Queen Of The Great Underworld

59

“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, Galadriel 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 Galadriel. “It’s clear.”

My heart stopped. I knew that voice.

“Thank you,” Galadriel said.

The Luminary Guard bowed and started toward the stairs. He didn’t look back.

Galadriel 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.

Jan.

BEFORE

Five Years Ago

WHEN I WAS TWELVE, I PROPOSED MARRIAGE TO Jan.

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 pookie took their turn. LaLa and I had already finished for the day.

Ahead, pookie had just caught a rabbit, and Ilina was rewarding her with a treat—in trade for the dragon giving up the rabbit. Sometimes this worked. Other times, they realized this wasn’t a fair trade and set their kills on fire instead.

“It makes sense, right?” I kept my smile bright, even as the number of my steps ticked away in the back of my head.

“I’m not sure what you mean.” His lowered his voice. “Why would we get married?”

“When we’re older,” I clarified.

“But why?”

I couldn’t believe I had to explain this. “I have two best friends. You and Ilina. When it comes to potential marriage partners, I’m reasonably certain I like boys, and you’re my favorite boy.” Plus, he’d saved my life when I was seven, and he always carried LaLa’s kills for me. If that didn’t qualify him to be a great husband, I couldn’t imagine what would. (At twelve, I hadn’t considered that being in love with someone might also factor into my decision.)

He scanned the ruins for danger that was never there. “Why are you thinking about this now?”

“Mother received five inquiries regarding my matrimonial future.” Just thinking about it made my chest tight with worry.

“Any she’s taking seriously?”

“I don’t want to risk finding out.”

Jan scratched his chin. “Why do you think she’ll marry you off if you don’t get there first? Everyone on Damina gets to choose. This isn’t Idris.”

Because I never chose anything. Not my clothes, my hair, my food. Nothing small. Nothing big. Nothing important. Everyone on Damina got to choose—except for me.

“Besides,” Jan went on, “I’m a servant. What would the Luminary Council say if you married a Hartan boy?”

“We’re past that now. The Mira Treaty—”

“Harta may be independent. The treaty might say we’re equal. But that doesn’t make it true.” He stopped walking and gazed down at me, almost sadly. “You’re better than me. Your mother says so all the time.”

“She says I’m better than everyone, but she can’t mean it. I’m not smart. I don’t rescue people. I don’t do anything but dress up and stand where she tells me. That doesn’t make me better.”

“Your status makes you better.” His jaw clenched. “Your upbringing. Your ancestors. The place where you were born. Your parents. The treaty named after you. The title of Hopebearer. All of that makes you better.”

But none of it was anything I’d done. I didn’t understand. Which just made me feel more stupid and unworthy.

“I’ll protect you,” he said. “I’ll be your friend. But I won’t marry you. Ever.”

Jan WAS HERE IN BOPHA.

My heart swelled as I recalled the way he’d glanced at me, like warning, like assurance, like—

Like my protector was finally here, and everything was going to be all right. Oh, Damina, I couldn’t wait to see him again. Even the smallest glimpse would be enough to sustain me for a month.

I leaned against the door, basking in the knowledge that Jan had been right here. And deeper in the room—likely checking under the tall bed, inside the mahogany wardrobe, behind the floor-length curtains made of brocade silk. The room was the colors of the moons, white with gold highlights, and definitely expensive.

Twelve noorestones stood in gilt sconces on the walls (three on each wall), all with black velvet covers draped along the backs.

So this would not be like the Pit, where noorestones were silenced by some mysterious Idrisi. Here, I was the master of light. I could cover the stones or not. I could cover all but one.

The relief drained out of me when I saw the sheet of paper resting on one of the embroidered pillows.

The speech.

The opportunity to leave the Pit forever, abandoning Aaru, Gerel, Chenda, Tirta, and the rest of them.

The way people had named me Dragonhearted for my betrayal of Kyhan.

Curiosity drew my eyes toward the page again, but I couldn’t go to it yet. I needed to steady my thoughts.

A lidded tray sat on a three-legged table made of carved mahogany wood. I pushed myself off the door and took five paces toward it. Under the silver dome, I found a huge, hot meal. Slices of roast boar, with onions and garlic and honey tucked over and around them. Steamed carrots. Tiny potatoes. Set away from the hot food, there was a small bowl of chocolate-dipped strawberries, a pitcher of chilled water, and a glass of red wine.

I hadn’t seen so much food since I was arrested. This would be a feast for the first level. Aaru would—

My chest tightened and I started to count the noorestones again, but shifted to the wooden panels on the wall instead; for all the light they gave, there was a dark side to noorestones that I could never forget.