“Tiernon … do we need to hide this from the others?” I gesture between us.
“No. It’s not … unexpected for members of the imperius to have … dalliances with novices. But if the emperor was to learn who you really are …”
“He won’t. There’s no reason for him to look further into my background. And I’ll keep it that way.” I eye him. “Just how many dalliances haveyouhad with novices?”
He gives me a sudden grin and my heart flips. “Arvelle Dacien. Are you … jealous?”
I roll my eyes. “This coming from the man who interrogated me aboutCarrick?”
He glowers at the other man’s name, but his hand caresses my face, his palm warm against my cheek. “No dalliances. At least not here. When I was at the front … I was filled with so much rage, so much hurt. I knew I’d never see you again, and I thought if I lost myself in other women, I’d forget you.”
It’s not unexpected. I’m not sure why I even brought this subject up. It’s like I’m picking at a scab, waiting for it to bleed. And yet I can’t seem to stop myself.
“Was one of those women Orna?”
Tiernon’s expression hardens, and I know I’m right. I wiggle free, and he sighs. “Yes. It was one night. Both of us were grieving. Orna is deeply in love with her sire. At the time, she was rebelling against him, furious at something he had done. Now, they are considering having a child together.”
My fists unclench. I didn’t expectthat. “She cares about you.” And she’s seen how much Tiernon has suffered since he met me. Not just his torture when he wouldn’t tell the emperor who I was, but his fury while he was at the front, his deep need to protect me even now.
Tiernon nods, and I heave a sigh. “Well, it sounds like she is a good friend. I’m glad you have people like her in your life. I suppose I’ll just have to make her like me.”
A crooked smile. “Good luck with that.”
My heart warms, as it does each time I see a rare glimpse of that familiar grin. I’m beginning to understand now—why he so rarely spoke of his family when we were children. The Thorn was the one place he could be himself—unrestrained, carefree, and at ease. As he grew older, though, he became increasingly withdrawn … even somber. And now I know why.
It was the burden of keeping me alive despite the danger his father posed. It’s the same burden he carries now, for each of his imperiums.
If his father had never learned of his trips to the Thorn, would Ti have eventuallychosento leave me? Would he have decided the threat was too great, the risk of discovery too high to justify those few precious hours of being himself with me?
Pressing a kiss to his cheek, I push that thought away to consider later. Tiernon gives me a searching look, but I slip out of the room, moving quickly through the imperius common room and along the corridors. I’m almost at the training hall when a shadow looms over me, and I palm a throwing knife, heart pounding.
Bran. His face has grown hollow, the skin pulling tight over his cheekbones and jaw. His skin is waxy and sallow, and I catch the tremble of his hands before he folds his arms.
He raises an eyebrow. “You killed Tiberius Cotta.”
I stare him down. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I’m just a few feet from the training hall. From safety.
Bran smirks at me. “Cotta was a simpleminded fool.” His expression hardens. “But he wasn’t your target. There is no more time left to waste. The emperor is becoming more and more paranoid. So I’ve created an opportunity for you.”
“What kind of opportunity?”
“The Vallius will be attending a dinner with the Vampire Council two nights from now,” Bran says. “The imperius will also be attending as a show of force.”
“I don’t understand.”
His lips peel back from his fangs. “Let me be clear. You will take a silver blade, and you will kill the emperor when he least expects it. When he’s relaxed, unshielded, and surrounded by those he trusts.”
I stare at him. “If I kill the emperor publicly, I’ll die. Instantly.”
“Your longevity is not my problem.”
“I won’t do it. It’s a death sentence.”
“Yes. You will. Elva recently mentioned she has some friends visiting. A group of vampires who are currently happy to keep your brotherssafe.”
The threat is clear, and my palms turn slick. “You’re devolving,” I say coolly. “If I were you, I’d cut back on the sun tonics.”
His expression twists into fury, and he bares his teeth with a hiss.
