Page 22 of Poisoned Empire

Now that the festivities were over, Belisarius was ensconced in his study with a mess of papers before him. His ornate robes and heavy jewellery had been tossed aside and taken away by attentive servants long ago. Marduk was elsewhere, setting up a detail of guards to keep watch on the traitors’ children round the clock.

“Yes, and it hasn’t spread further than our first estimates. Diamond, Amethyst and Sapphire are the sole perpetrators. None of the lower nobility seem to be involved,” Nicephorus answered.

Yes, it wasonlythree magistri who were undoubtedly coming for his head. He supposed it could be worse, but could the remaining magistri be counted as allies? His spell for the ballroom had worked perfectly. If only it could’ve also informed him who he could trust at his back. Or if the latest thorn in his side was a threat too.

“What of the imposter? Has our curse mage been able to identify the spell Selene was under?”

When Selene had fainted, he’d feared the worst—that she’d been spelled into compliance with a plot against him. Aside from having a repertoire of lethal poisons available with a single flick of her wrist, if she were ordered to kill herself, the inhabitants of the palace, perhaps even the capital, would be doomed.

“It was an old memory erasure spell. Eagerly accepted, which she confirmed. There is no trace of compulsion,” Nicephorus replied.

His gut roiled. What horrors could a woman with poison in her veins need to forget? And where had she even found a memory mage? They’d been a persecuted lot, and supposedly wiped out of existence centuries ago. Another lovely bit of unwelcome news for him to ponder in the early hours of the morning.

“She’s awake and acting... in character. I don’t believe she has recovered much of the sealed memories. She only reported strange memories of stealing an old woman’s pies.”

“I suppose we have that much to be grateful for.” Belisarius sighed. Who could say what she’d kept bottled up? Would it be an axe waiting to fall? His plan could not afford mistakes. “Is there any indication as to the kind of memories she’s had sealed?”

“His report indicated he could only feel a sense of great sadness. I’ve been told that being in proximity to your gift may gradually weaken the spell, but he couldn’t say for certain.”

“Send one of our spies to watch her from a distance and intervene only if she is in the act of sabotage. Otherwise, we can only hope her sealed memories won’t interfere with our plans. What of the magistri? Have there been any indications they’ve begun to mobilize?”

“There has been no change within their borders of troop numbers or placements, neither has there been any indication of hoarding food, gathering horses or unusual financial transactions. However, our naval forces spotted a ship of foreign mercenaries entering our waters. There is no indication of which province they’re sailing to.”

“Inform them that they can sail back whence they came, or find themselves at the bottom of the sea. Under no circumstances are they to reach our shores.”

Only Magister Opal and the imperial navy had vessels capable of making the journey across the open sea. If foreigner mercenaries had been hired, was Opal an accomplice, or was there a rat in his navy? Both? Another headache bloomed.

“Understood.”

Nicephorus lingered tellingly.

“Was there anything else?”

“Perhaps this may not be the best time, but have you considered marrying one of the dominae from an ally faction? Both Emerald and Opal are well suited militarily and geographically to aid you if war breaks out. Opal contributes the most naval officers, builds the majority of our ships and has the greatest influence with foreign traders. The Emerald Province has the most defensible lands and has a great many gifted mages. It is also the only province that simply defended its territory during the Great War rather than becoming an aggressor. They have always been openly supportive of your reign.”

“And this glowing review of Emerald has nothing to do with the fact that it is also your birth province?”

Nicephorus’ green eyes sparkled, and he allowed himself a small smile.

“It has been fifteen years since I’ve set foot in my childhood haunts, but my position by your side has only strengthened Magister Emerald’s trust in your capacity to lead.”

“I shall give it a great deal of thought.”

“Please see that you do.”

Chapter 9

Thesunhadnearlyrisen, the palace preternatural in its silence. Doubtless, the staff of the kitchens had just begun their shifts to prepare for the prince’s midmorning tea with the dominae. Guards blearily held their eyes open for the last hour of their rotations before they found sweet relief in their pillows. The very first of the birds were chirping.

It was the perfect time for a burglary.

Selene completed her morning stretches and donned the servant’s garb that she’d snagged from a harassed-looking laundress. Inside the flowing robe she hid the sturdy metal bar she’d pilfered from the gardens she’d been forced to tour the afternoon before. Dressed and armed, she slipped through halls packed with tapestries until she reached the imperial library. A sleepy-eyed librarian manned a central desk, surrounded by unbelievably large tomes and a mess of scrolls.

“Do you know where I can find the royal copy of the Poison Compendium?”

“Chained Books, last shelf on the right. Wait, do you have permission-”

“Shhhh.” The light sedative from her finger to his lips was all it took to put him to sleep.

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