We arrived in the same room we always arrived in—a vast space of marble and wood, with walls covered in glorious murals but devoid of any furniture. It was merely an antechamber for the imperial apartments. A room to wait in while the Emperor was informed of your presence. Jath was already standing before the massive double doors that led into the Emperor's private rooms, his armor gone. He was speaking to Agal, a Ladrin who was the Emperor's manservant.
Agal peered over Jath's shoulder at the rest of us and nodded. “I will take you to him.”
Then we were striding through the grand halls, past even grander rooms, and at last, into a library. The Emperor stood at a long table with several other men. Their discussion ceased when he noticed us.
“Your Imperial Majesty.” Agal bowed. “Some Wraith Lords have urgent business with you.” Then he bowed and left the room, closing the door behind him.
“What's happened?” The Emperor left his companions to stride over to us, his dark purple hair flaring out behind him, the lavender tips flashing.
“Perhaps we should discuss this with you alone,” Xae suggested with a glance at the other men.
“No, these are the mages working on an enchantment to break the Corrupter's spell. Speak freely.”
“We just—” I started to speak.
Jath cut me off, “The Corrupter has animated the dead as we feared. An army of them attacked a city today.”
“And they seem to be more powerful than the Corrupted,” Rath added. He grimaced before saying, “They tore people apart with their bare hands.”
“Not that impressive,” Xae muttered.
“Dear Goddess,” the Emperor said. Then he nodded. “They would be more powerful if all that animates them is magic. Without a soul to fight the invasion, the magic would have complete control. Or, rather, the Corrupter would.”
“There's more,” I said. “The Corrupter was there. He nearly killed me. Lord Jathalion saved my life.”
The Emperor's stare shot to Jath. “Well done, Lord Jathalion. You saved far more than Ember today.”
“Thank you, Your Imperial Majesty,” Jath said. “And yes, I'm aware of his importance.”
I bit down on my disappointment. So, he had saved me to save everyone else. I should have known. I mean, I had known. I just thought there was more to it. Or hoped, rather.
“So, he knows you're alive,” the Emperor said to me. “That is unfortunate, but it was bound to happen.” He frowned pensively, then murmured, “I wonder if he must be present to control the dead? Without souls to implement his orders, the dead may need firmer guidance.” He nodded. “Expect him to be at every attack until my theory is proved wrong.”
“Yes, Your Imperial Majesty,” Rath said.
The Emperor's stare sharpened on my lovers and me. “Did you three get the chance to attempt another united attack on him?”
“No, we thought it wise to get Ember back to safety as soon as possible,” Rath said.
I shot him an annoyed look but held my tongue.
“That was probably for the best. Have you three been training together?”
“Yes,” I said. “They've been training me to use a sword, and Rath and I have been training Xae to use his new magic.”
“But have you trained with your magic together, as you would were you to attack the Corrupter?”
I exchanged wincing looks with my men.
“I'll take that as a no,” the Emperor said. “You need to test your strength, Wraith Lords. Prepare as you would with any new weapon. Then the next time you face the Corrupter, you will be confident in your decision to stay and fight or to leave.”
“Yes, Your Imperial Majesty,” Rath said. “We shall start training at once.”
“And I will return to assisting these men in preparing a counterspell for you. As soon as we come up with something, I will bring it to you personally.”
“Thank you, Your Imperial Majesty,” I said. I hesitated, then asked, “Uh, should I maybe learn how to cast spells?”
The Emperor's brows raised. “Would you like to?”
