The strong scents of sausage and cinnamon swirl along the breeze as the boat approaches the Island of Sol and the Coliseum.
I’m first off and make a quick beeline to the entrance where I instantly, unmistakably identify Poppy’s bald spot. He’s only a few Basso ahead of me in line.
“Excuse me,” I say, “I need to get in line with my grandfather; he’s just up ahead.” I push my way up to him, but he’s already heard my voice, the commotion, and is looking back at me.
“Veda…,” he says, clearly disappointed. Once I’m next to him, he leans in, nearly whispering. “I hoped you decided not to come.”
“I told you I’m not doing that,” I whisper back.
His eyes turn stern. “It’s a bad idea. You still have time. Go—”
But we’re butting right up to the Imperi officers at this point.
“Too late,” I say, satisfied smile stretched across my face. I don’t know why he’s so concerned. Being so incredibly stubborn. Well … I suppose I do. He is my grandfather.
Poppy only shakes his head and audibly swears under his breath.
We take our medallions out, hold them faceup in our palms.
With only one Basso ahead of us, I look inside the Coliseum and toward the Sun mural, hoping to see Nico, wondering if he’ll be sitting with us again today.
I’m scanning the crowd so thoroughly that it isn’t until Poppy very loudly clears his throat that I return my attention to the line, the medallions …
Poppy tosses his coin into the box and I do the same. But he doesn’t move forward. He’s staring at the Imperi officer. When I follow his eyes, I see why.
It’s Nico.
“What?” I whisper.
Nico shakes his head and his chest rises and falls. He leans forward, glancing back and forth first before he speaks. “I wanted to tell you, but…”
“You didn’t.”
“I’m sorry.” He breathes through his nose, working his jaw like he wants to say so much more but can’t. Only a moment ago we were in each other’s arms. Now he’s Imperi uniform clad, gold Sun embroidered over his heart, Imperi officer’s crest on his collar, pressed sash cutting his chest in crimson. A stranger. One of them.
“Keep the line moving, please!” another officer calls out, and we’re pushed forward just as Nico’s saying, “And there’s more—”
More?
But he’s cut off and we’re already inside, being ushered through the crowd and toward our section.
“Did you know about this?” I ask.
My grandfather raises an eyebrow. “No.”
“Me neither.” My chest burns and my face heats. How could he?
“Veda Adeline?” We’re not even to our seats before I’m tapped on the shoulder from behind.
I turn around to find an Imperi soldier. He’s about my height and stands unnaturally straight, a thin beard shading the bottom half of his face.
“You’re to come with us.” He motions to another, much larger soldier behind him.
“What is this about, please?” Poppy says, standing and taking a step toward the soldier.
“The High Regent would like to welcome Miss Adeline back and congratulate her on escaping the Night.”
“How the…?” Poppy swallows what I assume was going to be a decent swear. “Excuse me, I mean, I’m confused. She just returned this morning.”
“Oh, we know…” The larger soldier practically spits the words. “News travels fast.” He shrugs.
“That it does.” Poppy takes another look at both of the soldiers. “Go on, Veda. What an honor.”
“I’ll be right back,” I call, walking double time to keep up with the soldiers who’re in a ridiculous hurry.
Poppy, his body rigid, strains to smile.
The soldiers swiftly guide me through a door that takes us into a tunnel beneath the seating areas. There are prison cells lining the walls. Most are empty, but I catch a few figures hunched in corners. Supposedly the worst of the worst criminals are sent here, often executed in private Offering rituals. My mother’s fate …
The image flashes behind my eyes, but I push it aside as quickly as it comes, a bit of bile sneaking its way up the back of my throat.
At the end of the tunnel we ascend a tall staircase, then go through another door. Once at the top, I’m brought through a red curtain, and to a red-carpeted balcony, high above the others, just a notch below the High Regent’s perch.
The soldiers leave.
I stand in the center. Fidgeting with my pockets, I turn in a circle, taking in the sea of Dogio red. Faces surround me from all angles, yet no one seems to notice I’m here.
Behind me there’s commotion. I turn to look and see the same two soldiers open the curtain, High Regent Raevald entering. His black suit is crisp as coal, crimson sash around his black hat accenting the red cockade he wears under his Imperi badge.
I remove my hands from my pockets. Not knowing what to do with them, I clasp my fingers behind my back.
“Miss Veda Adeline, I presume?” He clasps his own hands behind his back.
I nod.
His silver-streaked hair is slicked back as usual, weathered skin like leather close up. “I wanted to congratulate you personally.” The High Regent smiles. Then he leans in. “You slipped through the cracks. How did you escape?”
Slipped through the cracks. If he only knew.
“They … I … I don’t remember.” I try to sound natural but the more I try, the more I’m sure it’s obvious I’m lying.
He cocks his head then adjusts his hat so it sits lower on his forehead, shadowing his face in darkness.
