In the Wake of the Wicked (Veridian Empire #1)

60. Leo

60

Leo

T he capital spared no expense for their precious ball. Lush, deep emerald and gold drapes hung from the ceiling of the three-story grand ballroom, cascading in waves down the six marble columns that lined the perimeter. A myriad of gilded lanterns, some as tall as my waist, bordered the entire room. Greenery dotted with red roses filled the space in between, making it feel as if we were stepping onto a bed of flowers.

Circular tables dotted the floor. Some held glasses of sparkling wine while others contained platters of pastries with gold frosting, savory meats, and fine cheeses. The vibrant colors, loud laughter, and mingled scents of florals, sugary spices, and smoked delicacies overwhelmed my senses, forcing me to cut off my Shifter half completely in order to dull the onslaught.

As Rose slipped away to where the challengers were supposed to meet and I faded into the shadows, I watched the masked couples dressed in their finest gowns and suits gliding across the dance floor to the music coming from the back of the hall, their inhibitions lowered under the mystery of the night.

Lark strode across the ballroom and onto the raised platform in her black gown and mask made of antlers. She held out an arm and shadows formed at her fingertips, swirling around the lit sconces and chandeliers until the lighting dimmed. A hush swept over the crowd.

“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the thirty-second Decemvirate ball.” Applause rang out in the hall. “I hope you enjoy this night of revelry and indulgence on all the empire has to offer as we honor the challengers of our great provinces. They have competed well in their trials, and now only one more remains. One more to determine their strength and courage, their power and fortitude.”

I glimpsed several reporters near the stage. Their pencils moved quickly across paper, soaking in the display. No doubt painting a perfect picture of intrigue and magic and beauty to release to the public the following day, romanticizing this tournament and what it stood for. I couldn’t help but think of that Lightbender family we’d helped a week ago and all the other victims my path had crossed over the years. They didn’t want a fancy ball with decadent meats and glasses dripping in gold.

They wanted safety and security. They wanted enough food to feed their families. They wanted to live without fear.

I saw a hint of the same disgust on Lark’s dark features as her eyes scanned the crowd, her upper lip twitching as if holding back a sneer. She’d been forced to become so adept at restraining her emotions in this role. It was something I didn’t give her enough credit for, having to live in the middle of what we all despised.

“Would you like to meet your challengers?” Lark asked, and the guests erupted into cheers, feet pounding and glasses clinking. “Currently in first place is the Strider from Celestria, Arowyn Garrolas.”

The Strider stepped from the shadows behind the platform. She was a curvy woman wearing a silver bodysuit and navy cloak, with light blonde hair that flowed to her waist. I recognized her—she’d been in the bedroom with Rose and Nox the previous night. Rose had spoken of her some, mentioning how the three of them had formed a friendship over the weeks in the palace.

In second place was Callum, the Illusionist who’d attacked Rose multiple times at the beginning of the tournament. The sight of his smug features as the guests cheered and clapped for him had me tightening my grip on my flute of wine.

“And finally,” Lark called out, “our three remaining challengers all hold the third position. Alaric Rinehart, Shadow Wielder of Tenebra”—the older man stepped out, waving jovially and nodding at his supporters—“Rose Wolff of Feywood”—she took her place next to Alaric, her face impassive and fierce—“and the Shifter, Nox Duma.”

The same man from Rose’s bedroom sauntered across the platform in his fine black apparel. Nox’s gaze landed briefly on mine when he looked out over the ballroom, and a prickle of awareness rose on the back of my neck. I shrugged it off as nothing more than jealousy, as Rose had accused me of.

The applause ended and the music began again. Rose made her way through the crowd and back to me, stopped every few feet by guests wanting to shake her hand and congratulate her. Her eyes brightened when they found mine. I glanced over at Horace, who stood near the entrance in his silver Royal Guard uniform, and he gave me a subtle nod, confirming his illusion was in place over me.

I stalked out of the shadows, drawn to her as if there was a string tying us together. There were so many threats looming in on us—the trial, the curse, Gayl—that had my protective instincts always on alert, always wanting to feel her soft and steady and safe at my side. I didn’t want to think about her competing in the third trial so soon, of her being out of reach, surrounded by people she couldn’t trust, facing magic she hadn’t been prepared for…it made a fear I’d only reserved for Rissa and my mother grip me.

Fear for her safety, and fear for what these emotions meant.

For how much I wanted her.

