Page 177 of Tears for a Broken Sky
It was sickening.
“Can you get us inside?” Maddie asked, her voice steady. “We need to help her.”
Lia studied her for a long moment—really studied her, like she was weighing not just the request, but the soul behind it.
Then she nodded. Just once.
“We’re working on a breach plan,” she said. “The tower is heavily warded. But we have people inside—servants, messengers.”
Ray crossed his arms, stepping closer. “But if we do this… there’s no going back. Once you’re in, you’re in.”
“We know,” I said.
I could feel Maddie beside me, ready. Unshaking.
“We are going to make them bleed.” She growled.
Whatever came next—we were already past the point of turning around.
Chapter 41
Elira
Dinner was a farce.
Vael had dressed me in a ridiculously ornate pink gown that fell down my legs in waves of tulle and silk. It was a sweet dress, a little girl’s dress—and it made me sick.
I was seated at the table across from Vael and Ivan, who kept watching me with a strange, curious expression. Like I was a puzzle. Or a creature he’d seen in a book once but never believed existed.
I didn’t speak.
I didn’t touch my wine.
I smiled once at Ivan—just to see how Vael would react. He glowered at me like I was betraying him. I almost laughed out loud.
There were six guards in the room. Two standing behind me, two by the doors, and two lining the wall behind Vael’s throne. None of them looked at me. That, more than anything, told me how afraid they were of him.
“That is quite the jewel you are wearing my dear,” Ivan asked. “Where did you find it?”
I had been clutching my amulet in my hands, rubbing it like I might be granted a wish from a genie.
“It’s just a piece of costume jewellery. I found it in the ruins of Shadowmere.” I lied.
“Of course,” Ivan said, clearly not believing me. “May I see it?”
“No.”
“Elira – “ Vael warned like he was scolding a small child.
I glared at him. “I said no. It’s mine.”
Vael stood with all the patience of an irritated parent and walked over. I clutched it tightly in my hand. I picked up my steak knife from beside me and shoved it towards him.
Vael paused mid-step.
I didn’t move. Didn’t flinch.
The knife wavered—barely—but I held it steady. Right between us. Right in line with his stomach.
