Page 29 of City of Secrets and Shadows
“Three hours on foot,” Septimus replied, checking the position of the sun. “Which means we’ll get there just before you arrive if we leave now.”
I watched her nod, jaw set with determination despite the fear I knew churned beneath her composed exterior. The trials were no mere formality — they were designed to weed out the weak. Even legitimate noble candidates died each year.
“Remember,” I said quietly, stepping closer to her while Septimus checked his maps, “when you approach, keep high until the last moment. Make an entrance they won’t forget.”
She smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “Hard to be forgotten when you’re riding a dragon the size of a small house.”
“That’s not what I meant.” I reached for her hand, my fingers brushing hers briefly before I caught Septimus’s watchful gazeand pulled away. “You belong there as much as any of them. More, perhaps.”
Sirrax rumbled low in his chest, as if in agreement and Livia smiled, her eyes flicking to mine for just a heartbeat. Something passed between us — a current of understanding and of desire. I felt my skin warm at the unspoken message and reached out to run my fingers down her bare arm. She shivered at my touch, and I quickly pulled away. Septimus didn’t notice, he was looking back towards the city.
“Remember, you’ll approach from the east. The sun will be above you, making your entrance more dramatic.”
“Yes, Septimus,” she sighed, the exasperation clear in her voice. “Just as we’ve spoken about a hundred times.”
“Fine. Good luck. Don’t do anything stupid,” he said, and her eyes flashed, but he was already walking away. I gave her one last encouraging smile before I followed him, leaving her with Sirrax.
As we walked back toward the city, the morning sun crested the eastern hills, casting long shadows before us.
The gates were fully open now, the morning traffic flowing steadily. Farmers’ carts laden with produce, merchants with their wares, labourers seeking daily work — all streamed into the imperial capital. We blended with the crowd, passing through without incident.
Once inside, Septimus abruptly stopped at a crossroads where the path divided — one route leading toward the academy, another toward the market district.
“I’ll meet you at the academy,” he said, already turning away.
I caught his arm. “Where are you going? We’re supposed to arrive together as Livia’s household staff.”
He looked pointedly at my hand until I released him. “Plans change. I have business to attend to first.”
“What business?”
His lip curled with disgust. “Do I report to you now? Has the filthy half-breed become the master?”
The slur sparked immediate anger. “Watch your tongue.”
“Or what?” he sneered, lowering his voice but making no effort to hide his contempt. “You’ll show your true nature? Right here in the street? Prove everything the Empire says about your kind?”
I forced myself to remain calm. “We’re supposed to be working together.”
“Working together,” he repeated with a bitter laugh. “I work with Livia. I tolerate you because she insists on keeping you around like some exotic pet.”
“Months fighting in the arena together—”
“Months watching you,” he cut me off. “Waiting for the moment your demon blood shows itself.”
My hands clenched involuntarily. “You know nothing about me.”
“I know enough,” Septimus hissed. “I’ve seen what the Talfen do to border villages. They don’t leave survivors. I saw what they did in Veredus. They’re animals — which makes you what? Half an animal?”
“Better half an animal than whatever you are,” I growled. His breath quickened as I leaned in towards him. “At least I don’t pretend to be Livia’s friend while watching her like a vulture.”
His face flushed with rage. “Don’t you dare question my loyalty to her. I’ve protected her since we were children. The whole time in the area, watching her back.”
“Oh I bet you watched her,” I said through gritted teeth. “Watching every move she made, lusting after her but never having the guts to just tell her.”
His face turned a shade I’d never seen before, somewhere between fury and mortification. In an instant, his hand wasat my throat, shoving me against the stone wall of a nearby building.
“You’re nothing,” he seethed, his voice barely audible over the bustle of the morning crowd. “A convenient weapon, a curiosity she’ll tire of once she takes her rightful place. You think I don’t see the way you look at her? See the way you want her?”