A month ago, nothing could have deterred me from this mission. From bringing down Gayl and finally making things right. My sister dreamt of a better future for the empire where justice and safety weren’t afterthoughts for our people. Of course, I wanted that as well. But I’d learned over the years that while she was driven by her integrity, I was driven by revenge. It made me cold and hardened, more calloused toward the feelings of others than I wished to be.

Rose made me see past that solitary motivation. Made me realize that perhaps there was more to live for than this fixation, this resentment. For the first time, there was something blooming inside of me instead of festering. And I wanted to hold on to that, to her , for as long as I could.

But how long would that be?

A cold weight sunk in my chest.

The curse.

My life…it wasn’t mine anymore. It was tied to the people of this empire, to the victims who had been suffering for over two decades. Entire lives, frozen. Gone. And I had the ability to end it. The responsibility . To save Rose’s uncle, Chaz, and countless others lost to the curse. If Rose’s plan didn’t work, if we couldn’t?—

Suddenly, Rose’s hand was at my cheek. “What’s the matter? You look worried.”

I wrapped one arm around her waist and covered her hand. I didn’t want to think about that. Not on one of the final nights I’d get to spend with her before everything changed. “It’s nothing.” I kissed her palm. “Will you dance with me?”

She gave me a light smirk, the one that made my skin heat. “Thought you’d never ask.”

My hand roamed to the small of her back and I pulled her flush to my body. It made me think of the first time we’d been this close and of all the excuses I’d made since then to touch her.

“Do you remember,” I said as we swept across the dance floor, “that morning in the alcove?”

She nodded, her eyes never leaving mine.

“I recognized you the moment I saw you. The Alchemist from the forest. I remember wondering what could have made that same fierce goddess appear so…”

“Weak?” she interjected when I paused.

“No, Rose. I don’t think you’ve ever been weak.” I twirled her in time to the music, and she spun back into me. “I was going to say lost . And afraid. All I wanted was to take that fear from you. To see you light up the way you do now. To hold you like this”—I pressed my forehead to hers as we moved—“and tell you that you weren’t alone. That I was lost, too. I didn’t even know your name, but still, I wanted you then.” Her breath hitched when I tightened my grip around her hand. “And when you broke into my house?—”

She scoffed softly. “I didn’t break in .”

A chuckle rumbled through my chest. “So stubborn.” When I saw her red lips twist into a smile and her green eyes sparkle, all thoughts left my mind. “So beautiful,” I said, the words leaving my mouth unbidden as my thumb brushed her jaw.

“I was lost,” she whispered, turning her head to gaze at the moving couples around us. We had slowly made our way to glass-paned double doors leading to a balcony. The evening breeze rustled against Rose’s flowing tunic. “Sometimes I think I still am. But I’m not scared anymore. Not with you, anyway.”

We drifted away from the dancers, through the doors and out onto the balcony. Vines twisted around the marble railing overlooking the palace gardens, our bodies sheathed in moonlight as the sounds of the ball faded.

“Well, that makes one of us,” I said with a quiet laugh.

Her forehead moved, and I could practically see her eyebrows raising beneath the mask. “What are you scared of?”

I took a deep breath. “I used to be scared of my past. Of people discovering what I had done, how my actions led to my father’s death…it’s haunted me my entire life. But you didn’t walk away, even after knowing the truth.” We swayed under the stars, fears I’d never voiced falling from my lips.

“I’m scared of failing him, of never freeing his legacy and clearing our name. I’m scared of letting my sister down after everything she’s worked for. I’m scared of…the truth.” I swallowed hard, letting her clear gaze seep into me, strengthening me. “That the curse truly rests on me and that it’s only a matter of time until?—”

“Stop,” she commanded, her throat bobbing. “I’m not going to let anything happen to you. There are ways out of this, remember?”

I smiled and dragged a finger along the edge of her mask, skimming her cheek. “Not even you can stop fate, little wolf.”

Her features tightened. “Watch me.”

My eyes stayed trained on her lips, captivated by them. By her . That ferocity inside I loved so much.

“And I’m scared of you ,” I confessed.

Eyes wide, she said, “Of me ?”

My brow furrowed as I took her in. “All my life, I’ve been driven by a singular purpose. Steady, unyielding resolve. But you…you have consumed me, Rose. My every thought, my every breath.” I brought her hand up to gently kiss her palm, then her wrist. “I’ve placed all of myself into your hands, and that’s a beautiful, terrifying thing.”

“Why is that?” she breathed out.

