Chapter 6

Senka

Wolfe was waiting outside my door when I arrived back at my room. His sharp eyes flicked over me. "Well?"

"I was reminded of why I prefer Merikh to send me for the royals." I nudged him aside."It"s happening," I said with a sigh. "A contest for the rogue prince"s hand in marriage will be announced at sunrise."

Wolfe nodded. "Good. Then everything's in place. Cross will have an invitation addressed to you. You'll be going by the name Lady Senka Aeron of the Ashwater.

I screwed up my nose at the name that used to belong to me so many years ago. I hadn't so much as uttered it since coming to work for the underlord.

I knew it was a necessity, but I didn't like it. My mother and father were unimportant enough that they wouldn't be questioned, and if they were, they would cover for me. The monthly payments I sent to my father were too precious for him to risk. Besides, I wouldn't have to do much in the way of creating an elaborate backstory.

The Ashwater was a small island chain located near the Elysian mainland. Most of its inhabitants were fishermen and privateers, but it was also renowned for producing skilled shipbuilders and serving as a popular stopover point for sailors.

Despite never returning to my life on the island after losing Beau, I still retained the position of Lady of the Ashwater, and I made sure to send funds back home out of love for my mother. She wasn"t responsible for my father"s decision to squander their wealth through gambling.

Wolfe remained at the threshold of my room and I pushed open the door, his golden eyes scanning the darkness over my head. His dark brows furrowed as my shadows filled the room, checking every nook and cranny for signs of forced entry or snooping.

When I put my shadows to use, my eyes turned black. Even the whites of them were voids of darkness, as if the shadows themselves writhed along the surface of me. If I were to roll up my sleeves, we'd see swirling veins of blackness creeping just under the surface.

When my shadows were satisfied that my room remained untouched, they receded back into me, finding a home somewhere deep inside. Wolfe stared into my eyes, unafraid and unflinching.

"See something interesting in my bedroom?" I asked coyly, my brow arching in amusement. By now, my eyes had regained their usual hue—an almost colorless silver.

"Nothing worth getting punched again, I'm afraid. I wanted to make sure you're not letting this pageant business distract you. I know you too well, Senka. You've always loved games, but you're not supposed to win this one. You just need to last long enough to finish the job." He stepped closer, and I dug my fingertips into the doorframe to keep from moving.

"Isn't that what I'm supposed to do? Wooing that stubborn ass of a prince won't be easy. I'll have to use all my fun little tricks. You of all people should know I have plenty of those."

He sighed, moving as if to turn away. "You're going to get me into trouble. I can feel it already."

I laughed. "Is my big, bad bodyguard not up for the challenge? I can always ask Cross to send Emore with me instead."

His eyes flashed and he whipped back around. Emore was yet another of Cross's favorites. Gifted with the ability to transform into any winged bird. Useful for quick getaways or spying. Emore also had a certain fondness for me, but it was more of a friendly sibling type fondness, but he loved getting under people's skin.

"I love it when you get jealous," I teased, fluttering my lashes.

Wolfe"s was not amused. I couldn"t be sure if he was aware of the situation between Cross and me. Though they were close, I highly doubted that Cross shared everything with him.

"I'll see you," he clipped, backing away from my door.

I smiled, knowing I'd gotten under his thick skin. "I'll see you," I repeated back to him, our usual goodbye.

"You should be thanking me,"I muttered to Valera three days later as we rode in Cross's nicest carriage toward the palace.

I'd spent the last few days convincing her that coming with me was a good idea, and that no, she was not going to get caught.

"I have just as much right to be here as any of these peacocks," I said, fanning myself like a proper lady, already getting into character.

She scoffed, shaking her head as she fixed her hair into place. She wore a dress fit for a lady's maid from a wealthy household, dark purple that complemented her auburn hair. It was nice to see her out of her drab black dresses she favored for spending hours ensconced in library tomes.

"It's that grin that I don't trust." She gave me a pointed look.

My belly was already fluttering with excitement. I'd gotten over my irritation at Cross for sending me on another mission so soon after my last one, and instead, put all of my focus on what came next, lasting long enough in this insufferable competition to carry out Cross's death orders.

Wolfe was right about one thing at least. I liked to win. I was good at winning. Maybe I didn't have to win this pageant and become Empress, but I could get damn close.

"See? That grin right there makes me feel like we're about to walk straight to our deaths." Valera was sweating already, I could see it beading on her forehead.

"I thought you wanted to be a part of the action for once. Now's your chance to prove to your brother what you can really do."

Her mouth was drawn into a tight line as she mulled it over. "Yes, let me just read my way out of a brawl. I'd be so very helpful." She pointed at me in a swift motion. "Watch out, assassins, I might wax poetically at you!"

