Page 56 of Trial of Bronze and Blood
“My servants tell me both of you volunteered for the trials and that there was nearly a riot where a Phaedran soldier killed one of my people. Now, either I need to hire new servants or you owe me an explanation.”
“There was a riot,” Dru explains first, “and a man did die. They were chanting, ‘Morte all’Imperium,’ which I assume means ‘Death to the Imperium.’”
Cato’s anger simmers and he lets out a breath. “I worried this might happen.”
Marcus steps forward. “And we did volunteer. I’m sorry to have kept my plans from you. But I knew you would’ve ordered me not to go through with it if I did.”
“Of course, I would have.” He glances between them. “You two planned this?”
“Marcus did,” Dru explains. “I only volunteered when they called Sabina’s name.”
He watches her, his ire barely contained. “They called Sabina’s name?”
At least Sabina’s not the one who gave us up.
“They did. But I couldn’t let her go up there knowing she didn’t stand a chance in the trials.”
Cato shakes his head. “That doesn’t mean you should take her place. I could?—”
“We’re already taking a risk with the rules we instated without the Imperium’s knowledge.” She takes a step toward him, hoping he’ll see reason. “We can’t give them an excuse to distrust us.”
Cato closes his eyes for a moment. “Then I see there’s no talking you out of it.”
Her chest relaxes. “There isn’t.”
He drops his gaze in thought before meeting hers again, determined.
“Tomorrow is the Festival of Fanaleria. It takes place on the eve of every trial—a revel before all the carnage to celebrate life and pay homage to the gods. I expect you both to be there and to enjoy yourselves.”
Without waiting for a reply, he turns on his heel and leaves them.
Dru watches the concern on Marcus’s brow and the corners of his mouth, waiting for him to say something. But it seems he’s also decided not to speak to her anymore today.
“Until tomorrow, Marcus,” she bids him and heads for her room.
She shouldn’t be surprised to find Sabina at her door. Gold eyes red-rimmed, she grasps the necklace Dru gave her tight in her hand.
“I don’t understand why you took my place. You don’t even like me.”
Dru laughs. “I’m sorry I’ve given that impression. I’ll have to do better at expressing myself.”
Not even a single tick of Sabina’s lips.
“Why?” she prods, desperation spoiling her words.
She opens her mouth but the true reason—a reason she’s only now realizing herself—sticks to the side of her throat: like Ovi, Sabina was an innocent caught up in a conflict that’s not hers. Yet there’s a more selfish reason too—guilt.
I couldn’t save Ovi, and maybe,maybe, I can save Sabina from becoming a victim in this bloodless war.
“For the king, so I can be there for him and protect him if necessary,” she says instead, placing a gentle hand on her arm. “Besides, you’ve suffered enough.”
“I know about you, you know,” she says, shrugging Dru off. “I overheard Marcus telling Cato. Orphaned as a child, trained to be anassassin for the Faithless. I knew it the moment Cato spoke your name.”
Surprising Dru, Sabina takes her hand, expression softening. “You’ve suffered more than enough.”
Dru offers her a smile. “Then what’s a little more?”
After a moment, Sabina nods, taking her place beside the door as Dru steps inside her chamber to change. Dru may have just sealed her fate, but that doesn’t mean she can take a day off from training Cato.
