Page 97 of Malice

“I hope you know what you’re doing,” she says at last. Through a slit in the curtain, I watch the Grace District blur past. I wonder if it’s the last time I’ll see the pale brick façades and snow-frosted poplars. “We’re in enough danger as it is.”

I want to tell her that I do. That Kal is our ally. He taught me what I needed to flee Tarkin’s dungeon. To control my power. But would she trust him? A prisoner locked in a tower since the War of the Fae. I keep the words back.

“You have nothing to worry about.”

“We have everything to worry about.” She snaps the curtain closed. “And if you don’t understand that, we’re in more trouble than I thought.”

—

I use the dregs of my power to Shift into a dirt-smudged errand boy in order to talk my way through the checkpoint at the Common District and then the main gates of Briar. I wanted to stop by Lavender House to rescue Callow. Even set Prince Markham free. But Laurel refused. My Lair is in ruins, she told me. The palace guard arrived shortly after I was sent to the dungeons. And my animals are gone.

A fresh lash of guilt scores my conscience. Callow. Is she in an alleyway, pecking at scraps of food? Is she dead? Laurel promises to look for her, but I’m not optimistic. Another life on my hands.

Kal is waiting for me in the black tower, his shadows gathering like storm clouds. After the dungeons, the king, Callow—I come undone.

My threadbare Shift dissolves. Sobs wrack my body. Kal doesn’t ask questions. He holds me, his icy body a comfort against the liquid fire of my own.

I don’t speak for a long time, only clutch at Kal’s chest. When I do, he listens. I keep nothing back, ashamed of myself for lying for so long. But he doesn’t chide me, as he should. Doesn’t rage. He pulls me closer, resting his chin on top of my head.

“I worried this would happen. And I suspected there was something with the princess.” He strokes my hair, the frost from his touch tingling on my scalp and stinging the inside of my nose. “But I am sorry you felt the need to lie to me.”

“I’m sorry,” I mumble against his heart. It beats slowly, faintly, as always. “I’m a fool.”

“For falling in love?” A shadow tickles my cheek. “I cannot agree.”

I curl my fingers tighter into his clothes. A wave breaks against the cliff, the echo reverberating through the tower.

“I want her to rule. I want a different Briar, one where I’m respected and treated like an equal. I want—” I break off, shaking.

“You want her.” Kal smiles, but it’s sad. Shadows swirl around his shoulders like tentacles. “I understand. But is it worth everything, Alyce? Because that is what it will cost.”

Anger swallows my grief in a single violent gulp. I shove Kal away harder than necessary and stalk to the other side of the chamber.

“Do not mistake me,” Kal says after a while, a cautious hand on my shoulder. “I do not mean to discredit your feelings. Your kiss broke the curse.”

I taste salt on my lips. “But why us? Why that kiss, when I’m Vila?”

Kal taps his index finger gently on my forehead. “I think you know. The union of a Vila and a human. Two races sworn to despise each other, who irreparably harmed the other during the war, coming together. That alone is powerful magic.”

My head throbs. What he says makes sense, but I still do not fully believe it.

Kal runs the pad of his thumb over the crust of tears on my cheekbone. “Please. Think.” He pauses, waits until my eyes lock with his. “Think of everything she has to lose by choosing you. How much simpler it will be for her to abide her father’s wishes. Are you certain she will not take that path?”

“Yes.” There are so many variables in our plan, but of that I am sure. “Invading the Etherian lands is madness. She will not let her father do it. She will not lose her crown that way.”

“But will she keep you by her side? Or will she use you and discard you? As everyone else has done.”

A taste like bile slides over my tongue and down my throat. Thunder rumbles in the distance, raising the hair on my arms.

“You are making a mistake,” Kal continues. “I do not wish to lose you.”

“Stay with me, then.” I reach for him as white flashes through the gaping hole in the stones. “I will plead your case to Aurora. You’ve more than paid for your crimes, especially if you agree to help us. She’s reasonable. She won’t do what her ancestors did.”

“You are determined, then.” His jet eyes harden, shadows curling away from me like they’ve been burned. “I will not dissuade you.”

It isn’t a question. And I don’t answer. My chest aches, but I don’t try to explain myself anymore, beg his forgiveness, or win his favor back. I have made my choice.

“I will free you first,” I vow. “I won’t let you rot here if things go badly. But I hope you’ll change your mind. I don’t want to choose between you.”