“No.North, in Ashion and Daijal.” Soren went still in a way that made Vanya frown. “My spies have brought back rumors of a death-defying machine. I do not know if it is real or what it does. What I do know is that our border with Daijal is overseen by the House of Kimathi, and I don’t trust them to do right by Solaria.”
“Wardens have mapped more poison fields in the northwest of Solaria in the last decade than we have in a hundred years prior. You aren’t wrong to worry, but if you know they’re a problem, then you should do something about them.”
Vanya hissed out a breath between his clenched teeth. “I’m aware of the reports you bring, but you must understand my position. My parents aredead. I’m to be crowned emperor tomorrow. My daughter is my only heir, but her mother was of the House of Kimathi. The assassins that targeted my parents did not target Raiah or I. It has been two years since Nicca’s death, and Joelle has not called for a blood feud. If I die and Raiah lives, the House of Kimathi takes the Imperial throne regardless of which House claims my murder.”
“Then don’t die.”
“My mother took what debts are owed to our House to her grave. They do not fall to me. The Houses who stood with mine before now may no longer do so. I do not have time to focus on what is happening in thevasilyetthe House of Kimathi governs when I must negotiate loyalty from all the rest in order to secure my power.”
“None of this explains why you showed me the crypts. I’m a warden, Vanya. You must know I have to report to my governor about this. Even the othervezirsknew I shouldn’t have been down there.”
Vanya closed the scant distance between them, cupping Soren’s face in both hands. The flush of anger to his cheeks had warmed his skin, and Vanya rubbed his thumbs over the lingering heat.
“The House of Kimathi has ruled before and knows about the crypts. They weren’t present today because they have not set foot in Calhames since Nicca died. They send their senator, and that is all. I don’t trust them with my country’s borders, and I don’t trust them with my country’s dead. Someone outside the Houses needs to know the threat Joelle and her House represent. Whatever machine my spies are searching for, if it deals with the dead in any way, Solaria has two cities’ worth I would not see fall under the House of Kimathi’s control to bargain with.”
Soren licked his lips, letting out a slow breath that ghosted between Vanya’s wrists. “The major Houses know you brought a warden to the crypts. You put a target on my back.”
“That wasn’t my intention.”
“Then whatwasyour intention?”
“To get you to stay.”
It wasn’t a truth Vanya would have given voice to before he’d received his parents’ bodies in the airfields days ago. He’d told himself since the train wreck where they’d met he had no need of the comfort Soren provided him. Only now, with the Houses circling and Daijal never a country to be trusted, Vanya found himself wanting to rely on someone he shouldn’t.
Soren’s expression twisted, some mix of emotion Vanya couldn’t read crossing the younger man’s face. “I’m a warden. My job is to guard the borders.”
“You said it yourself that the crypts are a border. So guard it here, with me.”
Soren jerked out of his grip, gray eyes dark like a storm. He said nothing as he turned on his heel and stalked to the door.
“Soren, wait.”
Vanya might have been a prince, about to be crowned an emperor, bowed to by every Solarian alive, but he had no power over a warden. Soren reminded him of that fact by walking away, leaving Vanya to face the Houses at the feast of the dead alone.
Five
TERILYN
“Your escort is here for your protection. You will have access to the quarry, the laboratory, and your rooms in the barracks. Interaction with the workers outside required communication is forbidden,” the Solarian quarry master said in the trade tongue upon their arrival at the makeshift airfield in what seemed like the middle of nowhere in Solaria.
“I was promised access when and where I liked, just like last time,” Samuel Fletcher said while looking down his nose at the other man. Which was a feat in and of itself, considering the highly sought-after inventor was inches shorter than the Solarian who had greeted them.
“We’ve had increased forays from wardens in the area lately. The restrictions are necessary to keep them from discovering our work.” The quarry master turned and inclined his head at Terilyn, giving her a degree of respect he hadn’t shown her travel companions. “I hope you understand the precautions, my lady.”
Terilyn nodded, keeping her expression serene. “They are acceptable.”
Samuel scowled, drawing himself up to his full height and puffing out his chest. Terilyn let her attention rest on him and wasn’t surprised when he wilted beneath her icy stare. Unlike Wyatt Lehan, the silent, haunted-eyed inventor Samuel had brought along with him, Terilyn had no fear of his social standing. She was Eimarille’s lady-in-waiting in public, lover in private, and personal Blade. Her status was tied to Eimarille’s, and Samuel could not match it.
“We will abide to maintain secrecy,” Terilyn said.
Terilyn was here in Solaria on behalf of Eimarille, working to ensure Eimarille’s orders were enacted. They’d contracted with Samuel because they’d needed to, but eventually, the man would outlive his usefulness.
Samuel was an experienced inventor, part of a family whose bloodline had been elevated into the nobility genealogies some years ago. He was of the opinion that gave him unfettered power, and Terilyn took pleasure in making him learn otherwise.
If they didn’t need him still, Terilyn would gladly slide a knife between Samuel’s ribs, into his heart, and leave him in the poison fields. At nineteen, Wyatt was a promising inventor who didn’t have the household name Samuel did, but whom Eimarille hoped to train up to act as their liaison at the laboratory here. It was far easier to control someone young and in fear of their position and debt over someone with an inflated sense of ego.
“Very well,” Samuel finally huffed out. “Show us to our quarters so my assistant may unload our things.”
