Page 28 of A Crown of Tears and Treason
Exit points, that’s what I should be concerned with.
The hatch windows in the back looked like they only unlocked from the inside.
Good.
Only one set of main doors, with a heavy bolt.
Even better.
“I need to take a bath.” Basic needs first. Blood attracted insects, and filth could bring death. “And change into something less gruesome.”
Kaya looked relieved as we stopped in a vast space that looked to be a formal dining room, but was now filled with rows upon rows of clothes stretching between every available surface, from the large table to the silverware cupboards. “Thank the gods. I was starting to think you were one ofthoseClan members.”
“Which ones?”
“The kind who love mayhem and gore,” Kaya said as sweetly as the perfume around us. “Now let’s get you some clean clothes.”
That did sound good. The corset was digging in places that should only be handled gently.
“Pick whichever one you like.” Kaya waved at the lines of silks and lush velvets. And gold. So much gold I couldn’t stop staring.
This felt too familiar. I knew what it was like to have too many options then none at all. I wouldn’t make the same mistake twice.
Kaya misread the grimace on my face.
“Don’t worry, this is just the summer wardrobe,” she said with an apologetic tone. “This is just temporary, all the clothes will be organized in your closet upstairs. We were in a bit of a rush, nobody really knew you were coming.”
I doubted anyone was more surprised than me. “There aren’t enough days in the summer to wear everything.”
“Our summers are longer. And you’ll be our future queen. You need a wardrobe to match.”
Right. Because I was stuck in the Citadel and an endless summer, apparently.
Fine. If the Blood Brotherhood wanted to waste their money on me, I wasn’t about to complain I didn’t have to patch my own coat any longer. But I wouldn’t rely on it. No getting used to opulence.
“We need to get that off you.” Kaya made a move toward the ribbons at the back of my dress.
I stepped back. “I got this.”
No Blood Brotherhood stranger would be touching my bare skin, thanks.
I didn’t trust Kaya. She was Blood Brotherhood, of course I didn’t trust her, no matter how friendly she seemed.
“Oh. Sure.” Kaya’s smile was forced.
I maneuvered my switchblade so it was tucked against my wrist for easy access. Keeping my eyes on her, Vexa, and Goose, my hands went behind me.
Vexa frowned. She grabbed Goose’s shoulders, and turned them around. Goose’s ears turned the same shade of red as my gate.
Nice of them to give me some privacy, but I’d washed the shyness off me in the freezing creek.
Slowly, ribbon by ribbon, pull by pull, I began to unlace the cage I’d worn for gods-knew how many days.
Kaya nodded at my dress. “That looks…uncomfortable.”
“Yes, the corset’s trying to break my ribs,” I said distractedly.
“I heard what happened at the wedding,” she said softly. All of her movements were soft, as if she didn’t want to scare me. She reminded me of my cousins. “I heard your groom…died. May the gods have mercy on his soul.”
