Page 46 of A Reign of Embers

Lorenzo lets out a ragged breath. His lips skate along the edge of my jaw and down the side of my neck.“I love you too. No matter what you decide you want, no matter who you consider letting into your heart—it should always feel like this, Aurelia. Never accept anything less than this good.”

That’s a promise I think I can make.

He presses against the sweetest spot inside me, and I can’t hold back a cry. We crash into each other again and again, mouths and hips, every collision sending me soaring higher.

I careen over the edge on a final surge of pleasure, clinging to Lorenzo as if he’s my anchor in a storm. A few thrusts later, he follows me with a shuddered exhalation.

In the aftermath, we stay entangled, our breaths falling into a matching rhythm, his warmth wrapped all around me.

I don’t know where else my heart will lead me, but what I feel for this man and his fellow princes has never been wrong. If I use that as my standard, I can’t help but find the right path, can I?

Chapter Seventeen

Raul

As Aurelia and High Commander Axius address the five soldiers lined up in front of them, I hang farther back in the meeting room. Theoretically I’m here in case any of them have questions specific to Lavira, but really I’m reaching through my awareness of the shadows into every pocket and pouch on their uniforms.

Axius and Captain Evando might have vetted these five as closely as they’re capable of, but after the recent attacks, I’m not leaving anything to chance. No hidden weapon, vial of acid, or exploding device is getting past me.

Thankfully, this bunch appears to be free of treasonous intentions. They hold themselves rigidly at attention as Axius gives their instructions.

“We can only give you two of the communication boxes. Guard them carefully, using whatever measures are availableto you to avoid any of the opposing soldiers seeing them or noticing you using them.”

All five soldiers give a jerk of a nod, impressively synchronized.

Aurelia picks up the thread in her gentler but equally firm voice. “If you have anything to report, write it down in the agreed-on code and place the note in the box. When you close the lid, it’ll be transmitted to its coordinating box here in the palace. We’ll only send messages back in case of extreme need to avoid the chance of anyone else discovering them. I want you all to stay as safe as possible amid the immense risk you’re taking.”

The soldier in the middle bobs his head again. “It’s our honor to serve you as we’re best able, Your Imperial Highness.”

A sad smile curves her lips. She hides it well, but I can pick up on how much even this mission pains her.

She could be sending these soldiers off to their deaths. There isn’t much our empress hates more than putting other people in the line of fire on her behalf.

It took a ridiculous amount of reassurance before she’d even rely onme.

“I appreciate it all the same,” she says, “and I’m sorry you’ve been put at odds with so many of your colleagues. I hope that we’ll be able to put an end to this sedition before many lives are lost.”

Axius folds his arms over his chest. “If we can disrupt their plans before they can get very far with them, we’ll have a better chance at that. Anything you can report on the enemy’s intentions and expected movements will be invaluable to the imperial family.”

Captain Evando steps in with an intensity to his bearing that looks a bit anxious to me. As the main officer in charge of the soldiers who guard the palace, he had a lot of inputwhen choosing Aurelia’s spies. I can’t imagine he likes the idea that he might let her down.

“These five men and women are among the most capable and dedicated soldiers I’ve ever met,” he says. “I’m sure they’ll succeed in this mission and help restore peace to the empire.”

Right. The kind of peace where the only people suffering are those who aren’t from Dariu.

At least none of these five is dedicated to Sabrelle. Axius made that a defining condition of who we’d send out. It’s not worth risking the godlen working her divine voodoo on our most precarious mission.

As the five soldiers salute their empress and file out of the room, I think of my mother and brother off in Lavira, watching this very different rebellion form under their noses.

Would they prefer to trade one dictator for another? Did they see enough of Aurelia’s goodness during our visit months ago to trust that they’re better off siding with her—as much as they can with Valerisse right there?

If they didn’t, it’ll have been my failing more than Aurelia’s.

Aurelia glances at me, and I offer a brief smile to say I didn’t catch any concerning signs. I can’t risk any gesture warmer than that is wise with the other men and her personal guards looking on.

My gaze slides from her to the most distinct of those figures. Marc’s attention is fixed on Aurelia with its usual intensity.

I stop my teeth from gritting only through immense force of will. I’d like to take a swing at him.

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