Page 102 of A Reign of Embers

“You’re not an obstacle,” I tell her when I step back. “I need different attitudes and ideas around me if I’m going to find every tactic that could get us through this mess. Please don’t shun yourself on my behalf.”

A wry smile tugs at her lips. “Fair enough.”

The mention of shunning brings back another idea I toyed with earlier. I’m only more sure of my decision now.

“Soon you’ll be able to shed even more of your family if you’d like.” I motion vaguely to the world beyond the palace walls. “I need to choose a new guardian for the estate that once belonged to Marchion Syrus. If it was yours, you wouldn’t be reliant on Ennius’s lands to support your position. I don’t see why you shouldn’t be a marchionissa rather than a vicerine.”

For the second time in this conversation, Bianca stares at me. “I—I wouldn’t ask that?—”

I grin, feeling as if I’ve gotten one thing utterly right. “Which is why you deserve it more than most.”

We only have to get through the coming war with our heads still attached to our bodies, and then it can actually matter.

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Aurelia

When I finally reach Coraya’s apartment, I sit in one of the armchairs with my daughter, offering her a meal from my breast before I see to my own dinner.

She’s growing so fast, but after her own illness, her infant body feels even more fragile in my arms. Sabrelle tried to steal her from me—to destroy this innocent life who’s never done a thing against her, solely to warp the empire to her own ends.

My arms tighten around Coraya.

Is the godlen of war always so heartless? Or has she gotten so caught up in her anger over my altering of the empire that she’s let reason slip away from her?

Who can know how the minds of our deitieswork? All I can do is protect my daughter with every ounce of strength I have.

I rock Coraya in my arms, debating just how vital it is for me to make an appearance at dinner in front of the court when they saw me at breakfast, and a knock sounds on the door.

“Your Imperial Highness? A messenger is here to speak with you. High Commander Axius says it’s urgent.”

My pulse hiccups. I press a quick kiss to Coraya’s forehead, return her to the nursemaid’s arms, and hurry into the hall.

Axius ushers me to the main meeting room. We’re almost there when Captain Evando catches up with us.

The captain’s gaze darts between the two of us. “Is there— I heard?—”

Axius motions for him to come along. My heart thumps faster, not sure of what Evando could have been referring to.

Then we step into the meeting room to find two figures waiting by the map table—neither of them actually messengers. At least, that’s not their main role.

Raul straightens up from where he was leaning against the table, his familiar cocky grin stretching his lips and his eyes smoldering with all the affection he can’t openly offer in front of our audience. I swallow the lump that’s surged into my throat, balling my hands at my sides to hold them back from reaching for him.

My gaze searches his massive body in its travel-worn clothes, confirming there’s no sign of injury before shifting to his companion.

Neven has returned to us tonight as well.

The youngest prince tugs back the hood of his cloak to reveal his shaggy white-blond hair, which he has to swipe away from his eyes in its rumpled state. The dark circlesunder his eyes suggest he hasn’t gotten enough sleep while traveling back to us, but that’s hardly a surprise.

Captain Evando’s mouth twitches as if he’s suppressed a smile. “You made it back.”

In theory, he’s speaking to both of the princes, but I don’t think his eyes have left Neven for more than a brief glance toward Raul. The prince of Lavira arches one eyebrow as he takes this in.

Is this why Evando was in such a hurry to join our meeting?

Neven shrugs and offers an awkward smile of his own, his gaze darting from the captain to me. “I thought the empress would want my report as soon as I could give it. The roads between Goric and here weren’t too bad.”

“I’m glad,” Evando says, and draws in his breath as if he’s going to continue, but then clamps his mouth shut.

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