Chapter 22

T he mountaintop palace blazed in a wealth of lights. The courtyard lay packed with vehicles and guards, evidence of the celebrating throng inside. Snow fell, drifting in lazy spirals upon the piles from last night's deluge as the clouded sky turned purple in the dusk. Vala exited the car, her dress catching on the door handle, prompting her to jerk it away. She tripped over the fabric, her shoes were like blocks of ice upon her feet. Her breath turned white in the frozen air and the cold lashed her body as she stumbled after the guards. She shivered dreadfully by the time she had climbed the steps and swept past the huge, gold doors, trailing snowflakes and blue gauze upon the floors.

A few thousand courtiers from the empire had gathered around the raised throne, packed from wall to wall. Glittering shoulders rubbed, jeweled hair sparkled, and the finest silks and velvets glimmered in the depths of the crowd. Above them, the huge chandeliers flamed, lighting up the hall as though with the sun itself. She stepped into their gilded midst, the guards pacing into the sea of bodies ahead. She wondered how she appeared to them, a woman in a ball gown like any other there. Yet her hands were chained, a convict's tattoo darkly gleamed upon her arm, and imperial guards escorted her as if she were dangerous.

She kept her eyes firmly ahead, feeling her face and body warm as though she were embarrassed. None of this mattered. Not the sneering glances, the appraising looks, or the fear that met her eyes concerned her now. She only wanted the emperor to fulfill his oath so that Corina would be safe. Surely, fate would not be so cruel as to deny her that one wish.

The last of the courtiers parted and she gazed upon the emperor's throne.

Luiximor sat in state, terrible and splendid. His long, silver hair was braided and a heavy breastplate of platinum rested upon his black robes. That steel gaze fell upon her now, taking in her tired eyes, the gown upon her exhausted body, the downturn of her lips. He read the anger and desperation in her eyes and he appeared pleased?—

Vala looked away, willing the connection to cease. She did not like how her cheeks flamed red or her body heated in rage and embarrassment but there was nothing to be done.

Helen sat beside the emperor and Prince Rafeal lounged by her side in an impeccably tailored, black velvet suit. Helen glowed in white silk as befitting a bride and her engagement ring sparkled like a star. Vala did not care to look upon Helen's face. She could already feel the woman's triumphant sneer. Rafeal's coal eyes luxuriously swept over her body with utter indifference.

"Vala Flowers, welcome to my Noventury gala," Luiximor waved his pale hand. "I hear you performed well in my service today."

"Luiximor, I request you hold true to your word." She struggled to keep her voice firm. Being so close to him made her feel nauseous and she flushed hotter.

His face twisted with heavy distaste. "You do not have permission to use my name. I am your emperor."

She buckled her exhausted knees into a curtsy. " Emperor Luiximor. You made a promise to me that Corina would go free. I have held my end of the bargain. I served you well today." That was debatable but she gambled against time, hoping that Corina could escape before she died. Had Joe entered the trade? The thought turned her fevered nerves to fire. Briefly, she thought of the Masked Man. Perhaps even now he paced through the crowds, his eyes upon her, his knives poised and ready for a rescue. It would be in vain, she thought. She should have listened to his warning in Sandy's but the time for regrets had long passed.

"Oh…yes. I had nearly forgotten about your friend." He gestured to some guards and they stepped aside.

Vala gasped. Corina stood amid the audience, dressed from head to toe in velvet brocade. Most of her bosom was revealed and her legs curved through high slits in her dress. Dull jewels glimmered in her black hair and a fresh bruise lay upon her cheek. But her eyes were bright and defiant.

Vala spun upon the emperor, barely able to choke back her rage. "You told me Corina would go free!"

Helen tittered, holding a hand to her ruby lips. Luiximor showed a wider range of emotion. He flung back his silver head and laughed loud and long. At least Rafeal had not joined in their mirth. Not this time. He merely looked at her with a twisted expression on his face. Maybe he knew what it felt like to be trapped.

Luiximor sighed. "The world's best freedom exists here in this court. Vala, your friend is a pleasure companion to our courtiers. You must be proud. Not everyone can rise to the palace and you made this happen for a mud slummer. She is the envy of millions of others just like her."

She struggled to keep from shouting. Her lungs burned as she took a rageful breath. "That was not our deal. Let her go. I kept my word. I ask that you do the same."

