“Hello, Lerek.”
Startled out of his reverie, Lerek pasted a smile on his face and inclined his head at Serephina.
His father’s second wife was beautiful; dark haired with big brown eyes framed by thick lashes that made her seem innocent.She’d married his father after becoming pregnant with Adonis, Lerek’s half-brother. Offeni by birth, Serephina had arrived in Metilai with a healthy dowry from her wealthy merchant father, looking for a titled husband. She landed the emperor instead.
Lerek shifted his gaze to the small woman who clutched his new sister in her arms.
“Greetings, Serephina,” Lerek said, hoping his voice didn’t sound as exasperated as he felt. “You look wonderful.”
She smiled, a poisonous lift of her lips that never reached her eyes. No, those eyes held naked hatred instead.
“Well. For someone who’s been dead close to a year, you look well.”
Lerek inclined his head.
A moment of silence settled between them until a woman grabbed Serephina’s attention, turning her away to speak with two men behind her. Lerek took the opportunity to leave.
It took some time navigating through the crush, but he made it out of an exit to the rear of the room and away from prying eyes. A shield of City Watch provided the cover he needed and he strode down the corridor eventually taking him to the royal residences.
When he finally made it to his rooms, Xoran was standing in front of his doors, waiting. The captain turned at the sound of his footfalls, opening the doors for him.
“Did you get what we need?”
Xoran nodded as he closed the doors behind him. “Aye. I’ve already given them to Terena. At seven bells tomorrow night, they’ll go to the great hall and blend in with the guards.”
“Good,” Lerek mumbled. He yanked on the front of his coat, which fastened higher up on his neck than he was used to. The uniforms for royal events were not meant for comfort, he knew, but it was barely tolerable.
Lerek cursed under his breath, thinking of how much longer he’d have to wear it. Only a few more hours today and then the dinner tomorrow.
“What else?” He paced the room. “I need to find out what Christos has?—”
A loud banging sounded at the door. Lerek and Xoran exchanged a look as Xoran’s hand went to his sword. He strode for the door and yanked it open to see one of his men standing there with a grim expression.
“Captain,” the man said, his eyes flicking beyond Xoran to Lerek. “Highness. General Peleon and Emperor Solon need you both. Right now, in the council room.”
“What’s happened?” Lerek asked as he and Xoran immediately quit the rooms, following behind the guard as they made their way down the corridor.
All around, Lerek noticed servants and courtiers anxiously speaking or running every which way. There were no guards about.
“The Spartans are outside the city walls. Doesn’t look like many, a couple hundred maybe, but the colors of the Spartan Liodari were spotted.”
Lerek’s head snapped around and he barely missed slamming into the balustrade when they rounded the corner to the staircase leading to the council room.
“Liodari? Are you certain?”
“Aye,” the guard said. “Spotted them about ten minutes ago. The general has ordered more men on the walls near the gates but they haven’t moved, nor have they sent anyone forward to speak.”
Lerek exchanged a worried look with Xoran.
Was it Daris? Lerek had the crazy thought that the commander had found out Terena was there and had come for her.
Had Terena told him she was here? Was this a ruse to let her inside so they could ransack the city?
No. Lerek shook his head. He would not believe it of her.
“Have they sent anyone to speak with them?”
“I don’t know, Your Highness,” the man mumbled as they strode down the hall to the room. The hall was filled with Imperial Guard. There were more men from the Watch as well, all heavily armored.
