“Because after they freed the humans and banished them, the immortals started hunting them. Many of the other races believed it would be better to eradicate the human race rather than risk an uprising.”
“All right. So, you freed my people, then forced them to become slaves for you?”
“They are not my slaves. They are my soldiers. They see to my comfort because I see to theirs. I give them a home here. I give them purpose and power.”
“I don't believe you.”
“You will. You'll see them around the castle, Ember. It will take time, but you will learn to believe me. Feel free to approach them and speak with them. They will tell you the truth.”
“Sure.” I grimaced as I remembered lying in a line with the villagers of Fress, watching my neighbors get corrupted, then stand up and join the Corrupter's ranks of “soldiers.” They lost all traces of personality and couldn't even function without an order from the Corrupter. There was no mistaking the change. It was so abrupt and complete that the Corrupted could be recognized by their blank expressions. That was not a gift. Whatever the Corrupted said to me, it would be the Corrupter's words, utterly untrustworthy.
“As I said, it will take time.” He paused, looking me over. “I think that's all I'll share with you tonight. I don't want to overwhelm you. Tomorrow, I'll tell you more. Now, eat your dinner. Then I'll show you to your room.”
I gaped at the Corrupter as he began eating his meal with the grace of a Varraen. He really was going to treat me like a guest. Why? Why did he care about my opinion of him? Why tell me these stories? He said I was more important than I knew. What did that mean? Important to who?
“What do you want from me?” I blurted.
The Corrupter looked up. “I want you to join me, Ember. Join me instead of fighting against me as the Emperor wants.”
“The Emperor and the Goddess.”
“Is that what he told you?” His stare softened. “Ember, the Emperor has never spoken with the Goddess. His rule is founded on lies.”
“The Wraith Lords have seen her. All of them. And they believe the Emperor.”
“The Emperor gave them drugs that cause hallucination. And hallucination can be directed with a strong suggestion.” The Corrupter rolled his eyes. “Starfruit. It's toxic. The only reason those men survive is because he makes sure to strengthen them with heavy physical training and magical spells before he gives them the fruit. He also tells them, over and over, that they will see the Goddess after they eat the fruit, and she will judge them. That gives him an out for any who don't make it. If they die, the Goddess found them unworthy.”
I went still. He was starting to make sense, and I didn't like that. Not one bit.
“You wear their symbol now.” The Corrupter waved at my pendant. “Has the Emperor given you the starfruit to eat?”
“No,” I whispered.
“I didn't think so. You're not physically strong enough to survive the poison.”
“I didn't need it because I already have Spirit Magic.”
“Yes, of course,” he said in a tone that implied how gullible I was. “Have you never wondered why the Emperor would withhold that from you? Yes, you have Spirit Magic, but don't you want to speak to the Goddess? Wouldn't you want herconfirmationthat you have taken the right path? All you have to go on is what he told you. Don't you want to hear it from the source?”
“I . . . perhaps.”
“I see that I've troubled you. It's all right, Ember. Take your time. Think about it.Reallythink. Then I'll tell you more. Now, eat. Be at ease. I will not hurt you so long as you do not try to hurt me.”
I looked down at my plate, my thoughts turning to Rath and Xae. They were probably scared out of their minds for me. But there was no way I was going to ask the Corrupter to send them a message.
Was it all a lie? Everything the Emperor had told me. Everything the Wraith Lords believed. No, it couldn't be. I shared myself with Xae and Rath. That was true. I felt it. We were united. And if that was true, the rest had to be. The Goddess was behind my magic and my bond with my lovers. She would not have led me to them if they were wrong. I may not have heard her voice, but she answered my prayers. The Goddess was real, and I had faith in her guidance. The Corrupter was trying to corrupt me with his words now that his magic had failed, and I'd be damned if I let him. Quite literally.
Chapter Forty-Five
After dinner, the Corrupter took me to a bedroom far more luxurious than the one I had at the Wraith Citadel. Thick rugs covered the hardwood floor, paintings of tranquil landscapes hung on the walls, a fire crackled in a grand fireplace to drive away the cold of being underground, and the furniture was all hand-carved and polished to a mirror shine. I went to the far wall, where a four-poster bed with indigo silk curtains waited, and stared across its expanse. It was large enough to fit five men. Xae would have loved it.
Tables stood to either side of the bed, topped with pink marble and adorned with gilded carvings. A lamp stood on each one, lit with magic. A golden tray waited on the table to the left, with a glass carafe of wine and a single wineglass. Against the wall to its left, a vanity waited, also topped in pink marble. Cologne in fancy bottles waited in a line against the tall mirror. A gold hairbrush lay with its boars bristles up, and a padded stool sat before the vanity. Fresh flowers overflowed vases everywhere. It was a room for royalty.
“This is lovely,” I said. “Thank you.”
The Corrupter beamed. “I'm so glad you like it. Let me know if there's anything you need.” He strode in and opened a door in the right wall. “The bathroom's through here, there are books available on the shelves there if you care to read, and the lamps function by touch.” He touched one, and it turned off, then touched it again, and it lit up. “Should you need anything during the night, pull this cord.” He motioned at a wide velvet ribbon with a tassel on the end that hung through an opening in the ceiling. “One of my people will come to assist you.”
“Thank you.”
