Page 129 of A Reign of Embers

I’d almost believe it really is my godlen signaling his approval… except it doesn’t hold the same unearthly warmth I’ve felt from Elox’s touch before.

My gaze twitches sideways. Lorenzo meets my eyes, his face set with concentration.

He’s conjuring this illusion for me, to “prove” I’m worthy before the crowd by whatever means necessary.

We really are facing all our challenges together, aren’t we?

I tamp down a pained laugh. The crowd is gasping in awe. Even the medic has stopped struggling, his eyes wide with his startled stare.

Let’s end this.

I extend my arms toward our audience. “Please, revel in the peace we have and all those you love!”

A renewed wave of cheers breaks out.

The soldiers escort the medic away, presumably to lock him up in the palace cells alongside the junior staff he roped into his plot, and my personal guards close in around me.

Marc’s voice comes out tight. “We should get you back to the palace.”

For once, I don’t mind him giving the orders.

My three princes accompany me in the imperial carriage for the short drive. Even though my gut is still tangled about our last moments in the square, I reach toward the opposite bench to squeeze Lorenzo’s hand. “Thank you.”

He smiles crookedly and makes a sign that amounts to,I’m here for you.

Raul huffs. “Is there no depth Sabrelle won’t stoop to? Can’t she admit when she’s wrong? What fucking good is might if you throw it around like a club, battering everyone in sight?”

Bastien’s face is drawn. “She’s been the primary godlen of the most powerful country in the continent for centuries. I suppose even the divinities aren’t exempt from ego.”

“She’d better get over it soon.”

Or we’ll do what? It isn’t as if we can literally go face to face with her, only the hordes of supporters she keeps flinging at me.

Bastien turns to me. Some of the tension fades from his expression with the brightening of his dark green eyes. “You really told them. You—they all know now.”

Yes. The enormity of the announcement I made before the medic’s interruption washes over me again in a giddy wave. “I’m sorry I didn’t warn you what I intended. I didn’t want any of you trying to argue me out of doing it.”

Where he’s sitting next to me, Raul hooks his armaround mine. “You were amazing. Not that I think we should start getting you off in front of the entire court, but… it’ll be pretty incredible not having to pretend I see you as nothing but my empress.”

His remark brings a mix of joy and nervousness squirming through my chest. The common people accepted my confession well enough, but they see me as a figure nearly as high above them as the gods. The court only just swallowed the idea that I’ve dallied with a guard.

Well, at least the princes are about as close to my station as anyone can get. And my earlier point about Marclinus’s many indiscretions will hopefully stick in their minds enough to stop them from muttering too openly about the number of partners I’ve accumulated.

I smile at all of my lovers, shoving my nerves down to wriggle in my gut. “I wish I could have brought our love out into the light sooner.”

Lorenzo brings my hand to his lips.“I’d have stood beside you in secret my whole life if that’s how it needed to be, Rell.”

That’s all the conversation we have time for before the carriage jerks to a halt by the main palace entrance. As I step out before the looming marble structure, the worries I tried to suppress come crawling up again.

“I should go to the temple,” I say. “Give myself over to a more intensive meditation with my godlen. I don’t want Elox to think I value the illusion of his support over the genuine article.”

Please, let him not be offended by Lorenzo’s hasty deception. He wouldn’t have wanted one of his disciples to wrench me off course, would he?

Perhaps I haven’t given him enough consideration these past several weeks while I’ve courted the favor of his fellow godlen.

None of my husbands, not even Marc, protests that wehave more important matters to see to. Perhaps they recognize the importance of this task to my confidence.

“Do you want company?” Bastien asks.

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