His sneer was dreadful to behold. "Do you think I am stupid? That I see nothing? I know what ruse you attempted to play upon me. You tried to supplant me and I am deeply aggrieved by it."

He beckoned to a guard.

Vala felt breathless within the constricting gown, too hot, beyond feverish. Had Joe informed him about the trade? Was this all a game so that she died as a spectacle for the crowd while Luiximor lived for another ten thousand years? She had been a complete fool. Now Corina would also pay the price.

Around her the crowd murmured and rustled, curious at this spectacle playing out before their eyes. A guard approached the throne. A wrapped bundle lay within his arms. At first Vala thought he carried a rune but the package was too large. She felt Luiximor's gloating eyes linger upon her and her heart seized with dread.

Luiximor beckoned to the guard who knelt and held aloft the strange package. "You know that every action has a repercussion. To gain returns, one must assume risk but not always does risk bring returns." He lifted up the strange cloth wrappings. "All I asked of you was to love me. But, instead, you chose him ."

The emperor flung his hands wide and the wrapped bundle dropped upon the floor. For a moment, all was a frenzy of peeling cloth and splattering blood, and then Vala screamed. A bloodied object rolled out from the black folds.

It was the head of the Masked Man.

A great, shivering hush fell upon the gathered throng. Then, several women screeched and toppled amid elegant hysterics, Helen loudest of all.

Luiximor studied her with eyes of hatred. Prince Rafeal gazed with shock upon the head.

Vala fell to her knees at the terrible sight before her. That mask. The firm jaw that opened forever in a deathly grin. She could not bring herself to look at the severed neck where arteries still wept. His hair was a mat of red and his eyes had been ripped out, exposing bloody, gaping sockets. I will gouge out his blue eyes and feed them to my dragons. Luiximor's shout echoed in her mind.

Vala raised listless eyes to the emperor. She was so tired of worrying, fighting, and struggling for things always beyond her reach. Perhaps it was time to simply stop. Not even Corina was able to be helped now.

"I don't want to live anymore," she murmured to herself.

"Wasn't it just last night that you begged on your knees for your life," Luiximor gave a triumphant laugh. "And you desire to die? Your preferences change swifter than your lovers." His fist slammed down upon the throne's armrest. "Very well. I will grant your wish. Tonight, for such crimes as you've committed against me, you must die."

The guards roughly pulled her upwards. She barely noticed them. The world seemed to be floating in some terrible, muddied dream. Before her vision burned the terrible sight of the Masked Man's head. That he was truly dead seemed impossible. Like one of her nightmares from which she could still wake. But he was dead. He would never look at her with those glittering, blue eyes. Never again love her with those strong arms. He died and in a terribly cruel way. He had been so alone and now; he was alone for an eternity.

Vala felt tears fall upon her heated face. There was nothing more to hope for. Not even the trade mattered now. The world had become evil to her and she longed for release from its cruelty. Her lips formed words, softly spoken at first and then stated with hardening intensity. "Kill me then. I only ask that you make it quick."

Luiximor's laugh rang out, ugly and full of anger. "What do you think, Helen? Can you stomach an execution on the eve of your wedding?"

Helen, recovering from the pretended faint, fanned her neck and sighed. "Brother mine, she murdered my Titus. Can you imagine my heart growing softer for her now that I know she has also threatened your life?"

Vala met Helen's eyes and felt nothing but dark loathing in those emerald depths. She wondered if Rafael was jealous that Helen defended her secret lover so openly but then, the whole court likely knew and no one cared. As if divining her thoughts, Helen stroked Rafael's arm, arching herself towards him. But the Thevian prince's eyes were fixed upon Vala and he remained as motionless as a stone.

The emperor opened his hands in a placating gesture. "Despite your treachery, my darling, I have not forgotten the value you brought to my runes this terrible day where the heavens turned black and my powers fought to resurface triumphant."

Vala tried to mask her disgust and failed with a shuddering breath that hurt her chest with its heat. Luiximor knew about the eclipse for years and let his lust for her overrule his advisor's longtime plans to help him survive the eclipse. Now he wanted to pretend the event was a surprise that he was predestined to defeat, despite the terrible odds. A quick look around the hall revealed the nods of approval and admiring glances in the courtiers. Perhaps they pretended. Either way, it did not matter.

