Chapter 26

Ellery

Onlyone more day to go.

Of course, the celebration would go all week, but my mother wouldn't stay away from the manor that long, and I wouldn't complain about that. Since some of the other guests had left this morning, she felt it was acceptable for us to go tomorrow.

And I could not wait.

Unlike many others, I'd excused myself from the dancing last night once it was polite enough for me to do so. Besides, no one would miss me in the crush of immortals filling the ballroom.

As more guests, mostly those with manors and farms to run, disembarked from the palace, I wandered the gardens with my mother and the remaining partiers. The freshly crowned king had announced a day of outside games and expected everyone who remained to attend.

As we strolled, I examined what I could see of the palace. Three buildings spread out around us, blocking the view of the rest of the palace. It was so large and encompassing that I wasn't sure how many buildings there were.

High, arched stone bridges connected the upper levels of the buildings, making it possible for someone to cross between them from higher up in the buildings. Hundreds of lightning rods jutted up from the palace roofs and turrets; the rods protected the buildings from lightning, lightning bearers, and the magnetic storms that ravished the land at least a few times a year.

The stone used to build the palace turned yellow in the sun, giving the buildings a golden hue. That gold color faded when night set in, and the palace took on a silvery shade beneath the moon. If there was no moon or only a small one, it appeared nearly black.

I couldn't help but admire this magical, beautiful place that was so vast that someone could get lost in it for years. Its splendor awed and saddened me. Amsirah were starving in the surrounding towns, desperate for food, and we'd done nothing but eat and drink since arriving here.

Walking across the lush, green grass of the sprawling lawn outside the gardens and labyrinth, tables overflowing with food and drink lined the way. Servants hurried about with trays while balls cracked off each other as a group of amsirah played a game of calambra.

My mother accepted a gold goblet of wine, but I waved away the one offered to me. It was too early in the day, and I had to keep my wits about me if I was going to get through this day without saying something I couldn't take back.

King Ivan sat on a throne in the shade as three servants waved three big, blue fans at him. He snacked on a platter of grapes and cheese while surveying his followers with disdain.

I couldn't stop myself from rolling my eyes at the shifting cluster of immortals who came forth to fawn over him. My mother and I had done our part yesterday and congratulated him in the ballroom, but we hadn't lingered, mostly because we weren't afforded the opportunity as we were rushed on to make room for the next wave of sycophants.

I doubted King Ivan remembered us, but my mother nudged me toward him, and I braced myself to keep my mouth shut and behave as we strode toward him. We exchanged pleasantries before being pushed aside by more amsirah, desperate to please their new king.

Afterward, we retreated to mill about and exchange pleasantries while I yearned to strip out of my lightweight yellow dress that floated around my ankles. It was pretty with its belt of red roses and V neckline, but I missed my pants, shirts, and home.

My mother had styled my hair into a braid she'd tucked under to keep off my neck as the spring day was unseasonably warm. She'd pulled her hair into a crown that emphasized the elegant angles of her face.

I spotted Ryker several times amid the crowd, but I avoided him as much as the sheriff, who also mingled with the others. I recognized a few other amsirah who I had also relieved of some of their carisle.

Smiling, I tried not to sweat when I had to exchange polite conversation with them. Before coming here, I'd never considered myself awful for what I'd done; I knew I wasn't right, but I wasn't a monster, even if some saw me as such.

Now, my conscience screamed that I was horrible and as fake as all the amsirah fawning over King Ivan.

Then I recalled Mouse, alone, hungry, and struggling to survive like so many others; some of my guilt ebbed. My choices weren't the best, and I would hang for them if they ever came to light, but those choices had also fed so many.

I wasn't right, and I was a giant asshole for smiling into the faces of those I'd robbed. I wasn't completely wrong either… was I?

Tugging at the collar of my dress, I tried to keep breathing normally. I sipped some water while eyeing the wine; it was so tempting. It might help calm my nerves, but it could also make me dumber, and I couldn't have that while surrounded by those who would gladly kill me.

My stomach rumbled, and I munched on some cheese while hovering on the party's edge, watching. Ryker came into view, as did the blonde-haired woman beelining toward him.

I wiped my fingers on a napkin before placing it on a tray. The woman said something to Ryker, who barely glanced at her before nodding a greeting and turning away.

There was something familiar about the woman, but I couldn't quite place her. Then, the memory of a blonde head between Ryker's thighs returned, and my cheeks started burning.

While I hadn't seen her face and couldn't be sure it was her, I was pretty sure she was the same woman from the carriage the day I robbed him. Ryker barely acknowledged her before dismissing her, something the woman didn't appreciate if the scowl on her face was any indication.

I chugged down the rest of my water and slipped further into the shadows as I debated running away from this place. I belonged here as much as I did the mortal realm; I didn't understand these amsirah or the games they played.

Soon. So very, very soon.

Another hour passed before King Ivan clapped loud enough to draw everyone's attention. I prayed it was to announce we could all go back to our rooms.

Instead, he declared, "I think it's time for a trip into the labyrinth."