Akeylah had done just that. Fallen in line, ordered the Great Hall staff to follow Audrina’s whims, paid the tailors for Audrina’s gown. Even went so far as to visit the University herself to requisition the acolytes and the ceremonial equipment they’d need.

But the more time she spent with Audrina, the stronger her fears grew. This girl would prove a terror if she took the throne. Audrina would sacrifice anyone, even Kolonya itself, in service of her own desires.

“Just about ready now.” Audrina peered through a slim opening in the doorway, a little offshoot fitting room of the Great Hall. The same room where Andros had died just a few days ago. Akeylah couldn’t stop glancing at the far corner where he’d fallen.

To distract herself, Akeylah stole a glimpse over Audrina’s shoulder at the Great Hall. It had been completely rearranged. In place of the usual dining room setup, the servants had lined up rows of chairs facing front, so it almost resembled a wedding hall, with a processional aisle in the center. That was the aisle Audrina would walk down, once Akeylah summoned her.

It was a different style than the last Blood Ceremony Akeylah had seen, in the sky gardens where she and her sisters had been confirmed as Andros’s daughters. But then, Audrina seemed to take pleasure in the difference.

“I’m doing this my way,” she’d said whenever anybody questioned the changes. “A new ceremony for a new queen.”

Now, servers escorted nobles to their assigned seats. Up on the dais, a bevy of acolytes arranged the stage. The deep silver bowl that Akeylah, Zofi, Ren, and their father had bled into at their own Blood Ceremony stood front and center, on a raised pedestal. The symbols carved around its edges flashed in the bright lamplight of the hall, and the acolytes who flanked it matched Audrina in their gold ceremonial robes.

Behind the bowl stood the throne. At its right hand, on a cushion, rested Father’s crown. Even from here, all the way at the back of the Great Hall, Akeylah caught the glint of the talons that curved down either side of it, wickedly sharp.

Usually a Blood Ceremony would be performed separately from a coronation. One was meant to acknowledge the lineage of a future heir, the other meant to crown said heir. Today, however, Audrina had elected to combine the events.

“This will be a celebration fit for a queen,” Akeylah murmured now, eyes downcast.

Audrina’s expression sobered. “You’d better be able to keep your sisters in line, the way you claim.”

“Of course, Your Highness,” Akeylah answered without missing a beat.

About an hour ago, a Talon had visited from the dungeons to inform Akeylah that her sisters wanted to confess. Audrina had tried to dismiss him, but Akeylah understood what the message really meant.

Ren and Zofi needed to talk.