My stomach lurched when I spotted Davin and Erebus in the cluster of suitors. They were gussied up in their Sunday best, but for once, I had the priciest suit in the house. Kaya had insisted on having one delivered, and boy, was this thing uncomfortable.
What are they up to? I discreetly fixed a little side-eye on them. They kept glancing my way, clearly peeved I’d gotten the better of their ninjas and managed, once again, to survive. To make things worse, they were whispering. Furtive mutterings that grated my nerves. My only consolation was that the conversation didn’t seem friendly. Erebus glared at Davin, Davin glared at Erebus, their mouths moving rapidly, like they were trying to have a hushed squabble without drawing attention from the nearby suitors. And around and around we went on the endless carousel of their will-they, won’t-they relationship.
I saved your ass today, Erebus, even though you don’t deserve it. I tried to beam that message into his thick skull. All I could do was hope he’d back down from demanding my head on a pike when only Davin took the heat for the attempt on my life. And the attempt on Kaya’s life, maybe, if the princess was feeling bold. Perhaps that was what the secretive smirk was about.
The crowd grew restless, and so did the suitors. A few tried to get Kaya’s attention, but she ignored them.
“Your Highness, may we know why we are here?” Thebian pleaded.
“Will you select your husband tonight?” Cassius added, with a pointed look at me. I supposed they had to have guessed by now. All of it fell on deaf ears. Kaya’s focus remained elsewhere.
With the congregation getting rowdier by the second, Ovid finally made his entrance. We must’ve been waiting for him the whole time. He beamed at the crowd and waved cheerfully, in a way that seemed jarring from a man who’d just lost his wife, before seating himself in one of the thrones on the stage. I’d noticed three thrones set up, and it took everything I had not to run for it.
“Finally.” Kaya’s pleasant mask slipped, showing irritation with her tardy father. She broke ranks and headed for a strange glass orb floating at the front of the stage. The moment she neared, a shriek of feedback pierced the air, adding another layer of anxiety to my gateau of nerves.
Ah… a microphone. Atlantean-style.
“I do hope you have made the right choice, for yourself and the kingdom!” Ovid called before Kaya had even said a word. His voice carried to the front of the crowd, gaining him a stern look from his daughter. He couldn’t have sounded more disingenuous if he’d tried.
Well, Ovid, you’re in for quite the disappointment. Tonight, if things went the way I hoped, Ovid would get to see Davin singled out for the smarmy, self-serving little squid that he was. Had I not been so agitated about potential assassins training red dots on my chest, I might’ve enjoyed the anticipation a bit more. Finally, other folks were going to get screwed instead of me!
“People of Atlantis, honored suitors, and honored members of the high court, I have gathered you here because I wish to make an announcement.” Kaya focused on the crowd. “This night, I shall announce the gentleman who will stand beside me as my consort and joint ruler of our magnificent city.”
A roar of whoops and applause rose from the distant tables, but the suitors stood in stony silence.
“However, before I can continue, I have been informed of some grave news that has threatened the sanctity and peace of our fair nation!” Kaya continued.
This is it! This is it! My anxiety went into overdrive as I did everything in my power not to look at Davin directly. I didn’t want to give him the heads-up, since he had a penchant for fleeing the scenes of his crimes. Fortunately, Kaya was keeping things vague enough that the arrogant son of a blobfish had no idea what was about to happen. For all he knew, she could’ve been talking about the Bestiary glitches.
The crowd fell silent.
“I have uncovered some disconcerting truths, my fellow Atlanteans.” Kaya stood taller. “As many of you know, an attempt on my life was made recently. I survived, thanks to the bravery of this man.” She gestured toward me, and I duly wished a blue whale would gobble me up, Jonah-style. “But what I do not know for certain is the identity of the person who tried to see me eliminated. That is about to change.”
A whisper of confusion and surprise drifted through the congregation. I couldn’t resist peeking at Davin, but even now, he looked like he didn’t have a care in the world. The sick weasel probably thought Kaya was about to wheel out Apollo or something.