"And so, I will be merciful and grant your choice of death. Beheading or sunfire from my hands. This is your reward and I suggest the removal of your head as the quickest path to eternity."

Vala felt her body strengthen. He assumed she would pick beheading as an easy death. Luiximor may be a killer god armed with magic and the power of the sun, but she was not afraid of him. Not anymore.

She shrugged, flesh heated as though an invisible fire licked her skin. She must have fallen sick, she supposed. Either way, Luiximor wanted to burn her alive. She would not give him the satisfaction of choice. "I choose sunfire."

The audience rustled around her, whether in surprise at her statement or her request, she did not care. Luiximor only inclined his head in deep, spiteful hatred. His silver eyes flared bright and flat, reflecting the light from his platinum breastplate. "So be it."

He pushed back the sleeves from his pale wrists and flexed his hands.

The crowd around her gasped in thrilling horror, likely readying their constitutions for the stench of burnt flesh, the cracking of heated bones, the whoosh of fire shooting from his hands to turn her body into a pillar of smoke and blood. She had become some weird and terrible spectacle to them and she hated them all. Soon it would all be over.

She turned to Corina one last time. "I'm really sorry. I tried to save you."

The other woman's face was streaked in tears. "Don't worry about me. I love you, Vala."

Guilt over her failure stung her mind. "I…love you too. Corina, I am so, so sorry."

Rafeal sat up and coughed. "Come now! This is a dull, tearful proceeding, future brother-in-law!"

Helen glared, obviously put out by his inattention. "Whatever do you mean?"

Rafeal stretched his arms and yawned. "Well, this is an imperial gala and our engagement celebration too, is it not? Yet, what grim cheer we have before us. No dancing or music and only the head of an assassin rogue to remind us all of our own mortality. Luiximor, do permit at least one dance before sordid work is done within these golden halls."

Helen gaped. "You want to dance? Now? "

Rafael flicked some dust from his lapel and laughed. "Certainly! Music makes the heart glad."

Luiximor leaned back, his mouth curving into an evil smile. "You do have a point. I am of half a mind to provide some entertainment for her bonfire. It is fitting for the guests here tonight, is it not?"

Vala felt her stomach churn with disgust. How that evil, immortal monster had ever tricked her, would remain her worst shame to carry to the grave. If only her revenge had worked. If only…!

"Most fitting!" Rafeal clapped his hands. "Splendid, then! I will lead with the first dance."

Helen put on a frozen smile for the court's stare. She spoke so quietly, Vala barely heard her. "No. I won't dance with you right now. Are you mad? "

But the prince only looked beyond her to Vala. "Emperor, permit me a dance with the accused before you sear her flesh from those bones."

A shocked gasp rocked the crowd. Helen turned purple and white in turns. " The prisoner? You want to dance with her ?" She was so shaken by his request; she forgot any attempt to moderate her voice.

"HAH! That is correct. Does not the terror of approaching death prompt the most delicate of footwork? Luiximor, I want a turn around the floor with the miscreant before your sunfire chars her insoles. Grant me this favor and help me stay entertained tonight." He hiccuped again.

Vala ground her teeth. Of course. The request made sense now. The prince was absurdly drunk and cruel, just like Luiximor and Helen. Only, before this moment, she had nearly believed him to be a better, different sort of royal.

"I will not dance with you," she stated and turned to Luiximor. Sweat beaded her brow and every move hurt as though her skin threatened to break apart. "Kill me. I am ready."

The emperor laughed and clapped his hands together. "Oh, this is perfect, really. Fitting justice for one so free with her affections. You will spend the final moments of your short life in the arms of a drunkard. No offense of course, Rafeal."

The prince bowed in response and nearly toppled from his chair. "HAH! None taken, my future kinsman!"

Helen furiously whispered at the prince but he only shook her off. "Come now, sweet Helen. Do you begrudge the poor woman one last fun moment before eternal night seizes her flesh?"

"It is so inappropriate. You will humiliate me forever!" Vala could feel the shame emanate from Helen in waves.

"All the more reason to attempt such a feat!" Rafeal staggered upward, blithely ignoring her choking gasp at his insult. "Let us have music."

