At Laya’s announcement, cries of outrage and confusion rang out across the pit. She raised her bound hands. Nothing she said would calm them. If Eti hadn’t been so transfixed by her sister’s reappearance, she might have missed the rest of Laya’s message.

“Our reign will bring peace and prosperity to the realm,” the future queen declared with crushing finality. Her words carried over the mounting turmoil. “It will begin with our marriage in three days’ time.”

Bleak understanding shivered down Eti’s spine. The Kulaws were forcing Laya to marry Luntok, their family’s sworn enemy. And they claimed it was in the name of peace.

Wait! Eti wanted to cry out as Vikal took Laya’s arm and led her down from the platform. Her sister hadn’t caught sight of her in the crowd. Even if she had recognized Eti, with her baggy clothes and black hair snipped short, what good would that do? Laya couldn’t save anyone while they towed her away in shackles. Already she was on her way back to the palace that had turned into a prison. Already she was leaving Eti behind.

In Laya’s wake, the brawl threatened to start anew. If the Kulaws thought sending Laya out would appease the capital dwellers, they were wrong.

Ariel clasped Eti by the shoulder. “Now we really have to go,” he insisted.

Eti didn’t budge. She stared at the edge of the tournament platform, where Laya had stood mere seconds before. She had blown back into Eti’s life so quickly, only for the Kulaws to whisk her once again out of reach.

Anger pulsed around them, threatening to sweep them off like a tidal wave. The mob had grown in number, their energy rivaling Laya’s fiercest storms. A small voice chimed in Eti’s head, ringing above the noise. It dimmed the pandemonium that raged around her. It whispered an answer that tied her safely to the ground. Let the tide come for her. This time, she would not be swept away.

Unknowingly, Laya had given Eti the key to their rescue. Her announcement left no room for ambiguity; she was marrying Luntok. In three days’ time.

“Eti,” Ariel whispered, pleadingly. “We have to go. Please.”

She shook her head as a plan took form in her mind. She knew how royal wedding ceremonies worked. Wedding ceremonies were ten times more demanding than the feast days. Wedding ceremonies required an army of servants and shamans and seamstresses. Wedding ceremonies spelled a certain amount of chaos, even when the palace had months to plan them.

This was the distraction they needed.

Eti’s revelation hit her with a shock that nearly sent her tumbling down again. She stared at Ariel with a feverish gaze. “I know,” she whispered, her thoughts moving too fast to wrangle into words. “I know how we’re going to save them.”

Twenty-Eight

Imeria