“I am in possession of an item that will reveal the assassin.” Kaya delved into the pocket of her periwinkle-blue gown. Harley had always said gowns should have pockets, during the fancy soirées the SDC threw every so often. She’d complained until she was periwinkle blue in the face, but it looked like Kaya was one step ahead of the fashion game.
I stole a good look at Davin, at the exact moment that Kaya produced the rare golden coin. His eyes widened in horror. But he couldn’t dart away now. If he did, royal guards stood ready to capture him, and he definitely didn’t have the running legs that Apollo had. This was too damned perfect.
“Violence will not be tolerated in our city!” Kaya held out the coin, and magic spiraled out of her body. It cascaded into the coin like a flurry of blue-tinged snow while everyone held their breath—Davin, more than anyone, judging by his bugging eyes.
I’d expected the usual kind of tracking spell that had put me behind bars. Instead, we got a full-on cinematic display. A current of glittering magic flooded from the coin and flowed through the air, heading for Thebian—the general of the Atlantean army. A spectral image formed in front of him. It showed an image of him flipping the coin in the air while he paced the palace gardens. The ghostly scene gifted us with the crackling whisper of audio.
“If it lands on heads, she will choose me.” Thebian’s deep voice reverberated throughout the street party. Meanwhile, his actual face morphed into a mask of total embarrassment. He probably could’ve done with the blue whale coming along to swallow him.
“Your Highness, I did not try to—” Thebian spluttered, only to be cut short as the spectral image moved away from him. The twisting Chaos slowed as it reached Davin. Another scene played out for all to see: Davin standing in the pawnshop in the Trench, offering the coin in exchange for the daggers. I guessed the odd magic showed the last moment the coin’s owner had been in possession of it. Unfortunately for Davin, it revealed the precise moment he’d put his assassination plot into action. Everyone knew those daggers by now, the weapon that had nearly taken the life of their princess.
The scene faded, and the Chaos retreated back to Kaya’s body. She’d stopped the tracking spell, since there’d been three more owners since Davin: Euclid, me, and Kaya. Nobody needed to see more. Davin had been caught in the act. Now I understood what Kaya had meant about adding excitement to the night’s festivities. If I’d known there would be a show like this, I’d have brought popcorn and licorice.
“Davin Doncaster, the surface dweller, Necromancer, and known degenerate, conspired to have me murdered. You have all seen it for yourselves. He used this coin to purchase the dagger that almost killed me.” Kaya stood proud, her voice strong. “It is proof beyond doubt. True, he did not wield the weapon himself, but he caused the incident. Moreover, he sought to kill the very gentleman who saved me from his attempted murder. This afternoon, masked men tried to end his life with poisoned arrows. I know Davin was responsible, for Mr. Merlin informed me that one of the assassins stated, ‘Davin sends his regards,’ before making a last attempt with a hex ball. Had it not been for the swift thinking of Mr. Merlin and his acquaintance, Mr. Calvert, they would both be dead.”
I glanced toward Erebus. He looked confused, like he’d expected the axe to fall on his head, too. His eyes darted in my direction, narrowing slightly. Clearly, the Prince of Darkness was trying to figure out why on earth I’d protected him, after everything he’d put me through.
I want to live, dumbass. And seeing Davin finally get what
was coming to him was a delicious sweetener to the pot of survival. With him out of the way, Erebus would have to rethink his strategy. In that way, I guessed I wasn’t too dissimilar from the pair of them—I’d removed an obstacle to my escape plan, just as Davin and Erebus had tried to remove me from their plans. But… I was better. I was smarter. I worked harder for what I wanted. And they never should have underestimated me.
“Arrest him!” Kaya boomed. She had serious gravitas; I had to give her that.
The royal guards swarmed with spears and swords poised. A little hypocritical, since Kaya had just said Atlantis didn’t tolerate violence, but I guessed they weren’t too stuffy to make an exception.
Davin went into panic mode, his head whipping around in all directions. “Your Highness, if you would take a moment to listen! You pushed me to this! Desperation made me temporarily insane! King Ovid, you will hear me, won’t you?”
“How dare you! How dare you speak to me after what we have witnessed!” Ovid shouted, rising from his throne. I guessed finding out that Davin had almost killed his daughter had dulled the shine a touch.