I snorted, and I could have sworn even Wolfe cracked a smile. Valera wasn't like the rest of us. She didn't have the darkness inside of her to deal out death the way I did, nor did she have the brute strength that Wolfe had. But she was scrappy, cunning, and brave. I had no doubt in my mind that I could trust her with my life.

"You two make my head throb," Wolfe grumbled as he pinched the bridge of his nose, closing his eyes as if he were in physical pain.

He was dressed as my personal guard, in all black, strapped with various expensive blades had cleaned up more than I ever thought possible. His usually wild waves of hair were tame, tied back into a knot behind his head. His beard was groomed, and his eyes were bright awake. I might even go so far as to call him dashing this morning.

"Poorly Wolfey," I cooed, reaching out to pat him on the head, but he batted my hand away, narrowing his eyes at me. Valera chuckled behind her palm. "If you think we're such an annoyance, just wait until you're surrounded by the simpering elite."

Indeed we were about to be thrust into a nightmare of ribbons, silk, lace, and gossip as women from all over the various allied kingdoms vied for the prince's attention. Wolfe groaned at the mental image, and I didn't blame him one bit.

As the carriage pulled up to the golden palace, Wolfe jumped out first and opened the door for us. I stepped out, taking in my surroundings.

The palace was grand and imposing, with towering golden spires, statues, and archways glinting in the midday sun. The courtyard was filled with carriages, horses, flowing fountains, and finery. The hustle and bustle of people milling about made my nerves tingle with excitement.

Valera slipped out after me, her eyes wide with wonder, taking in everything with a new kind of awe. She'd never seen such grandeur before, always tucked away in her workshop. All of this was new to her—the dresses, the fast pace, the courtiers, and important political figures.

"Let"s go," I said softly, leading the way toward the entrance. Wolfe fell in step behind us, his eyes no doubt scanning the surrounding area for potential threats.

As we entered the final set of gates, we were greeted by guards wearing the royal colors of black, black, and darker black. They inspected our invitations before letting us through.

Once inside, we were met with a sea of beautiful, elegantly dressed women who all seemed to be vying for Prince Bazaan's attention, even though he wasn"t here yet.

I'd forgotten just how much skin the elites and royals liked to flaunt at these gatherings, having only skirted the shadows for most of them. Women dripped in jewels and silks, with dresses that left little to the imagination draping their glowing skin.

The men donned flowing, intricately embroidered robes and tunics that left their chests bare. They adorned themselves with jewels of all kinds, from glimmering golden necklaces to delicate bangles and precious stones pierced through their eyebrows, noses, and ears.

I felt a jolt of nervous excitement in my stomach as I watched them all interact with one another. Many of them were carrying themselves with an air of false confidence that couldn"t hide their fear or desperation for power. It was a game to them as much as it was for me.

I dressed to blend in tonight, in a midnight black dress that dipped down between my breasts, nearly to my navel, with golden slippers and matching bangles on my wrists to cover the scars.

As I moved through the crowd, my attention was caught by a woman who seemed to stand out from the rest. She was wearing a stunning red dress that hugged her curves in all the right places, her blonde hair cascading down her back in loose waves. Her eyes were a piercing green that reminded me of a cunning cat.

I couldn"t help but feel drawn to her, something about her confidence and calculated gaze setting her apart from the others. It was then that I realized she was staring at me too.

As our eyes met, I saw a glimmer of something…odd flicker across her face, something like recognition. Like seeing someone in the street that you could have sworn you knew from somewhere else. Only, I'd never seen this woman in my life, and given my profession, there was an even less likely chance for her to have seen me.

I quickly averted my gaze, pretending to be interested in the paintings on the high walls of the room we were all being ushered into.

Valera nudged me, whispering in my ear. "Who is she? Do you know her?"

I shook my head, trying to keep my voice even as I responded. "I don"t know. But we need to keep an eye on her."

Wolfe had noticed our exchange and stepped closer to us protectively. "What"s going on?"

"There"s someone here who might recognize us," I murmured, keeping my voice low so as not to draw attention.

He frowned, his eyes scanning the room once again. "Stay close to me," he growled.

Women were grouping together, each dressed in their finest silks, painted to perfection and dripping with precious jewels. Their giggles grated on my nerves, but it was all just an elaborate show. Even as they smiled and teased one another, I had no doubt in my mind that they'd claw each other's eyes out of their skulls for a chance to spend just one night with the prince.

As we made our way through the crowd, I couldn"t help but feel a sense of disgust towards these women. They were supposed to be competing for the prince"s hand in marriage, but it was clear that most of them cared more about their own status and power than actually marrying the man beneath the crown.

