Chapter 11

Chapter

Eleven

ALYX

A s I stuff the clothing into my leather bag, my face twists in fury. Turning, I grab my leather satchel, filled with my lockpicks, and then slam them into the bag.

Crux and I fight all the time, our tempers are too similar, but we make up fairly quickly.

Not this time, though, because he went too far. I cannot believe he wouldn’t only doubt me and my skills, but also try to forbid me from going like he owns me.

Snarling, I hurry around my room, shoving everything into the bag, and with an annoyed hiss, I attempt to buckle it up. It gets caught halfway. “Fucking bag,” I growl, ripping up the buckles before I lay my hands on the bulging top and close my eyes.

I need to be calm, to be smart, and not let my anger get the best of me.

I’m heading to the palace, a place of perfection and games, so I must have my head on straight. I slow my breathing, focusing on my measured inhales and exhales to calm my racing heart. It’s what I used to do before a hunt, a habit that comes in handy now. When I open my eyes once more, part of me expects Crux to be there, but he isn’t, and I ignore the twinge of disappointment that moves through me.

Throwing the bag over my shoulder, I look around, not knowing if or when I will ever come back here. Even if I survive this mission, will my place still be here?

I blow the candle out, plunging the room and my past into darkness, and then I take a step outside, followed by another and another, until I find myself before the stairs that lead to a grate to the Lowers. Everyone else is asleep or hunting at this hour, our hideout empty, yet with my hand on the railing, I look back, expecting Crux to be there to make this right.

He isn’t, so I turn away and force myself not to look back again. Despite the years we have spent together and our friendship, I will not ruin this chance at gaining revenge. If he cannot support me, then so be it.

I don’t need him. I don’t need anyone.

I pull the lever for the grate harder than I need to and watch it roll away before stepping out into the early morning darkness. I kick the outside hidden lever until the grate covers the hole again, unwilling to look back at the tunnels that have been my life and home since that fateful night.

Instead, I pull up my hood and face covering to conceal myself. Blending with the shadows, I hurry through the Lowers to the towering palace in the distance.

The western gate they mentioned is easy to find. It’s not often I come near the palace, even on this side of the Lowers. There are too many lights and soldiers, but at this early hour, it seems deserted. The huge stone wall separating poverty from riches is a constant reminder of where we stand—lower than the Crown.

Nestled between some rocks and trees is a deep brown wooden gate. Taking one last steadying breath, I rap my knuckles against it.

There is no going back now, not that I would even if I could.

I have made my choice, one that was set into motion many years before, when the very people I am about to investigate stole everything from me. Despite what Crux says, I know I can do this. I have to do this, and as I hear a bolt slide back and the creak of the gate opening, I step backwards.

My hand lingers over the sword at my hip, but when a familiar, shaved head peeks out, a small lantern held in his grasp, I relax and drop my hand away from my blade, allowing my cloak to fall back into place.

“Alyx?” the gravelly voice says, the sound moving through me as I pull down my face covering and smile.

“The one and only.” When he just stares, I arch an eyebrow. “Going to let me in, big guy?”

“Come on then, shorty,” he replies, opening the door wide.

For a moment, I glance back into the rundown Lowers, searching the darkness beyond for a familiar face. I know Crux wouldn’t have let me come alone. He’s out there somewhere, watching, and that gives me a little more confidence to turn forward.

“Well?” Orion prompts.

“I’m coming, I’m coming. Don’t get your armour in a twist,” I mutter as I move past him.

He hurries to shut the door, sliding the bolt into place before grabbing the lantern. “This way,” he orders. “Keep your voice down and step lightly.”

“Assassin, remember?” I reply distractedly, getting my first glimpse of the palace I will be living in.

It is huge, even from what I can see here in the dim light of the night. My booted feet sink into soft, perfectly trimmed grass. Beyond is a paved path that curves up and around, not a stone out of place. To the right is the large expanse of buildings, and I swear I hear the neighing of horses.

The moon illuminates enough to see structures but not to make out details. I glimpse lanterns hanging about, emitting low light, but not much back here.

More buildings are spread before us, but in the dark, it is hard to tell what they are. They remind me of the nobles’ houses though. Although not tall, they are wide, with imposing, arched roofs that reach towards the Imperial Mountains that surround the palace.

It seems colder here, but far more ethereal.

