Page 74 of Of Songs and Silence

One look in her amethyst gaze tells me she wouldn’t agree to that anyway. And after everything, all she wants is a say. She deserves that much.

She nods once, and I realize she has heard each of my thoughts through our bond.

Without waiting another second, I grab her hand, ordering Noa to follow us as we wind our way down one hall after another. Napo moves from my leg to wrap himself around Melodi, his tentacles enveloping her torso protectively as his inky eyes scan for danger.

Each hall we pass is as empty as the first. We don’t swim past a single Mayima.

I run through a list of possibilities in my mind to account for the absence of literally everyone in the palace. Did the games begin earlier today? That wouldn’t account for the servants missing as well.

Did the king call for a meeting and we weren’t invited? Is he planning something more than just marrying Melodi off to the survivor of the games?

Does he know?

That last question ricochets through me, making my blood run cold. Dread pools in my chest, and I tug her closer to me.

No one should have been able to sense the bond until last night, but don’t I know better than anyone that the king always knows more than he lets on? It was always unusual that he assigned me to be her guard when I normally lead patrols outside of the palace.

Unusual that although Melodi let her thoughts slip more often than not, he never once commented on it.

Seas damned hell.

The king’s low laugh echoes through my mind, stopping me in my tracks. Kala hears it too, her hand trembling in mine.

Noa brings her bronze trident up higher, scanning the space around us.

“It could be a trap,” Noa whispers, and I nod.

It most certainly is. I can already smell the blood—metallic like the hull of a thousand rusted ships. Like lost chests full of coins, slowly corroding in the briny sea.

How much has been spilled for the smell to be that strong?

“Come now, don’t keep us waiting,” Cepheus says, and I wince.

It’s Melodi who makes the next move, gliding forward and pulling me along behind her.

I glance from her to the passageway leading to the front doors. There are no warriors guarding them. We could escape now, get as far from here as possible. But then I think of my cousin. I think of the bloodstained water calling to us and wonder if some of it belongs to him.

If he’s still alive, can I just leave him here without trying to get him out? Melodi squeezes my hand in answer.

Damn everything.

I swim forward, keeping her tucked carefully between myself and Noa. We round the corner, pushing open the massive doors to the dining hall. Red water washes over us—so thick that it’s almost impossible to see through. A fog that only barely conceals the corpses lining the room.

Melodi gasps, and I pull her closer.

There are well over one hundred people here, nearly every member of the rebellion.

And all of them are dead.

CHAPTERFORTY-SIX

ARIIHAU

The bodies are anchored to the floor by chains. Their hands are bound together at their backs, so their lifeless eyes stare up at the ceiling, their mouths twisted in horror.

They did not die well. They did not die as warriors. They weren’t even given the dubious courtesy of an honorable death. Swallowing back the bile rising in my throat, I scan the room for signs of life.

Panic grips me, and I study each of the faces again, making sure my cousin isn't among them.

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