Page 63 of Poisoned Empire

“The magistri are getting more brazen. Had a healer not been so close at hand, I might have lost both a strategos and a close friend today.” Belisarius turned bloodthirsty eyes on him. Nicephorus suppressed a shiver. “How soon can we lure those snakes to the capital? I believe I’m done waiting for more knives in the dark.”

“We can announce the engagements as soon as the end of the week,” Nicephorus answered, tallying the costs associated with what would need to be glorious displays of wealth and pomp. The Purples would need to race the Reds in the Hippodrome, an epic romance would need to be acted at the Odeon, gifts arranged for all the noblewomen, grain and libations offered to the people of Nadioch, a grand sacrifice made to the forgotten gods, and those were just the peripheral matters. He would have the estimates on paper within the next few hours and set his people to the task of preparing the most magnificent party held since the official coronation of the first emperor and empress. A shame it was all for a ruse.

“Prepare the invitations. I’m eager to end this rebellion.”

“As you wish, Your Royal Highness.” Nicephorus bowed, glad to be quit of the scene and his prince’s barely banked fury.

The shadowy pests had begun carrying antidotes for paralytics. Selene put her latest tail into a deep and profound sleep. It would be a miracle if he woke at all over the next day. Task done, she made her way through a series of servant hallways and darkened corridors until she stood before the personal chambers of Strategos Marduk. The guards allowed her entry.

Selene had visited multiple times during the day to comfort her friend. Iliana had sobbed, inconsolable at the beast mage’s bedside, refusing to leave until he woke from his healing coma. His blood loss had been profound, and he was lucky that the best healers in Lethe had been only moments away. In the dark of the night Iliana slept soundly in her chair, her head and arms resting on the bed, never leaving his side. It made Selene almost queasy with the thought of what she needed to do next—killing a strategos could mean her own execution. But no one played with her friend’s heart and lived.

No one.

Selene kissed her friend’s cheek, ensuring Iliana would sleep without waking for an hour at least. If she played this right, no one would be the wiser.

Sensing the threat, the beast mage opened his eyes, squinting blearily.

“Don’t move, Strategos. You’ve only just begun recovering from a mortal blow.”

“Poison mage? What are you doing here?” He rubbed his haggard face.

Selene’s eyes flicked to his other side. Iliana’s hair appeared as spun gold on his sheets in the dim candlelight. Marduk made as though to touch her.

Selene hissed.

“Don’t-”

His hand stopped mid-air, eyes turning sharp as he returned her hard stare.

“Don’t touch her, Strategos. If you do, I won’t be held responsible for what happens.”

“Don’t threaten me, girl. Even half dead, I’m more than a match for you.”

“You’re only digging your grave deeper.”

“Explain yourself, or I will show you who here is digging her grave.”

Selene glared back at the strategos, her pulse pounding in her ears. She approached him around his enormous bed as she spoke, coating her skin in a neurotoxin. It was rare enough that few knew how to search for the signs of it. Hopefully, by the time anyone suspected foul play, Marduk would already be on a funeral pyre.

“When we began this farce, it was obvious you had designs on Iliana. I understand. She’s beautiful, talented and sweet. However, we made ourselves clear. We’re leaving this wretched continent. You couldn’t let it be though, could you? You’ve been seducing her with lies! She may be a genius with metals, but she’s naïve at heart. I’ve watched her shed tears at your side all day, crying over the bullshit you’ve been telling her, and I’m putting an end to it. Better you die a hero in her mind than live on as one of her ugly regrets. Make peace with the gods, Marduk. It’s the only mercy I’ll be showing you.”

“Do list these lies I’m accused of telling, Selene. I understand your protectiveness of Iliana, but you’re speaking nonsense,” Marduk harrumphed.

He was significantly less intimidated than she’d expected him to be. It made her pause.

“You’ve been taking this charade too far! It’s obvious Iliana has developed feelings for you, you crook. I’ve heard that you’re promising her a position with the Imperial Forge!”

The man at least had the decency to blush at the accusations.

“Are you her mother? Gods below, to think I need to explain this to you.”

“Don’t explain. Pray. You’ll be meeting the gods soon enough.”

Marduk levelled her with a glare.

“Listen up, poison mage, I’ll only be saying this once. I intend to marry Iliana in truth, if she’ll have me. She may be more than I deserve but I will spend the rest of my days ensuring she wants for nothing. And I’ve not told her any lies in our time together. Her position with the Imperial Forge was earned through her exemplary skill, and every compliment I paid her could never live up to all that she is. Now, begone to whatever lair you’ve conjured for yourself.”

Selene stilled, digesting the information. Perhaps she should poison him anyway, just to keep Iliana to herself. But she couldn’t. If even half of what he said were true, he was precisely what Iliana had always wanted. Selene’s nails bit into her palms with her restraint, her eyes stinging. She didn’t want to give up her friend, but Iliana’s happiness came first.

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