A River of Golden Bones (The Golden Court, #1)(114)
I spotted Malou’s dark hair and gray eyes at last, weaving through the crowd. She held aloft a golden tray with a single bejeweled goblet in its center. In the tan garb of the royal servants, I’d almost missed her. One arm tucked behind her back and her head bowed. Her eyes darted to the tapestry where we stood and gave us a wink. My stomach lurched as she stepped up from the dais, curtsying as she proffered the goblet to Sawyn.
“It’s time,” Ora said from beside me, placing a hand on my numb shoulder.
I pulled my head away to look at our gathering group.
“Please tell me you brought more weapons?” Grae asked Hector.
Sadie opened her puffy costume jacket to reveal her fighting leathers. Armed to the teeth, each belt and buckle was strapped with knives and daggers. “Take your pick.”
“Esh,” Navin cursed at the armory hanging from the lining of her coat.
“Gods, I love you.” My heart raced as I took another throwing knife and paring knife from her belt to accompany my dagger.
I turned to Ora, gesturing to the busy room of performers behind me. “We need to get as many people out of here as possible. Sawyn will think nothing of the human casualties. When the fighting breaks out, you need to lead people to safety.”
“The people who are here want to be here, Your Majesty.” Ora pulled the fox badge out of their pocket and passed it to me. “Look for the badges.”
I furrowed my brow as I swept my thumb over the little fox face. “Look for the badges?”
Ora nodded, taking my shoulders and turning me toward the woven screen. “Do you like this song?”
“Why are you asking me that now?”
“Just tell me.”
I strained to focus on the strings above the sound of clamorous banter. It was quick-paced but melodic, a hint of sorrow amongst the sweeping crescendoes, trailing upward in a way that made my heart swell.
“It’s beautiful,” I whispered. “Who wrote it?”
“I did,” Ora said, pulling my gaze back to them. “This is Calla’s song. This is how I think of you.” I took in a shuddering breath as my eyes welled and Ora cupped my cheeks again. “You are not alone, Your Majesty. Look for the badges—”
A deafening crack of lightning shot through the air and everyone jolted.
“It’s time,” Grae said, grabbing me and pulling me into a burning kiss. His storming eyes met mine. “Let’s go save your sister.”
“Let’s go claim my crown.”
My lips collided with his in one more desperate kiss before I grabbed the hilt of my dagger and plunged through the doorway.
What I saw when I darted into the grand hall made my heart tumble. In a single breath, chaos had erupted around us. Screams and clangs of metal against metal echoed across the vaulted ceilings. A wall of obsidian cloaks blocked our path to the dais. My eyes flew to Malou, pinned to the wall, glowing green light circling her as she clawed at her throat.
“You try to poison me? Me?” Sawyn raged, squeezing her hand through the air as Malou’s eyes rolled back. The same chokehold that would’ve killed me in Damrienn were it not for Grae’s protection stone.
I raced forward, only to be met by a wall of Rooks. Mina darted out through the crowd, brandishing a fallen Rook’s scythe. The normally mousy twin looked ferocious, slashing at Sawyn. The sorceress gaped down at the split fabric of her dress.
“Curse the Gods,” she snarled. “More twins.”
Her free hand shot out and Mina flew across the room, slamming into the wall beside her sister.
I ducked at the whoosh of air, nearly caught off guard from watching Sawyn’s attack. But I was, above all else, a warrior, and my fist cracked into the Rook’s nose, blooding pouring from his face covering. He tried to swing at me again, slipping on his own blood and landing hard on his knees. I didn’t pause, slicing my blade straight across his neck, grateful for the time and training that made my body move without thought. It was a dance, the Rooks only knowing a few steps, and I always knew their next move. Not only that, I was dancing to my song. I yanked my blade from a Rook’s neck, whirling toward another three. Their eyes narrowed as they charged me, pushing me back into Sadie and Grae.
Grae ducked under careless swings, Sadie and I right behind him. He let three Rooks slip past him, funneling them toward us as we cut them down. I lost sight of Navin and Ora as they plunged into the fray. The swarm of black feathers blocked from sight the wall where Mina and Malou were pinned. They weren’t skillful, but there were so damn many.
I choked up on the hilt of my dagger, waiting as Grae sparred with the Rook closer to me. When his back turned, I swiped my blade, catching only the fabric of his cloak, but it was enough to make him whirl toward me. Mistake. The second his head turned, Grae lurched forward, wrapping his arm around the Rook’s neck. He locked his wrist with his other arm, choking the attacker as his eyes bugged, turning bright red. He clawed at Grae’s muscled arm, easily holding his prey. His eyes rolled back and his body drooped. Grae released him, letting him fall to the floor.
For each soldier we cut down, two more appeared. Like the ostekke’s tentacles, the endless onslaught pushed us back, and fear coiled in my gut. Their sheer numbers might still overwhelm our superior skill. I tried to keep my focus on one at a time, knowing if I lifted my head the odds would feel insurmountable. I needed to get to the dais. Briar was mere feet away. We were so close. We just needed to keep going.