“Wait!” I straightened. “The whole black market burned down?” I clarified.
“Aye. It started in one section and the fire spread,” he said. “They couldn’t control the flames.”
My eyes widened.Does Damien know this?“Did anyone get hurt?” I asked nervously.
“A couple people came away with minor injuries, but luckily no one died. However, the vampires took their case to the emperor, blaming it on the Shadow Prince and his Dragon Rider,” Garrick revealed. “It doesn’t bode well for you, my lady.”
How was this possible? We were so careful about containing the fire to just the underground ring, and people were already coming out to extinguish the fire before we even finished! But worse than that, if the emperor learned that Damien had taken to leaving Obsidian Reach on his own, he’d discover the truth much faster.
My stomach dropped. Damien washere, on these grounds, watching over me even now. I needed to let him know what was going on.
“Garrick, I need another favor.” I leaned forward. The urgency in my voice must have communicated my panic, because Garrick’s brows drew together in concern.
“What is it, my lady?” he asked, his voice dropping to a whisper.
“Can you find Damien? He’s lurking outside these grounds, keeping watch,” I hurriedly explained. “Tell him what you justtold me. He needs to get back to Obsidian Reach before the emperor finds out he’s escaped his exile.”
Garrick hesitated for a moment, his eyes searching mine. “Are you sure he’s here? That’s quite risky of him.”
I nodded emphatically. “I saw him last night. He’s here, Garrick. Please, he needs to know.” I peered over at Maeve, who speared me with a disapproving look.
Garrick stood, nodding as he gathered his thoughts. “I’ll find him, my lady. But you must be careful. If the emperor gets wind that you’re involved with the prince—”
“I know, I know,” I cut him off, feeling the weight of the potential consequences. “Just please hurry.”
With a curt nod, Garrick quickly left the room with Maeve and their footsteps soon faded down the hall. Seconds later, trumpets blared from somewhere within the Ryder compound. Stunned, I peered outside my room and saw pure chaos outside, with dozens of servants and guards running toward the entrance with fear etched on their faces.
I grabbed the first servant who crossed my path. “What’s going on? Why is everyone freaking out?”
She gulped and shrieked, “The emperor is here!” Pulling out of my grasp, she darted toward the front entrance with the rest of the crowd.
I was stricken by fear for a multitude of reasons. First, Garrick was still close by, and he and the emperor had bad blood. If he and the emperor crossed paths, I wasn’t sure how either of them would react. Second, Damien was around here somewhere. If his father caught him, it would be the end of everything. I felt sick to my stomach with worry.
I hesitated, clutching the doorframe as the clamor outside swelled into a frenzy. My heart raced, not just from the pain that still echoed in my muscles, but from the dread of whatthe emperor's unexpected visit might entail. In the midst of my panic, Jacob appeared at my door, his face grim but composed.
“Come, Arya,” he said firmly, his voice laced with concern. “We must present ourselves. The emperor will expect the entire household to greet him.”
With a stiff nod, I forced my legs to carry me despite the searing reminders of my recent punishment. Jacob offered his arm for support, and I leaned on him more than I cared to admit as we steadily approached the entrance of the Ryder residence. The corridor seemed to stretch on interminably, each step a test of endurance. This was the most I had moved since Garrick healed me, and my body felt the effects.
With each step toward the entrance, the sound of the emperor's entourage grew louder. The front doors swung open with a flourish, revealing the emperor in all his regal bearing. His cloak, embroidered with the golden dragons of Elaria, flowed behind him as he descended from his carriage with an air of undisputed authority. The seer, his constant shadow, was a step behind, the hood of his heather gray cloak covering most of his face except for his mouth and chin.
Everyone bowed deeply as the emperor and his entourage strode into the residence. The significance of his presence was unmistakable as his cold gaze swept over each of us as sharp as a blade.
“Rise!” he commanded in a booming voice.
Reluctantly, we straightened, our bodies tense as the emperor strode towards the courtyard with deliberate steps. The seer whispered in his ear, pointing at various elements of the garden, but the emperor's eyes were drawn to the blooms that decorated the space. His admiration, however, carried an undercurrent of threat, as if each flower was subject to his scrutiny.
I feigned a stumble, catching myself on Jacob’s arm. He glanced at me, concern etching his features. “Just hold on a little longer,” he murmured so only I could hear. I had to pretend to be weak. They couldn’t know I was healed by a warlock and not a normal healer.
Lord Zacharia, Gianna, Jacob, and I lined up as the emperor paused before a particularly vibrant cluster of flowers. He lightly touched a pale pink petal, his expression unreadable.
“These are exquisite,” he commented, but the compliment sounded more like a verdict. “It would be a shame if anything were to...martheir beauty.”
The veiled threat hung in the air, the words a clear message that his scrutiny wasn't limited to the flora. Everyone around me tensed as the unspoken implications of his words became crystal clear: The Ryder family was under his watchful eye, and not even the beauty of their gardens could shield them from potential ruin.
I clenched my jaw, frustrated that the pretense of weakness was a necessary guise. Underneath, anger simmered—anger at being used as a pawn and fury at the looming presence of a tyrant who could disrupt our lives with a simple command. But for now, I outwardly remained the dutiful daughter with my head bowed, a silent observer to the power plays that unfolded before me.
Lord Zacharia cleared his throat. “Your Majesty, to what do we owe the honor of your visit?”
