“And I her.”
Soren’s mouth quirked slightly at the corners, as if he knew what words remained unspoken on Vanya’s tongue. “I kept her safe, as promised.”
“I had no doubt.”
Soren hooked a thumb over his gun belt, gaze moving past Vanya to those behind him. “I have a border report you’ll want to hear.”
“I’ll take it in the palace. You can also fill me in on your time away.”
“You gave your daughter to the wardens?” Joelle asked sharply.
Vanya didn’t bother turning to face her, not with Raiah in his arms. “I gave her to the one person I knew would keep her safe. Soren isn’t arionetka, and he knew what to look for.”
“He is beholden to you.”
Unsaid went the accusation that she believed therionetkaswere Vanya’s doing. Vanya watched the way Soren’s eyes narrowed, head tilting a little as he took Joelle’s measure.
“I take it you’revezirJoelle?” Soren asked, tone mild in a way that reminded Vanya of his mother before she went in for a political kill. “The samevezirwho allowed the death-defying machine to be built and used within the borders of yourvasilyet?”
Vanya angled himself so that he could see Joelle’s face at that accusation, unsurprised to see a flash of anger cross her eyes.
“I see you are a mouthpiece for the House of Sa’Liandel,” Joelle said disdainfully.
“I saw the death-defying machine with my own eyes. I saw the revenants SolariansandDaijalans were turning the dead into. The quarry was filled with them until I blew it up. That was allowed inyourvasilyet, and if that is the sort of politics you’re conducting, then it’s no wonder you barred the wardens from your land. It’s no wonder those who made it inside your borders were murdered.”
Joelle’s sharply indrawn breath could be heard by those standing closest to their little group. Artyom’s cheeks had flushed red, but he didn’t speak, leaving the defense of their House to his mother.
“Such lies are unbecoming of a warden,” Joelle gritted out.
Soren shrugged. “No lies, only a truth that has been reported back to my governor.”
The attention of the people around them was shifting, gazes becoming curious and judging. Vanya could hear the whispers start up as people reacted to Soren’s accusation. It didn’t matter what they thought of Soren’s personal ties to Vanya; the wardens’ governor was never informed of a threat that wasn’t true.
Movement caught Vanya’s eye, and he watched as Taisiya slipped through the crowd on Amir’s arm. She didn’t hesitate to make herself known, seizing the moment to put Joelle in a corner she could not escape. “Perhaps an investigation headed by the Legion into the House of Kimathi’svasilyetwould be advisable, Your Imperial Majesty.”
“I think that’s a fine idea,” Vanya said, smiling with all his teeth. “Imperial General Chu Hua will most certainly be agreeable to such an endeavor.”
“It is not needed,” Joelle snapped.
“We’ll see.”
Soren nodded decisively, finally refocusing on Vanya. “That border report, Your Imperial Majesty?”
He so very much wanted to hear his name fall from Soren’s lips—evenprincelingwould be acceptable—but he’d settle for Soren’s voice, for him standing real and alive in front of him.
Raiah wriggled in his arms but didn’t let go. Vanya hefted her up a little higher, adjusting his grip on her small body. She clung to him tightly, still refusing to lift her head, and he had no intention of putting her down until she demanded it of him.
Soren turned on his heel, leading the way back to the palace. Alida sketched a bow in Vanya’s direction before hurrying after the warden to see to whatever needs he’d have after his jaunt through the back roads. Vanya strode after the two, catching Taisiya’s eye as he went.
“I’ll make myself available here,” she said, voice carrying so those of the Houses knew theirs remained in the Conclave.
Vanya’s duty at the moment was to see to Raiah and Soren, and he would not be swayed from that path.
Two
VANYA
“Where is Raiah?” Taisiya asked when Vanya entered the private dining room in the family wing for the evening meal.