I caught glimpses of some of their true personalities as they interacted with one another—jealousy, greed, and even hatred. It was a stark reminder that this was not a game, and that there were real consequences for losing or winning.

I felt a soft hand on my arm. I turned to see the woman in the red dress standing beside me, her eyes still fixed on mine.

"Excuse me. I couldn"t help but notice you earlier. We've met before, haven't we?"

It wasn't exactly a question. Her eyes roamed over my face, as if trying to place me, and struggling with it.

"I"m sorry, you must have the wrong person." I forced a smile, but I reached out for her hand. "Lady Senka Aeron." I nearly choked on the name.

But she didn"t back down. Instead, she leaned in closer to me, her piercing green eyes holding mine captive. Her expression changed before my eyes. "You can drop the act. I know who you are, and I know why you"re here."

My fingers twitched, itching to grab the knife at my thigh and run it through her jugular. I could do it. Make it look like an accident. Make a run for it and be out of the city before anyone figured out what happened.

Recognition dawned a moment later as I peered at her painted red lips and the kohl around her catlike eyes.

"Leanna," I whispered, icy cold dread creeping up and grabbing hold of my heart.

Her smile widened as she took my hand, pretending to meet me for the very first time. We air kissed, and satisfaction bloomed on her face.

Madame Leanna. I barely recognized her in all her finery. Wolfe cursed behind me, no doubt hearing her name.

Leanna ran the most frequented brothel in the lower city; the one soldiers flocked to when they wanted to keep their infidelities under wraps. She was a respected undesirable in her late forties, with laugh lines around her mouth and a penchant for spreading gossip.

There weren't many people outside of The Smoke that would recognize my face. On the job, I kept myself hidden behind masks, hoods, and leather, but in public, I was nothing more than some street-rat girl with no name. But Madame Leanna knew me. She knew my face.

Years ago, when I'd first come to the lower city, before the underlord had sunk his claws deep into me, Leanna had offered me a job. I was too young to take clients back then, but she always told me I had potential to bring in wealthy clients. With my long midnight hair and pale eyes against alabaster skin, she insisted I could make a good living as a whore.

I obviously never took her up on her offer. What I didn't know was what she assumed I was doing here, posing as a lady. I hadn't spoken to her in years, and I was pretty sure she had no idea what I'd become, much less what I could do. In her eyes, I was a street rat girl and not a god-blood at all. Not even an undesirable.

I squared my shoulders, feigning a smile as if I were pleasantly surprised to see her. "Leanna, it"s been a long time."

She laughed, a rich, earthy sound that set my teeth on edge. "Oh, don"t bother trying to pretend with me. I know everything that goes on in this city."

I could feel the weight of her gaze, like a physical presence pushing down on me. She knew too much. Far too much.

"I can"t say I know what you"re talking about," I said coolly. "If you"ll excuse us, we have other matters to attend to."

I tried to pull away, but she tightened her grip on my hand. "As if you"re fooling anyone. You"re here for the prince, just like the rest of these vultures. You think you"ll nab yourself a royal, and that"ll be enough to pull you out of the slums." Her painted lips twitched, as if she had me all figured out.

Good. Let her think she'd caught me. Let her believe I was here to raise my own status. It was better than the alternative. Maybe I wouldn't have to kill this woman tonight after all.

Wolfe stepped forward, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. "That"s enough, madame. Let go of the lady"s hand." He towered over both of us, a solid wall of muscle.

Leanna looked Wolfe up and down, her gaze lingering on the sword at his hip. "And who might you be pretending to be?" she asked sweetly, winking in a way that covered up the barely there tremor in her voice.

Wolfe was a hard man to mistake if you were a collector of faces. But even she wouldn't pin him for one of Cross's. He was a sellsword by trade who mostly fought in the fighting pits for extra coin on the side. He was handsome and charming enough when he wanted to be, so many people looked the other way.

"I"m none of your concern," Wolfe replied evenly. "But I won"t hesitate to rip your hand from your arm if you don't release my lady."

My lady.I'd have to tease him for that one later.

There was no doubt in my mind that he would do exactly that, no matter who was watching.

"Ah," Leanna said with a knowing smile. She released my arm, and a bright red spot bloomed on my wrist where she held me too tightly. "Well, it"s been a pleasure seeing you here so unexpectedly. Senka dear, let's have a chat over tea soon."

Madame Leanna smiled flatly at Wolfe and turned to leave, her red dress swishing out behind her before she plucked a glass of wine from a passing servant's tray.

