Defy the Sun (Beware the Night #2) - Jessika Fleck Page 0,44

the turn of the hourglass, right on cue, Salazar enters the dinner parlor to escort me back to my bedroom.

“My lord,” he breathes. “I just heard the news.” His words are tense, his stare wide with shock. I can’t help wondering if he’s already gotten an earful and probably a sight full from Raevald himself—it’s nearly been an hour since the High Regent left in a very restrained rush.

But before I speak to Salazar, I duck behind the veil I’m quickly learning I must use. One side is all light. The hope of seeing Veda again fills this space. The drive to do what I must to help stop this war lives here too.

But to achieve those things, I must live most of my current life on the darker side of the veil. The place where I’m heir of Bellona, willing servant to the Imperi and the High Regent. Here, my only thoughts of Veda are of capture and revenge. In this place the Night, the Lunalette, they are the enemy. This side of the veil is power and force and the rule of law. No. On this side of the veil, I am the law.

And that’s the place I force myself to tap into at this moment.

I set my glass on the table.

Harden my expression.

Stand and walk to meet him at the door.

“She won’t get far, Salazar.” His eyes dart to mine. “We’ll find her, and, Sun help me, she will pay.” I send a shiver down my own neck. “The Imperi will see justice.”

“If anyone can find her and bring her to justice, it’s the High Regent.”

“Sun willing.”

“Sun willing, indeed.” He shifts to the side, motions toward the hallway. “Shall we? It’s late, and you have a busy day tomorrow.”

I nod and follow him up to my bedroom.

Once there, he makes his way to my closet and pulls out my dress boots, sash, and hat. He walks to where I’m sitting at the foot of my bed.

“I’m going to get these polished and pressed for tomorrow,” he says, but doesn’t leave. We’re sort of staring at one another but neither of us is speaking.

“Thank you, Salazar.” He nods. “And not just for the clothes and boots, for everything today.”

“Well.” He lays the items atop my desk, sets my boots on the floor, and takes a seat at the desk chair. “It is my job.”

I give a small laugh under my breath. “Fair enough, but I appreciate it all the same.”

“Of course, my lord.” I begin removing my boots, take off my jacket, when I realize he’s still staring at me and I glance back up. He’s taken out his pen and has his list before him. “I’ll be out of your way in a moment, but there are a couple of final items I should mention in preparation for tomorrow. Mildly significant, but relevant all the same.”

“All right…” I can’t imagine what this could be, but it feels more than mildly significant.

He gives a slight grin, twirls his pen in his fingers, and refers to his list. “Instead of a medallion to alert the chosen for Offering, the High Regent has requested that you make the announcement. Late morning. Publicly.”

“But isn’t it going to be the officer who let”—I nearly say Veda but catch myself—“the wanted Night member and that defecting officer get away? That was the impression I got.”

Salazar takes a breath, smooths out the red sash over his chest, and I realize he’s still in uniform very late into the night. Does he ever dress more casually? “It was going to be that officer. But unfortunately he’s been … well, he’s no longer with us.”

“Ah.” It’s only been an hour or so since Givanni was dragged from the dinner parlor. But time doesn’t wait for the swift hand of justice. Not in Raevald’s terms anyway. “I see.”

“What’s done is done. A new Offering has to be chosen.”

“And why not do it by medallion?”

“I don’t know, my lord. The High Regent gave the order. I merely take the order and carry it out. I assume he felt it a good opportunity for more practice to prepare you as High Regent.” He stands, gathers the items off my desk, and picks up my boots. “Dealing with the public, your loyal subjects and all.” Salazar makes to leave but pauses before he reaches the door. “And, Lord Denali?”

“Yes?”

“It won’t be pretty. The breaking from tradition … The fact there’s not been an Offering since the attack … They won’t