Boaz shrugs. “Let the older watch the younger.”
“Babes watching babes,” Kazimir mutters. “Brilliant.”
“I am not a nursemaid,” Boaz barks. “I am tasked with bringing them here, not minding them. What of these? How long are we to keep them corralled here?”
“Until the dawn after Hudem.” When Romeria’s fantastical claims will either be real or not. I peer up at the tower and catch a flutter of black hair moving in the window before it’s gone. “And then we will have ourselves the grand execution that you are so desperate for.”
CHAPTER FORTY
ROMERIA
“Good morning, Eden,” I call out, strolling past the menacing gargoyles.
She falters in her step, alarm plastered across her face. “Good—morning?” She notes my clothes, the ones she laid out for her queen.
I smile as I push through the doors and walk along the path. The morning sunshine feels natural against my cheeks, as if there is nothing between my skin and its rays. After months of being stuck wearing someone else’s face, I can finally enjoy being back in my old one for a little while.
And it’s not only my face. The voice I recognize as Romy’s is in my ear, the reflection in the dressing mirror showed a familiar body.
Ahead, in the training ground, wooden swords crack. “Congratulations. You’ve just been gutted,” Jarek declares, stooping to collect the practice weapon and handing it back to Brawley. “Again! And this time, remember that you are not a tree. Move your damned feet!”
Brawley jumps at his bark, fumbling with his sword only to drop it.
“Don’t take it personally. He’s always extra cranky in the morning,” I call out.
Jarek has daggers within each grasp before he’s even spun around, his menacing glare leveled on me. “Who are you?”
I mock gasp. “You don’t remember me? I’m insulted. And we had so much fun that night.”
His eyes flash with shock before narrowing. He juts his chin toward Horik and together they take measured steps, approaching me from either side. “How did you get in here?”
“I walked in.”
“Into Ulysede.” He purses his lips with doubt.
“Yeah. There was no one out front. You should have better security. Who’s the commander in charge of this place, anyway? They’re doing a shitty job.”
Jarek’s fists turn white around his dagger hilts.
I’ve provoked him enough. “Relax, it’s me.” I reach up and slip the mask off my face.
Jarek’s rigid body sinks with his sigh. “Romeria.” He sheathes his blades.
Horik’s deep bellow of laughter trails him as he wanders back to their pupils.
“I had to test this thing out.” The sun glints off the metal. “It works!”
“Do you realize how close you were to a blade through your chest?” he snaps, holding his hand out. “Let me see that.”
“Be careful. It’s old.”
He studies it. “Vin’nyla’s wings. Where did you get this?”
“From Lucretia. I went to see her last night—”
“You went down there without me?” His face morphs with anger.
I hold up my hands in surrender. “Hey, I came to your door, but you were busy.” I give him a knowing look.
“Then you interrupt me. You do not go down into that serpent’s tomb alone.”
“Aye, aye, Captain.” I mock salute, allowing irritation to bleed into my tone. I knew Jarek would be annoyed when he found out. I didn’t expect him to scold me like I’m a child. “Lucretia’s not going to hurt me. Besides, I can defend myself.”
“Against that thing? I doubt any of us can.” He hands me the mask back, his temper ebbing.
“She was asking about you. I think she has a crush.” I should probably warn him that she’s also a pervert who can travel unseen through wards and bedroom doors, but I resist the urge. It’s best he doesn’t know that, unless I want to spend my nights with Jarek standing over my bed.
“Whose face was that, that you were wearing just now?” he asks, a deep furrow across his forehead.
The doors swing open before I can answer, and Zorya and Gesine rush out, Eden close behind. She must have run to the library in a panic. Zorya’s hands are filled with swords and the caster’s eyes glow green, likely with a shield.
“It’s okay, it’s me. I was wearing this.” I wave my hand, the mask’s silver flashing.