Page 31 of A Reign of Embers

I’m twenty-seven years out of practice. Maybe it’s too late for me to find a new way.

But I’ll be damned if I don’t prove myself just as much a fighter as she is. And this time, I’ll fight for the things that matter most.

Chapter Twelve

Aurelia

When the light from the overhead lanterns glances off my sword, an image flashes through my head: scarlet staining the steel, a dying gurgle.

A tremor runs through my pulse. I gather myself and manage to block Captain Evando’s next strike, but a kernel of horror stays lodged in my stomach.

How much time will it take before the memories of my first violent kill fade? Or will they always linger, no matter how much time has passed, no matter how sure I am that I made the best choice I could?

I can’t dwell on those uncertainties—not when I have so much more to accomplish.

I aim a smile toward the several noblewomen who showed up to train this afternoon.Bianca and the companions she gathered are moving through a few simple sparring moves the soldiers have shown them.

Please, don’t let them regret throwing their lot in with me even this much.

From what I’ve seen, the palace military force hasn’t resented the intrusion. Evando even suggested to his underlings that teaching skills to others can reinforce their own. But I’m keeping a close eye on the volunteer tutors all the same.

I need all of the palace’s inhabitants, noble and staff, to be a united front behind me. If I don’t have their support in whatever appeals I need to make to the other seven godlen, I won’t get far.

And then I might be responsible for bringing down outright war on us all.

I don’t want Sabrelle to assume I’m completely dismissing her, though. Improving my combat skill both increases my chances of surviving this coup and endears me to my main defenders, so I’m not giving up my practice sessions.

Evando tuts at my next block. After our multiple past sparring sessions, he’s become more confident in correcting his empress. “You’ll be better off angling your blade more on a diagonal when someone comes at you like that, Your Imperial Highness. Don’t be afraid to keep the sword fairly close to your body so you’re not straining your arm more than you need to.”

As I nod, Neven gives a cough where he’s paused in his own training to watch our mock skirmish. “Why are you sticking to just the sword work? If she’s keeping her forms tight, she could knee an attacker in the balls while she’s blocking. That’d knock him right over.”

The captain stares at the prince as if he’s suggested I dance a waltz with my enemy’s entrails. “I hardly think— The empress needs to follow proper combat decorum.”

Neven snorts. “Decorum is for performing. In a real fight, all that matters is not getting stabbed. She isn’t going to feel good about being properly sportsman—er, woman—like if she’s dead.”

Evando narrows his eyes. “I’m not saying she shouldn’t do whatever she can to defend herself if her life is on the line. But if you develop enough skill with your weapon, no one needs to resort to base tactics.”

“I hardly think anyone who decides to murder an empress is going to be worrying about sticking to morally upright fighting strategies.”

“That isn’t the point. It’s my duty?—”

I hold up my free hand before their tones can get any more heated. “I appreciate both of your commitments to ensuring I remain unmurdered. If the empress gets a say in what she’s taught, I do want to learn every possible move that could protect me. Captain, I promise I won’t bring any of them out in respectable company unless it’s absolutely necessary.”

Evando’s mouth tightens, but the dip of his head looks more abashed than annoyed. “Yes, of course, Your Imperial Highness.” At the peal of the bell that signals the end of my session, he shakes himself, his shoulders relaxing more. “Next time, we can incorporate more, ah, street tactics into your practice.”

The noblewomen head toward the door as I do. Baronissa Hivette glances at me while dabbing the sweat on her brow. “We’ll see you in the hall of entertainments, Your Imperial Highness?”

“As soon as I’m presentable,” I say. “Thank you all for your company today. The empire’s strength comes from all of us!”

As I clean up and change in my chambers, my current host of personal guards switches off. I emerge to find Kassunamong those on duty… and High Commander Axius standing in the hall where I’d have expected a fourth guard to be.

He speaks without preamble. “There’s something we need to discuss, Your Imperial Highness.”

Marc’s gaze flicks over his new colleagues from where he’s emerged behind me. “What’s happened?”

Axius frowns. I step in before he feels the need to chide Marc for his presumption. “I’m sure we’ll find that out in a moment.”

The former emperor looks as if he’s restrained a grimace, but he tamps down his impatience.

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