Page 95 of Wings of Ice and Steel

‘Look, Ari, whatever it is, why don’t you come back to your rooms and think on it. I don’t think you should draw any more Council attention right now,’ Sascha said, agitated, but Ariadnne shook her head.

‘I know you’re worried, but I’ll be back before anyone knows I’m gone. I promise.’ Ariadnne backed away, hoping Sascha wouldn’t follow. ‘You turned around and I’d disappeared…’

She spun on her heel, walking briskly towards the training yard. Everyone else would be attending the service dinner. She had time—until her guard found her, anyway. Her footsteps followed her earlier path through the entrance halls and corridors until she found the yard, then she went straight towards her company’s barracks.

Her steps echoed as she began checking rooms, opening doors either side to find empty quarters. Another empty, and another. Not knowing which was Kayla’s, she almost decided to give up and head back before she was caught when she heard a noise; a muffled sob. Her ears pricked, leading her to yet another unassuming door. It was unlocked and swung open under her hand.

Kayla rocked at the edge of her bed, tears leaving silver trails down her cheeks. Her skin was a mess of pink and red blotches, her curly hair unkempt as she glanced at the door. Ariadnne started toward her in instant concern but stopped as Kayla scrambled backwards. Her lips moved without words, mouthing a silent ‘I’m sorry’, and a cold chill settled in the pit of Ariadnne’s stomach. What possible reason would Kayla have to be frightened of her?

Unless…

‘Kayla, why weren’t you at the service?’

Betrayal punched a hole in her gut. Kayla had befriended her, had befriended Nieve. Ariadnne had trusted her.

Icy calm settled into her bones, her legs moving with predatory slowness. When she spoke, her voice was low and dangerous.

‘Why? Kayla.’

Kayla’s mouth gaped open and she edged back further onto her bed, eyes darting for the doorway. It was an admission of guilt, but Ariadnne wanted to hear it from her lips.

‘I… I couldn’t.’ The terrified knight swallowed, her expression conveying a thousand words.

‘Was it you?’

Kayla stayed silent.

‘I said, was it you?’ Ariadnne raised her voice. She was close to losing control, her dragon coiling and spewing ice round her insides, misting her breath as scales shimmered across her brow.

‘They… they… ordered me to…’ Kayla stammered. ‘I watched her for them. That was all it was meant to be… I was to give them reports. I… I told them about the letters she was receiving.’ Her words came fast, as though she could save her life with the truth. ‘They were displeased by one I intercepted for them.’ She swallowed. ‘They asked me to arrange an accident.’

‘The arrow at training,’ Ariadnne said flatly.

‘Yes, but Nieve was too quick.’ Her eyes flicked to the door, licking her lips. ‘I’m sorry, I told them my suspicions about you two. They wanted Nieve removed, too. She’d been asking questions about Melixanthe… I didn’t want to, I didn’t. They threatened my family… my brothers…’

Ariadnne didn’t take her eyes off Kayla, mind racing, struggling to find a trace of pity. Kayla could have said something to Nieve, or even Ariadnne. They would have found a way to stop all this from happening. Somehow. Disgust spooled between her ribs, her dragon begging to be set free, to rip her limb from limb.

‘Wh… what are you going to do?’ Kayla asked with a quivering voice.

‘Oh, if I could, I’d kill you right now.’ Ariadnne bared her teeth. ‘Unfortunately, I need you. So, the real question is what are you going to do?’

Kayla stared at her.

‘The right answer is that you are going to march out there with me and admit to what you’ve done in front of everyone, proving Nieve’s innocence. Trust me, the Council will be far more merciful with you than I would be if I had my way with you, but Nieve won’t suffer another sharding day for what you did.’

Ariadnne didn’t wait for a response. She didn’t care that Kayla had been coerced. It was her fault Melixanthe was dead, her fault Nieve languished in a filthy cell, awaiting execution. She grabbed Kayla by the back of her neck, hauling her to her feet while Kayla sobbed, stumbling out in front.

‘Let’s go,’ Ariadnne growled.

She marched Kayla all the way to the dining hall, a room she’d barely been inside in all her years as a slave. It was grand; a room fit for kings in which fae from the service had gathered on long tables, feasting and laughing in memory of their general. All under the watchful eye of the Council, who were seated in ceremony at the head of the room. As Ariadnne forced Kayla forwards, a hush fell across the crowd, necks craning as everyone strained to get a glimpse of the spectacle.

Councillor Leth rose, pushing his chair back.

‘What is the meaning of this?’

‘Councillors. Kayla has a confession.’ Ariadnne snarled as she shoved Kayla forwards onto her knees. ‘Speak.’

‘I… I…’