High Regent …
I surprise myself by both fighting back a tear over the performance I’ll have to give and also forcing back pure disgust over the idea of groveling at his feet.
But I’ll do it.
For Bellona.
For Veda.
Even for the Night, because if I can dig my way in, stay right under Raevald, the more likely I’ll gain some power, maybe garner some influence. And the more likely I’ll be able to find Veda.
First—
I take a deep breath.
I leave the woods behind me and stride toward the market center. I don’t even have to fake my staggered walk; my knees are still raw and bloodied, and my legs are incredibly fatigued, wobbling like jam. My clothing fits the part. As does my hair, the fact I’ve not shaved, barely bathed in weeks.
Everything is slow motion. People stop. They stare. A woman freezes mid-bite into an apple. A group of bickering children fall silent. Whispers and murmurs travel through the air like hushed secrets.
Trash lines the streets. Fires burn. The whole island now resembles Veda’s village that morning after the last horrible Night of Reckoning. Everything is coated in dingy layers of dust and soot and disrepair. The grime of war. Of neglect.
My island no longer swirls with scents of pine and sea salt and spiced foods from the market. No. It’s all sulfur and blood, smoke and destruction.
Bracing myself, I get ready.
When I set my sights across the way, I spot the thing I know I need.
Every muscle in my body is tight. My mind is exhausted. Breath heavy, I dig deep. Clutch the anger and pure loathing I have for the Sindaco and the High Regent combined. Grip the love I have for Veda, the hope I hold that I’ll somehow find her alive and well.
Then, marching right up to one of the large postings that reads FREE OUR HEIR FROM THE NIGHT!, I rip it off the tree. Tear it in two down the middle. Then throw it into a nearby fire.
Hands on my hips, chest rising and falling, I turn and face the crowd that’s quickly gathering.
One beat of silence passes.
Then …
They go wild in celebration.
There’s no turning back now.
CHAPTER 8
VEDA
I awaken to the faint sound of morning bells.
It isn’t a whole ten minutes after the final bell that Imi comes busting into my cell.
“Get up!” she says, not even worrying about being quiet, though she does shut the door. “Here!” And she tosses me what appears to be Basso clothing. Basso boys’ clothing: tan vest, white tunic, brown hat, olive scarf, dingy beige sweater. “Your old pants will have to do; there was no time.”
I nod, scramble to change, because this is it, isn’t it? The plan is being put into motion? Whatever that chaos was up above, it’s keeping everyone busy and distracted.
“What’s going on?” I ask Imi.
She’s rushing around the cell, balling up my old clothing, shoving it into the unused bucket she brought along with her. “The heir … he’s returned.”
“The … the what?” My heart halts, and I freeze where I stand, one arm in the sweater.
“Nico Denali. He escaped the Night. The entire island is celebrating.” I want to stop what I’m doing. Make her explain everything word for word, detail for detail, but there’s no time. Not right now anyway. I force my body to move again. Quickly throw on the sweater and then wrap the scarf around my neck. “Only a few minutes ago, a soldier banged down the door to alert the High Regent; everyone else is preparing. Supposedly there’s a crowd marching up the Hill and to the palace as we speak.” She glares over at me. “Veda—hurry!” And I realize I’ve paused in tying my boots to listen to her, completely caught up in the story, the image of Nico marching toward Imperi Palace. The fact I’m not going to get to see him.
I jump back into action, but the minute I stand up, Imi whisper-shouts, “Wait!”
I stare at her. “What?”
“Your hair. We’ll never get away with it. Not with your hair long like that.”
“I figured I’d tuck it up into the hat.”
She shakes her head no while unsheathing her blade.
My eyes widen.
“Sorry, but I don’t happen to have my shears on me.” She cocks an eyebrow. “I’ll be careful.”
I nod. “Right. Okay … just … watch my ears … And my eyes … I need those.”
I kneel down before her so she’s got a good sight of things and is less likely to stab me because