Page 58 of Poisoned Empire

Iliana bit her bottom lip to keep it from trembling.

“Please don’t say things you don’t mean. You only wanted me for a bit of bed sport, remember?”

His hand curled into a fist and dropped to his side.

“Do you want my honest answer to that?”

Iliana nodded. She’d had her heart stomped on a time or two. She’d survived it before, and she would survive it again. Bracing herself, she met his eyes.

“I know a good woman when I meet one, and you’re better than I could ever dream of. I didn’t think you would ever want more than bed sport from me. You’re breathtakingly talented, endlessly kind, you’re strong, brave, and you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. And your plan is to leave Lethe. I’ve not asked for more because I assumed you could not, or did not want to, give me more.”

Heart pounding out of her chest, she swallowed her fears, letting her hopes eclipse them.

“And if I wanted more?” she whispered.

“Whatever you want of me, whatever you need of me, I would be honoured to give it to you.”

Iliana’s face heated as her hopes soared. Her tongue was frozen, words impossible to form. Tentatively, she reached out her hand. His grip was sure, and when she leapt, he was there to ensure she made it across. He held her a little longer than necessary and it warmed her heart. He kissed her hand, retrieved the basket and led the rest of the way, a small smile turning up the corners of his lips.

When they reached the end of the path, it was to a stunning sight. Below, the river valley behind the palace opened up, a panoramic view of rolling green hills, lush forests and the mountains in the distance.

“It’s beautiful,” Iliana gasped.

“And so far as I know, no one else knows of this hidden gem. I come here when I need an escape. Now, whenever you need it, you’ll have a place to escape to.” He squeezed her hand.

“Thank you,” she whispered.

Usually the schemes and plots were Selene’s domain. This time, it was Iliana’s turn. At first, Iliana had thought her desire to stay on at the palace and let Marduk romance her was pure girlish fantasy, one with a predetermined end. But if Selene had formed an attachment to the prince, perhaps everyone could be happy. All she needed to do was make her friend realise it.

Iliana gazed into Marduk’s dark eyes and gave in to hope. He wanted more than just a bit of fun, and she was ashamed not to have realized before now. It was in the way he defended her to the praetor, in how he never failed to respect her skill, in how he absent-mindedly stroked her fingers whenever she put her hand on the crook of his arm. She’d never been a stranger to the admiring glances of men, but Marduk looked at her like she was the sun and the moon.

He laid out the picnic, his voice calm.

“In a few days, there is to be a play at the Odeon as well as chariot racing in the Hippodrome—Reds versus Greens. Would you like to see one of them? With me?”

“I would. The races, that is. I have always wanted to see them.” Iliana’s eyes sparkled with excitement.

“A woman after my own heart.” He smiled, patting the space beside him.

She decided she very much liked the idea of being more to this man—here, in Lethe. All she needed was a plan, and a bit of luck.

Chapter 21

Thebirdshadonlyjust begun chirping in the weak, early morning light. Though the dawn had proved cool, the day promised to be a hot one. Famous actors had been scheduled to enact a gripping tragedy in the Odeon, while the imperial Reds and the provincial Greens were slated to race in the Hippodrome not far from the palace. Not that Selene would get the chance to enjoy any of it, if what she was hearing were any indication. She and the other finalists, Opal, Topaz and Emerald, had been hurriedly assembled in a cavernous ballroom in the twilight hours before dawn. Today they were to undergo the final competition of the bride show. She couldn’t believe Belisarius had failed to warn her before having the praetor drag her from her rooms.

The prince, decked out in a gold-embroidered imperial red tunic and robe, stood before them with an apologetic smile on his face. Selene planned to make him deeply sorry.

“Dominae, please forgive me for disturbing your mornings. I wanted to give each of you as much time for this last test as possible. An empress is required to gain the support of other nobles in her role of supporting the emperor. In the worst of times, she must convince enemies and antagonists to support her, regardless of their differences. In this last test, the four of you will compete for each other’s vote for the position of empress.”

He pulled out four small orbs from a cloth sack, each a different colour—emerald, opal, topaz and amethyst.

“The rules are simple. No physical harm may be done to gain a vote. You have one vote, but you need not vote for anyone if you choose not to. You must retain your vote and gain the votes of two of your three competitors to win, and you cannot change your vote once it is cast. Each of you will be given an orb, the colour of which corresponds to your family house. It will change its colour only if it is given willingly to the woman of your choice, when it will change to reflect her family’s namesake. All votes must be cast by noon. If no winner is chosen, I may decide that I’ve nominated inferior candidates. You’ll have use of the antechamber to my left. No one will enter once the competition begins, and no one will leave until it is finished. Only the four of you will know what is said or done once the doors are shut. Good luck.”

Not a one could hide her own brand of shock as they were given the aforementioned orbs. Topaz was the only one who appeared unconcerned. In fact, she appeared downright gleeful as the doors to the lushly appointed antechamber were closed, her amber eyes glittering with triumph.

Once the door locked behind them, Selene’s blood boiled as her mind raced. That damn peacock of a prince was going to feel her wrath when this was over. No one had told her she needed to do anything but play her part and not kill anyone to get her gold. Selene swore to find a way to poison the prince, negation gift or not.

The first to break the silence was Domina Zoe Emerald.

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