I watched her sidle up to an aging lord, who beamed when their eyes met. He looped an arm around the madame, and she laughed at whatever he whispered in her ear.

So she was working tonight. I didn't blame her, what with all this finery and these wealthy elites looking for a good time when the night ended. It made me wonder how many of these so-called ladies were working women in disguise, trying to snag a rich lord or some wide-eyed innocent royal looking for his first roll in the hay with a woman.

I couldn"t shake off the unease that settled in my gut as we moved through the crowds. Leanna knew too much, and I couldn"t help but wonder who else might look too hard. I would have to contact Cross and let him know that we had eyes in this place. Perhaps my first mark would come sooner than intended.

As we made our way across the ballroom, I caught sight of a familiar face—a woman called Lady Rosalind. She was known for her beauty and her sharp tongue, and I had heard rumors that she was vying for the prince"s hand as well.

She was an activist for the undesirables who lived in the lower city. Her father, a wealthy lord and good friend of the emperor, disapproved of his daughter's antics and yet never commanded her to stop.

I made it a point to know nearly everything there was to know about as many courtiers and high-society elite as I could, but beyond that was a blur of names and titles.

Lady Rosalind was someone I'd always admired from afar, and it would have actually pained me to receive her death order. She seemed like a genuinely kind person, although with a hint of rebelliousness. Maybe she would make a good empress. Certainly a better one than myself.

There was something off about her demeanor tonight, I noticed. She looked nervous, her eyes darting around the room in search of something. Or someone. Her golden hair was in a slight disarray, frizzy and falling out of its braided updo.

I nudged Wolfe, nodding towards Lady Rosalind discreetly. "Keep an eye on that one too. Something"s not right."

Wolfe nodded silently in agreement, his hand never leaving the hilt of his sword. As we got closer to Lady Rosalind, I could hear snippets of her conversation with one of the other ladies. She was only halfway engaged in the conversation, giving short answers that might have come off as rude if the other woman bothered to listen.

I slinked into a cluster of women, all abuzz about their gowns and the prince they hoped to ensnare with them. The thought of spending a year"s worth of wages from the lower city on a frivolous dress made my gut churn. These people were oblivious to the wealth they possessed, while others suffered in poverty.

The melodic chaos of the music swelled and crashed, threatening to drown out any other sound. Dancing performers, both men and women, emerged from the edges of the crowd, weaving and whirling through the gawking revelers, their vibrant costumes catching the light and casting shimmering reflections all around.

The air was heavy with exotic scents, a heady mix of incense and spices that made my nose tingle with the urge to sneeze, but I suppressed it.

From the extravagant decorations to the delicate finger foods, the royals certainly knew how to throw a party. The tantalizing scents of perfectly cooked dishes wafted through the air, tempting my taste buds.

Despite only having a few sips of wine so far, I could already tell it was of much higher quality than the homemade swill we drank in the lower city at questionable taverns. The jarring contrast between our lives and theirs was more evident than ever in this moment, surrounded by opulence and luxury.

As the mundane chatter around me droned on, I fought to maintain a fa?ade of interest. My eyes darted around the room, but ultimately settled on Lady Rosalind again.

With every graceful movement, she commanded attention and admiration from those around her.

Suddenly, she excused herself from the gathering and headed towards a balcony in the distant corner of the room, like a swan gliding across still waters.

I subtly signaled to Wolfe to follow Rosalind"s every move as I deftly maneuvered my way out of my current conversation and joined another cluster of guests. They were deeply engrossed in discussing the latest political scandal, but I carefully inserted myself into their midst, pretending to be interested in their heated debate over taxation.

Meanwhile, I kept a sharp eye on Rosalind, studying her movements with precision and focus. The group was too preoccupied with their own plotting and scheming to pay me any mind. Their voices rose and fell like waves crashing against the shore, but I remained calm and watchful, trying not to sip my wine with too much enthusiasm.

In the doorway, Lady Rosalind stood gazing out at the sprawling metropolis below. The winter months had finally brought a thick blanket of snow tonight, turning the city into a frosty wonderland. Snowflakes drifted lazily down from darkened skies like delicate feathers, adding to the idyllic scene.

It was highly unusual for anyone to willingly brave the cold temperatures and venture outside, especially when a lady's hairdo could be easily ruined by the ice and wind. So why was Lady Rosalind standing out on the balcony alone in a dress that showed enough skin that she'd be turning blue soon?

I was jostled out of my swirling inner thoughts as a gaggle of women passed by me, already starting to stagger on their feet. I rolled my eyes at the lushes, getting nice and drunk before even having the opportunity to meet the prince. What a first impression that would make.

A scream echoed through the room, coming from the balcony Rosalind just disappeared to.

