Page 18 of Conspirators' Kingdom

Taisiya’s heart leapt. Her sister would marry for love after all. Milena turned to Taisiya and smirked.

“You heard my fiancé. Now shoo!”

Taisiya grinned, held up her hands and turned from the sound of giggles and the rustling of fabric. Magister Opal had long despaired of ever forcing Zephyros, or any of his sons, to act as proper heirs and govern the province. That duty fell to the youngest child, Charis Opal, the apple of her father’s eye. When she entered the ballroom once more, she found Domina Opal in a close conversation with Magistra Mina Obsidian, her lover. Opal was short of stature, like Taisiya, with fair skin, blue-black hair and dark eyes with opalescent whites. Mina was taller with light brown skin, brown-black hair and amber eyes. She had also once been a close friend of Taisiya’s.

“Good evening, Domina, Magistra.” Taisiya curtsied.

Mina clucked her tongue.

“Don’t do that, Taisiya. I’ll never think of you as a mere Illustra.”

“It’s good to see you, Mina.” Taisiya smiled.

“And you. I’m sorry I wasn’t on the continent to support you after… everything.”

Yes, after her father’s death and their hasty eviction from their home, Taisiya had found just how fickle and few her friends really were. Not that she’d ever expected to have another noblewoman to have her back. Though not shocking, given the circumstances, it still stung. Mina, one of the few noblewomen Taisiya had ever felt comfortable not displaying a perfect persona for, had written her but never visited. In fairness, she’d been busy finally living freely and openly on the Opal islands with Charis, the domina at her side.

“Don’t apologise. The empress has been quick to make up for lost time. In fact, I’ve come here to tell Charis some good news.”

“Oh?” Charis asked, sipping a glass of wine.

“It seems we’ll be in-laws soon. Zephyros has proposed to my youngest sister, Milena.”

Charis nearly choked on her next sip.

“Gods below, what dark magic did she use to do it? Zeph has been as stubborn as a mule for as long as I’ve been alive.”

“Oh, I don’t think she used any magic, per se.”

“They’re in the garden, aren’t they?” Mina asked, her dark brow raised.

Taisiya nodded. She and Mina looked to each other and spluttered out unladylike laughs. Charis caught on a moment later as heat suffused her cheeks. She muttered darkly about men and their pieces.

“Father will be over the moon. He’ll be singing Milena’s praises for a decade at least.” Charis sighed and smiled. “Welcome to the family, Taisiya.”

“It’s an honour.” Taisiya curtseyed.

Finally, after a year of grief and failure, things were going right.

Chapter 11

Mererukalistedfromsideto side, escorted to his assigned quarters in the palace by a sleepy-eyed beast mage in the early hours of the morning. He’d danced, conversed and drunk mage wine until he couldn’t see straight. The Cursed Continent made a potent brew. Thankfully, a bed waited for him—one so stuffed with feathers it might take flight in the night.

“Is there anything you require for the evening, Prince Mereruka?”

“No, thank you.”

The servant bowed and closed the door.

In the full light of day, the room was decorated more conservatively than he was used to, but richly appointed nonetheless. He’d stripped to almost nothing when a knock sounded at his door. Groaning, he trod over to open it. Without a servant to assist him—not that he would trust a single member of the delegation—he was forced to do so himself.

Taisiya gasped and looked away. A blush reddened her cheeks. She looked pretty when she was flushed pink.

“I wanted to make sure you knew about your appointments tomorrow,” she choked out.

“Appointments?” He hadn’t made any to his knowledge. Then again, his mind was fuzzy when it came to details.

“Yes, two more noblewomen would like to make your acquaintance,” she said, flicking him furtive glances.

---