the motions and shot the captain an angry glower, but Wexel shrugged in return. He was smart enough to know the tide had turned and that any attack against Maeven would fail now. The queen was thoroughly, completely in command again.
“So what if she’s Gemma Ripley?” Milo said, still trying to undermine his mother. “She’s nothing more than Glitzma, a spoiled princess. Hardly a threat to any of us.”
More than a few agreeing murmurs sounded.
Maeven arched an eyebrow at her son. “This spoiled princess managed to dine at my table and walk the halls of Myrkvior as if she were one of us, which is something no other Ripley has ever done. Why, who knows what schemes and secrets she’s discovered over the past two days? Perhaps even some of yours, Milo.”
A muscle ticced in his clenched jaw, although I thought his upset had more to do with Maeven’s mockery than any supposed secrets I might have learned.
“You ignore Gemma Ripley at your own peril,” Maeven continued. “Then again, you’ve always had a tendency to underestimate your enemies. It’s going to be the death of you someday, my dear boy.”
Milo stiffened, and a red flush stained his cheeks, although I couldn’t tell if he was more angered or embarrassed by the queen’s dismissive words.
I’d thought the Morricones would immediately kill me if they realized who I was, but I should have known better. Instead, Maeven had unmasked me at her birthday ball to put her treacherous son back in his place and show the nobles how cunning and clever she still was, and it had worked like the proverbial charm. Goodwill and admiration surged off the nobles, and several of them smiled, nodded, and toasted her with their drinks. Maeven tipped her head in return, the devious sparkle in her eyes glittering even more brightly than the crown on her head did.
I closed my own eyes, blotting out the smug triumph on Maeven’s face. Grimley. I’m in trouble. The Mortans know who I am.
He responded immediately, I’ll come get you! Hang on, Gemma!
NO, I replied in a stern voice. I don’t want you to get captured too. I couldn’t BEAR it if you were hurt because of me, because of my foolishness.
I don’t care what happens to me. I’m getting you out of here—one way or another. Grimley’s fierce promise boomed through my mind, and a strong fist of love squeezed around my heart.
Despite the situation, a smile curved my lips. And I love you for that. But I won’t be able to escape this mess. Goodbye, Grims. I love you so much. Always remember that.
Gemma, wait—
I grabbed hold of my magic and blocked the gargoyle, putting up a wall between our minds. His voice quieted to a dim rumble, although I couldn’t stop the fist of love that kept squeezing my heart over and over again. The warm, comforting sensation gave me the strength to endure what was coming next. I opened my eyes, lifted my chin, and faced my enemies.
Smug Maeven. Worried Delmira. Angry, embarrassed Milo. Nervous Wexel. Emperia, Corvina, and the rest of the sneering nobles.
Finally, I looked at Leonidas, whose cold features perfectly mirrored my own hard expression. I didn’t bother sending a thought or asking why he had exposed me. He was a Morricone, and I was a Ripley. That was explanation enough for everything. Even though I’d warned myself over and over to remember that, I had let our connection—attraction—cloud my judgment, and now I was going to pay the price. On the bright side, he would never betray me again, since I would most likely be dead within the hour.
“Take her,” Maeven ordered.
Guards moved forward, ringing the dance floor. My magic rose up, and my gargoyle pendant went ice-cold against the front of my gown, but I didn’t reach for my power. There were too many guards, and Maeven and Milo could easily strike me down with their lightning.
“With pleasure,” Wexel growled. He gave me an evil grin, then stepped forward and slammed his fist into my face.
Pain exploded in my jaw, my head snapped back, and I hit the floor. Somehow, I swallowed the groan rising in my throat and lifted my head.
My gaze locked with Leonidas’s, and his cold, empty amethyst eyes were the last thing I saw before Wexel punched me again, and everything went black.
* * *
A steady, continued wrenching sensation in my arms jolted me awake. At first, I didn’t know what was causing the pain, but then