He sends me an unamused look. “To win. I’m tired of always losing to the others.”
“Sure.” I like Micah. “Can I ask you a question?”
He nods and I shift on my feet.
“The others … do you think they’ll forgive me for joining the imperius this way?” I don’t know why I care. I’m not planning to be here for much longer. And yet I … do.
Micah chuckles. “Only a few of them actually qualified in the first place. Neris was invited because she saved the emperor’s life when she was still in the Guard.”
Neris stares at the track, ignoring us, but I can tell she’s listening. “Deitra spent a solid three months being our lackey.” Micah laughs. “Whatever we needed, she took care of it.”
Deitra has positioned herself several rows away. My shock must show on my face, because she raises one dark red eyebrow before glowering at Micah, who smirks back at her.
“Don’t worry about the others. You were clever and you got what youwanted,” Micah says. “Besides, you’re still a novice. You’re not guaranteed a permanent spot until Tiernon formally approves you. You’ll be training with the other novicesandus, which means you now need to work twice as hard.”
“I already am.”
He considers that. “You’re right. But imperius training just got a lot more difficult for you.”
On my right, Neris ponders me. When she doesn’t say anything, we all fall into silence. The air is heavy with the scent of roasted nuts, and I take a greedy inhale. Three rows down and one across, a vendor is weaving through the crowd, offering watered wine and snacks. I see Leon and Albion, reaching into their pockets for change as they flag one of the vendors down, and I’m sure Leon has already placed his bets.
Cheering breaks out behind us. At the top of the stands, where the poorest citizens are crammed shoulder to shoulder, wardens are throwing loaves of bread into the crowd.
“Arvelle,” Maeva calls, waving from the section to our right.
“I’ll be back,” I say.
“Be good,” Micah says. “Tiernon won’t be happy if anything happens to you.”
I wrinkle my nose at him and he laughs.
Kaeso and Garet sit on Maeva’s right, and I sidle next to her on her left side.
“You’re looking … close with the Primus,” Maeva murmurs.
My gut twists. “Yeah. Um. I convinced the imperius to let me join. As their novice.”
Her eyes widen. “I didn’t realize youwantedto be on the imperius. Congratulations, Arvelle.”
Guilt stabs into my gut. But taking her spot was likely my only chance to get close enough to the emperor to kill him. I’ll make it up to her one day. I’ll do whatever it takes to make amends.
“And the Primus?” Her eyes narrow when I open my mouth. “I’ve seen you … chatting with him. The Primus doesn’tchat.”
I glance at Kaeso and Garet, but they’re busy arguing over the best charioteers.
“I know the Primus from when I was younger. I only learned who he is recently, and he’s keeping an eye on me.” Likely due to guilt from abandoning me, although I don’t mention that.
Maeva’s eyes widen. “Do you have feelings for him?”
“No,” I say quickly. Too quickly.
Her eyebrows shoot up, and my cheeks heat. “My feelings are … complicated.”
Maeva shakes her head at me. “I may be attracted to women, but even I can admit the Primus is a fine example of a man—even if he happens to be a vampire. But … you know the dangers.”
No children. Ever.
Despite the fact that I have no intention of having children with Tiernon, the thought is depressing, and Maeva nudges me with her elbow, changing the subject. “The rest of us moved into the novice quarters earlier today. We get our own rooms now. I know you’ll be moving into the imperius quarters, but you should come visit.”
