After a riveting afternoon with Ilara, where I lost every bout, I was finally allowed to return to my room. But no sooner had I arrived than a pair of servants arrived with orders to bathe and prepare me for the evening's festivities. Any shred of privacy I had was gone as they dunked me under the water and scrubbed my scalp until I was sure it was bleeding. Then they did the same to my finger- and toenails, before dragging me out and toweling me dry.
I expected another corset, but I was given a solid lavender dress with enough boning to handle my ample chest without the need for binding. After they finished fastening the dress and petticoats, they turned to my hair. Instead of a simple braid, they spent their time putting pins and bands in my hair so it stayed firm at the nape of my neck in a tight bun. And after that, it was a layer of thick cream on my face, lips, eyes, and even the tops of my breasts.
Whatever was happening that night was something special.
My guards escorted me down the stairs as the sun set, and the faint sound of music wafted through the hallways. As I drew closer to the grand hall, my pulse pounded in my throat. Who would I find in there—and would I get a chance to talk with any of them?
I passed through the threshold and my breath left my body. The room was filled with people—none of whom I recognized. They were drinking from wine goblets and laughing with one another, every one dressed in their very finest clothes.
Without guards to shadow me, I walked a perimeter of the room, scanning each face for someone familiar. There was a mix of Severian and Forcadelian, but also Kulkan and a few Niemenians. Odd, considering the queen had all but banned those countries from doing business in the city.
I stopped next to a column, pretending to be awkward while keeping my ears open for conversation.
"The things I've seen…the city is magnificent."
"And the dam! I hear she had a hand in its design."
"The world will surely tell stories of Ilara for generations to come."
I burned to interject, to question them, but I stayed put. Better to keep out of sight for the moment.
"What are you doing over here?"
I straightened in surprise, then turned slowly, shock falling across my features. "Mark?"
The former captain of the guard—the one who'd held the position before Felix and the man who'd shown up at my temporary camp to lead my soldiers—was dressed in a Severian uniform, holding a goblet. The last time I'd seen him, I'd unceremoniously fired him after he'd pissed me off. A move I'd regretted at the time.
And now, based on his attire and smirk, I would continue to regret it.
"What are you doing here?" I asked, mentally calculating when Mark had left and when Felix and Katarine had arrived. He hadn't gone with us to Celia's camp; my story was still safe.
"I was on my way back to Forcadel after you relieved me of my command," he said. "I ran into Captain Coyle, who offered me a job back at the castle."
You little sneak. "I see."
"After all, if you had no use for me, I thought I might find my fortunes elsewhere." He puffed out his chest. "I will be assuming command of the camp just south of Skorsa in the morning."
That wasn't the worst news. He'd be out of my hair and Ilara's sight. Whatever knowledge he might have would be kept far away from Forcadel. Now I just needed to know everything he'd already told her.
"So here we are," Mark said, swirling the wine in his glass. "I can't say I'm surprised. I told you that you were going to fail."
"Clairvoyant, are we?" I asked, but I kept my temper. Mark had a nasty habit of goading me into making mistakes, and I wasn't going to let him win this time.
"I heard about the deaths at Celia's camp," he said. "How many of my soldiers did you lose?"
"My soldiers, you mean?" I barked. "A hundred and twenty."
"I don't care about the thieves," he said with a wave of his hand. "But the soldiers who—"
"The soldiers who trained and died alongside each other," I said. "Thief or royal guard, they were one and the same to me and to each other." I collected myself for a moment. "And for you to gloat like this proves I was right to let you go."
"If you think I'm gloating, you are sorely mistaken," he said. "Because of your recklessness, people died."
His words shot straight to my heart. "Yes, I'm aware."
"And now you're here, playing house with the very woman who took your kingdom from you," he said, taking a sip of his wine. "Well, I suppose we must all do what we think is best."
"Says the man traveling to the east to assume command of her troops."
