Chapter 30

My mouth drops open. “You can’t. You already said we’d wait for morning. Plus, it’s not even a valid challenge.”

“I’m either Empress or Heir. Either way I can challenge you.” Judica sneers. “You should have spent a few hours reading our laws, sister.”

I splutter.

“If you had, you’d know that as the challenger, I have the right to choose the time. You, as the defender, have a right to choose whether we fight hand-to-hand or with blades.”

“I knew that,” I say, “but you already chose the time. Tomorrow morning.”

“I don’t want to wait,” she says. “I’d rather kill you now.”

The door opens and we all turn to see who the guards allowed inside. For a split second I worry that one of the Five has come after us and we may be facing attack. I don’t even have a single weapon.

Judica draws a blade, of course.

When the intruder walks through the doorway, I relax. Dark hair falls in gentle waves to her waist, framing striking golden eyes, russet skin, and long willowy arms and legs.

“Alora!” I leap toward her and she hugs me tightly.

“Little dove. I am so sorry, so very sorry.”

I’m sobbing, and she is too. Inara is great, and she’s helping any way she can, but Alora has always been the person I love most, second only to Mom.

“Touching reunion.” Judica’s voice is flat. “You didn’t get to see Mother before she died, but at least you got to see Chancery one last time.”

Alora lets me go and turns toward my twin. “You’re hurting, Judica, so I’ll forgive you for acting like a total brat.” She gestures for Judica to come to her for a hug, but Judica stands as still as a statue, shoulders square, chin high, eyes flashing.

“I was just telling Chancery I won’t wait for morning. I insist on her answering my challenge now.”

Alora tsks just like Mom used to. “Stop being ridiculous.” Before Judica can respond, Alora holds up her phone. “Listen to this.”

She presses a button and Mom’s voice fills the room via speakerphone. “Alora sweetheart, you must be in the air already. I’m so glad you’re coming after all, although I wish it was under better circumstances. I know everyone told me it was a mistake not to kill one of the twins at birth, but I love them both so dearly. I couldn’t have done it then, and I could never live without either of them now. They are fighting terribly and everything I try makes things worse. Chancery begged for permission to come and live with you. Against my better judgment, I agreed. That’s the reason I called back and begged you to come to my party last minute. I want you to bring her home to New York with you when you return. I’ve promised her a few weeks to decide whether she wants to forsake the family entirely and live among the humans like you. I won’t lie and say I want her to go, but I’m losing them as it is, and maybe the space will help things settle.” Mom lowers her voice and I strain to make out her last words. “I’m leaving you this message because I’ve been... sick. I don’t know what’s wrong precisely, but I fear I’m being poisoned. It’s getting worse, Alora. I don’t know how much time I have left.” There’s a sharp click and the voicemail ends.

Hearing Mom’s voice is too much. I sit down on the ground and start to sob. She can’t be gone. She can’t. I know in that moment, I cannot fight Judica. I just can’t. I can’t kill my sister. Mom would hate that we’re here, about to fight each other over her throne.

But I’m certain Judica killed Mom, or else why would she feel so guilty? Act so very angry? She found out Mom’s plan and decided she wouldn’t wait for it to be official. She took Mom from me forever. Suddenly I’m so angry I want to jump across the room and strangle Judica with my bare hands, which horrifies me.

Clearly I have no idea what I want.

Alora crosses the room and takes Judica by the shoulders. “You aren’t going to kill your twin, Juju-bee. Not on your mother’s birthday, not when all she wanted was for you two to get along.”

“How quick everyone is to rush to her defense.” Judica shakes Alora off. “Why isn’t anyone rushing to help me?”

“First of all, Chancery isn’t threatening to kill anyone. But beyond that, Mother named Chancery this morning as her new Heir,” Alora says. “That makes her Empress, and you’re the one challenging her moments after Mother was killed. I’m sorry if you perceive that as me rushing to her side.” So quietly I can barely hear her, Alora says, “I’m here by your side, too. I want what’s best for both of you, and for Alamecha. That’s why I’m taking her home with me to New York.”

“My sister Chancery,” Judica practically spits, “is the new Empress, as you so helpfully pointed out. She isn’t going anywhere.”

Inara sits down next to me on the ground, her skirt belling around her, and pats the floor. Alora sits down cross-legged, but Judica continues pacing.

“We haven’t had the investiture yet,” Inara says, “which means Chancery’s still only Heir now. We don’t even have the ring to use for it.”

“Wait,” Alora says, “the ring is missing?”

I nod. “It’s a long story, but we think Mom took it off and put it somewhere she thought it would be safer. We don’t know where.” I shove my guilt about lying down deep. I have no idea if what Job said was reliable, or whether it even refers to the ring.

“Regardless,” Inara says. “What if you let Chancy spend her month in New York with Alora and you rule in her absence as her heir, the heir to the Heir. It’s been done. There’s precedent. Melamecha took decades off, several times in fact.”

“What a brilliant plan,” Alora says. “You wouldn’t need to kill Chancery if she decides to abdicate anyway.”

I almost offer to abdicate right now, but when I think of Mom lying there on the parquet, I can’t. “If you’d agree to stand trial,” I say, “just for the Council. Or even just for Alora and Inara. If you’re found innocent of poisoning Mom, I’ll abdicate.”

