Page 46 of Daughter of the Drowned Empire
“You’re playing a dangerous game,” the Imperator sneered.
“Life is a dangerous game.” Aemon looked me up and down, his expression studious, before his eyes softened, and he nodded. “We can come to an arrangement, I believe. One that would satisfy the law and not tear an innocent girl away from her home and country.”
The Imperator folded his arms across his chest, his muscles rippling. He leaned his weight back onto his heels, his expression full of derision.
“Lady Lyriana, your grace, you must understand what you are agreeing to first,” Aemon said, offering a quiet nod to my father.
The Imperator’s eyebrows narrowed into slits. “She will always be at a disadvantage.”
“Everyone has one disadvantage or another,” Aemon said pointedly. “Hers is only more visible to the naked eye. Lady Lyriana, please know that if you say yes, there will be no exceptions, none at all. This should satisfy not only the law, but also our Imperator. If you are willing to do anything to stay, even going so far as to become a soturion, then that is a strength I am willing to bet on. I am willing to make you an offer.”
I nodded, pressing my hands together to keep them from shaking.
“A girl without power will become a soldier? A girl without an ounce of strength when we are at war with the akadim? When the demons move closer to our borders in greater numbers every year,” the Imperator said. “Do you think she’ll be able to kill one? To defend herself? Do you hear how this sounds? We can’t afford such weakness in this fight.”
“No,” I said. “You’re right. I’m not a warrior. But I have two arms, two legs. Just like you.” I turned my gaze to Aemon. “My feet can run, my muscles will build stamina. My hands can learn to hold a sword, and my arms will strengthen to withstand its weight. Give me time. My strength will grow.”
Aemon narrowed his eyes. “Stepping into the halls of the Soturion Academy will immediately place your life in danger,” he said gently.
I nodded, taking in his words. I’d be the weakest in a group of magically powered warriors. As an Heir facing the political unrest in Bamaria, I’d be an instant target, especially from the soturi sworn to Ka Kormac—the Imperator would make sure of it. But…it was better than the alternative. I had to stay for my family, my sisters, Tristan. And for myself. To reclaim my title, reclaim my destiny.
“Leaving the borders of the Empire is the equivalent of death for me.”
“Arkturion Aemon,” the Imperator said, “no exceptions can be made. I will not have her lowering Academy standards or causing my soturi to fall behind. Are you sure it’s not…a kindness to send her away now?”
“Kindness to whom?” Aemon asked.
“She will suffer in the Academy,” the Imperator said. “And who will train her? What poor apprentice will you sentence to her? I tell you now, I will not have my men linked to her—lowering their ability to call on kashonim. And let’s not forget she won’t have access to that either.”
“Kashonim is blood magic,” Arianna said, breaking her long silence. “It’s been used for centuries by soturi who have no study in spells. Like blood oaths and sensing auras. She’ll be able to use it just fine if needed once bound to her apprentice.”
My heart pounded. I hadn’t considered my apprentice. Whoever was assigned to me was going to be resentful…and was probably going to make my life miserable. Unless I found a solution.
“It’s decided,” my father said cautiously. “The right apprentice can be found.” He looked again to Aemon, who gave a small nod. “We have satisfied the Emperor’s law, and we have satisfied decency.” He turned a steely gaze on the Imperator. “Agreed?”
The Imperator pressed his fingers beneath his chin. “Never let it be said I’m not merciful in my rulings. Her grace may remain and attend the Soturion Academy as a novice.”
I swallowed hard. The Imperator wasn’t merciful. If he was agreeing to this…he had some other motive.
“But I do believe the Emperor will want to know about this little arrangement. He’ll also want final say on whether this experiment is successful before long. We shall have a test, one the Emperor shall determine. Pass the Emperor’s test, and we will know if we’ve made wise council. Fail, your grace, and you’ll go immediately into exile as the law demands.”
A test from the Emperor—the Imperator’s uncle. The monster who’d ordered the execution of every last member of Ka Azria…even their children, because they’d hidden a family member with vorakh. Was it possible to pass a test set by such a man?
“Well,” the Imperator said impatiently, “do you accept these terms?”
“When?” I asked. “How long will I have to prepare?”
“I think the spring equinox should suffice. The Emperor does enjoy Bamaria in the spring. That gives you seven months.”
Seven months. “And the nature of this test?”
“Will be at the Emperor’s discretion and pleasure.”
I sucked in a breath.
Seven months. Seven months to train amongst the soturi, to master wielding weapons, to learn how to run and fight, to grow strong. I’d seen the soturi in action, knew what they could do. And I knew what I was physically capable of. I wasn’t even close to their ability. Plus, it was entirely possible the Imperator was only playing with me, like a wolf who’d decided to torture and taunt his prey before going in for the kill. But trick or not, it bought me time.
My heart pounded as I stepped forward. My stomach twisted, but I forced the words out of my mouth, my voice loud and clear. “I accept.”
