Page 112 of Poisoned Empire

“How much longer before Belisarius is likely to wake?”

“The healers assured me the worst damage is repaired, but that the energy that kind of injury requires to heal is extensive. He’s slept for two days so far. They think at least another four or five.”

Things could go very wrong in that short period of time, even if he and the strategos stood shoulder to shoulder against the magistri and other nobles. They would need someone to step up in place of Belisarius, even if only temporarily.

“Selene is recovered? Enough to make appearances?”

“She’s recovered. As for appearances… well, you’d best see for yourself.”

“I will do that. For now, I want you to spread the word.”

“What word?”

“That the Empress Selene Traitorsbane is ready to accept the oaths of loyalty from the magistri.”

Marduk quizzical expression was broken by a booming laugh. When he’d finished, he wiped tears of mirth from his eyes.

“Leave it to me. Traitorsbane, eh? It’s a good name.”

Selene had woken up in a plush bed to the fussing of Iliana and an army of servants. She’d been advised that Mercurius was dead, Belisarius was alive but asleep, and even Nicephorus was expected to make a full recovery. However, there was a deep pain in Iliana’s eyes. Selene ordered the others to leave them alone.

“What happened?”

“It’s my hand…”

It was still attached and her friend could move her fingers, though a scar lingered where it had been severed. Selene frowned.

“I can’t… the magic doesn’t reach it, and when I touch things, it’s like I’m wearing a glove.”

“What about the healers? Can’t they-”

Selene stopped when tears welled in her friend’s eyes. Iliana shook her head.

“They say even the best healer can’t guarantee anything when something is being reattached. Same odds as a coin flip that the magic will reconnect when the muscles do.”

“Iliana…”

She didn’t know the right words to say. She put her arms around the metals mage. Iliana sobbed quietly for a moment before pulling away and wiping her tears.

“I shouldn’t complain.”

“Shouldn’t…that’s ridiculous. Complain, cry, scream, do whatever you need to.”

“We’re both alive, even if a little worse off.”

“Do I have wicked battle scars?” She’d always wondered if she would get more respect with a few well-placed marks.

“Not exactly. Do you want to see?”

Selene nodded. When Iliana brought over a hand mirror, Selene looked over the damage. It was a bit shocking. She’d gotten used to how she appeared in mirrors since she’d been kidnapped and forced to practice in front of them. Now the woman who stared at her was a stranger. Her skin was a deep red where the fire had burned her, though her movement wasn’t limited. It travelled from her shoulder, up her neck, close to her jaw and up the left side of her skull. Her hair on that side was gone, as was the top third of her ear. She checked under her gown and saw that the same mark travelled down her left side.

“They’ll heal you up more over the next few days when you have the energy to handle it, and it’ll mostly fade to a light pink before going away. The hair should grow back, but your ear… I don’t think there was anything they could do. There was nothing left to attach.”

“I don’t know, I think I can work with this. It really screams hardened, barbarian warrior queen. Do you think I could get the hairdressers to braid my hair with bones? Can we take some from Mercurius?”

Iliana snorted.

“Not likely.”

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