Page 120 of A Reign of Embers

I firm my stance. “Sabrelle is not the only godlen the empire looks to for approval. My own confirmation trials and my husband’s appealed to Estera, Prospira, and Creaden as well. We cannot let one godlen with a taste for violence dictate the future of the continent any more than I’d expect you to lay down and surrender to our enemies for Elox’s sake. Although even Elox wouldn’t ask that of you.”

The crowd before me doesn’t look convinced. If even the nobles’ resolve is shaken here in the lavish protection of thepalace, how will the soldiers and the common people be feeling as the news spreads?

Will I find myself even more outnumbered by enemies when Valerisse’s army makes it here?

“I have extended my gift in directions I never before considered,” I go on. “I’ve given myself over to the hands of the gods to discover what messages they would give me. I’ve bowed and bled to find the best way through this conflict. You know me—you know I’ve served you as well as I’m able to. Tribune Valerisse wants the rest of Dariu to serveher. That selfishness doesn’t befit a ruler. The gods will not remain on her side.”

A scoffing sound carries from a figure hidden in the crowd. “But maybe you’re too occupied with entangling yourself with your guards to care how the rest of us fare.”

One of those guards strides forward with a fierce expression, but I hold out my arm to stop him from leaving the dais.

Despite the thudding of my heart, my voice remains steady with the words I’ve thought through so many times in the short while before this announcement. “Many of you have heard that news too—that I’ve taken some comfort in the arms of one of the soldiers who’s watched over me. A soldier who’s fought more than once with incredible courage and honor to save my and Coraya’s lives. Whatever his station, he’s earned immense respect.”

“And more,” someone else says in a mocking tone.

“Just months after Marclinus was laid to rest…” another mutters.

I manage to stop my teeth from setting on edge. Yes, let’s talk about Marclinus.

I let my head droop in a show of mourning. “No one misses my husband as I do.” That is, with all the relief and lingering trauma from the horrors he inflicted of me. “Buteven when he was alive, there was no expectation of restricting our attentions. I’m sure everyone in this room saw that he bestowed his freely on many other parties, as was his right. I hope you won’t shame me for sharing mine on some small scale after the loss of him.”

The words came out calmly enough, but several mouths snap shut around the room. Eyes lower and lips twist as people must remember all the indiscretions they witnessed their emperor carrying out during our marriage, often right in front of me.

They can hardly hold him up as a model to be emulated and honored, and then chide me for following in his footsteps to a much-moderated degree.

In the sudden awkward silence, a voice I didn’t expect to hear pipes up.

“What’s so wrong about the empress being interested in a soldier?” Neven pushes forward so he’s standing in front of the dais, his brown eyes flashing as if daring anyone to argue. “Those men and women put their lives on the line to protect all of you and the empire, don’t they? I don’t see how that makes them somehowlessthan us. I—I’d be proud to have any member of the imperial military as a partner.”

A trace of a blush creeps up his neck. For all the tension in me, I have to suppress a smile.

Somehow I suspect there’s one particular military figure he’s picturing at his side.

I pick up the thread he handed me. “Indeed. How lucky we are to have such fine fighting men and women working for us. They’re the ones who’ll see us through the conflict ahead. I hope you’ll continue to offer them all due respect. And if any of you have the means and inclination to contribute more to the protection of the imperial line, please approach me or any of my advisors. Now let us retire to the hall of entertainments.”

I sweep off the stage as if I’m nothing but confident in my declaration. My pulse is still skittering at a sickly pace, but I don’t let my stride falter.

Bianca falls in next to me in the hallway. After our talk the other day, she’s resumed her usual friendliness with no more anxious hesitation.

Her lips curve in a sly smile. “So you do have it in you after all. He’s a little odd to look at, but he obviously can’t be faulted for integrity.”

If only she knew. But her approving words bring my gaze sliding to my friend with more consideration than before.

She teased me once about my possible interest in Lorenzo, without showing any sign of disapproval even though my husbandwasstill entirely alive at that time. Does she really enjoy seeing me pursue my own freedoms and pleasures?

It’s been more than a year since she last looked at me as a rival. She’s risked her own life to protect me, as dedicated as any of those soldiers. She nearly gave up the benefits of our friendship when she feared the association might harm me.

Maybe I shouldn’t even need to ask that question.

Looking at her smooth brown face, the tangle inside me loosens.

Marc and I have our strange, twisted relationship that often feels as much like obsession as love on his part. My princes wanted to tear down the empire before I ever came here. Bianca is a part of Dariu and the imperial court. She profits from the empire’s continued power more than just about anyone.

If I want confirmation of whether my plans are leading us toward a better future or total disaster, who better to ask?

The vicerine knits her brow. “Is something wrong? I mean, more than the obvious.”

“I’m not sure. Could we talk for a moment, just the twoof us, before we join the rest of court for tonight’s entertainments?”

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