Luiximor's laugh cut through the outburst of flutes, drums, and violins. "Yes, dance with her. Oh, do it. This is the most entertaining night I've had in centuries."

Vala stared in horror as Prince Rafeal extended his hand to her. No words met her lips as his hand firmly gripped her manacled wrist. Despite her head spinning with shock, she couldn't help but notice his fingers gently curl over the iron cuffs, holding them in place against her hot skin, as if not to hurt her any further by abrasion.

He elegantly bowed low. "Splendid butterfly, may I have this dance?"

The emperor's merriment rang in her ears. "Look at her. What a terrible partner she makes. Play dancing music. Now."

The shocked crowd murmured and rustled in reply. Someone tittered and another stifled what sounded like a nervous gasp. Mostly, everyone merely waited in fascination.

The musicians started a new song, cheerful and strong.

Helen clasped Luiximor's arm, nails scratching lines upon his forearm, beseeching him to stop with her shrill cries. Through her own feverish haze, Vala could feel Helen's thoughts. Humiliation. Embarrassment. Shame. The gossip columns would never let Helen forget that her future husband chose to take HER hand the eve before their wedding. Helen could never hold her head up in the empire from the pure awfulness of it all. Vala blinked, shoving out the princess's thoughts. She had intended to poison her future husband and deserved whatever punishment she got.

Rafeal pulled her upright, close to his chest. He cocked his head slightly, listening to the tune washing over them. "This is a waltz, I believe."

Vala gazed directly into his steady eyes, so black it seemed as though light could vanish within their depth. Tears spilled from her own. "Why do you always do this?"

"Do what?" He guided her backward, sweeping past her moving feet with the skill that bespoke of a century or more of courtly dancing.

"You're always trying to belittle me to make yourself feel better. This whole dance is about you and your ego!"

"Don't stomp so heavily upon your heel." He smirked.

He bothered instructing her now in the ways of courtly dancing?

"Arrogant ass." She kicked at him but he deftly moved away.

"Come now, let's practice delicate footwork." His eyes wickedly glinted.

Vala swore in return and his lips twisted upwards. But he refused to reply and only twirled her so that further words were lost in her gasping, hot breath. Despite his drunken staggering just moments prior, he kept the beat while she stepped on his toes and not always on purpose. The people around them moved backwards to allow them passage through the glittering bodies.

The prince slipped a hand around her waist and pulled her closer, his fingers running up the small of her back. He maneuvered her several steps further into the crowd, keeping in time with the melody.

"How are you feeling?" He murmured. "Your skin is so warm, I fear you may be ill."

Her body felt miserable, skin burning to the touch, insides boiling and sluggish and though she was being cooked alive, not that she would ever tell him so.

"Why do you even care?" Further tears sprang to her eyes. "You're just as cruel as everyone else in this rotten palace."

"Hm. You said you want to die and by sunfire no less. You must be ill to wish for such a thing." His eyes were bright upon her.

She turned in his arms, keeping in pace with the music. "I'm literally sentenced to death. Would you have me uselessly beg Luiximor for mercy?"

"No. I'd just kill him." He dipped her and his eyes fell upon her flushed face with a mixture of what felt like pity and awe.

"You're making no sense," she muttered as he righted her.

"Well, perhaps it is because you are so exceptional."

"You realize you're complimenting a walking dead woman."

He laughed. "Woman? No, Bright Eyes, you are a goddess to me. And everyone knows goddesses cannot die." His hands drew her to him and she felt the solid heaviness of his chest against her body. Her heart leapt, unbidden, at the closeness to him.

The music strengthened in rhythm, the drums beating, thickly piercing her ears with a roaring thump-thump . Rafeal's eyes burned into her as she twirled in his arms. Dimly, she could still hear the emperor's mocking laugh over the bodies clustered around them. Thump-thump-thump went the drums. The violins shrieked a splendid melody as they spun through the parting crowd.

The music hit a crescendo and he stopped and held her close within his arms. She stared at him as the world shot around her in glittering array and flashing lights.

He took her hot palm within his clasp and, with a sudden and ferocious passion, leaned down and kissed her hand.

She knew that kiss.

Ten thousand years could pass and she would never forget it. Never. Her heart thudded as she raised her eyes to his calm, quiet gaze. Those irises were no longer black. No, they shone as blue as the sky.

