Page 61 of Captive of the Stolen Empire

Now it was my turn to be confused. “A few perhaps, but most lived peacefully, content with their lot and providing the best lives for their people.” Sorrena didn’t even have a proper army for goodness’ sake. How many lies did this man believe? “Emperor Ryszard is the one igniting war.”

It was always the northern city-states who squabbled over land and liked to test each other’s strength through bloody raids. Mother said the cool air of the mountains made them irritable. How Elin turned out so calm and serene, despite her own father’s fiery reputation, was beyond me.

“A temporary inconvenience. If only you all would stop your useless struggling, we’d be one unified country. No more wars or border disputes. No trade embargoes. Everyone can prosper together.”

Those words stole the last warmth of the night. He believed it. Oh, by The Four, he believed whatever vision Ryszard spouted for his followers. “And the rest of the city-states? The larger countries to the west and south? You think they’ll just leave us all alone?”

A pretty dream. Too impossible to be believed. The various city-states might as well be small villages for how the western countries dwarfed them in size. So many more people. Skilled, truly unified armies with magic users just as powerful as Lucien and his fellow captains. It was a wonder none of them had invaded already. Before, we’d likely only escaped notice since the city-states were too small and weak to be of a threat to anyone. We even gave the large countries better trading terms just to curry their favor and stay within their good graces.

Lucien didn’t answer my question. The grimace on his face told me I’d struck a chord. And a truth.

I pressed on. “Do you really think Ryszard will stop? That he’ll be content with all of us as his unwilling vassals? He’ll set his sights on Marsali next, mark my words. And after that—”

“You speak treason, Ilya,” he warned, a hard edge to his voice.

I pressed my lips tight as I wrestled for control of my loose tongue. Reyna’s words from earlier in the day slipped through my haze of anger, calming and cool.Seem content. Blend in.But oh, how hard that was.

A deep breath calmed some of my anger. Then another.

“You’re right. I’m sorry.” The words tasted bitter on my tongue, but the vile flavor would be worth it if it defused the situation. I bowed my head, an act of servitude. “I only ask honest questions as a citizen of this new country.”

Lucien released his crossed arms and stepped closer. “Could you be one of us? Stay here, by my side?”

My heart hammered at his implication. He’d asked before and I didn’t have an answer then. I still didn’t. “Do I have a choice?”

Lucien wandered to the balcony edge and leaned on the balustrade. I followed, keeping a respectable distance between us.

“I want to trust you.” He glanced over at me. “To not worry you’re going to stab me in the back if I leave a knife out on the table.”

“I haven’t yet,” I said.

“No, you haven’t.” He pushed off the railing. “If I asked you to do something for me, go somewhere…”

I stood a little straighter. “Away from here?” Gods, if I could get out of here it might make my goal of finding and leaking information so much easier.

“Possibly.” His attention shifted out to the night before settling back on me. “I can’t explain yet. But would you trust me? Do as I ask?”

“I have so far.”

His lips quirked into a smirk as he eyed the bangle on my upper arm. “Mostly.”

I caught the amusement in his eyes and swallowed through the tightness in my throat before responding. “I’ll consider it.” It was the best I could offer. Hopefully, it would be enough.

Chapter27

Ilya

Gabriel’s mood softened over the next few days, though by no means were we on the easy terms we had been. At least I’d found a few stolen moments to explain my absence and the strides I made elsewhere. Fernand had yet to speak to me, as if somehow all his misfortune were my fault.

“I don’t like it,” Gabriel admitted as we entered the dining hall for lunch. “Getting close to a man like that…” His eyes followed a guard as he walked away from us. “Nothing good can come of it.”

“They weren’t this way once. Just orphaned children,” I whispered.

“And that’s earned your pity? Don’t be soft. Whoever they once were is long gone.”

His words twisted like a knife in my heart.Even if he’s your nephew? The one you loved?I needed to tell him…somehow. Fear of his misbelief halted my tongue. Worse, what if it truly convinced him I’d turned sides?

I couldn’t lose my ally, not now.

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