Page 59 of Of Songs and Silence

Every muscle in my body tenses as I consider the last time I heard that sound. The decision I was forced to make afterward. The lives that were lost.

Will Ari and I be next?

“Peace, Kala.” His words wrap around me, holding me steady.

I allow them to calm my racing thoughts as the massive door swings open.

There is a pervasive feeling in the water, something like dread mingled with desire. It surges through the room, from table to table as they watch me pass. I don’t look at them, though. I keep my gaze fixed on the king. His usual haughty expression is present, and his violet eyes are full of violence.

Danica isn’t far from him tonight, but she remains just as steadfast as usual, never once looking in my direction. I feel her prodding my shields though, in warning.

As usual, the rest of the room stays standing until every member of the royal family is seated. I keep my features neutral as the first course is served, waiting for the other shoe to drop—for whatever game my grandfather is playing to begin.

I don’t have to wait long.

Before I can even reach for my fork, the king gains our attention with a wave of his hand.

“As I said earlier,” he begins, and Ari tenses behind me. “I have a special announcement to make.”

The room quiets and, once again, all eyes fall on me.

“Now that my granddaughter has been restored to me, I have finally decided to name my heir.” He pauses for dramatic effect, allowing his words to sink in.

A thrum of anticipation takes over the room, mingled with shock. And, in Ari’s case, horror. I fight not to turn around to take in his expression, but his dread fuels my own even before the king speaks again.

“I have decided to hold a competition for my granddaughter’s hand,” he proclaims. “To find the strongest among you, to become the next king.”

Murmurs rise from those seated around the table.

My body grows hot and then cold. A shiver races up my spine and I fight down a stab of terror, of fury—emotions that compete and war for dominance.

The strongest will inherit.

This is what he meant before. Not me. Not a woman. Butthis.

I move my hands to my lap, pinching my thighs, digging my nails into my flesh in an effort to stop the trembling in my fingers. It shouldn’t be any different than being promised to Damian. It shouldn’t matter when I have never had a say in my future before. But that was before—

I stop myself before I think of his name, his face, the pull I have to him, or the visceral urge to run into his arms and make him take me far, far away from here.

“Those who wish to compete for their place at her side shall do so, to the death.”

That final word ricochets through the room, echoing off the walls and back to every single eligible noble in the room. It isn’t a surprise, not to them or to me. Everything here is death.

The king takes a full minute to revel in the impact of his proclamation before he delivers the final blow.

“The games begin at dawn.”

CHAPTERTHIRTY-FIVE

ZAINA

My mind has not quieted since the Mayima left.

The low hum of conversation drifts over from the card table as Remy and Aika try to distract themselves while I sit with Khijhana in the corner.

I idly trace her tooth for what has to be the thousandth time. Well, not idly. I wiggle it quite intentionally. Once I realized that she, like a growing human, would lose her teeth, I started to experiment. It’s nearly as long as my finger, and at least twice as wide—the size of a small, discreet dagger.

There may be a necessary risk, and I may not be able to keep her from this fight, but I’ll be damned if I don’t at least try to protect the creature in this world that has been the most unselfishly loyal to me.

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