them, to be honest.” Forgotten. A word he valued when it came to Jase.
The plan had been forming in his head since he was twelve years old, and was revised as time passed. It became an obsession for him. For eleven years.
The gods favored Montegue? How lucky for him. I wasn’t sure if even he believed it himself, but he had to paint the picture of his rightness, the sheer holiness of his plan. If he said it enough times, it would become true.
Montegue paused, his lip twisted at the memory. “No. He told him no. He said it was only for family. He told the ruling monarch of Eislandia no, without so much as an apology or blink.”
Do you have any idea how hard it was to hear subjects say they had to check with the Patrei first when I gave them orders? My own magistrates in Hell’s Mouth deferred to Karsen Ballenger, and then to Jase. I will not be a nothing ruler.”
His hunger ran deep. Eleven years deep. So deep he was willing to use children as a shield and hang innocent people from trees to ensure obedience. Willing to pay labor hunters to steal away his own citizens. Willing to murder the rightful ruler of Hell’s Mouth and confiscate his holdings. How many things was he willing to do that I didn’t even know about yet? Imagine the possibilities. I was afraid to.
wanted more than what she had with the Patrei, and with all her fumbling, he imagined that she even blushed when she said it. She was certainly someone trustworthy enough to walk to her room alone. She would be back. She wanted him, after all. As she should.
“I think the ruse of the festival is already working,” Aleski said. “More citizens were out tonight.” He thought that seeing the cheerful garlands and the citizens relaxing made the guards’ tight grip ease too. He saw two of them joking on a corner with the cooper, which they had never done before.
My mind went back to the party. Was she there, or did they keep her locked up when they didn’t need her? What was Montegue’s hold on her? The questions ate away at me like buzzards picking my bones.
Banques claimed they had confiscated the weapons from a Ballenger warehouse—an enormous stockpile the family had gained through illegal means. Banques also claimed that the Ballengers had been blackmailing businesses for more protection money to finance their unlawful activities instead of keeping the town safe from Rybart’s league—who he claimed had engineered the attacks.
“A day after he roared into town, the king announced that Rybart was killed during the takeover.” Lothar recounted. “Then he ordered his captured crew to be hanged.
“He has Lydia and Nash. Everyone would love to see him dead, but they’re afraid to make a move. He claims he’s protecting them, but we know why he really has them. For his own protection. His implied threat is obvious.”
He has my baby brother and sister? Using them for protection? That’s what is keeping Kazi there. That’s why she won’t leave.
We began formulating plans for our own army. Weapons. That was all I could think of now, and what I would do to get them.
