Imeria looked down at the goblet in her hands, then back at the queen. Slowly, the corners of her lips twisted into a cruel grin. “I’m sorry for this, Duja,” she said, and let the goblet slip from her hands. It fell to the floor with a loud clatter. The rest of the guests gasped and scuttled back as noble blood spread across the pale tiles.

The ground began to shake. The rivulets of blood trembled as they branched out across the tiles in spidery veins. Hara Duja was livid. “Imeria,” she barked, and took a threatening step toward her.

Imeria didn’t flinch. Before anyone could move, the doors burst open. Footsteps thundered over the tiles as over two dozen warriors stormed into the great hall. They did not wear the golden armor of the royal guard. Over their breastplate, they wore sashes of scarlet silk. Kulaw warriors.

Laya’s mouth fell open. It can’t be.

“No.” Next to the throne, Hara Duja gasped. The ground beneath them lurched as she flung out her hands. Laya stumbled, grasping Bulan’s arm for balance. The tremors halted as quickly as they began. When she looked up, Imeria had her hands pressed to the queen’s face. Hara Duja stood frozen, her mouth open in a silent scream.

“Duja!” the king yelled. He ran for her, halting midlunge. An invisible force froze him in his tracks.

Panic jolted through Laya’s body. She threw out her hand. The air above the throne split into a powerful blast that threw Imeria from the queen.

“Mother!” Laya cried. But Hara Duja didn’t budge. She remained rooted where she stood, staring blankly at the ceiling. Laya’s gut lurched when she noticed the whites of her eyes had disappeared, replaced by twin pools of black. “She’s cursed,” she whispered in disbelief.

“Guards! Attack Imeria’s men!” Bulan bellowed over Laya’s shoulder.

Laya whipped around. General Ojas had yet to return to the great hall. A handful of his men were posted along the sides of the room. They gazed blankly as the scene unfolded, unable to move. They, too, were cursed. She watched their still bodies, fear rising at the back of her throat. No one was coming to rescue them. Laya would have to fend off the intruders alone.

Her heart raced when she glanced back at the horde of warriors advancing into the hall, their scarlet sashes glittering like rubies in the sconce light. The noble guests cried out in indignation, in horror, as they shrank away from the warriors’ menacing blades.