Scarlett stared in the mirror that rested above her marble-pink vanity and tried not to cry at what she saw. Tella wouldnât have cried. Tella would have willed her pain into power and used it to find a way to fix everythingâno matter the cost.
Scarlett could do that, too. She could do it for her sister, for Julian, for everyone in the empire, and for herself. Even if it felt impossible at the moment.
At least her sister and Julian couldnât see her right now.
Scarlett continued to stare at her new reflection in the mirror, as her thoughts took her back to the night before, after sheâd delivered her last note to Tella and Julian, when everything had gone so awry.
Once a day, since Scarlett had first arrived in the Menagerie, the Lady Prisonerâs purple eyes turned milky-white, letting Scarlett know she was glimpsing a fragment of the future as she told Scarlett . But all the Fallen Star wanted from Scarlett was for her to conquer her powers, and control the emotions of others. And her original plan had been to do just thatâto cultivate her powers to change his feelings and make him love her, so that he would become mortal.
But over the last couple of days the Fallen Star had made it clear that if Scarlett mastered her abilities, it would be the catalyst that would turn her into an immortal Fate.
Heâd told her this to encourage her to conquer her powers. But Scarlett knew that once she was an immortal, she would no longer be able to love. Love was such a fundamental part of what drove her, she didnât even know who sheâd be without love. What if it made her like her father, who only wanted power?
So, despite Anissaâs warning, Scarlett had planned to get the blood that Tella and Julian needed for their Fated book.
auhtara auhtara.
The memory faded as Scarlett looked in her vanity mirror. The ruby cage encasing her head looked like the bloody cousin to the cage worn by the Maiden Death. But rather than looking powerful like that Fate always did in Decks of Destiny, Scarlett thought that she looked entirely powerless. She hadnât been able to sleep wearing it, so there were deep circles beneath her eyes, and since her hair had been down when heâd put it on, strands of her dark hair stuck to her throat, held in place by the unmoving collar of the cage.
Anissa had tried to tell her it was pretty, and that it matched her scarlet earrings. Theyâd once been a treasured gift from her mother.
she said, . They used to make Scarlett think that Marcello Dragna, the father whoâd raised her, had once been a better man. But, Scarlett realized, her mother must have been referring to the Fallen Star.
Scarlett tried not to think about her mother. But for once, she wished she could go back in time to talk to her and ask her what to do.
Scarlett hadnât contacted Julian and her sister. Sheâd been too ashamed and embarrassed to slip them a note letting them know that sheâd failed in getting the blood, and she didnât want them to see her like this, even for a second. Scarlett knew that she had to be even more careful now. She couldnât risk using the Reverie Key unless it was an emergency.
She couldnât make another mistake and she couldnât run away. If Scarlett wanted to save herself and everyone else before the Fallen Star took the throne the day after tomorrow, she had only one choice left: to conquer her power and use it to make him love her.
She took a deep breath and left her bedchamber to meet him.
Tonight, he was dressed in brown leather pants, a loose white shirt, and a pale gold cape that matched the victorious gleam in his eyes. Heâd been in an excellent mood ever since heâd placed the cage around Scarlettâs head; he liked being able to demonstrate just how much power he had over her. But tonight he appeared almost boyish in his excitement.
When Scarlett took a seat beside him on the marble bench near Anissaâs cage, he grinned and stroked the curving ruby bars surrounding Scarlettâs face. âMy Fates have finished tracking down the members of the royal council. Now all their severed heads are sitting on pikes at the docks. There are no more barriers to stop me from claiming the throne tomorrow night.â
âTomorrow.â Scarlett tried to keep the panic from her voice. âI thought you were waiting another day?â
âIâve never been good at being patient.â He jumped up from his seat. âBut donât worry, to help prepare you for tomorrowâs coronation, Iâve brought a gift that Iâm hoping will aid you in finally conquering your abilities.â
The Fallen Star called for his personal guard to open the door, and a young woman who looked as if someone had taken a magic cloth to wipe away half of her coloring stumbled into the room. Her hair was a faded shade of red, and her skin was pallid white, with dull black tattoos peeking out from beneath her long black gloves. Yet the colors of her feelings were anything but dim. Vitriolic shades of rotted plum swirled around her in spiteful, enraged circles.
The Fallen Star strode toward his captive the way a hunter might approach trapped prey. âI rescued her from the Temple District when it was on fire yesterday. Unfortunately, sheâs not very grateful; Iâve already had to punish her. She might be difficult for you to work with, unless you find a way to control her.â He ran a finger down the young womanâs cheek.
The woman snapped her teeth over his fingers, biting the tips.
The Fallen Star ripped his hand from her mouth before she could draw blood. âBehave.â His voice remained gentle, but his words were followed by a burst of flames that singed the ends of her hair.
âIf you succeed in controlling her emotions, then I will take that cage off your head. But if you donât, Iâm afraid the results will be unpleasant.â His gaze traced the lines of rubies imprisoning Scarlettâs head. âIâve been wondering if perhaps you havenât conquered your powers because youâve lacked the proper motivation. Hopefully you have it now. Iâll come back in the morning to view your progress, and for your sake, I really hope there is progress.â