“What is it?” I ask.
“The emperor and prince have returned early due to the attack. They have called a meeting of the court. You’re all expected to be there tonight.”
My heart sinks. “When did they get back?”
“Early this morning.”
“A meeting so soon can’t be good news,” I say.
“It’s not,” he says.
I reach for him, then catch myself and pull my arm back. “Can you tell me?”
“No.” His expression is stone. There’s not even a hint of what he knows.
“Alright.” I don’t press. I think that at this point, if he could say something, he would. Whatever this is, it’s out of his hands.
“Please join the court in the throne room at six.” His jaw is tight, his movements stiff. “The emperor will host dinner at seven in the ballroom. Formal dress is expected.”
“Are you leaving again?” I ask quietly.
“I won’t be at your door, but I’m not leaving the castle,” he says.
“Will I see you later?”
“I will be in attendance.” His tone is so stiff and impersonal.
“I’m sorry. About last night...” I whisper. That’s the only thing I can think of. I ruined it. I shouldn’t have kissed him. It was too far.
His expression softens and he whispers, “The only thing I would change about last night would be staying by your side. You shouldn’t have had to fight those men off yourself.”
I bite my lower lip to keep from saying what I really want to say. I want to ask him about the kiss. I want him to clarify that he really doesn’t regret that.
“Ladies,” he says loudly, then inclines his head to the women in my room. “Princess.” He bows. “I will see you all this evening.”
I shut the door, then catch Anya’s eye. She’s practically screaming her warning at me. My cheeks heat. Was I that obvious?
I pass the ladies and close myself into the bathing chamber. Covering my face with a bundle of drying cloths, I scream into them. I’m in so much fucking trouble.
Anya is wrong. I’m not falling for him. I already fell. If I had to choose between Brevan and the rebellion, I’m not sure I could be trusted to make the right decision.
The throne room is right off the main entrance to the castle, not far from the ballroom where I first saw the emperor. The large iron doors are decorated with a dragon on each side. Their tails overlap, crossing over the doors and almost making the shape of a heart. Their wings spread wide as if they’re in flight.
It makes me sick to look at it. The dragon in the dungeon is probably as vicious as the stories say, but I’d be furious, too, if someone kept me locked in a dark pit.
They push the doors open, and I enter, followed by my ladies. A few other members of the court come behind us. We’re the first to arrive, and the legionnaires guide us to stand in front, facing the throne. The courtiers who arrive after fill in the spacesbehind us. Nobody stands closer than our group. I’m not sure if it’s because of my stolen status as a royal or if there’s a more sinister reason for it.
I stare at the massive black throne atop an oval dais. There are no stairs facing us so they must be in the back. The throne itself is made of black-stained wood sculpted to look like it’s part of a tree. There are knots and leaves carved along the surface, which looks like the texture of wood. A black velvet cushion rests on the seat.
There are no other chairs. Not a chair for the priest or Caiden. Just the emperor’s lone throne. I wonder if the empress used to have a chair of her own.
Behind the throne is a massive curtain that spans the entire wall. I’ve never seen so much fabric in one place before. Not knowing whether the room expands beyond it or the curtain blocks doorways and windows makes me uneasy.
The fabric ripples, then parts. Two legionnaires hold the material to the side so the emperor can walk through. Caiden follows him. Then, after a few seconds, Brevan and the high priest come through the curtain.
The men climb stairs at the back of the dais, and the emperor settles into his throne. Caiden stands at his right, the priest at his left. Brevan stands next to, and slightly behind, Caiden.
A hush falls over the gathered group as the emperor stares out at his inner circle, his most loyal members of the court. At least that’s how Genevieve explained it to me.
