Page 69 of Captive of the Stolen Empire

Reyna hinted that I might hear the friendly tune of the rebels, or birds as she called them, outside the walls of Zhine, but nothing out of the ordinary presented itself on our trip here. She’d known about the journey we’d been asked to go on—a mystery I still couldn’t unravel. All the way here, I played her words over and over in my head, waiting on another false raid like the one on our journey from Sorrena. It didn’t happen. Nor did anyone creep through the bushes to meet me as I lingered as far from our troupe as I dared during our various breaks and camping stops.

“And you…” He looked between the false captain and the real one at my side. “Do you have a separate message for me, or are you just here to frighten the maids and give them something to chat about once you leave?”

Fake Lucien straightened, armor rattling. “We’re here to guard Lady Ilya and make certain our emperor’s message is received.”

He snorted. “She’s more than safe under my roof.”

I bit my lip, hiding my smirk at the proclamation that his protection extended only to me.

“I suppose you’ll all be wanting a roof over your head tonight and food in your bellies?” No doubt he knew the answer, but he asked anyway, forcing them to spell it out. Based on his scowling face, he’d give them no more than the minimum they asked for.

“Plus fresh supplies for the journey home,” fake Lucien added.

He waved a hand. “Of course, of course.”

Stefan beckoned another of his household guards forward. “See to rooms for all of ourguests.” He hissed the word. “I assume the guards don’t mind sharing?” He glanced back over his shoulder but didn’t wait for a reply. “The captain and Lady Ilya will have their own rooms. You will all join us for dinner in the main hall.”

* * *

Dinner proved an awkward affair.

Men and women ogled and scrutinized me from their seats as I tried to eat the savory cuts of deer and roasted root vegetables that Lord Stefan heaped upon my plate like a concerned father, convinced I wasn’t eating enough. Perhaps I had lost weight. With everything else on my mind, my figure didn’t warrant notice.

Stefan sat to my right, his wife on the other side and the emperor’s governor next to her. The false Captain Lucien bracketed me between them, comprising the entirety of their high table. Lucien himself sat with other guards as well as many members of Stefan’s household at tables near ours.

“We’re lucky the weather has been fair,” Stefan said at my side. “The grain has done well. The cattle grew fat.”

I nodded appreciatively, commenting in return on the farms I’d seen on the ride in. Easy topics. Safe. Whatever information Reyna thought, or hoped, I’d have the opportunity to learn had not presented itself at dinner either. Or if it had, I’d missed it completely.

Invisible spiders raced across my skin. Three women turned away as my head snapped in their direction, hiding their whispers behind raised hands and averted eyes. Did Lucien feel this way in Zhine? Or Ryszard? I huffed a laugh through my nose. The smug bastard probably enjoyed it.

I nearly sighed in relief as dinner came to a close and people started to trail from the room. Maids scurried in their wake to collect empty platters and cups.

“Thank you for dinner, Lord Stefan, Lady Basilla.” I curtsied to our hosts as I rose from the table.

“Your hospitality is most appreciated,” the captain echoed at my back.

Stefan’s lip curled as he stood. He’d deny us, or rather them, hospitality right this moment if he could. But doing so wouldn’t earn him any favors.

Basilla remained seated, her eyes trained on the real Lucien as he took to his feet and headed in our direction. “That guard…” Her brows wrinkled as her husband turned in her direction.

What little food I’d eaten turned to butterflies in my stomach. If they learned who he was, even suspected…it might be just the break I needed. “Do you know him?” I asked innocently.

Her fingers trailed to her lips, her attention never wavering.

“Doesn’t look familiar,” Stefan answered for her with a grunt.

The governor also shook his head before taking another sip of wine from his fourth cup of the night.

Now it was my turn to be confused. If anything should catch their eye, it would be his looks. Unless… The bangle around my arm felt suddenly chill as I considered it. I’d become so used to its presence that I hardly noticed it most times. But if Lucien used magic, it might explain why no one else seemed to recognize him.

My lips pressed together as I examined Basilla’s fine jewelry. A golden necklace spotted with small rubies and amethysts graced her slim neck. Matching earrings and rings adorned her. The only piece that didn’t match the others was the set of bracelets around her wrists, metal charms hanging from three thin bands. Could it be like mine?

“Lady Ilya will need her rest,” the fake captain jumped in. No doubt, he didn’t like the sudden change in conversation.

“Of course, we have you all in the east wing. Yours will be the doe room,” he said to me. “Fitting spot for a lady. The buck room across the hall is yours.” He nodded to the captain.

Stefan called two of his household over with a flick of his wrist. “Escort our guests to the east wing.”

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