Page 31 of Song of the Heart Scale
The stables satat the edge of the Ryder residence, nestled between the old training yard and the steep slope that overlooked the River Elara. By the time Maeve and I stepped outside, a thin mist had begun to curl through the cobblestones, drifting to the ground in a soft, silvery veil. I tugged my cloak tighter around my shoulders and marched ahead, embracing the cool air that bit into my skin.
“I don’t like this, my lady,” Maeve said, quickening her pace to keep up. “Things feel...off.”
“Yeah, that’s because everythingisoff,” I muttered. “The emperor’s dead, the entire court’s balancing on the edge of a sword, and I’m one sarcastic remark away from throttling Zacharia with a dinner napkin.”
Maeve gasped, scandalized. “You cannot say things like that out loud!”
“We’re outside. Alone. And besides, I say plenty of worse things in my head.”
When I pushed open the stable doors, the earthy scent of hay, horse, and leather grounded me. The space was warm and quiet—save for the occasional snort or shuffle from one of the stallions. I stepped inside and inhaled deeply. This was far from home, but it was better than gilded halls filled with fake smiles.
Maeve lingered near the entrance, eyes scanning the grounds behind us.
“Relax. No one’s going to—”
“Arya!”
Jacob’s voice cut through the stillness, sharp with urgency. I turned just in time to see him appear from the side corridor, his expression wide-eyed and anxious. Before I could say a word,he grabbed my hand and pulled me into one of the empty stalls, shutting the gate behind us.
“Jacob, what—”
“Shh!” he hissed, glancing around like the straw-covered shadows were harboring spies. “You haven’t heard?”
I blinked at him. “Heard what?” I knew what he was going to say. Of course I’d heard. I heard before any of them did. But I had to pretend I didn’t know. I was Lady Arya, the spoiled brat who was sequestered in the Ryder residence. How could I have possibly found out?
He looked at me like I’d grown a second head. “The emperor! Arya, the emperor isdead.”
I gasped and clutched the edge of the stall gate. “What?”
“Keep your voice down,” he whispered, moving closer. “It was just announced an hour ago. The entire district is in an uproar. No one knows how he died, though the palace told the public it was of natural causes. But Father said otherwise. There’s speculation already—poison, dark magic, assassination. I don’t think Thorne was prepared.”
“Oh my g—I mean, by the Immortals!” I murmured, forcing just enough awe into my voice to sell it. “I... I don’t know what to say.”
Jacob exhaled sharply and pushed a hand through his hair, pacing a small, frustrated circle in the straw. “Father’s fuming. He says the wedding is being delayed indefinitely for now. Apparently, the council wants to observe the proper mourning rituals of one year.”
“Oh, no,” I deadpanned. “What a tragedy. However will we survive such an unfortunate delay?”
Jacob paused mid-pace and shot me a sideways look. “You’re not upset?”
I shrugged. “About the wedding? Not even a little. I wasn’t exactly jumping up and down to order a floral arrangement.”
“Arya,” he said softly, stepping closer again. “This is serious. The court is going to spiral. Everyone’s choosing sides. If Thorne isn’t crowned immediately, someone else might make a play for the throne. The other noble houses won’t stay quiet for long.”
“I know,” I said. “Which is why you should be careful. Especially around Father.”
Jacob frowned. “Why? What do you mean?”
I hesitated, then shook my head. “Just... he’s not the man you remember. And you trust too easily.”
His eyes narrowed. “You sound like someone who doesn’t trust anyone.”
“I don’t,” I said, not bothering to sugarcoat it.
Jacob sighed, then reached out and took my hand. “I don’t care what’s happening at court. I don’t care about weddings or councils or crowns. I just want you to be safe. I want all of us to be safe.”
My heart gave a painful squeeze. The sincerity in his voice, in his expression, was like a knife twisting through my ribs.
“I promised myself after I returned that I’d protect you,” he continued. “That I wouldn’t let anyone hurt you.”