“I forced you to try and assassinate me?” Kaya snarled, ignoring her father’s fury. “You should learn when to be silent, Mr. Doncaster.”
“I beg you, hear me out!” Davin wasn’t the type to stay silent about anything. “You misunderstand the situation. I didn’t try to have you killed. I intended to ‘catch’ my associate in the act of attempted murder, so I could seem heroic. You were never in danger. My associate got slightly confused in the darkness and came too close to you—closer than we agreed. However, it was a harmless ploy, Your Highness. You were never supposed to be hurt, and my associate was not supposed to get anywhere near you. I panicked when fingers pointed to Apollo and stupidly went with the consensus. This is a terrible misunderstanding, nothing more!”
Yeah, and I’m Santa Claus. Davin was telling the truth about one aspect: he’d wanted to play the hero, but he’d always intended to lay the blame on another of the suitors instead of his pawn. Nothing would convince me otherwise.
“Do you take me for a fool?” Kaya seemed to agree, her face wrinkling up in disgust. “That is utterly nonsensical. Nevertheless, I assure you, all the details will be uncovered at trial, and I suggest you comply if you do not wish to receive the highest possible sentence for your crimes. Guard, take him away!”
“Your Highness, please!” Davin begged, but no one was listening anymore. He’d lost the game. And it felt so friggin’ good to see him dragged away, a cuff clapped around his neck.
“This is despicable!” Ovid continued to rage, pacing the stage before the astonished crowd. “An outrage! To think, I admired that cretin!”
Erebus was still staring at me. He hadn’t said a word. He simply stood there, looking cowed. I could almost hear the wheels turning in his head as he tried to piece together why I’d targeted Davin and not him. A flicker of admiration crossed his features, followed by a glimpse of embarrassment. The other shoe had definitely dropped. The Necromancer had played him for a fool, tricking him into believing that Davin had nothing to do with the attempt on his love’s life.
I walked to the edge of the stage and crouched to get as close to Erebus as I could. “He took advantage of your hatred for me, Erebus. He deceived you, just like I said he would. Kaya would be dead if I hadn’t stepped in, and sure, he might’ve resurrected her, but she still would’ve had to live with the memory of dying. No one comes out of that the same.” I thought of Astrid and the zombie she’d become after her father brought her back. A piece of her soul had gotten lost in transit. Davin had risked that, without breathing a word to Erebus.
Erebus’s face contorted. He unleashed an unholy howl and charged through the cluster of suitors, making a beeline for the retreating Davin. His palms raised as he prepared to kill the guy. A blast of white light sent him skidding backward, but he remained on his feet. My gaze shot to Kaya, who still had wisps of white Chaos threading out of her.
“Let me wring the life from him, my love!” Erebus bellowed.
Kaya shook her head and left the microphone behind, moving toward him. “That is not how we do things in Atlantis, Erebus. We do not kill unless it is sanctioned by the high courts.” She leaned closer. “Besides, Davin is still useful to the Kingdom of Atlantis. He will serve this nation in captivity, as punishment for his crimes.”
Erebus faltered. “What?”
“I have decided that this is the best course of action. If you attempt to intervene, you will join him in prison,” she warned.
Erebus had the sense to stay quiet—a quality Davin lacked. I could still hear the Necromancer ranting and raving as the guards led him into the distance.
That sound was like music to my ears. And Erebus’s shock was salve for the soul. After over a year of trying, I’d finally managed to foil one of Davin’s schemes and beat him at his own game. He was on a one-way train to prison, and I got to sit back and enjoy watching his journey.
Who needed a guillotine, with satisfaction like this?
Fourteen
Finch
If only the evening had ended there.
“Finch.” Kaya put her hand on my arm. “It is time.”
I jolted away from her touch. “What? Now? Why?”
“You know why.” Kaya removed her hand and returned to the glowing orb that served as a mic. Not the kind of thing you could drop after a stand-up set. But then, there wasn’t anything funny about this. Davin getting taken away—hilarious. Me being engaged to a princess—crickets. It’d all turned serious again. Too serious.