“Because you can either crush me,” I said, closing her hand into a fist, “or love me.” I brushed my lips over her knuckles.

Her arm trembled beneath my hold. “You could do the same to me, you know.”

Slowly, I shook my head and put her hand on my chest. “I’ve already chosen to love you, Rose Wolff. Beyond sense, beyond reason. There is no part of you I do not choose .”

Her lips parted on an exhale as her fingers curled around the fabric of my black jacket. “Leo, I?—”

“Ah, there you are, Rose. Arowyn and I—” A voice stopped as soon as it started, followed by the sound of someone’s throat clearing. I turned to face Nox. The moment I laid eyes on him, something vicious pounded in my sternum.

I straightened, inhaling sharply. Shifters had a certain instinct, a primal force inside that could sense the Shifter magic in others, if it was strong enough. While I’d never been to Drakorum, I was told that was often how roles of power and leadership were decided in their province; instinct helped decipher the strongest of the bloodline. It was an internal reaction to their magic .

I’d sensed it before when coming across other Shifters in the capital, but it always felt like a small prick. A nudge against my Shifter half. Sometimes it was so small, I barely noticed it at all.

But this man, this Shifter…

I had never felt something more powerful.

It was like a blow to the chest. Every muscle in my body seized for that split second his eyes were on mine, as if begging to submit. To bow down as an animal would to their alpha.

I gritted my teeth, a growl building in the back of my throat.

Rose trusted him. She’d once told me he didn’t want to be here, didn’t want anything to do with the power-hungry ways of the capital and all it stood for. And while that may be true, I couldn’t help but wonder if there was more.

How had the Sentinels not heard of him before? We had eyes and ears in every province, spies among all the leadership, files on any person of interest across the empire. I wracked my memory, certain I’d never seen or heard the name Nox Duma in any report or document.

And yet here he was. A Shifter so powerful he made that half of my blood rise to the surface. A secret Drakorum had hidden from the empire.

“I apologize. I didn’t mean to…interrupt.” He cocked his head. “Who do we have here, Rose? Seems you’ve been keeping some secrets from us,” he teased.

She met my eyes, and I gave an almost imperceptible shake of my head. Glancing back at Nox, she said, “He’s a…friend. Can you give me a minute?”

“As you wish,” he said with a shrug. His gaze lingered on me as he walked off. Not threateningly, but thoughtful. Curious.

Before Rose could speak, I moved us toward the edge of the balcony so the noise from the ball inside would drown out the sounds of our voices, should Nox choose to listen in.

“Are you sure you can trust him?” I asked hurriedly.

She paused, startled. “Who, Nox?”

“Yes. There’s something off about him. ”

“I told you how he feels about all of this. He doesn’t even want to be here, but his province forced him. And he’s done nothing but help me.”

“What exactly did he say about his province?”

A small crease appeared on her forehead above her mask. “He said that—that there was no higher honor than being the Drakorum challenger, and implied he would’ve been punished had he not come. He didn’t have a choice.”

“Or so he told you.”

Her voice became impatient. “He was drinking Grimlock wine when we talked, Leo. He couldn’t have lied.”

“Grimlock wine doesn’t always work. Not on someone strong enough to fight it. And Nox…” I ran a finger along my lower lip. “Shifters have this instinct when it comes to those who share our magic. I can feel his power. He is by far the strongest Shifter I’ve ever come across.”

“Just because someone is powerful doesn’t mean they’re hiding something. Aren’t you the one who told me we’re more than our magic?” she countered.

I let out a breath. “You’re right. Maybe he’s telling the truth. But you said it yourself, he didn’t have a choice. Drakorum has been hiding him this entire time. We would have heard about someone like him, unless they were intentionally keeping him out of sight. What if it’s them we can’t trust?”

Rose faced the gardens beyond the balcony and scratched her neck. Leaning my head back, I sighed, frustrated at myself for turning this night around. I knew she struggled with trusting others, and here I was, causing her to doubt one of the only friendships she’d formed here simply because of my paranoia.

I stood behind her and planted my hands on the balcony rail, pressing a kiss to her temple. “I’m sorry, Rose. It’s probably nothing. Let’s forget I said anything and go enjoy the ball, alright?”

Craning her neck to look up at me, she searched my eyes for a moment before nodding, then twisted out of my grip and led me back into the ballroom. I pulled her in for another dance, trying to let go of my apprehension.

Her eyes fixed on something behind me and her features hardened instantly.

Someone tapped on my shoulder.

“May I cut in?”