“I'm not sure, Your Imperial Majesty,” I said. “But he smiled when our blows landed.”
“I see. And you freed the Corrupted?”
“Most if not all. Ember has greatly improved our abilities. We freed several Corrupted at a time,” Rath said.
“That's wonderful news. But I'm worried about the Corrupter knowing your name, Ember.”
“We know how he discovered it,” Xaedren said. “We went to Ember's old village and found it burned to the ground. We assume he questioned the villagers before Corrupting them.”
“He probably corrupted them first,” the Emperor said.
“The Corrupted can speak?” Rath asked.
“Yes, and they'd freely answer any questions he asked.”
“That's a relief,” I murmured.
“It is?” The Emperor raised his purple brows.
“We assumed they were tortured,” I explained. “I'm glad they didn't suffer.”
“Ah. Yes, that is preferable. I'm so sorry about your home, Ember.”
“I'm sad that it's gone, and I feel awful about my old neighbors, but Fress is not my home anymore.” I looked from Xae to Rath and added, “Wherever they are is home for me.”
Xaedren got a goofy look on his face, and Rath reached over to take my hand.
“I'm so glad you have each other,” the Emperor said. “Your love will help you get through this war.”
“Yes, I've taken another lover as the Goddess wanted,” I said. “But that's it. Two is enough.”
The Emperor smiled enigmatically. “As you wish, Ember.”
I grimaced. “I have a feeling my wishes won't have anything to do with it.”
“On the contrary, your wishes have everything to do with it. I keep telling you, this is not the Goddess's doing, only her prophecy.”
“But that's not what she said, is it, Your Imperial Majesty? She never called it a prophecy, just announced it would happen.”
“That is a prophecy, Ember.”
“It is, except when it's given by a goddess. Then, it's a promise or a warning. The Goddess gave me my magic and has guided me to these men. I chose them, yes, and I'm grateful to have them. But to believe that I am the orchestrator of my life would be foolish. This is her will.” I held up a hand when the Emperor started to speak. “As I said, I'm grateful. She has been kind to me, and I will be loyal to her. I will accept whatever destiny she has given me. But until that destiny unfolds, I can still hope for the future I want. I can hope and fight for it.”
My men remained quiet, but out of the corner of my eyes, I could see them exchange grim looks over my head.
“I don't believe the Goddess ever takes our choices away. You have free will, Ember,” the Emperor said gently. “But we can argue about that another time. Right now, we need to discuss the Corrupter. I believe he took those hits to taste your magic.”
“Taste it?” I asked.
“Yes. He wanted to know about your power and those poor villagers didn't have the answers. So, he used his magic to absorb yours. He was probably coated in a spell. It wouldn't have lasted long, only through a few hits, and then it would have told him exactly what type of magic you have.”
“How do you know that?” I asked.
“Because he used the very same spell on me once.”
The three of us went silent, gaping at the Emperor.
Xae recovered first and asked, “Was this when you first fought him?”
