“We do,” the Emperor said. “But we do not ask them to act in ways other than they should.”
“Your Imperial Majesty,” I said. “Death tells me that it is simply the opposite of Spirit. That doesn't make it evil.”
“No, magic cannot be evil, Lord Ember,” the Emperor agreed. “But it's not the magic that worries me. It's theentityguiding you. You should only be guided by the Goddess.”
“But why?” I asked. “I take advice from you, from my fellow Wraith Lords, from anyone who makes sense. Death makes sense. Sure, he thinks he's a god, but it probably seems that way to him. I think he truly wants to help me. He's already saved my life and helped me save Keltyr and the children of Fress. And I saved them by taking them through the Corrupter's ward. I could take the Wraith Lords through it too.”
“Can you take it down?”
I grimaced. “I don't think so.”
“How many Lords can you take through at once?”
“I don't know. I took a line of children through by going step by step with them.”
“A line.” The Emperor pressed his lips together. “By the time you got that line through, the Corrupter would be upon you. I don't think you're ready for that. There are too many untested actions and therefore, too many things that could go wrong.”
“But if I keep training, I might be ready soon, Your Imperial Majesty.”
“Very well,” the Emperor said. “I will allow you to continue training, but do so carefully, Lord Ember. And do not act on anything Death tells you before speaking with me.”
“Yes, Your Imperial Majesty,” I said.
“Until then, our best option is using me as bait,” the Emperor said. “I will notify the leaders of every village and city in the area to keep their people away from Tusara. If some of them show up, we will send them away.”
“And if the Corrupter gets past us, Your Imperial Majesty?” Rath asked.
“It would not be the first time I faced him, Lord Ratharin”
Chapter Thirty-Two
“Does the General know about Ember's training?” Lord Jusso demanded as soon as we were back at the citadel.
“No,” Xae admitted. “But we will tell him now.”
“You're damn right, you will,” Jusso growled, sent a glare my way, then stalked to the main stairs.
The other Wraith Lords shook their heads and followed him. We hadn't endeared ourselves to our fellow Lords with that announcement. And word would spread. Maybe I wouldn't have to worry about suitors anymore. Or friends, for that matter. Fuck. Jathalion would be thrilled.
“Come on,” Rath said. “We'd best get to Rontor before the others do.”
Xae, Kel, and I followed Rath up several flights of stairs to the sixth floor of the keep. At the end of the hall was the General's quarters. Rath knocked and a few seconds later, Rontor answered the door. His curious expression turned grim when he saw all of us.
“Lord Loren told me about the mission,” Rontor said. “You spoke to the Emperor?”
“Yes, we did,” Rath said. “But that's not what we've come to talk about.”
Rontor's expression went curious again. “Come in.” He opened the door wider and ushered us into his sitting room and the seats there.
We sat down upon the chairs and couch before Rontor's fireplace and after Rontor joined us, I told the General about my training and what the Emperor had to say about it.
Rontor listened without interrupting me. His brows raised when I told him about the dancing tree, but that was all. When I finished, he said, “And the Emperor agreed that you should continue training?”
“Yes, General,” I said. “Carefully.”
He nodded. “Very well. You know the others will learn of this, and many will not approve.”
“Yes, we had a preview of that from the Lords of our team,” Kel said. “They weren't pleased.”