"Impossible," she breathed. "How did you…"

"A small bit of magic given to me for this mission, little butterfly," he smirked, and she recognized the twist of his mouth like a familiar dream. How had she never noticed the connection? Whose head was that on the floor back there? What poor man of similar likeness had been murdered in mistake or purposed hatred by Luiximor?

"You're the Masked Man," she whispered, her voice shaking.

He smiled and bowed over her outstretched hand. "Prince Rafeal of Theves, forever at your service."

"Oh my god."

"Thank you, but we'll have plenty of time to catch up later on such adoration." He grinned, eyes glittering upon her.

She wanted to laugh but he seemed too pleased, too assured. It bothered her that he had deceived her—and, obviously, everyone else in the Court—but he must have had his reasons, she thought. Thump-thump. The drums were so loud. Too loud. Drowning out the music with their enormous beat?—

What she next heard made every hair on her body stand up in shock. A huge roar shook the air. Somewhere from above them, every decimal sent from a monster wholly alien in nature and up until this moment, presumed securely locked in the Dynn.

"Dragon!" A man screamed next to her. "DRAGON!"

"This is where we run," Rafeal hissed in her ear.

The crowd erupted with sheer panic. People yelled, clawing at each other in blind terror. Some ran for the various exit doors, others shouted for their retinue to open the Dynn and the room was torn by dozens of gaping, black holes. Wind from the openings shrieked and slammed against the walls, knocking down people as others, bracing themselves against the blast, leapt to safety in that dark otherworld. Another massive roar shook forth and the chandeliers wobbled, scattering shards of golden light upon the mob.

Where was Corina?

The emperor sprang up from his throne and stared across the throng, straight at her. "Come back here. I command you." He shot out his hands.

She half expected to slam to the ground, feel his compulsion force her back to him. But she kept running with her own will.

"Bring her back to me!" Luiximor shouted at the guards.

"Time to get you out of here." Rafael dragged her to the nearest hallway, shoving through the packed, frightened crowd, her steps fumbling to keep up with his quick stride.

Luiximor shouted something terrible and in high fury. He flung out his hands and a great column of fire spewed forth.

The prince hauled her after him with near superhuman strength as the furious burst of fire melted the marble floors behind them. She felt its heat upon her naked back like a furnace. Several courtiers screamed and died, consumed by flames.

"Stop!" She tugged at his arm. "Corina's back there. We have to get her."

"My people have already rescued your friend. Come on."

The ceiling burst apart in a shower of tiles and glass. Beyond, in the night sky, a dim, great shape reared. A massive dragon perched on the roof's edge, heavy claws breaking shingles and beams like matchsticks, dark wings spread out as wide as sunship sails, blotting out the stars. Rearing its head, the dragon flung apart wide jaws. A stream of fire shot forth and smote the emperor's throne, turning it into a pillar of ash.

Luiximor escaped the dragon fire just in time, but red tongues curled along his silver braids. He braced himself against the charred remains of his throne and from his hands shot a stream of heavy flames, smiting the scaled beast in return. Some of the sunfire hit the fleeing courtiers and they screamed, falling in writhing, burning heaps as flames consumed them. The dragon's long, scaled neck glowed hotly and fire burst forth to thud against the opposing torrent gushing from Luiximor's hands.

The last glimpse she had before they fled the hall was a burning river connecting the sun god and ancient monster in a fury of fire.

They dashed down the hall, breaking through a side door. Several empty rooms sped past in a blur. She ran as fast as possible. Her heavy dress caught in her legs. Somewhere in the panting flight down a stairway, she lost a shoe and would have fallen had not Rafael caught her just in time. She flung off the other shoe and kept running as it shattered behind her on the marble.

He pulled her into a hallway and held her close for a moment against his chest. The shouts and flames that burnt up the palace seemed muted here. As if they could be safe within these walls. His eyes fell upon her upturned face and for a moment she thought he intended to kiss her. But his hand reached behind her, to twist some door knob, and they tumbled into a small courtyard outside.

A dozen Sanuri gathered there, perched on gleaming motorcycles. They bowed their heads at the sight of their prince. Her heart jumped to see Corina seated behind one of the warriors. Corina gave her a nervous thumbs up. Her face lit in the sudden fires that burst overhead. Within the palace, the emperor and dragon battled on.

