Page 15 of Captive of the Stolen Empire

“What did you expect, Ilya?” When she didn’t answer, I leaned in closer until the faint scent of olive flower wafted through my armor to tickle my nose. “Did you think I’d be like Orson? Take you screaming against your will?”

To her credit, she didn’t look away. “Yes.”

The one word hit me like a punch to the chest.

Somehow, some part of me hoped for better, though I couldn’t say why.

Measured, deep breaths calmed the sting of her words. Why did I want her regard? She was the emperor’s guest. A curiosity. I simply wanted his guests to find contentment in their place. That’s all.

“The fear in your eyes right now, the risk of what I or any of the others could do to you if you step out of line again, that’s your punishment.” I bit the tip of my tongue as the words slipped free, harder and more biting than I’d intended.

The stiffness of her jaw softened. Her face tilting ever so slightly to the side as her brows wrinkled. “Why?”

She looked at me like I’d just declared her free or unclasped invisible shackles on her wrists. She expected me to bring her sister here, had dared to ask about it. Her accusations in Sorrena had dredged up nightmares of my youth—a child’s fear and terror that I’d long ago shoved to the back of my mind. Memories of that cabin where I nearly died always came back to chase me, no matter how I pushed them away. To make another child feel that fear…I couldn’t bring myself to do it unless I had to.

“I’m not a monster, whatever you think. I saved you from one tonight,” I snapped. “Consider that.”

I turned away, not bothering to wait for a reaction or response. Hopefully, she’d think on my words. Hopefully, no one would read too much into what happened this night and spread any ill rumors about exactly why I brought Ilya to my quarters. But if they did, I was certain they would fade away in a matter of days. They always did—some new distraction earning the attention of guards and servants alike as they gossiped in the halls.

“You’ll find better rest here tonight than in that dusty room,” I added, gesturing to the couch draped with heavy furs. Then, I stalked to the nearest door, the only one I hadn’t explained to her. “The furs should keep you warm. I’ll have your things moved here tomorrow.”

Her head tilted to the side. “You don’t have a servant who stays with you? Someone to remove your armor? Clean your room?”

“No. I’ve attended to my own armor since I was a boy. We all do.” My room in the emperor’s old manor house, where we’d lived before his reign, had been small, not much more than a closet, but it had been mine when nothing else was. At least, as much as a room can belong to anyone. A haven to rest aching muscles and ease the bruises gained from endless days of training.

“I suppose that’s a new concept for you,” I added. As a noble lady, she’d have had all her needs seen to, until she came here. Had her people not blocked our trade routes and imposed a heavy tax on our conquered vassals, perhaps she still would.

Ilya frowned, her nose wrinkling. “Not entirely.”

I turned away to hide the spark of a grin her indignance ignited.

“And how long will I be staying?”

Her near breathless words tugged at me, too feminine for my rooms, especially given the stuffed buck head staring down at her from the right wall. My icon, my symbol, assigned by the emperor long before I’d fought my first battle or had its likeness formed onto my helmet. Craning my neck, I stole another look at her. She reclined against the wall, palms flattened against the surface and eyes guarded.

“Until I decide you’re harmless or otherwise.”

Truly, I didn’t know. I hadn’t thought that far along. Perhaps this punishment would bring her into line and smother some of the rebellious spark she ignited in others. Truly, I didn’t want to see her punished further. That reaction in and of itself was…dangerous.

Without another word, I flung open the remaining door, savoring the view of the spiral stairs to my private sanctuary beyond. There I could sort out my thoughts.

I didn’t spare her another glance as I pulled shut the door between us. The magical lock I’d acquired cycles ago would keep her out of my bedroom. I nearly sagged against the wood, the looming stairs suddenly more intimidating than ever.

The tingling running through my veins didn’t cease until I stepped out into the night air on my balcony. The city of Zhine loomed below, candles and oil lamps illuminating some of the windows—far fewer than before Emperor Ryszard started his crusade. We’d make a better life for all at the cost of those who’d died for it.

Peace and prosperity. That’s what he promised. Each time we thought it secured, another city-state would step out of line and demand to be conquered.

I flexed my hand, the light of the two moons above glinting off polished metal. We’d never failed, not yet, but so many had been lost. None of my fellow captains. Our magic gave advantages far beyond normal men, not to mention cycles of training. The green recruits taking up arms in our ranks now weren’t seasoned soldiers. They needed more training, more weapons practice, more—

Light beckoned below, a dim flicker as Ilya stepped onto the small balcony off the sitting room. She moved with grace across the stone and leaned over the railing, head craning this way and that. Looking for a way down? My lips twitched. There was none, and a fall from there would kill her.

I itched to tell her so, to lure her away from the balcony edge. She didn’t need the warning. Her palms slammed onto the stone railing before she spun around and pushed through the heavy drapes into the room.

My magic hummed under my skin, tempting me to use it to weave a pleasant illusion to disguise myself. I could go back down there and—

No.I shook my head. More important work demanded my attention. Perhaps it was a mistake, bringing her here.

You’re playing with fire, Lucien.

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