Page 28 of Conspirators' Kingdom

“Why in the hells are we chasing our tails? Just call on Alexandra,” the empress said.

“Your Majesty, we don’t know if she can tolerate the fae,” the praetor cautioned.

Yes, the praetor would consider that a real obstacle, considering he was one of those mages himself. He had always been pale, but pushing himself to be in the presence of the fae had left him ashen, his green eyes all the brighter for the bruise-like circles underneath, his now bloodless lips perpetually thinned as he fought back nausea. That at least was a little treat for her eyes.

“If you can bear it for a short time, so can she,” the emperor said. He looked around at the mages gathered. “Illustra Spark, I believe we can spare you in this matter. Please locate Magistra Amber and bring her here.”

Damn. She looked to the slight grin on Procopius’ face at her dismissal. Double-damn. He was eyeing up the prince.

“The magistra is usually in the library at this time,” the praetor offered.

He would know, given he kept tabs on the dangerous silver-tongued mage at all times. And rightly so. Magistra Amber had the ability to command anyone with the capacity to listen to do whatever she ordered. There was no one better suited to interrogation in the whole of Lethe, and until recently, she’d been cloistered in the palace, a prisoner. Only the empress’ favour had spared her the life of a chained, collared pet. She now held the title of magistra and ostensibly ruled over Taisiya’s former lands. Or she would, if the crown ever saw fit to allow her to leave the capital.

Taisiya excused herself, curtsied and turned from the training grounds. Once she was out of sight of the others, Vasilisa stepped from her shadow and began walking beside her.

“Have you already heard about the cursed sword?” Taisiya asked.

“Yes. Father told me,” Vasilisa said.

Her father, Viktor, was also a darkness mage and had been Grigori’s closest friend and aide. Viktor had been ordered to leave Grigori’s side before the magister entered the capital and to take care of his family if he failed to kill the emperor. Viktor had been a true and loyal friend, even after Taisiya’s father had passed, and had taken a liking to Theodore, whom he now served. Like Vasilisa, he preferred to wander the void and watch the world from the shadows.

“Any new information about our flighty bride candidates?” Taisiya asked.

“Several received threats of blackmail recently, though the source is unknown.”

“Shit.”

“My thoughts exactly.”

Taisiya sighed, exasperated. She needed to lure the cretin out into the open if she could.

“The domina hasn’t received one of these threats?”

“If she has, then she does a good job of hiding it. Not that I’ve been able to breach her home’s defences. The magister has recently paid a great deal of coin for protection curses against shadowy spies.”

“Unsurprising, given the praetor uses them so liberally,” Taisiya sneered.

Just because Taisiya would—and did—do the same didn’t mean she couldn’t hate him for it. She rarely lost sleep over her own hypocrisy.

“Would you like me to purchase one?” Vasilisa smiled.

Taisiya shook her head.

“When the time is right, I want that spy dead and buried in the void, as well as any foolish enough to come afterwards.”

Vasilisa laughed.

“No body, no crime and no accusations, not unless they admit to spying on an innocent.”

“Precisely.” Taisiya grinned. “As for our blackmailer… I have an idea, but I’ll need you to do the heavy lifting.”

Vasilisa arched a pale brow.

“Do I get to kill someone?”

“Potentially,” Taisiya said.

“Then it would be a delight.”

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