Page 37 of Embrace the Serpent

“I’m not bathing in front of you.”

“Lady Incarnadine’s orders,” she said. When I hesitated, she smirked. “I assure you, you can have nothing under your clothes that I have not seen.”

I crossed my arms.

Footsteps approached, the delicateclink-clinkof metal soles on tile grew louder and louder.

Through the steam, a figure appeared. Tall, striking, garbed in white. Lady Incarnadine looked me over from head to foot. “You intrigue me.”

“My lady?”

Lady Incarnadine circled me. “I would like to keep Master Galen happy, now that he has revealed to us the genius that he kept so well hidden. He may be the making of this Empire.” She drew a golden claw-tipped finger along my jaw. “Does the Serpent King want you because you know something of Master Galen’s work?”

I needed to lie and lie well. “I—I’m an assistant. I ready his materials, I sweep and dust.... If I could do what he does, wouldn’t he have made me an apprentice?”

She let me go. “I have prepared several of the Emperor’s wards for the role you have stolen from them. My dear Mirandel is a beauty and master of all the seductive arts. Capable of leading an army, of negotiating treaties, of running kingdoms. So why is the Serpent King so interested in you?”

“He, uh, loves me?” It sounded unconvincing even to my ears. “At least, he thinks he does.”

“And you?”

My mouth was dry. “Me? Yes, of course.”

A cynical smile came across her lips. “No. No love on your end, is there? You think you have secured yourself a grand marriage. A king and a life of luxury. Oh, don’t look so shocked. Countless men and women have done the same, and they will go on doing so until the end of time.”

There was a darkness in her, and I didn’t know what to say to make sure she didn’t turn on me. “Well?” she said. “Go on. Bathe. Mirandel will help prepare you. One must be beautiful on their wedding day.”

This time, I didn’t protest. If I went along with it, maybe it’d be over faster. The two attendants helped me out of my dress, and I dove into the bath.

From behind me came aclink-clinkand the scent of resinous smoke as Incarnadine came closer. She came to the tub’s edge, and her gaze went to my brand. “So you spoke the truth. What is that on your finger?”

My mother’s ring.

She pulled it from my finger. “I see. I remember your mother.An insignificant woman belonging to an insignificant holding. The duchess Nepheline, wasn’t it?”

I flinched, and that made Incarnadine smile.

“You will help me, won’t you?” She paused. “What is your name?”

I hesitated.

“Saphira,” Mirandel offered.

“Saphira. You will help me, and it will cost you nothing. I must find the way into the Serpent King’s lands. His is the last kingdom I have to conquer. The seventh kingdom. Then the Empire will be complete, and I...” Her gaze had gone hard and distant.

“Why would I help you?” I didn’t mean to ask it, but the way she was carelessly twirling my mother’s ring made me spit out the words.

“Oh, there are so many reasons. Your life is already forfeit, for being a runaway ward, and it is only my mercy that keeps you from the executioner. Or I could stop this marriage. I can give you back to Galen. You wouldn’t like that, would you?” Incarnadine’s lips twisted. “Your mother was brave but not clever. You must now learn to be clever, for the Serpent King is crueler than I am.”

With her gold-tipped fingers, she uncorked a pink glass bottle and poured its contents into my bath.

“What do you want me to do?” I asked.

“I will let you go. My people will follow you. The Serpent King already assumes this, I am sure. I will leave you with a bag of stones. Leave a trail for my people. And when you enter into his kingdom, take note of how it is done. For that information... well, you need only name your price.”

Mirandel started. “My lady—you need not offer payment. Sheshould be honored to do that for you—”

Lady Incarnadine was charmed; she cupped Mirandel’s cheek. “If only the Serpent King had chosen you. But we must make do. Saphira, will you do what I ask?”

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