“Our family is at risk right now,” Judica says. “The Five sense blood in the water. I’m not going to agree to stand trial, and I’m not going to send you off to train for a month, either. I’m not the stupid one, remember?”

“You’ve been training hard for almost eighteen years. You think I’ll catch you in a month?” I roll my eyes. “I didn’t expect you to be afraid of me.”

“You’ll never defeat me.” Judica huffs. “But that doesn’t mean I want to prolong the inevitable, either. Mother is dead. Whether this happens now, or in a week, or in a month, that fact won’t change.”

“I didn’t want to bring this up,” Inara says, “but you’re forcing my hand. Chancery named you mother slayer, Judica. Because Chancery is ascending as the new Empress, she would have held the trial to determine whether there is evidence that you killed Mother. That inquest must take place. If Chancery is alive, as Empress of Alamecha, she conducts the inquest. A direct challenge from the next in the line of succession takes precedence, so by challenging Chancery, your duel will take place before any inquest.”

“I know,” Judica says. “I’ve read the Charter.”

“But you neglected to consider what happens after you win,” Inara says.

It sort of stings that everyone assumes Judica will beat me, even if I agree with them.

“I take my place as Empress,” Judica says.

Inara shakes her head and Alora frowns.

Alora says, “No, you don’t. Inara’s right. The demand for the inquest against one other than the Heir accused of killing the Empress still stands. You can’t conduct an inquest against yourself, and with Chancery gone, the Five will convene the court.”

“So even if I kill her, this mess won’t be over.” Judica collapses onto the edge of her bed. “The Five will intercede in our affairs either way, thanks to her thoughtless and baseless allegations.”

“If they’re really baseless, then agree to a trial now,” I say.

Inara clucks. “There is a way out.”

Judica looks down at her. “What is that?”

Alora sighs. “Chancery can voluntarily rescind her accusation.”

I shake my head. “Why would I do that? She can deny it until the end of time. I know she did it and why.”

Inara spears me with a glance. I know what she’s suggesting. I rescind my accusation in exchange for time to train before this duel. Without time, I’m dead in the morning, but at least I’ll die with the knowledge that my mom’s killer might be brought to justice.

Although, the Five will do whatever they believe is politically expedient. I can’t really trust them any more than I trust Judica. Gah, I hate politics.

“Fine. But if I rescind my accusation, do I have the right to reissue it after the challenge?”

“You’re an idiot,” Judica says. “The only way you could reissue it is if you win, and if you do, I’ll already be dead. I’d think that’s punishment enough, even to satisfy your anger.”

Alora puts her hand on my shoulder. “You can always reissue an accusation. Judica is right that in this circumstance it doesn’t seem that it would be necessary.”

“So if I rescind my accusation, you will swear to delay the duel for a month, while I decide whether to abdicate?”

“Wrong. I’ll give you a week.”

“A week isn’t time to decide, it’s a holiday,” Inara says. “She needs to spend time contemplating a non-evian life. Not to mention, we’re all grieving here.” Bless her for trying to get me more time.

“Alamecha doesn’t have weeks to spare,” Judica says. “The sharks are circling, and our family needs to show it’s strong. With the ring missing, it’s even more important this be resolved quickly.”

“Obviously we won’t tell anyone it’s gone,” Inara says.

“One week,” Judica says. “That’s my limit.”

“I don’t agree to that,” I say.

All three sets of eyes turn to me, each one reflecting shock at my refusal.

“I don’t think I can decide in a week. I need two.”

“Absolutely not,” Judica says. “That’s too long.”

“I’ll agree to ten days... if you also release Edam.” Because with me gone and Judica in charge, he’d be executed in the morning. I can’t have that on my conscience. She only hates him because he stood up for me.

Judica snorts. “No.”

“He comes with me, and—”

“Wait,” Judica asks, “where are you going? I assumed you’d stay here.”

“If I stay here, there’s no reason to leave you in charge in my stead. I’m going with Alora to New York,” I say. “To see what it’s like to be human. I’ve never liked or agreed with many things about evian life, and if I abdicate, I’ll be living with humans forever. I’d like to experience that before I decide.” Plus, I need to look for the ring. “You rescind the charges against Edam and let him come with me, or I’ll stay here and fight you tomorrow. When I die in the morning, as everyone seems quite sure I will, I’m sure you’ll enjoy hosting the Five while they look for evidence of how you murdered Mom.”

Judica glances from Alora to me and back again. Finally, she says, “Fine, Edam goes with you for ten days, but I won’t make any promises about charges against him being dropped. If you abdicate, he’ll be exiled along with you. If you return, fight, and lose, I can kill him any way I choose.” Judging by the set of her jaw, it’s the best offer I’ll get.

“I accept. But you freeze Mom’s body, and if I abdicate, I can attend Mom’s funeral before leaving.”

“Fine,” Judica says. “But I’m not doing this for you. I’ll agree to your terms as a final gift to Mother.”

Alora smiles as if she’s brokered the peace deal of the century instead of simply delaying my demise. “Lovely. Just lovely. Now let’s hammer out the details so we can all get some rest. Chancery and I will leave in the morning.”