Page 52 of Poisoned Empire

“I think you’re scared because you do like him, if only a little. You’ve had this merry look since you first baited him. I think you enjoy tweaking his nose and getting into fights with him. Obviously, he’s just as twisted as you, since he seems to enjoy it just as much.”

Marduk was torn between hoping Iliana had the right of it, and fearing that she did. He couldn’t help the spiral of his thoughts. It would mean she might stay. It would also mean he’d been a colossal fool, trying to woo her into his bed instead of trying to fully win her heart.

“Belisarius is just a peacock, nothing more!” Selene stopped in her tracks, stomping her foot.

“Is it Belisarius now? It seems the peacock has just the right feathers to attractyou, Selene.” Iliana twirled a lock of platinum hair around her finger.

“I’m not talking about this anymore.”

Selene put her hands to her ears, which only made Iliana laugh heartily and sing taunting children’s songs. Every so often, the two would peer into various flower beds. Selene would comment on whatever flora could be used to incapacitate and then Iliana would taunt her about the bouquets the prince was sure to give her. What on Oblivion were they up to?

“So, what are we looking for? Do you even know what colour it’s supposed to be?”

“White. I heard it’s supposed to be small, white and luminesce slightly.”

“Are you sure they didn’t send you on a snipe hunt? Youdidjust poison them and then raid their collection,” Iliana pointed out, peering over a tall, sculpted hedge.

“Oh, I’m sure. I told them I’d be back with sharp blades if they steered me wrong.”

“Honestly, there should be a sign around your neck warning innocent people about you.”

On that, he and Iliana were in complete agreement.

“Nah, then I’d lose the element of surprise.”

Marduk didn’t know how he felt about this new development between the prince and the poison mage. While it might be good for Marduk, it would throw the whole of the empire into chaos if he were serious in his intentions. Nicephorus might even die of shock. That aside, how was the flower involved? Was there some lethal plant on the grounds? As Marduk mulled it over, the pair stopped in front of a heavy gate. It led to the late empress’ private gardens, sealed since her death.

“That’s an awfully big lock for a garden,wouldn’t you say?”

“Gods below, don’t rub it in. I was sure this would all be for naught, and then you’d have had to own up to your feelings.”

“Not while I breathe! Now, if you would, my darling friend?”

“Fine, fine. Just promise me that if you can’t help yourself again, you’ll deal with the outcome like a grown woman?”

“It won’t happen again. It was temporary insanity.”

“Isn’t everything you do temporary insanity?”

With a single touch the lock opened and fell to the ground with a heavy thud. Marduk did a double-take, mentally revising a list of security measures for the locked doors of the palace. Iliana and Selene unwound the chains threaded through the bars, as though they’d done it too many times to be concerned. Marduk’s worry grew. If he didn’t interrupt this soon, Iliana might give the Imperial Forge good reason to reject her candidacy.

“The metal feels creaky, so let’s be quick about this before someone investigates the sound.”

“I need only a moment!”

The doors screeched open, leaving his ears ringing. Marduk and both women cringed at the sound.

“Quickly!”

Marduk followed, careful not to touch the gates as he entered, his footsteps silent.

“I think I found it!” Selene whispered.

Marduk crept through a garden overrun with tiny white flowers. They reflected the light of the moon, emitting a warm luminescence. Empress Nadia had used her mage gift to create all kinds of botanical wonders, but he didn’t recall these. Many of her little refuges had been closed after her death, neither the prince nor the emperor able to bear the sight, but it troubled him that Selene had wanted to find this very place.

“What are you waiting for? Collect one so we can go.”

“I’m curious...”

---