“They think one of their own was involved in this attack,” Torvald corrected, the only sign of his agitation the way he was tapping the arm of the throne with a finger.
Graydon kept his expression blank under the emperor’s heavy gaze.
“You’re treading dangerously close to forsaking the vows you took,” Torvald warned in a low rumble.“I warned you when you took the vow.Me above all else.That’s the only way this can work.My Faces cannot afford to have their loyalty divided.Don’t force me to remove my favor, my storm.”
He didn’t have to say that such a loss would likely result in Graydon’s death.
As the emperor’s Face, he’d made many enemies over the years.Powerful, influential Tuann who wouldn’t hesitate to eliminate Graydon if the chance arose.Some might even try to part him from those secrets he’d gleaned while in service to the emperor and the empire.
Without the emperor’s protection, his chances of survival were slim.
It was rare for a Face to retire from service while their emperor still sat on the throne.There was really only one way out in that situation.
Death.
Graydon knelt, bowing his head in a show of fealty that he hadn’t bothered with since ascending to the position of Torvald’s Face.“My loyalties remain as undivided as ever, sire.”
Torvald rose from the throne, looming.His stare a heavy weight on Graydon’s shoulders.“A man can’t have two masters, my storm.You have to choose.”
“I don’t believe that.”
Kira was a woman of contradictions.As fiercely protective of her own as she was, she’d never ask him to do something that went against his code.
She’d cut off her arm first.
Torvald’s sigh held weary resignation.“As always, you are the most stubborn of my Faces.”
Knowing the danger had passed, Graydon lifted his head.“I just see what others can’t.”
Torvald regarded Graydon with a steady gaze.“Can you honestly tell me if it ever came to a choice between me and her that you would choose correctly?”
“Let’s be honest, Sire.Such a time will never come.”
Torvald was the most powerful Tuann alive.He relied on his Faces not because he needed them but because their presence enabled him to widen his focus.
The scenario he’d just named would never come to fruition for the simple fact that Graydon doubted anything could ever truly threaten him.
“But if it did, there wouldn’t be a choice at all,” Graydon added.“The chaos dealer who is my lover would be fighting alongside me to protect you.In her own way, she is as loyal to this empire as you or I.”
As long as Roake remained part of it, that wouldn’t change.
Long moments passed before Torvald relented.“Okay, Graydon, I’ll let you win this round.You’d better be right about this.”
Graydon exhaled a breath of relief and rose.“More importantly, this is the first time the forty-three have been open to the idea of rejoining our society.I think it would be a mistake to turn them down.”
Torvald reclaimed his throne, slouching in it to lean his cheek on his fist as a slight twinkle entered his eyes.“And the fact that their offer buys your chaos dealer time to fix this mess has nothing to do with anything.”
Graydon allowed himself the tiniest smirk.“There’s nothing wrong with a solution having multiple purposes.”
“This is why you’re my Face.”Torvald straightened on his throne and glanced at Harlow.“The other Overlords will demand Roake keep its distance from this investigation, and I will have to outwardly support their stance.That said, I know you won’t listen.That’s why I want your niece leading Roake’s side of the mission.”
“You can’t be serious,” Harlow objected.
Torvald’s lips developed a dangerous curve as he quirked an eyebrow at the Overlord.“You and Graydon keep assuring me of her abilities and sense of duty.Let her prove them then.If you must, consider this just one more test for Roake’s future Overlord.”
Careful,Graydon mentally warned Harlow.
To his relief, the Overlord kept his mouth shut and his thoughts locked behind an impenetrable mask.
