I glared at my grandmother. The old woman was ruthless. Calculated. I’d always known this, but for her to be sitting there, discussing the merits of Lyriana’s virginity, as if it were a gift for that swinish ass of the Imperator’s son? For Viktor Kormac? She knew how I felt about Lyr—knew how Istillfelt despite my engagement to her cousin. This was … there were no words for it. It was simply disgusting.
The Imperator’s lips remained upturned in a smile I did not like. Since Valyati … since we’d lost Haleika, there was nothing about this man that Ididlike. Just being in the same room with him had me on edge.
What I’d seen in the arena that night, the night Haleika died, would haunt me forever. The image of Lyriana forced to kill her, and the forsworn bastard forced to help—I’d had to banish it from my thoughts. Keep my mind clear of the memories.
I knew what I’d seen. But I also knew who was to blame. Knew who arranged the spectacle.
Him.Not Lyriana. Not her father. Imperator Kormac and his Godsdamned uncle, Emperor Theotis.
“Forgive me, Lady Romula, for speaking of such vulgarities before you, but they are a part of politics as much as they are life. You understand my concerns. I would see your country brought back to greatness, and to stability. Not just for your sake, and the friendship I bear Ka Grey, but because what happens in Bamaria echoes across the Empire.”
“Then we are united, as we wish the same,” my grandmother said, lifting her glass again in yet another toast. “Now that Lady Arianna is Arkasva and High Lady, we shall have that.”
“Yes,” the Imperator agreed. “Lady Arianna’s consecration is of great comfort. But I am not yet assured, which iswhy I’m here.” He shifted in his seat, his eyes darkening, and predatory, a wolfish curl to his lips. “After allowing a false Arkasva to govern for nearly two decades, and watching that rule end with a messy and public assassination, Bamaria remains fragile. And now, the late Arkasva’s three daughters are missing? Including my own future daughter-in-law.” His aura flared. “You’ll have more than the Emartis revolting if things do not become secure soon.”
Since Meera and Morgana had been taken by akadim, I’d been worried sick, my mind running in constant loops about their well-being. Lyr was gone too, allegedly searching for them. Gods. It had been weeks since they all vanished, including the forsworn. But for once, just once, as much as it hurt, I prayed the rumors were true. I prayed that Hart was with her, that she was safe. I prayed they all were.
I’d been summoned to Cresthaven following the akadim attack, and it had been immediately apparent that not nearly enough was being done to rescue them. The forces sent out had been too few, and had moved without urgency. Lyr had been locked in the Shadow Stronghold by Imperator Kormac, supposedly for her own safety. But mere hours later, she’d escaped. Something that was supposed to be impossible.
And then, of course, the forsworn bastard had been reported missing from his post.
Speculations had run high ever since.
It waspossibleshe’d escaped; possible she’d bribed her way out. I’d almost had her freed with a bribe once before. But … There was no answer to what had truly happened. No realistic possibility I was comfortable entertaining.
“I can assure you, Your Highness,” my grandmother said, “I intend to maintain our special friendship. And, when my grandson weds the Heir Apparent, and your son finds his bride, we shall have more than friendship between us. We shall be family.”
“In the loosest of terms, yes.” The Imperator nodded, his eyes sparkling with an amusement that contrasted his frown. “I have always valued our friendship. And Lord Tristan has had an integral role in securing our shared interests here. We remain grateful for every vorakh he’s brought to justice.” His gaze flicked to me. “I hope you will continue to do so.”
“Of course, I will.” I always did. I tossed what remained of my wine down my throat, and slammed my glass on the table. “I would imagine you’re just asoccupiedwith stability in Korteria, as you are here, now that your Arkturion’s eldest son has passed.”
It had been a week since word spread of Brockton Kormac’s murder, and yet his uncle was still here. Not showing any signs of grief, not even a hint of fucking sadness. If he had a heart, he’d have been long gone by now, back to Korteria. Then I could be left to grieve my own losses. To grieve Haleika.
“Bar Ka Mokan,” I added solemnly, lest I be accused of being antagonistic. I waited for His Highness to say the traditional words in response for Brockton, to say “his soul freed.’’ To quell the unrest that I’d so clearly stirred amongst his soldiers.
He merely lifted his drained glass, the gesture so full of demand that a servant came running to his side with a fresh bottle of red. Another servant floated an unopened bottle of white to his seat, the wine almost smashing against the table in their haste.
“Do you think I haven’t been back?” His eyebrows lifted. “I can move quickly through these lands, and silently when I need to. Do not presume to know my whereabouts. However, since you appear so keen to know my schedule, I return to Korteria in the morning. I’d have left sooner, if not for the absolute chaos here,” he said pointedly.
The chaos he’d created with Haleika’s death. Forcing Lyr to be the one to … to … I took a deep breath. It was still too soon, the memories still too biting. I couldn’t think aboutthat. Couldn’t allow the images to flow through my mind. They only brought forth theotherones, the ones I’d spent years trying to bury.
The worst ones.
The ones in my nightmares.
“Have there been any new developments in the investigation into Brockton’s death?” I asked.
“I don’t believe new developments can unfold in a story that has closed. Have you had any new developments on your cousin’s transformation to akadim?” His black eyes turned to slits. “Or her slaying?”
My hand glided across the hilt of my stave. I flexed my fingers, before forcing myself to still. “It was a difficult, but important lesson for all involved,” I said carefully. And then just like that, the lesson replayed in my head. Haleika’s screams. The sound of her fear, her pain. “Wine!”
The Imperator delicately patted his mouth with the corner of his napkin. “I must prepare.” He rose, and a dozen of his soturi stood at attention, their dark eyes all trained on our table. “Lord Tristan, if word does reach you of the forsworn bastard’s whereabouts, despite his father’s wishes, he remains under our jurisdiction. Whatever crimes he’s committed in the North, he is wanted at present in the South. I, like many others, have reason to believe he is with Lady Lyriana.”
“Why would word of his location reach me?” I asked. “We’re not friends.”
“Of course,” the Imperator said.
“If you’re asking for my help, perhaps you could tell me word of his most recent location?” I asked. “A clue as to where I might begin such a search.” My heart pounded. Anything he told me now could lead me to finding Lyriana.