For a moment, everything paused.

The music cut off abruptly, and the aura of the room shifted. I noticed the moment each member of the famous Tonne stationed along the outer walls of the room made eye contact with one another, a silent conversation passing between each warrior.

The sound of breaking glass shattered the silence, and then people were rushing around everywhere, knocking over tables, trying desperately to get out of the way of some phantom threat.

The group of chatting ladies that once surrounded me had dispersed in a whirl of ruffles, silks, and spilled drinks, leaving me staring at the open doors that led to the balcony.

I caught Wolfe"s eyes from across the room and nodded. He wasted no time cutting through the rushing crowd, heading for the doors. His hand was on the pommel of his sword, ready to draw it at any moment.

I myself fingered the dagger concealed beneath my skirts. It would take seconds for me to lift the silk and swipe it from the cleverly hidden holster. Not that I needed a weapon to kill. Still, it was preferable to exposing myself on day one.

As we made our way towards the balcony, the frantic noises of people shouting and screaming grew louder. With each step, my heart pounded harder in my chest—a mixture of anticipation and fear. What had caused Lady Rosalind to scream like that? Was she hurt or worse?

The snow outside blanketed everything with a soft whiteness, muffling footfalls as we reached the open doors leading out onto the terrace.

And there was Lady Rosalind, backed against one of the paneled walls by two large men clad in black masks that obscured their features from view.

She held an open palm out before her in a passive gesture, pleading with them to stop their advance. But they weren"t interested in listening to reason anymore.

One man brandished his blade threateningly while advancing on her slowly. He obviously took pleasure from causing pain, but he frantically whispered to her, as if trying to coax something out of her in a hurry.

The other approached stealthily until suddenly lunging forward with hands stretched toward her throat—it seemed like they were hunting for something important that only Rosiland could provide them .

The rest of the party guests were in such a frenzy that I had moments before the Tonne would push their way through and take over this situation. I moved before I bothered considering the repercussions.

Hiking my skirts up, I drew my small blade, allowing a small stream of my poison shadows to creep along its surface. But then I thought better of it and let them retreat back into me. I couldn't let Rosalind see my shadows.

I had the edge of the blade pinned against the first assailant"s throat in seconds. He stiffened in surprise as he felt the cool kiss of steel against his skin.

I spoke in a low, controlled voice as I pressed cheek against his face. "I don't believe you were invited to this party," I hissed in his sweaty ear. "The Tonne will be here soon, and they won"t be as merciful as I me. You have three options: leave now and save yourselves, let the warriors deal with you, or, you can eat my shiny new blade and tell me how it tastes." To emphasize my point, I pressed the sharp edge against his skin.

He only hesitated for a moment before letting his knife clatter to the ground, stepping back from Lady Rosalind, pressing into me with a grunt. The other man had reached her side but stopped in shock when he saw that his companion was unable to move. His shock turned into rage, and then, to my disgust, the man spat at my feet with an unintelligible curse.

From the shadows, Wolfe emerged, his golden brown eyes bright against the darkness. He moves so silently that he might have been an actual wolf in a previous life. In seconds, his blade was embedded into the second man"s throat.

He choked on his own blood, trying and failing to gasp for precious breath. His knees hit the ground with a crack, and he clutched at his neck.

The man in my grip cursed and started to say something, but I slit his throat before he had the chance, all the while glaring at Wolfe. The sound of a commotion behind us told me that that guard was close, and we needed to get out of here.

Rosalind stepped away from the wall she had been crouching against, her wide eyes flickering over myself and Wolfe in confusion. My fingers flexed on my knife as I contemplated what to do with her. I never left witnesses.

"There"s a servant"s door just there," she said quickly, pointing to her left, off into a shadowy alcove. Her watery blue eyes were pleading, "I swear I won"t say a word. You saved my life. If you leave now, I"ll tell the Tonne that they killed each other."

I quickly looked over at Wolfe who gave a sharp nod and began striding towards the door. He pulled out his dagger, ready to attack as he cautiously peeked inside.

Taking three swift and deliberate steps, I stopped just short of touching my nose to Lady Rosalind"s, putting every ounce of danger that lurked inside my body into my stare. "You breathe a word of what you saw here tonight, and I"ll cut your tongue from your head."

Her eyes widened a fraction more, but to my surprise, she squared her shoulders. "I never break a promise."

I stared at her for a moment longer, seeing nothing but complete sincerity staring back. It was enough for now. My glare turned into a fake, serene smile, and I reached out, wiping away a bit of blood smeared on her shoulder.

"Good to know, Lady Rosalind. I look forward to chatting with you soon. Try to stay out of trouble tonight."