“Come on,” Orion murmurs, pulling my gaze away from the many buildings. I follow his surprisingly soft steps across the grass to a paved path. “You’ll need to catch up and quickly, so let me give you a quick rundown. The palace is separated into many buildings, with the throne room being the centre. From the main gate on your left, there is the guards’ barracks and training area, as well as the stables. Farther back are the servants quarters.” He points to our right, past the western gate we just entered through. “If you keep going this way, you’ll reach the concubines’ palace, which is where we are headed since it’s sealed up. Joha has not chosen any and it’s empty. Beyond that is the lake from Lanide River and the Imperial Mountains. If you follow that around, we have the royal hunting ground, the king’s palace, the queen’s palace, Windfall Hall, forests, waterfalls, the Queen Mother’s palace, the temple, Frey Hall, kitchens, gardens, and the greenhouse. There are also the scholars’ buildings and school. It’s basically a city within these walls, so try not to get lost. You must learn your way quickly.”

“Understood.” Luckily, I’m quick at picking up locations and adapting—part of the trade.

I hurry after Orion silently as we move down the path towards the concubines’ palace. I find it interesting that Joha hasn’t picked any yet. Usually, concubines are chosen shortly after a king is enthroned, but that’s typically after marriage, so I guess that explains it. Will Joha pick concubines after our fake marriage?

It would make it easier to sneak around because I could use them as distractions or my own little spies. I remind myself to speak with them about that later.

The walk from the western gate to the looming concubine palace only takes us ten or so minutes, but it’s clear Orion is afraid we will be exposed. The palace itself is a huge one-story building with lots of windows that are currently covered, and stone steps lead up to the main entrance.

“This way,” Orion mumbles as we cross from the path and head around the back. We avoid any patrolling soldiers as Orion gracefully climbs up and swings over a low wooden balcony leading to sliding doors at the back of the palace.

He turns and reaches out to help me, but I gracefully leap and land on silent feet at his side, and he retracts his hand.

Putting the lantern down, he grabs one of the sliding doors and opens it, gesturing for me to enter the darkness beyond. It would be a good way to trap an assassin, but I walk past him with a shrug. He glances around before he picks up his lantern and steps in, shutting the door.

Leaving him with it, I tread deeper inside.

The flooring here is made from a hardwood only found in the Lunaris Empire, lined with fur rugs, and from the dim light, I can see opulent decorations in the hall we stand in. Sliding doors take up the entire long passageway.

A small light in one farther down catches my eye, so I pull my blade before I head that way. I move through the darkness, leaving Orion behind, and I hear him hiss my name, but I open the door and roll inside, coming up with my blade at the person’s throat.

Joha blinks at me, wearing nothing but a grand purple robe. A small candle is set on the low table before him where he’s crouched. “We have to stop meeting like this.” He grins.

Rolling my eyes, I put the blade away. I drop my bag and sit opposite him, reclining in the cushions as Orion hurries in. He glares at me as he shuts the door. Orion leaves the lantern there, and it’s clear they don’t want to light too many candles or lanterns to give away our position from the windows.

I glance around the room as Orion huffs in annoyance. It’s elegantly done and clearly awaiting its new mistress.

A small seating area surrounds us, with tapestries and paintings hanging on every wall. A huge candle chandelier hangs above, and to the right through a separator, I see a wooden octagonal tub and dressing area. On my left, through another separator, is a wooden bed, all done in purples and greys.

Joha’s colours, I’m guessing.

“I’m glad you came,” he says, and my eyes move back to him. He’s sitting upright with his hands on his knees—a habit, I am sure.

“I wouldn’t go that far,” Orion mutters under his breath.

“So mean, big guy.” I wink at him and focus on Joha. “I’m here, so tell me what I need to know.”

“It’s late, and we must be up early to execute our plan, so I will get straight to the point,” Joha replies. “You need to discover who is trying to murder me. I will present you as my queen-to-be tomorrow, since it will not give Queen Mother or any other enemies time to deny the request or kill you. After that, you will be placed in the queen’s palace and free to roam. You will be assigned teachers and ladies-in-waiting to accompany you and help your transition while they prepare for a royal wedding. It will no doubt make the scholars and council members wary, so be careful. You will also need a background, a story that is both believable and untraceable, otherwise we will not be able to go any further.”

“Leave that to me,” I tell him, my voice sure. His eyebrows rise as I lean back, not bothering to explain my confidence.

After all, I’m not just any assassin from the Lowers. I have an advantage no one else does.

I was born in a noble province.