Page 33 of Conspirators' Kingdom

“I know,” Vasilia whispered, her hand rubbing calming circles on Taisiya’s back. She turned to the others gathered. “Please excuse us.”

Vasilisa helped support Taisiya as they dashed from the training grounds, away from the eyes of others.

“I can’t-”

“Here.” Vasilisa pushed her towards a potted plant adding a splash of green to the sea of imperial red mosaics.

Taisiya lunged for the pot and expelled the contents of her stomach. Vasilisa whispered calming words in her ear as she stroked her sweat-slicked back.

“We’re alone for now but not for much longer. You’re doing better.”

“How can you say that? I… I smelled him and then—gods below.”

There was nothing left in her stomach. Dry heaves had her shuddering.

“Even the thought of striking out with a bolt had you losing your lunch before. You had perfect control this time. You even held it together long enough for us to get away from the crowd. You’re improving.”

“Father would’ve been so disappointed in me. After all he entrusted me with, I can’t even—”

“Hush! You’re exactly the same as you’ve always been, the same daughter he always loved. Now stand tall, Taisiya.” Vasilisa helped her stand and tipped up her chin. “Chin up. You will overcome this.”

Taisiya quelled the trembling in her hands and took a deep breath. Would she ever fully overcome what the terrible sight of her brother’s mangled corpse had done to her nerves?

No, she couldn’t let that kind of defeatism rule her. Maybe, one day, the sight of such things wouldn’t bring her back to that moment. Until then, she had Vasilisa and her family to rely on.

“Yes… yes, thank you,” Taisiya said.

“Now let’s wash out your mouth. Your breath is atrocious.”

Taisiya chuckled and wiped a few errant tears from her eyes.

“We’re not alone,” Vasilisa whispered. She looked to the potted plant and pushed it into a shadow, depositing it into the void, hidden from this world. Taisiya almost wanted to giggle at the absurdity but refrained, hysteria threatening her composure.

Alexandra, her skirts gripped in her hands, rushed towards them. When she was within a few steps, the silver-tongued mage stopped.

“Illustra Spark, I… thank you. You saved my life. I was too dazed to say it before.”

“I did tell you that lightning was faster than a scream, didn’t I?” Taisiya said, regaining her former control at least outwardly.

“But why? I thought you-”

Taisiya held up her hand to stop the younger mage.

“Theodore is smitten with you.”

“Just because of that?” she asked, her eyes wide as a fawn’s.

“Do you really, truly care for my brother?”

“Yes, more than anything. He’s the only one who doesn’t look at me like… like I’m a monster.”

That sounded like her brother, his heart big enough to shelter every broken, lost soul the empire over. He brought goodness and kindness wherever he went. It was no wonder the orphan mage who inspired fear had found his warmth intoxicating.

“And what wouldn’t you do for him?”

“I’d do anything for him.”

“Be careful about making grand statements like that, Magistra,” Taisiya hissed. At first, the young mage looked down, beaten. Then she raised her amber eyes, determination coming to the fore. “Good. That’s a much better look. I think, in time, you’ll find that we are a family that will do absolutely anything for each other. I hope you will prove yourself worthy of that.”

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