I froze. What could I do? Try to wrestle the mic away from her? She would probably swat me away like a fly. Get myself marched off to prison to join Davin? Maybe I could say I had colluded with him and face more preferable consequences. A thousand ideas whizzed through my brain, but nothing stuck. So I stood there, frozen in indecision, as Kaya took the floor.
Ovid had joined me in this game of musical statues. “You wish to do this now?”
“Why are you all asking me that?” Kaya shot him a disapproving look, turning away from the microphone so the whole crowd wouldn’t be privy to the domestic dispute. “Why did you think this evening was planned? I informed you of my intention, and your preferred son-in-law was proven to be a vile specimen who tried to split me open. So yes, I will do this now.”
The king sighed. “Very well, but I urge you to be certain.”
“I am, Father. You know I am.” A pointed look flitted from daughter to father. It got the ants in my stomach scuttling again, my nerves ramping up to fever pitch. I couldn’t get out of this. There was no time. My escape would have to take place after the engagement, but the truth was, I had no idea where things would go after this. How long did Atlanteans wait before they married? Was a long engagement out of the question? Say, enough time for us to wriggle our way out of this underworld?
“Maybe you could wait, since everyone’s probably reeling after that unexpected display,” I suggested, finding my voice again.
“One should always follow bad news with good news,” Kaya replied, undeterred. Without further ado, she addressed her future subjects. “People of Atlantis, I realize that the revelation of my would-be assassin has likely alarmed you all. That is why I feel it necessary to grant you the gift of hope, after such a shock.”
No, no, no… don’t say it!
She gestured to me. “Which is why I chose this evening to inform you all of my intention to marry Mr. Merlin—the gentleman who saved my life and spared me from Mr. Doncaster’s evil. He is of exemplary heritage, his lineage leading back to Merlin himself. He is powerful, and kind, and… humorous, with a fierce loyalty that denotes a warm and generous soul. All these attributes prove him to be the ideal, and only, candidate for my hand in marriage, and I urge you to welcome him into our nation’s bosom with open arms and an open mind. He is not only my savior, but he shall be all of ours.”
Nobody is going to be welcoming me
into any bosom, thank you very much. I had to say something, I couldn’t just stand here and let her sign my death warrant. Dramatic, maybe, but it felt like a death sentence. If I couldn’t be with Ryann, and I couldn’t see my sister and friends again, then I might as well have been dead.
“Actually, there are plenty of other candidates,” I piped up, rushing over to the mic before any guards could stop me. “I wasn’t even supposed to be in the running. Don’t want to be, as it happens. I didn’t ask for this. In fact, I’m being forced—”
My lips flapped, but no more sound came out. My hands flew to my throat, scrabbling at my Adam’s apple like the little mermaid after she made that dumb deal with the octopus woman. I kept trying to say something, but not so much as a squeak came out.
My head whipped around to Kaya, but there were no telltale wisps of Chaos coming off her. In the corner of my eye, I saw Ovid standing nearby, threads of red-tinged Chaos spiraling faintly around his body.
Son of a nutcracker! Ovid had magically silenced me without me even realizing. No buzz, no tingle, no pain, just total immobilization of my vocal cords. Honestly, I’d have preferred some mega-painful curse. This was way worse. I relied on my voice. I needed it, especially now!
I don’t want this! I don’t want any of this! I didn’t consent to be anyone’s husband, and I definitely didn’t consent to be some royal consort! My lips moved, defining the words, but it didn’t do any good. The crowd couldn’t hear me. And their focus had already returned to Kaya, who was going on and on about my attributes.
“He is merely being humble, which is another of the wondrous aspects of his nature,” she declared. “Dignity and humility are valuable in a future ruler, and I hope you all admire him as keenly as I do.”
Control slipped through my fingers like goo, and panic filled the gaps it left behind. I sought a friendly face in the crowd—any friendly face—only to remember that my friends had stayed behind to sneak through the palace, trying to find some kind of loophole we could use to get out of this. And Ryann wasn’t here, since we’d kept her out of the loop for Lux reasons. My friends were my sole hope now, but hope seemed very far away with Kaya telling Atlantis what an incredible ruler I was going to make.
Harley Merlin 15: Finch Merlin and the Everlasting Vow Page 13
