❝ 𝐑𝐀𝐕𝐄𝐍 ❞ | kaz brekker

⁰⁸ master of water and half-truths

❝ 𝐑𝐀𝐕𝐄𝐍 ❞

master of water and half-truths

The Little Palace was certainly not known for being little. Smaller than the Grand Palace, but not little by any means.

Paedyn stayed close to Inej as they entered with the crew, her last memories here not being very fond.

The chatter of people brought her back, before her mind could travel to that dark place again. She was hanging from silks in the middle of a staircase with Inej. The girls easily caught the crowd's attention, all it took was a bit of practice downstairs.

Paedyn thought back to Jesper, who had been no help when they were perfecting their performance.

It was done almost as quickly as it began. It didn't take as long as she'd expected for the guests to file into the ballroom.

The girls quickly discarded their silks with Marko, meeting with Kaz at the bottom of the stairway. He was disguised as a guard and without his cane, he fit the part very well.

"Suits for a woman, I hope?" Paedyn asked, taking hers from him.

"Of course," he replied, keeping his eyes on her even as Inej grabbed hers from him.

"Good. Last time they were men's," Inej reminded him. He only sent a sharp glare her way. "Let's go, Paedyn."

"No mourners," the Ravkan said.

"No funerals," Inej and Kaz responded.

Back upstairs, Paedyn glanced around once for the Sun Summoner. She hummed to herself, concluding that she wasn't there. And so her eyes searched for others. Her sister, to no avail.

She spotted Genya, but had no intentions of speaking with her. Of course she loved and missed her friend, but that was an additional risk she didn't need to take.

And then she felt his presence.

General Kirigan, the Darkling, walked across the room towards the King and Queen. He leaned down and whispered something to them before his shadows began encasing the room.

He introduced Alina to everyone, who looked way too innocent for the black kefta she wore. Paedyn dug her nails into her palm again, imagining the pain he would put her through, if it wasn't already happening.

Light spewed from Alina's hand as she began her light show. Paedyn watched with parted lips and curious eyes till the very end, which was when she locked eyes with Inej.

Trekking her way to her friend, she was beyond grateful that she had grown out of her younger face. It made her less recognizable, which worked well in her favor. 

Before she made it to Inej, her shoulder bumped into another and she turned around to apologize when her breath got caught in her throat.

"Evie?" She whispered.

The brunette's eyes widened. "Paedyn?"

Paedyn smiled breathlessly, taking in her sister's appearance. She wore a black dress with dark blue accents. Her hair was curled and down. She stood as tall as ever and if Paedyn hadn't looked closer, she never would have noticed how tired Evangeline looked.

"Evie, I-" The words were lost as someone grabbed Paedyn's arm, dragging her from her sister as another woman grabbed Evangeline's wrist. Zoya.

Paedyn turned around, seeing the Wraith had been the one to grab her.