“And what if people don’t want to tear it down, but just want a better life?”I say.
“Then they should come to you, and me,” Marcus replies.“There are ways to do things.That’s why we’re here, as senators, isn’t it?”
It feels like such an easy answer, but I know the reality is anything but easy when the politics of the city are so complicated.
“I feel as though with you by my side, I could do anything,” Marcus says.He leans in to kiss me, and I know that once he does, it will be all too easy to forget my worries and just fall into his arms.He has a way of making me lose myself, along with all my fears and concerns.
Yet, before he can do so, another knock comes at the door.
“What is it?”Marcus calls out, even though these are my rooms, not his.
A servant comes in, with a worried expression.“Senator Marcus, Senator Lyra, I was sent to gather as many of the senate as possible.A delegation has come from Arboria, with what it claims is vital news for the city.”
CHAPTER SIX
I hurry to dress in the toga of a senator before running to the chamber.By the time I get there, most of the other senators, including Marcus, are already in their seats.Rowan is there, and he gives me a look that I can’t decipher as I rush to my spot.He looks worried, but I’m not sure if that’s because of my involvement in the raid before or because of what’s happening now.
Because this isn’t a scheduled meeting of the senate, the viewing galleries above are relatively empty.There are a few servants and guards in the room, but the crowds who would normally be there to watch us aren’t here.
There is a group of people in the middle of the senate floor, though.They’re dressed in shades of green, and even the ones who appear to be servants wear jewelry.One, a red-haired woman in her thirties, stands at the front of the group.She looks around with a sense of authority, her leaf green eyes challenging the room, as if some part of her expects everyone here to kneel before her.
“I am Lady Cassandra Welstad, Ambassador of Arboria.I bring greetings from the Queen of Arboria to the Republic of Aetheria.”
It’s a formal greeting, but I can see the surprise and delight on Rowan’s face.I know why: it means that this neighboring kingdom has decided to acknowledge the Republic, rather than viewing it as a mere rebellion that might be gone in a few months.
“You are welcome in Aetheria, Lady Cassandra,” Rowan says, rising.“I’m Rowan, the First Senator of Aetheria.”
“So, the king,” Lady Cassandra says.
“Aetheria has no king, and no emperor.”
“Oh, every nation has a king,” Lady Cassandra says.“It doesn’t matter what you call yourself, First Senator.”
“Perhaps you simply haven’t understood our system of governance well enough,” Rowan replies.
Lady Cassandra smiles.“Oh, I think I understand things here well enough.Arboria has had to understand the Aetherian Empire quite well, when it has spent three centuries pushing at our borders, threatening to invade.”
Marcus speaks up.“And now we are no longer making that threat.Instead, we seek trade with our neighbors.”
“Ah, Marcus Larius.I’ve heard about you.Perhapsyouare the king here,” Lady Cassandra says.
Marcus spreads his hands.“As you can see, we have a whole council of senators instead.Maybe it’s something Arboria can learn from.”
“Our queen has her council,” Lady Cassandra says.“And often, she listens to its advice.But she isn’t bound by it.Such a thing would be… weak.”
I stand, frowning.“For an ambassador, you aren’t very diplomatic.”
She smiles, tightly."Lyra Thornwind, champion of the Colosseum.I've seen the statues of you.A strange country, that puts former slaves in positions of power."
“You’re still trying to provoke us,” I say.“Why?What are you trying to gain?”
She pauses, then smiles."Perhaps I wish to see how you'll react in this place that claims to have no king.But I didn't come to be your enemy.My queen has commanded me not to be unless you give me cause."
“Which is why you’ve been insulting us,” I say.
She bows in my direction."Your nation has fought with ours for centuries.Even now, you send your cast-offs to invade us and seize our people."
“What do you mean?”Rowan asks, and Lady Cassandra raises an eyebrow at the surprise on his face.
