“Indeed,” Christos was saying, his eyes drifting over the man to assess the room at large. “We are fortunate he has returnedunharmed, although, I am worried about his continued affection for the traitor, Terena Luca.”
Terena stilled. Cocking her head, she edged closer.
“I hear you do not believe she is a god, despite her actions at the execution you’d planned for her.”
The man who’d spoken had a thick accent she could not place. He had numerous charms pinned to the front of his charcoal jacket. A tall woman with dark red hair piled up and clipped with a beautiful jeweled butterfly pin stood beside him with her hand tucked into the crook of his arm.
“The failed execution and the events surrounding it were greatly exaggerated where the traitor’s actions are concerned,” Christos responded. “Pure fantasy on the part of the citizens.”
“And yet,” the man with the numerous pins said, emphasizing his point with a finger raised, “I heard from some of your own Guard she used magic or god-like powers to escape.”
Christos’s lips pulled back in disgust. “Our Guard are too embarrassed to admit they were the ones that allowed her to escape. She had help. That’s how she got away.”
“Let us not bore Master Guerrine,” Lerek said as he moved up to stand next to the foreign man. He glanced over his shoulder and Terena met his gaze. He gave her a slight nod. Turning back to High Cleric Christos, he held out his wine goblet. “If you’ll excuse us, High Cleric, I must introduce the Master and his charming wife to Ambassador Bonum.”
Terena moved back, melting into the crowd and made her way to where she’d left Cassandra and Migela. Cassandra was looking at her with a manic expression. Before she could walk over, drums began thumping.
Fanfare sounded, the sharp notes from the horns pulling everyone’s attention and quieting the room. The Royal Bard swept into the center of the ballroom, his gleaming white silk suit threaded with gold and red. Tassels atop his shouldersshook as he waved to the crowd. Turning toward the dais, he bent low in a deep bow.
All eyes turned in unison and Terena swiveled to see Solon step onto the dais with High Cleric Christos at his side.
Her pulse raced as she watched the man who’d ordered her execution smiling benignly as everyone clapped. Bile rose in Terena’s throat and she almost screamed with the force of her fury.
As the applause faded, Solon put his hand to his chest.
“Thank you all for joining me this evening. I... did not expect the event I’d originally invited you all to Metilai for would double as a joyous celebration for the return of my son, Crown Prince Lerek. It is a blessing from Gaia, and I am equally blessed to share it with you all.”
Terena’s brow furrowed at his words. According to Lerek and Xoran, that is exactly what this event had been for: Lerek’s return. But as the crowd exploded into applause, Terena stared hard at the guests assembled at the tables on the dais. Some of them had come from countries far across the Black Sea to be here.
Fuming as realization dawned, Terena vowed to question Lerek at the first opportunity. He had better have an explanation about how these guests had gotten here this fast if Solon had only found out about Lerek mere weeks ago.
And why the hells Duke Aurora was here, too.
“Almost a year ago,” Solon droned on, “someone I trusted and respected betrayed me in the most heinous way possible. But the old gods are benevolent and have returned my firstborn, Lerek, to my side. And while I mourn the loss of my second son, Isher, I am forever grateful to have Lerek restored to me and this empire. This is a celebration,” Solon said with a grin as he looked around the room. “This is a celebration not only for hisreturn, but to restore him to his birthright as heir to the Empire of Heylisia.”
Terena looked around until she spotted Lerek, who waved a negligent hand at the raucous applause. When it died down, Lerek slipped away. Sighing in relief, Terena turned back as High Cleric Christos stepped up to Solon’s side.
“But we are here tonight for another celebration. To honor the new allegiances formed this week, with friends near and far, to strengthen our empires, countries, and kingdoms, from enemies of mankind.
“We are on the cusp of a shift in our world. A dangerous shift that has prompted me to reach out to my peers near and far to join me in building a strong foundation to fight against the tyranny of the Olympian gods.”
Gasps and the hum of murmured conversations sounded all around as Terena’s blood heated.
The emperor held up a hand to quiet the room as he continued. “I want to assure all of you, as I’ve assured my new friends here.” The emperor turned to acknowledge the men seated on the dais. Turning back to the crowd, he smiled. “The old gods have not forsaken us. We do not need to fear the return of the Olympian gods, if they’re any left alive. Because the Titans provided us a weapon.”
More gasps and excited chatter broke out. Terena took a step forward, stopping herself only when a Guard nearby turned toward her with a scowl.
“High Cleric Christos and his priests have been working tirelessly, translating the old texts, consulting seers blessed by the Titans, and have found a weapon to destroy the Olympians if they dare return to Elysium. They will know we will not be subjugated to their will! They will know, once and for all,we will not! Bow! Down!”
The crowd roared, everyone up from their seats as the ballroom shook with their cheering. It lasted a full minute before Solon could calm them enough to speak over their noise.
“No celebration would be complete without some extraordinary entertainment,” the emperor said with an affected chuckle as he clapped Christos on the back. The cleric’s top lip curled with disdain, but the look was gone before Terena could process what it could mean.
“It is no secret the traitors who perpetrated one of the worst crimes in our empire’s history escaped our justice. But tonight, I am pleased to share we have caught one of the traitors and have brought him to face our justice right here, right now!”
Terena’s heart stopped. Frantic, she searched the room for Lerek or Xoran. Migela and Cassandra were nowhere to be found either. Her blood boiled as she turned her attention back to Solon as he smiled and stepped aside. A commotion behind the dais drew his attention. Terena made her way slowly to the center of the ballroom.
If this maggot thought he could use her brother for entertainment, he was in for a long overdue lesson.