“They drugged me and somehow I ended up back home. I have no memory, not even of being taken. I think, at some point, I hit my head.” It’s quick, haphazard thinking. He seems to be considering what I’ve given him, staring into my eyes, his eyes dark under the shade of his hat, unreadable. The High Regent clears his throat, moving toward the curtain. “Well. Thank the Sun! Beyond all odds, you made your way home. The Sun truly works miracles, does he not?”
“Yes, sir,” I say under my breath.
“The fact you escaped gives hope to others like you. And…” He raises his voice. “Gives me reason to believe the Night is getting a little careless!” The soldiers laugh along with Raevald until he clears his throat. “We are so relieved to have you back safe and sound, Veda. You’re welcome to view the ceremony from here or go back to your grandfather.”
“I’ll sit with my grandfather.” Always.
“Of course.” He shakes my hand. The exchange is stiff, his grasp cold, concealed within a leather glove. Looking me in the eye and turning on his heels, Raevald disappears behind the red curtain.
That is my blood relation? My grandfather?
Another round of hot bile erupts deep in my throat. Grandfather. It’s an insult to Poppy.
I make my way toward the edge of the balcony and squint in search of Poppy but can’t pick his face out from the throng.
“Come on, then,” the shorter soldier calls from the door, less polite now he’s done his duty.
Once again, I follow the pair, this time to our seats. We’re closer to the dome floor than last time.
But Poppy’s not there. I look behind me, all around, searching the crowd for my grandfather’s silver halo of hair, but he’s nowhere and I’m suddenly concerned. What if he’s ill? What if he’s stuck in the washroom or decided to head home?
I’m about to leave my seat and search for him when Raevald’s voice booms out over the Coliseum.
Everyone stands.
“Welcome, people of Bellona: Dogio.” He raises his arm to the right. “Basso.” He does the same to the left. “Before we bring out the Offered, that praiseworthy soul, I have an announcement to share.” The crowd breaks into chatter and excitement, anticipation as those around me wildly speculate:
“Could he be remarrying?”
“At his age?”
“Is it the Night?”
“A draft?”
Raevald resumes speaking, the Coliseum instantly hushing. “It’s good news, I assure you.” The High Regent motions toward the arena floor. “After careful deliberation, I’ve chosen an heir.”
If he only knew …
Barely, barely, his next words register: “Nicoli Denali.”
A tall, familiar figure walks out onto the Coliseum floor. The arena erupts in applause.
All I can do is stare.
When Nico had said there was more, I thought, he’ll be busy training or off to strict schooling as he learns a specialty.
But this?
This?
There’s no way Nico could begin to pinpoint me out of the thousands of faces, but I swear, the way his eyes are slowly scanning the crowd, he’s looking for me.
Once the excitement dies down, Raevald resumes. “Mr. Denali’s first area of training will be as an officer, learning the ways of the Imperi army top to bottom. Some of you even handed your medallions over to him to gain entrance.” He nods like it’s some sort of remarkable thing. Like we should be impressed Nico, heir-to-be, was interacting with the rabble. “As your future High Regent, it’s important he’s familiar with not only the army he’ll one day command, but his people as well.”
My. Sun.
I can’t begin to fathom it. To wrap my mind around Nico as High Regent. As one day being the one standing up on that perch saying things like, “Now, we shall pay homage to our god with the Prayer.”
We recite the Prayer. As if nothing’s changed. As if that announcement Raevald just made didn’t turn my entire world inside out. As if the boy I’ve known and loved for a decade didn’t turn into someone else overnight, didn’t become the enemy before my eyes. It’s routine as usual.
“As we bear witness to this sacrifice, we remember: ‘A thriving Bellona is only as strong as the light that shines upon it. Blessed be the light.’”
“—Blessed be the light.”
Same speech each Offering, hasn’t changed in centuries. Will it with Nico? When he takes power will he still be powerless to actually change things? Will he even want to?
Raevald raises his arms, then lowers them, motioning that we take our seats.
The Coliseum obediently sits.
My knee shakes and my palms sweat.
Beneath the High Regent’s balcony is the familiar cranking of the door. The canal that runs along the floor of the Coliseum fills with water.
Several more soldiers, a handful of officers, enter the arena. My chest tightens and a burning wave of nausea hits my stomach when I spot one of the officers. Nico stands at attention by the arched exit. I dig my fingernails into my leg.
The entire dome is still. Nothing happens. People look around, voices whisper, mumble over the unorthodox nature of what’s happening. Or not happening. Why it’s taking so long.
“The Offered.” I’m a breath away from leaving my seat, bolting up the stairs and to the exit to find Poppy. “The honored, is…” The High Regent pauses, drawing it out. Once he says it, I’ll leave. “Jac Adeline.”
I hear the name. It comes out brisk and sharp, like a burst of winter wind, and encircles me a hundred times. The High Regent’s voice still echoes in the distance: Jac Adeline. The name gravely repeats over and over until it’s nothing but a wisp in my ear: Jac Adeline.
Poppy strides through the door and into the arena, two soldiers walking behind him.
No. I whimper, tears rolling down my face.
As if he knows exactly where I’m sitting, he finds my eyes. I shake my head.
