“It takes a lot of magic to cast and maintain a ward,” Rath said. “We couldn't possibly maintain wards around all the villages and cities in the world.”
“Oh.”
“He will see you now,” someone said.
I turned toward the sound of the voice and saw Nex standing before a very tall, highly decorated door. The door was open and a man in a fancy outfit stood in the doorway. He looked at me, frowned, then bowed and waved Nex past him.
“Are you two ready or did you need more time to admire chandeliers and discuss wards?” Nex asked.
I gave him my fuck-off face as Rath and I walked over. The uniformed man kept bowing as Nex and Rath went by, but straightened when I drew abreast of him. It felt very pointed to me. Like he was trying to subtly tell me that I didn't belong there.
As if I didn't know.
A few steps past the door, I stopped walking. We were in a hallway, just a corridor. But it was the grandest hallway I'd ever been in. As wide as my living room and at least four stories tall, the passageway had a single rug running down the center of it, and it went on for a good hundred feet. I couldn't imagine how long that rug took to weave. And then there were the walls, covered in rich mahogany paneling and adorned with pieces of glass sculpture that did double duty as lanterns. They were formed to resemble exotic flowers and lit with that magic fire. Everything there, even the door handles, was nicer than anything I'd ever owned.
“Ember?” Rath slid into my view.
I blinked. “Sorry.” I cleared my throat in embarrassment when I saw the snooty servant's expression go disdainful. I think he was a Ladrin. He had that savage look about him that a lot of beast-shifters had—as if, despite his fine clothes and snobbishness, he could, at any moment, become an animal and go for my throat.
Rath followed my stare to the man and glowered. The servant immediately looked away.
“It's really pretty in here,” I murmured as I started walking.
“Yeah, it's all right,” Nex said. “The throne room is impressive, but the King only uses it for big events.” He looked at the servant to ask, “Where's he at today?”
“In his study, my lord,” the man said.
“Oh, well.” Nex shrugged. “His study is nice enough I guess.”
The servant's eyes widened in affront, and I grinned at Nex.
Nex winked at me.
Rath glowered at Nex.
I stared at Rath. Was there something between us? Maybe he just felt grateful for what I'd done and was trying to look after me. What were the odds that this gorgeous, Varraen Wraith Lord was into men, humans, and me? The odds grew significantly less with each of those particulars. Especially the last one. I ran my hand through my hair, shoving my long bangs back. I knew the color was nice, my dark locks going well with my blue eyes, but beyond that, I wasn't sure if I was attractive.
The only love affairs I've had were of the secret variety. Not that I messed with married men. No, my lovers wanted to keep us a secret because of who I am. The strange one. The man no one really knew. The outsider among them. After my parents died, there was no one to tie me to the community. I interacted with people minimally, as I'd been taught, and in a small town, that makes people wary. I suppose it was a point in my favor that the lovers I had wanted me badly enough to risk being with me, even if only in secret. And I preferred the secrecy because it gave me a reason to not get close to them. I couldn't get close to anyone.
But that was in the past. I could have a real relationship now. But with Rath?
No, Rath wasn't interested in me, no matter what Nex said. That was just male teasing, probably magnified among warriors. I would not stare into Rath's eyes adoringly like some besotted fool. Nope, not doing it. Oh, fuck, I did it.
“There's nothing to be afraid of,” Rath whispered.
“Huh?” I scowled.
“You're worried, I can tell. Don't fret over meeting the Emperor. He's a good man. A fair one. You don't have to be afraid of him.”
“Oh!” I cleared my throat. “I . . . thanks.”
“Of course.” He laid a hand on my back and urged me forward. “And we'll be with you.”
“All right.”
I determinedly stopped gawking as the servant led us down the hallway, around a corner, down another long hallway, and then to a closed door. He knocked softly, waited for a muffled call to enter, then opened the door and went inside.
The servant's voice carried out to us, “Wraith Lords Nexhavaren and Ratharin are here, Your Imperial Majesty. With a guest.”