"You need to get out of that dress." Rafael gestured to the glittering, blue folds.

She was eager to remove the heavy fabric. The cold air felt blissful as the heat within her body began to subside. "But I have nothing else to wear."

He pulled out a knife. "Hold still."

His hands moved deftly and fast. Soon, the heavy skirts lay folded around her ankles. Her legs shone bare and white in the blissful cold. His smirk at the sight made her reconsider slapping him.

"Much better," he murmured wickedly and— did his knuckles just graze her thigh? "Did I ever tell you I love Islaen peaches?"

"You're terrible!" She blushed hard and noticed Corina's eyes wide upon her. Now that Janie was gone, Corina would apply the scolding for inappropriate behavior , she figured. Provided they survived the night.

With quick ease, he hoisted her into his arms and placed her upon a motorcycle. She grabbed the handlebars as he sat behind her, clutching her body close against him. The leather seat was cold upon her naked legs; and his arms were muscle-hardened and warm around her body?—

"Nice job on the dragon. Is the sunship ready, Lilon?" He revved the machine into gear.

The Sanuri who clasped Corina to her nodded, eyes flashing within her dark face. "Yes, Your Highness. We will fly across the waves."

"Excellent. Then let us make haste before the imperial rabble spots us." He stomped the gas pedal.

The motorcycle lurched forward, shooting down the narrow alley like a metal bullet. They burst into the main courtyard, tires shrieking through the fleeing crowd of guests. No one stopped them. The fires of Luiximor and the dragon burst overhead and all was flames, darkness, screaming, and chaos. Their motorcycles roared from the palace and into the Upper Levels, speeding fast upon the winding streets. The white suits of the Sanuri gleamed pale and ghostly under the street lights.

"Where are we going?" Vala shouted as the wind slashed her face. Brilliant stars twinkled within the black depths of space, barely visible under the shredded, gray clouds. She felt refreshed and cooler by degrees, being outside in the snowy air.

His voice rose strongly before her. "We return home to Theves. You will be safe there with my people."

With a screech of tires and thrumming whine of engines, they broke through the Upper Levels entrance—the gates were open and poorly guarded for the gala—and raced into the business district.

Her brain churned. Something did not add up. She looked over Rafael's shoulder at the palace looming behind them.

The towering walls, dim and smoky with fire, and the blazing inferno that shot upwards to the night sky like some dread volcano awoken in a mountain long dormant of such activity. Dimly, she saw the heavy, dark shape of the dragon flying around the pinnacled roofs, its flames pouring forth into the palatial rooms below. Sunfire shot out in response, hot and furious against the dragon's scales.

"The emperor is taking a long time to kill that dragon," she muttered. And why had he not used his magic to force her return? She became aware of something else…something far more pleasant. The burning sensations had faded from her body and she had begun to feel normal again.

Rafeal either did not hear her or else he concentrated on the rushing pavement and scattered traffic. The motorcycles dodged and weaved around honking cars, their engines shooting fast over pavement and curb in equal abandon. And beyond the city's skyline, she saw glimpses of the docks. That mighty fleet of sunships, hovering above the black waters like a homing flock.

She thought hard. Her body no longer ached and burned with internal fire, no itching of her flesh threatened to burn stronger. With every street they descended, she felt better. It could not be…but it was.

"Turn around!"

"What?" Rafeal glanced down at her with disbelief.

"You must let me return. I have to go back to the emperor now!"

She had to face Luiximor. Joe must have entered her trade but it was not yet complete. It would only be when she and Luiximor were in close proximity again, triggering the runes in the Dynn to react. They were meant to burn, to die together and fulfill the trade's future. And to burn, she needed a spark…of sunfire.

"Don't be absurd. You're not going back there."

"I must. You don't understand!" She wriggled within his arms, not thinking of how fast they sped downwards through the city streets.

Rafeal swore and tightened his grip upon her. "Stop it. You'll make us crash!"

"Take me back! I must return!"

But his fingers pushed hard upon the side of her neck and that dark, relieving swell of night swept over her in thick abandon. She cursed as her vision darkened. He had used the trick of applying pressure to a nerves complex to relax her into sleep. Her last thought was of anger as the blissful, empty wave swept up and over, shoving her conscious brain into a deep slumber.