Page 15 of Embrace the Serpent

She rose to her full height, focused on the Serpent King.

A narrow escape. I whispered my thanks to the fates for the Serpent King’s timing, and made for the shadows, searching for Galen. We had to go.

All eyes were on Mirandel and the Serpent King.

She strode to him without a drop of fear. A heroine with blazing eyes, with steadfast purpose.

“My lord, in your honor... I have prepared for you a dance.”

The drums began, low like a heartbeat, and then came the strings, shimmering like a mirage over a sand dune.

I held my breath as her foot rose—embarrassed already, remembering her as a child—but then her foot came down gently, fluidly followed by the rest of her. She was enthralling. The stomping little gargoyle girl was gone, and in her place was a goddess.

For a moment, Iwasjealous. Hers would be a big life, the kind stories are written about. She was unafraid of anything.

The Serpent King wouldn’t be able to help falling for her.

I turned away.

Galen was with a ring of admirers. The air was hazy with incense smoke, and drink and compliments had loosened Galen’s lips. “...Vyalis is a washed up old man—he’s nothing—not anymore. Why, anything he has done, I can do better... I am the greatest jewelsmith in all the Empire.”

Dangerous words. His gaze was on his rapturous audience. I gestured at him.Shut up, Galen, please.Galen’s eyes slid right past me.

Footsteps sounded; a small man walked past me. He had the quiet demeanor of a powerful servant, and as he turned, the light caught on Incarnadine’s insignia embroidered into his sleeve.

Galen’s admirers pulled away one by one as they noticed him.

At last Galen turned. His face reddened.

“Master Galen,” the servant said. “Lady Incarnadine is very interested in what you have been saying. She wishes to have a word with you.”

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Galen smoothed back his hair and rose. “Gladly.”

My body was frozen. I had the distinct feeling of watching a dog being led to its execution. Perhaps the dog barked too much, but it didn’t deserve what was coming.

The servant moved like a ghost through the gathered nobles, silent and untouchable. Galen followed with a jovial, swaying gait, finishing his drink before pressing it into the hands of a random footman.

I kept my distance as they made for the central palazzo and climbed wide stairs up to the shadowed second story. The air grew thick with incense smoke.

I could see everything from here. The finishing steps of Mirandel’s dance. Nobles shooting longing looks across the room. The Serpent King’s huntsmen, in their darkly glittering serpent-scale armor, arrayed around their king. The greater number of Imperial Guards watching each of the huntsmen.

The nobles up here were of a different type—most were older than those below, and they were more controlled, more serious of expression. I eavesdropped. Many were parents negotiating the weddings of their children, their bride prices and dowries, theiralliances and common enemies. Some were here to negotiate a young spouse for themselves.

They turned a curious eye on Galen. I kept to the shadows, following.

Lady Incarnadine was leaning against the banister, watching all that happened downstairs. She was draped in pure white silk that bared her back, and her long black hair was braided and piled on her head like a crown.

I had expected the white armor she wore the first time I saw her. Stained with blood and guts.

As she was now dressed, any blade could find its way between her ribs.

At her side was a thin man wearing black gloves. He peered at Galen over his golden spectacles.

“My lady,” Master Vyalis said, “Master Galen has arrived.”

She turned. Through the smoky incense haze, her eyes glittered like diamonds.

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