Page 16 of A Reign of Embers

I clear my throat and speak louder to still be heard. “You all know I’ve gone above and beyond what’s been expected of any past imperial spouse, including the few who’ve needed to act as regents. I fully completed the other three confirmation rites. I met every challenge my husband placed on me whilewe toured the rest of the empire over the past several months.”

“That’s right!” Bianca moves to the foot of the stage, pitching her voice to carry. “Our empress showed her strength and courage alongside His Imperial Majesty at every opportunity. To say she’s unfit for the job because she made one small adjustment to a rite that wasn’t even required of her is absurd. There wouldn’t have been anything wrong with her declining to participate to begin with.”

One of the marchions huffs. “Maybe she should have done that, then, instead of play-acting at it.”

“There was no play-acting,” I cut in. “The traitor did his very best to kill me. The injuries I took were real. The only difference is that what felled him was a potion lacing my blade rather than the force of the strike itself. I still had to cut him.”

As more uneasy complaints rise up, Axius strides abruptly to the front of the platform near me. He holds up his hands for attention. “People of the court—you know me. I’ve fought for Dariu for decades; I fought well enough that Emperor Tarquin named me his military advisor. I can tell you from my experience that what Empress Aurelia did in the rite requiredmoreskill and perseverance than if she’d set out to merely stab the prisoner.”

I hadn’t expected the high commander to throw in his lot with me quite so blatantly.

I blink at Axius before jerking myself back to the problem at hand. “It certainly wasn’teasy. And who is this woman who wishes to attack me? Tribune Valerisse has now proven to be a traitor herself, attempting to wrestle the empire from its legitimate leaders. What trials of rulership has she carried out? Why should we let her decide what’s right for the entire country when she doesn’t respect any of the traditions she’s threatening? Do you wantsomeone so underhanded and disloyal choosing who leads the empire?”

The tenor of the clashing voices seems to shift in my favor. My personal guards call out, “Long live Empress Aurelia!” and several guards along the fringes of the room echo the chant.

Baronissas Hivette and Damina, who’ve always set themselves a little apart from typical court politicking, join Bianca at the front of the room. I catch fragments of their praise for my accomplishments.

As the atmosphere in the room settles down, most faces are scowling at the injustice of Valerisse’s betrayal and smiling encouragement my way.

I wave for their attention. I think I’ve spoken enough for now… but the court’s opinion isn’t my biggest challenge.

“I swear I will fight for the imperial line every way I can—to the death if it’s required to protect the rightful heir. If I have offended anyone with my adjustment of that one rite, it will be Sabrelle. I’ll go now to the palace temple to meditate with her and see what our godlen would ask of me.”

The crowd of nobles murmurs in approval. My guards stiffen their postures as they prepare to escort me out of the room. I beckon to Cleric Pierus as well.

In this matter, I could use all the religious guidance I can get.

Near the ballroom doorway, I hand Coraya over to a nursemaid, who’s surrounded by her own host of guards for my daughter’s protection. The ache around my heart tears at the separation. How do so many of the noble parents stand sending their children off with the staff for the better part of every day?

None of them have to fear for their children’s lives the way I do.

I swallow thickly and force myself to continue into thehall. Whatever message Sabrelle might grant me, I’d rather not subject my infant daughter to her scrutiny.

If I want to keep looking after Coraya in any way at all,Ihave to be alive and in power to do it.

Cleric Pierus has fallen into step beside me. Once we’ve left the audience room well behind, I glance over at him, pitching my voice low. “As much as I’d like to believe I can find common ground with Sabrelle in one prayer session, it seems I’ve offended her greatly. Have any past rulers run into opposition from the gods? Any way I can better align myself with their divine will, I’ll attempt it.”

Pierus frowns, but an energized air comes over his stout body. “I can’t think of any examples offhand, but I could certainly delve into the temple records and other accounts. Would you want to consider even examples that don’t involve imperial figures?”

I smile at him. “Any information you think would be relevant, I’m most grateful for. I’m glad I have an expert so close at hand to turn to.”

He bobs his head with an eager smile of his own at the praise. “I’ll begin the research at once.”

When we reach the temple, Pierus hustles off, I assume toward the records room. All of my guards except for Marc stop at the doorway.

With the extra familiarity he’s been allowed through his position as my rescuer, the former emperor strides several paces farther into the domed room and stands in the middle beneath the bands of multi-colored light that streak through the stained-glass panels.

I turn toward the golden statue of Elox first. With a tap of my fingers to my forehead, heart, and gut and then a clench of my hand over my sternum, I acknowledge the godlen whose brand I bear on my skin.Let me find some understanding with your fellow deity.

Then I walk to the gleaming statue of Sabrelle poised in her own alcove almost directly across from the godlen of peace.

It’s hard not to feel intimidated by this version of her, even if it’s wrought in mortal materials. She’s clothed in armor from helmed head to booted feet. Her heel pins a stag’s carcass.

Her hard stare seems to follow me as I approach.

I kneel down on the scarlet pillow before her and repeat the gesture of the divinities. Inhaling slowly to center myself, I tip my face toward her and close my eyes.

Sabrelle, I swear that any insults you’ve perceived in my conduct were not intended. I have nothing but respect for the power you command and the might you inspire in your dedicats. I may disagree with some of those dedicats’ actions, but I’m not out to completely destroy their legacy. I simply want to amplify the good that exists in the empire while discarding that which diminishes the people’s lives. Please, what would you have me do?

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