"Of my troops," Mark said, giving me an evil glare. "Her Majesty has moved a hundred Forcadelian troops out of the city and is in need of someone to command them. At least if I remain their captain, I can protect them from her."
My mind was racing. Would he be willing to reassign those soldiers to my cause? Perhaps Katarine could meet with him and change his mind when he arrived in Skorsa. "I'm surprised Coyle allowed you such a prestigious position."
"He's been given a more prestigious one by Her Majesty," he said.
"Better than his current role?" I asked.
He laughed—the same condescending laugh he'd used in camp. "You really have no idea what's going on, do you?"
"Perhaps not," I said, downing the rest of my wine. "Excuse me."
I'd reached my limit in dealing with Mark, so I needed to escape before I said something wrong. My mind was like a starving man in the desert, and every scrap of information was devoured with ravenous abandon. I circled the party to give myself time to digest the news—Mark now worked for Ilara, but his loyalties remained with his soldiers; Coyle was being given a new position somewhere; there were a hundred Forcadelian soldiers in Skorsa that might be loyal to me.
Finally, when the last bit of wine had worn off, I plucked another from a passing tray to nurse and found a column to stand by. The party was in full swing, except Ilara was nowhere to be seen so far. Even Luisa hadn't made an appearance yet.
But finally, my gaze landed someone familiar—and my knees almost buckled in relief. Ignacio, Beswick's second, stood surrounded by a pair of Kulkans and a couple Severians. His pencil mustache was the same as ever, and his sharklike eyes spoke of a man who was used to getting what he wanted by any means necessary.
I took another sip of my wine to steady myself and remind myself how furious I was with him. After all, if Ilara was to believed, Ignacio was still working for Beswick, who wasn't about to be neck deep in ice in Niemen.
Funneling all my anger into my heart, I placed my empty goblet on a passing tray and crossed the room, keeping my murderous gaze on Ignacio. Just before I reached the group, he spotted me, his eyes widening in surprise before a smile curled onto his face.
"Look who it is," Ignacio said. "A disgraced princess. Surprised you're willing to show your face around here."
"I'm just full of surprises," I said, my voice dripping with acid. "Where's your boss? This doesn't seem the kind of party he would miss."
Ignacio's lip twitched, but I couldn't tell if it was in anger or amusement. "Lord Beswick is in the east, handling some business for the queen." He smiled again. "You know that they're now partners, I assume."
"I think I heard something about it when he sent her troops to raze my camp."
"And you seem to have found yourself in the wrong place again." He laughed, and there was nothing nice in it. "Caught in the streets of the city? Weren't you trying to regain your throne?"
I pursed my lips, glaring at the cup of wine instead of responding.
"I'd like you to meet my associate, Jax."
The glass nearly slipped from my hand. I hadn't recognized him without his goatee, and perhaps his hair had been lightened. Also, he wore a fine, light blue tunic instead of the dark one. But it was him.
"I know her," Jax said, leveling a death glare so fierce, I thought I might melt from it. "And it's only because the guards took my knives that I haven't stuck one of them into that black heart of yours, Larissa."
My cheeks warmed and I found myself without anything to say.
In a flash, Jax grabbed my wrist and pulled me to him, death in his eyes. "I can't talk long," he whispered. "Eyes everywhere."
"I'm so glad to see you," I said, keeping my gaze fearful in case there were onlookers. "What's happening out east?"
"I was going to ask you the same thing," he said. "You mean you don't know? What kind of useless spy are you?"
"Nobody's telling me anything. I've only just been allowed out of my room." I swallowed. "Is Fishen—"
"Fine. Safe. Wasn't my idea, but those kids I got working for me insisted." He glanced behind me then shoved my hand away roughly. "You damned traitor." He spat at my feet. "I can't even bear to look at you."
"Seems you make friends everywhere you go," Mark said, coming to stand beside us. "I just came over to make sure everything was all right."
"It's fine," I said, rubbing my red wrist. Jax certainly played the part well. "Just a conversation between old friends. If you'll excuse me."