When the dim shadows of the Crimson Forest faded and the blinding silver lights of Lunaris hit their faces, the spell broke.
Guards welcomed them at the main gate of the palace. The moment Velira dismounted, the "travel companion" look on her face vanished, replaced instantly by that familiar mask of cold arrogance.
As Eray moved to dismount, Velira raised her hand and gestured to a guard.
"Take the slave," Velira said, without a trace of warmth in her voice."Bring him to the stables. Clean the blood off him. And the collar… put it back on."
Eray froze.The woman who had covered his back last night was gone. In her place stood the merciless heir of the Empire.
The guard yanked Eray down from the horse.
Velira didn't even look at him. She turned to her chief advisor and said,"Oversee Lady Seraphina's preparations for tonight's ball. I want no mistakes,"then walked away.
As Eray was dragged between the guards, his teeth clenched.
Idiot, he told himself. Did you really think she could change, even for a moment? She's a hunter. You're just her favorite hound.
The tiny spark of sympathy inside him burned away, replaced by pure, cold hatred.
_ _ _
That evening, Eray was back in his role as a "servant."
Velira stood before the mirror, preparing. She wore a deep blue, backless gown. Eray stood behind her, brushing her hair in silence.
The room was quiet. Nothing remained of last night.
"How is your back?" Velira asked suddenly, watching Eray's eyes through the mirror. Her voice was distant.
"It's healing, Princess," Eray replied, bowing his head. "Thanks to you."
"Good." Velira selected a necklace from her jewelry box."Tonight is the Eclipse Ball. All nobles, generals, and mages will be present."
Eray's hand paused in the air for a heartbeat.All generals and mages. Which meant outer security would be at its highest… and the inner corridors and armory at their weakest.
This was the opening he had been waiting for.
Eray slowly set the brush down. Then he played the biggest gamble of his life. He would turn last night's "trust" into a poisoned blade.
"Princess," Eray said, adding a slight tremble to his voice. Fear mixed with loyalty.
Velira turned. "Speak."
"In the forest… during the fight," Eray said, staring at the floor in shame."I wasn't enough. I wanted to protect you, but with only that small dagger… I nearly failed. If it hadn't been for the shadow spear… I might have lost you."
Velira's gaze softened. She was affected by his "emotion." Eray continued:
"If… if you allow me to clean and repair my 'metal tools,' that rifle hanging in your room… next time, I won't hesitate when protecting you. Those weapons are like my limbs, Princess. Without them, I am incomplete."
Eray knelt. He lowered his head beneath her hand.
"Please. Just to maintain them. So I never put you in danger again."
It was a perfect lie, crafted for Velira's ego. Her slave was begging to protect her better.
Velira considered it. Then she smiled. A possessive, arrogant smile.
"You truly are a loyal thing," she said.
She removed the ring from her finger and placed it on the table. It was the key to the room's magical shields and display locks.
"You will stay in this room during the ball," Velira said."Clean those scraps. Polish them. If you want to protect me, your weapons must be ready. But if you take even one step outside this room…"
"Never, my Lady," Eray said.
When Velira left and the doors closed, the obedient expression vanished from Eray's face.
He stood up. Looked at the ring. Then at the weapons hanging on the wall.
Not to protect you, Velira, he thought with that Raider-cold gaze.But to bring you and this cursed empire down.
_ _ _
Eray stepped onto the balcony. Below, celebrations had begun in the Silver City. Fireworks burst. Magical lights filled the sky.
He took out the small pouch of black powder mixture he had brought from the mines.
He looked down toward the palace kitchen chimney and calculated the wind.
This was the signal for Vako and Kaelen.
If you see black smoke in the sky tonight… begin.
Eray lit the pouch and dropped it down the chimney.
Seconds later, thick, oily black smoke poured upward, staining the silver sky. It wasn't magical smoke. It was ugly, industrial, and foul.
Deep below, in the city's depths, Vako watched the sky through a sewer grate. He saw the black smoke.
He gripped his axe and turned to Kaelen.
"The signal," Vako said. "He kept his word. Tonight, we die for freedom."
As Eray stepped back inside, he ignored the sounds of celebration outside. The only thing he felt was the weight of the coming slaughter.
Vako and Kaelen thought this was a signal of victory.But Eray had sent them their death sentence.
The chaos they would unleash was the time Eray needed to escape.
Eray stopped in front of the display. He brought the ring to the lock.
Click.
The glass opened.
For the first time in months, Eray touched the cold polymer body of the Lightning Rifle.
"Hello, beautiful," Eray whispered."You waited long enough. But tonight… tonight, everyone will hear your voice."