Page 119 of A Reign of Embers

I inhale with a hitch of my lungs. “I’ve tried so hard to be fair to everyone, to minimize any harm… but maybe I reached too far, too fast.”

Marc makes a dismissive sound. “Do you think he’d have encouraged you to do anything other than try for everything you can? I know I wouldn’t.”

As I meet his eyes again, he leans in to brush his lips to mine.

It’s the first time he’s kissed me since he discovered the full extent of my plans. The offering is tentative at first, as if he thinks I might not welcomehim.

I loop my arms behind his neck and kiss him back with all the affection I have in me.

Does Marc have any idea how much it means that the man who once looked at me with such skepticism now throws himself whole-heartedly behind my schemes—even to his own detriment? What I feel for him could never threaten my love for my princes, but our bond is just as special no matter how different.

They stood by me through the worst I faced, schemed alongside me every step of the way.

He gave himself over, choosing to lose his brother, his throne, and his empire rather than lose me.

When our lips part, Marc tips his forehead so it rests against mine. He traces the line of my jaw in a caress that only softens the ache inside a little. “If I could do anything to bring him back faster, to stop Valerisse before her soldiers get anywhere near you…”

“I know. You’ve already done a lot. Maybe we all simply need to sleep on this problem, and answers will come to us.”

I don’t really believe it’ll be that easy, and I doubt Marc does either. But he doesn’t argue, only teases his fingertipsover my hair with a soft smile. “I have every faith that you’ll prevail.”

I can’t stop myself from bobbing up on my toes to claim one more kiss. Marc hums encouragingly and nudges me up against the table—and the door hinges squeak alongside a gasp.

The two of us jerk apart, far too late. As a flush burns across my cheeks, I find myself staring into the shocked face of the footman who pushed open the door, his lips parted as if frozen before he could speak a greeting.

Beyond him, several more faces set in equally startled expressions stare in at us: my other guards and a baron and baronissa whose eyes have gone totally round.

“Your Imperial Highness,” the footman fumbles. “The—er—Baron Nonum and his wife wished to speak?—”

“It’s all right,” the baron interrupts. “We can see the empress is… otherwise occupied.”

He and the baronissa scurry off, no doubt to share the gossip with the first members of court they can find.

My stomach flips over. I’ve certainly given them something to talk about.

Have I just shaken the court’s faith in me even more?

Chapter Forty-Three

Aurelia

When the ninth bell peals outside, the jitters in my gut haven’t resolved. I step onto the dais at the front of the audience room and come to a stop before the imperial thrones, deciding it’s better to be on my feet before the assembled court so they can see me standing tall.

As the clusters of nobles turn toward me, they fall silent. No one has commented to me directly on my dalliance with Marc, but I notice several gazes slipping past me to study my current array of guards. He stands among the others with the implacable air that served him well as emperor, not a hint of concern showing.

Other nobles study me more intently. Lips curl with derision; chins lift haughtily. Their judgment wafts over me like the fumes from arefuse heap.

The last thing I need right now is them questioning my own judgment. Wondering whether I’ll be distracted from the crisis we’re facing by the attentions of a man they consider far below me, without the slightest clue he’s my husband—and was once their emperor.

As much as I’d like to keep my intimate activities private, they’ve been wrenched into the public sphere. I’m going to have to address them.

As a ruler should, I start with the most pressing matter. “Some of you may already have heard that the treasonous tribune who’s rallied soldiers against me and our imperial heir has begun marching her army through Dariu. We’ve always known the conflict could come to this point and have been preparing our own forces for weeks. If I have my way, it’ll be resolved as swiftly and bloodlessly as possible.”

“Not much chance of that now,” someone farther off in the room mutters, just loud enough for me to hear. The rest of the court stirs restlessly.

“We always have options,” I say. “I’ve made no secret how important it is to me to see our realms at peace, both for the sake of all the people within it and to honor the godlen who’s guided me so well.”

Another voice rises from the other side of the room. “And what about what Sabrelle wants?”

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