Page 127 of A Reign of Embers

I set my hand against my godlen mark. “I wish to make a statement in Ardone’s honor in the main city square as soon as possible. The palace staff can pass word through the city—can you ensure as many clerics and devouts of Ardone as canleave off their duties will gather there to witness and support it?”

Curiosity flickers in the cleric’s pale eyes. “Certainly. Do you think you’d be ready by the twelfth bell?”

I nod again. “Yes, that will do nicely.”

It’ll give me a few hours to pull the arrangements together—but not so much time I might lose my nerve.

As I ascend the stone steps at one end of the vast city square where I presented myself before at two emperors’ funerals, Marc dares to lean close to me with a murmur. “Are you sure about this?”

Knowing all he does, he must be able to guess what I’m planning. His tone sounds only concerned, not upset.

I can’t blame him for being worried about the consequences when I am too. But the godlen reward boldness on their behalf.

Perhaps I’ve held back for too long already.

I shoot him a quick smile. “It’s time.”

If not now, I may not ever get another chance. And making my love real before as much of the world as can witness it suddenly feels more important than I can say.

If Valerisse cutsmedown, let it at least be with my people knowing who I was.

The court nobles who joined us scatter the steps around me. I signaled Lorenzo before we left, and he sidles over with Bastien and Raul nearby. A matching concern to Marc’s is etched in his rich brown face, but when our eyes meet, I catch a giddy glimmer there too.

Two clerics in pink robes—including Pomia, who married me to Marclinus—and several devouts from their temples stand poised along the lower steps. Beyond the lineof guards at the base, a swarm of at least a couple thousand citizens watches. A babble that’s a mix of excitement and apprehension warbles through the air.

Banners of pink silk hastily grabbed from the palace storerooms sway in the warm breeze around the steps. A sweet floral scent wafts from the rose bushes set along the edges of our stage and farther out amid the crowd.

Palace staff are handing out drinks of the rose-laced juice usually brought out for Ardonalia, the official festival of the godlen of love, and the palace musicians wait off to the side ready to take up their instruments.

Whatever my people make of my announcement, I want to treat it as a celebration, not a confession.

I raise my hand, and the crowd falls silent. With deliberate emphasis, I tap my fingers to forehead, heart, and gut before squeezing my hand against the godlen mark on my sternum.

Ardone, if you’re watching over me now, may you let all the families this declaration concerns see what comes to pass, by whatever method suits you. Let my love be known far and wide.

I get no sense of whether the godlen agrees, but I didn’t expect to. The calm I’ve cultivated inside me holds me steady.

“Devoted people of Dariu,” I call out. “We’ve faced much to fear in recent months, and our greatest challenge is soon ahead of us. There’s been increasing talk of war and combat. But before I face that challenge head on, I wanted us all to remember what matters most: love and compassion.”

I motion to the clerics and devouts. “Those who’ve dedicated their lives to our treasured godlen of love are here to sanctify the words I say to you today. I’ve spent time in fear myself, uncertain of whether I should be open about what’s in my heart. No more. What’s most important is you knowing how much I care and how much that caring can be a strength.”

Another devout moves into view near the bottom of the steps—one dressed in the simple white tunic and trousers of those dedicated to Elox. I think I recognize him as one of the senior medics from the palace. No doubt some of his colleagues have come to witness my proclamation as well.

I return my hand to my chest. “I can’t express how much love I still hold for my husband.” At least, the half of him who proved worthy of my affection in the end. “But Ardone blessed me with a heart that can encompass so much more devotion, within Dariu’s borders and beyond. In recent weeks, I’ve found happiness and dedication with the guard who’s protected me from so many threats and with three of our visiting princes from the outer territories.”

As a startled muttering passes through the crowd, I beckon my three princes right over to me. I squeeze Lorenzo’s hand, then Bastien’s, then Raul’s for all those watching to see.

My mouth has gone dry, but my voice remains steady. “Prince Lorenzo of Rione, Prince Bastien of Cotea, and Prince Raul of Lavira have sworn to stand by me and Dariu through all that lies ahead for the empire, and I will stand with them as well. The fondness we share reflects how well all the countries of the empire can come together and tackle whatever problems we may face. Before Ardone, I declare that my heart belongs to them alongside my late husband. We will bring the empire to a brighter future together!”

The murmurs rise, but to my relief, Cleric Pomia steps forward with what might be a glimmer of tears shining in her eyes. She smiles so brightly the worst of my anxiety melts away.

She turns toward the crowd with a swirl of her pink robes. “I have seen the divine touch on the empress! Ardone honors this love as Her Imperial Highness honors our godlen by announcing it. How lucky are we to have a ruler with such a capacity for devotion!”

I don’t know what holy indication she saw, but her approval sets my spirits soaring.

As the uneasy sounds falter, I lift my voice higher to get to the rest of my declaration. “There are all sorts of love, are there not? I love all of you and my court as well, as every ruler should love the people they serve, wishing that you might live only the most joyful of lives. I will not drag you into violence on my behalf, unlike those who try to threaten the rightful imperial ascension.”

I point toward the distant city gates. “In two days’ time, the princes and I will join our army marching well beyond Vivencia’s walls, to meet the traitors before they can wreak any havoc here. Any of you who wish to lend your support will have my immense gratitude, but I won’t ask it of you. It’s my job to protect your lives here and those of all Darium citizens across the empire. I will fight for you fiercely, with all my heart, to defend all you love too.”

---