Page 130 of Daughter of the Drowned Empire
I nodded. “What are you doing here? You didn’t come to see me—I’m usually in training now.”
“I was hoping to catch you after. I came to inspect your apartment door and lock. I heard there were two recent break-ins. I’m going to ensure that never, ever happens to you again. Come on,” she said. “Come upstairs with me. Catch me up on your life, and I’ll inspect your apartment for any breaches in security. The new wards should be at full strength by now”
It was comforting to have Arianna there and just what I’d needed. I’d barely seen her in weeks.
After she left, I cleaned myself up and sent word to Tristan to come over later that night when it was dark. I wanted him to see as little of my injuries as possible. I’d be able to excuse them now without problem, but the more he looked at how hurt I was, the more he would look. And I couldn’t have him doing that.
But first I flew to Cresthaven, checking on Meera and Morgana, both still exhausted and knocked out from Meera’s last vision. There was little I could do except sit and talk with them until they both felt like calling it a night and climbing into bed.
Hours later, Tristan joined me in mine.
The following morning, I was ready. Rhyan had told me to think about the idea of agreeing to extra training with him, giving up my mornings, sacrificing my weekends, and finally, finally learning to tap into the depths of my own inner strength and power to use it…and I was going to say yes.
My heart pounded. I couldn’t wait to tell him. Even though I was still sore, still hurt, and my back still felt like it was on fire when I put pressure on it or when it touched a wall, I wanted to get to the Katurium as soon as possible.
Tristan helped me lace up my sandals, playfully kissing the backs of my knees as he knotted the leather straps into place.
“Let’s run,” I said. “To the Katurium.”
“All right, now who are you, and what have you done with my Lyriana?”
“I’m still your Lyriana.” My heart pounded as I spoke, thrumming with the guilt of having lied.
He stood, pressing a kiss to the side of my neck and shoulder and squeezing my waist from behind, gently to keep his chest away from my back. “My Lyriana hates running, and she’s injured.”
“Afraid you can’t keep up?” I asked. I grabbed a gold coin from my dresser, squeezed it into the palm of my hand, and taunted him at the door. He took the bait, following me down the stairs and out the front door where Bellamy waited for us. We weren’t running, just walking, but I still felt an extra skip in my step over my decision.
As we passed Bellamy, I slipped him the coin. He nodded—my involvement with the death of the vendor was still between us and only us. Exactly as I wanted.
I kissed Tristan outside and wound my way through the halls straight to the arena. Tristan had had breakfast delivered, so I skipped the dining hall.
Immediately, I felt a change in energy in the stadium surrounding me. It signified an unwelcome presence that had been growing and growing.
“More wolves, indeed,” drawled Mercurial, sidling up to me.
I froze. “What are you…? I mean, it’s good to see you, Mercurial, First Messenger.”
He dipped his chin in a bow. “More wolves,” he said again, gesturing to the stadium seating. Indeed, the seats were full of soturi in silver, wolf-pelted armor. I thought they were meant to be occupying the city, not sitting here to watch training.
Gods. To watchme. But would the Imperator really…? Yes. Yes, he would. He would do whatever it took to unhinge me, to hurt me, to remove my father and our Ka from our Seat of Power.
“Silver wolves watch you,” Mercurial said. “And black seraphim, too.”
The question was on the tip of my tongue—he could sense it, could probably taste it. He’d said as much the other morning—he could smell it. His eyes lit up with an excitement so intense, it almost scared me.
“And blue Afeya,” I said.
Mercurial grinned. “Your grace, what if I told you that you were the most powerful Lumerian in all of history?”
“So now I have advanced from strongest soturion to most powerful Lumerian overall.” I shook my head. “I’m not interested. You’re mistaken if you believe I’d make a deal with you over that. I don’t desire that level of power.” Just enough to protect my Ka, my country…and Rhyan.
Mercurial’s eyes narrowed. “Now you’ve tried my patience by again refusing to hear what I am saying. I did not ask if this was something you wanted. I said what if you were? As deeply as I desire to have my Valalumir penetrate your heart…,” he held his hand before him, palm up, and the star he had teased me with in the temple reappeared, shining, shimmering, and transforming into every color as he rolled it around his hand, “I am an Afeya with morals. I do not make deals to give people what they already are. I know you don’t see it yet, but you will. And the day you realize it, the day you claim it, I will come to claim a favor that only you in all your power can grant.”
I shook my head. “That day will never come. Me holding that much power or,” my heart pounded, “me helping you.”
“Both are inevitable,” he said in a whisper. “Both will come to pass. Just you wait. They told you you were powerless. But they were wrong for even they cannot see.”
I glared.
