“Was she trying for immortality like the emperor?” I ask.
“I’m not sure, but I think so since she was empress for so long.” Antonia sets down a card. “But I think they must have let her mother gain that gift also. So maybe all the royal family gets immortality?”
“Perhaps that’s what the prince has. Maybe he’ll live forever like his father.” Charlotte shrugs. “Maybe you will, too.”
I swallow hard. I’m not sure I want to live forever. Especially if it means living with Caiden as my husband under the emperor’s rule.
“Maybe that’s the gift he received when his mother went.” Antonia shrugs.
“She was pregnant with Caiden in the temple. He’s her only pregnancy, her only child,” I say to confirm.
The ladies nod.
“It’s why people expected something unusual from him.” Katherine reaches across the table to pull a card from the pile.
“I’ve never even heard of him using magic,” Charlotte says. “And he never visited the temple, did he?”
“He did,” Antonia confirms. “He was a child, though. Probably twenty years ago.”
That would have made him very young. Six, maybe. I knew he wasn’t much older than me. “What happened?”
She shrugs. “I’m not sure. But Charlotte’s right. I don’t think anyone has seen him use magic.”
“That doesn’t mean he isn’t hiding something impressive.” Antonia plays a card. “He’s just not flashy about it.”
“That’s possible.” Katherine glances toward the doorway. “I’ve never seen the enforcer use his magic, either, but we know it’s powerful.”
“What exactly does he do?” I move around some of the cards in my hand so I can see them better.
“We know he can use his magic to find the relics of the gods, but there’s definitely more to it. I hope there’s some shadow magic in there. I was with a legionnaire once who used his shadows in very creative ways…”
“Katherine!” Antonia scolds.
“What?” Katherine smiles at me. “I hope the prince has something useful for you. I hope he’s not as formal and cold as he seems.”
“This is too far. You can’t talk about the future emperor that way!” Antonia’s face is red.
“Who else am I going to talk about this with?” I ask her. “You’re all loyal to me, aren’t you?”
“Well, of course we are,” Antonia replies quickly.
I notice the twitch in her eye and wonder who she’s reporting to. Is she in the prince’s pocket? Or is it just Marian who is in the emperor’s pocket? Or are they in someone else’s? The rebels’ pocket, even? All I know is that I can’t trust her, or any of my ladies.
Eight
Even in the low,flickering light, I can see the injuries. The prince has a purple bruise under his right eye and a large cut down his left cheek. His lips look a little swollen, like he was punched in the jaw.
What could have happened in the last few hours to cause all that? Who was he brawling with? For a brief moment, I wonder if there’s someone here who might be on my side.
“You look beautiful. The Pendralian colors really suit you.” His gaze drops, taking in the gorgeous steel gray dress that’s tied with black silk ribbons.
I hold up the skirts. “It is a beautiful dress, but I do miss my old things. And I miss color.”
“My father and his monochromatic obsession.” He shakes his head. “Though, it does make quite the statement when we visit other kingdoms. So perhaps I can see why he chose to establish that rule.”
Caiden pulls out my chair for me. My stomach churns. I hate being so close to him.
“Thank you,” I say as I take a seat.