He nods his once. Yes. So strong. So at peace.
I watch as Poppy is led to the middle of the dome floor, head held high, silver tuft of hair blowing to the side with the breeze coming off the Great Sea.
And with the breeze, I’m slapped awake.
“No!” I scream, jumping from my seat, running down the aisle and hopping over the railing. Several people shout in warning from the stands, but it’s too late. I’m nearing Poppy and the soldiers, sliding along the gravel to a stop.
“Veda, no!” Poppy shouts.
“Why him? There was no mark on his medallion!” I look straight up at Raevald. “No mark!” The words are fire and singe my throat on their way out.
Calmly, he stands, leans over the railing, and addresses me and only me through the golden speaking-trumpet. “You should be proud, Miss Adeline. It is the greatest honor to be Offered.”
I run toward Poppy, falling into his arms.
But as soon as I’m there taking in my poppy—all mint and earth and castile soap—I’m ripped away by two officers, their crimson sashes flashing brightly in my periphery.
“Veda,” one says into my ear. It’s a voice I’d know anywhere.
All I hear now is betrayal.
Pulled off my feet, I’m forced to watch from the wall as Poppy makes his way to the altar. Once there he places his medallion atop it. I can see the mark of the golden Sun from where I stand.
We did get a marked medallion. I just never saw his.
Damn it, Poppy. I don’t know what he tossed into the box when we entered the Coliseum, but clearly it wasn’t the true talisman.
Nico tries to shield my eyes, pulling me into him, but I push away.
Betrayal.
“Poppy,” I whimper, trying to fight my arms free, unable to do anything other than kick my legs.
My grandfather drops to his knees at the altar. A soldier slices each of his palms and Poppy smears the stone with his blood. His final mark. Proof of his sacrifice.
“No…” My whimper now a sob.
Poppy’s always been tall, strong. Bent over the altar, vulnerable in so many ways, somehow he still looks tall. Taller than I’ve ever seen him.
That’s when the raft is brought in.
My grandfather walks purposefully toward it, steps aboard, then sits on his knees.
Gray eyes set on me, he gives the slightest of nods, eyes firm but heavy.
It’s all right. It’ll be all right.
The hourglass is full.
A single bell rings.
The Sun directly above, shining down and illuminating Poppy’s hair so it’s a silver halo, he mouths, My Veda.
It’s too much.
Too much.
Something snaps inside me. Nico must not expect me to keep fighting, because I easily tear myself free, once again running toward my grandfather.
“Veda, stop!” Nico yells.
I’m going to jump onto the raft, pull him off, and we’ll swim for it. Swim forever if we must. As long as we’re far, far away from this cursed island.
But I see it on his face, his eyes, the fear I’m going to get myself killed too if I keep fighting it, because there is no away from here.
And I’ll expose the truth.
And everyone depending on me.
On the Lunalette.
This is bigger than you, Veda.
It’s bigger than Poppy.
It’s then that my grandfather reaches into his belt, removing the knife he religiously keeps tucked in the secret inner pocket.
Lifting the blade up over his chest, he looks at me and only me.
Poppy, no! But I don’t say it because I’m running straight at him.
“Be strong, Veda. Be strong,” he says as I approach. Then, eyes toward the Sun, he slams the knife into his own heart, falling back onto the raft.
The crowd reacts. Nico calls my name. Someone screams. But then everything and everyone is silent.
The soldiers scramble to finish the ceremony. As if what just happened didn’t really happen, they cut the rope and the raft is set free, pulled along by the current.
But the boat’s moving too fast. He’s leaving too fast, the knife sticking up from his chest, his body bent over, bright red blood blooming through his white linen shirt. It’s wrong. All wrong.
“Poppy,” I say, mouth slick with tears.
Floating through the door, the raft carrying my grandfather drifts out to sea.
He’s gone.
“NO!” I scream so loud, something splits in my throat and I’m pulled from Nico and escorted by two soldiers back to my seat.
Everything disappears around me.
The archway door cranks closed, the canal dries up, the crowd claps. Their applause is more boisterous than usual.
But it’s all just noise.
Life somehow goes on.
Food carts are brought out. People visit the altar. Several stop before me and say things I don’t hear or register. Several shake my hand, pat my back.
It isn’t until I hear an urgent “Veda!” that I begin to come to. The voice is low, so familiar, but it’s not Poppy’s or Nico’s.
I can barely see him through the tears in my eyes, but I make out his expression, the concern etched over his face. The light hair that’s concealed underneath a hat, his uncle by his side. “Let’s get out of here,” Dorian says, beckoning to me.
Despite the fact that my legs are lead, each step heavier than the last, somehow I make my way toward him.
Still, the closer I get, the farther away he seems.
It’s my longest walk ever, and when I finally reach him, I collapse.
Curled in a ball on the ground, I turn my head toward Raevald’s perch, and I’m shocked to see he’s there. Staring down from high. Watching me.
I wipe the tears from my eyes and he’s vanished.
Only the Sun shines down.
The sole witness.