I’ve felt the truth of that, but a part of me still trusts the people more than Marcus does.We sit there on a couple of his finely gilded couches, sipping wine brought to us by one of his servants.
“If we stop Selene, what do you want Aetheria to be?”I ask him.
Marcus pauses, considering it.“It will need to be a place of order.The people must be guided and helped.Maybe even distracted by the games.The Republic has gotten a lot right.It just needs a strong hand in charge to make sure it doesn’t tumble into this chaos again.Someone who can root out vested interests and the remnants of support for the empire.”
“Someone like you?”I guess, leaning back on my couch.
“Or you,” Marcus replies.His eyes glitter momentarily.“Or us.”
I know he’s about to try to persuade me to marry him, proposing it as a political alliance as much as a love match.I can see the hunger in his eyes, and I can’t always tell with Marcus whether it’s for me or the city.
I’m almost grateful for the servant who interrupts us, hurrying up and directing a short bow towards Marcus.
“Senator, forgive the intrusion, but there is a visitor.”
“A visitor?”Marcus says.“Who would want to call on me on a day like this?”
“Not on you,” the servant says.“They’re asking for Lyra Thornwind.”
That's a surprise.Alaric comes and goes as he pleases.His fellow members of the resistance send messages, but rarely come here.I can't think who it might be.
“Show them in,” Marcus says, obviously as intrigued as I am.
Another minute passes, and a familiar red-haired, green-eyed figure walks into the room, wearing a dress that seems to be composed of living plants.
“Lady Cassandra,” Marcus says.“This is a surprise.”
“Is it?”Cassandra says, her tone blunt.She looks across at me.“You must have expected I’d call on you sooner or later, Lyra.”
Cassandra is a diplomat, the ambassador of the Kingdom of Arboria, one of Aetheria's closest neighbors.It's a kingdom of vast forests and natural spaces, home to mages who specialize in working with plants, and to beast whisperers.It's ruled by a queen who views the chaos in Aetheria as weakness and who has threatened to invade if the Republic doesn't look capable of defending itself.
“I thought you were siding with Selene in the conflict for Aetheria,” I say.
Cassandra sits down without being asked.She takes wine, too.For a diplomat, she’s remarkably direct.Indeed, the first time she was sent to the city, it was to insult us and try to create an excuse for conflict.
“The Kingdom of Arboria does not take the side of lesser kingdoms.”
“Lesser?”Marcus says, with a hint of reproach.
Cassandra shrugs.“A place that can’t keep its government stable?One that, for some reason, prefers gladiatorial games to chariot racing?One that needs to boast about its magical prowess, rather than justbeingpowerful?What would you call it, Senator Marcus?”
“Have you been sent to test us?”I ask her.“To see how we’ll react to insults?”
“Maybe I just don’t think the senator deserves you, dear,” Cassandra says.She gives me a pointed look to say who she thinks does.“But in this case, I was merely stating the official position of my queen.”
“So, what are you doing here?”I ask Cassandra.
The Arborian noble shrugs."I've been watching you in the games.I've also been watching the way things have been going in the city.I'm no longer convinced that the only choices are Selene Ravenscroft or chaos."
Those are the two outcomes her queen sent her to watch for.Cassandra has already spoken with Selene, making deals with her, ready for the possibility that she becomes empress.In the event of a bloody civil war, though, Cassandra’s queen will be quick to invade, taking control of the kingdom and letting her warriors take those they wish as slaves.In some ways, Arboria can be a cruel kingdom.
“What third option have you seen?”Marcus says.
Cassandra nods towards me.“Lyra.Entering the Grand Tournament was a brave move, Lyra.And now, you’ve shown how much power you have over the people.”
“I couldn’t stop them from attacking the palace,” I say.
Cassandra raises an eyebrow.“From what I hear, that’sexactlywhat you stopped them from doing.”
