That wasn’t to say E’ridian politics were easy. Clans disagreed all the time, but Honovi wanted to believe no E’ridian would ever do what Eimarille had done when it came to controlling other people’s lives. First the continued use of debt bondage, and now clockwork metal hearts. It was slavery, no matter how one looked at it.
“Caris needs to survive,” Blaine said after a long moment where the only sound was the distant waves lapping at the shore and the hum of insects.
Honovi held him tighter, thinking of that long-ago night when Blaine had arrived in E’ridia, a refugee from a country that was still breaking apart.
“So do you,” Honovi murmured.
He turned his head enough that he could see the night sky and the stars, sending a silent prayer to the star gods, asking for the only thing that mattered to him.
Honovi hoped they listened.
Five
VANYA
“I hear congratulations are in order,” Amir said as he joined Vanya on his walk out of the Senate building in the early afternoon.
“Nothing came of today’s deliberations,” Vanya said.
Amir smiled, matching Vanya’s pace, his metal-tipped cane clacking against the floor. Senate aides bowed aspraetorialegionnaires guided them through the hallway. “Ah, but the House of Kimathi’s gathering this morning was not as robust as it could be.”
Vanya knew better than to show his pleasure at that and so bit back the smile he wanted to share. “I hadn’t heard.”
Taisiya had been set to appear at that gathering before the midday heat became truly unbearable. He’d expected to receive an update from hisvalideonce he returned to the palace, but it appeared Amir had beat her to it. “My wife attended and rang my televox to let me know few of the major Houses deigned to appear.”
“We’ll see where they stand if they attend my gathering in a week’s time.”
Vanya knew they would. His majordomo had been fielding press inquiries, social invitations, and political requests since the moment Callisto had appeared in the Senate chamber the other week. By now, news of her favor had reached every corner of Solaria and quite possibly beyond. Broadsheets were still writing opinion pieces about the appearance, as it wasn’t every day a star god showed favor. Innes had done so for Queen Eimarille mere weeks ago. Callisto’s favor would certainly bolster Solaria when it came to international agreements.
“Might you have a moment this afternoon for a meeting about the Conclave?” Amir asked.
Vanya tilted his head toward thevezir. “For you, always.”
The Conclave was still ongoing. Callisto’s appearance had upended the guest list at every gathering since as Houses maneuvered between Vanya’s grip on the Imperial throne and Joelle’s false promises. Amir had been kept busy and away from the palace but had made himself available when needed. Certainly Vanya wasn’t going to turn down his request, not when Amir had done so much to aid the House of Sa’Liandel.
Vanya led the way to his waiting motor carriage and its escort. He took the back seat with Amir, rolling the windows down to allow for a breeze to circulate through the vehicle. The drive back to the palace didn’t take long, and someone must have been alerted to their return, for Taisiya was waiting for them, framed by the arched entrance that overlooked the forecourt.
She was still dressed in the elaborate summer gown she’d worn to the morning meal before leaving for the gathering at the House of Kimathi’s estate. The shimmer of sheer gold-and-cream fabric was embroidered at the hem with crimson thread, depicting the Lion constellation. The jewelry she wore was all gold and rubies, a match for the ones in the crown Vanya wore.
“Ah,vezirAmir. Well met,” Taisiya said. “Will you be staying on for the evening meal later?”
“Alas, my lovely wife has bid me return to our estate. His Imperial Majesty has granted me a meeting to discuss issues of the Conclave.”
“I’ll join you. My time at this morning’s gathering was certainly interesting.”
“As was Malia’s.”
“We’ll meet in my office,” Vanya said.
They waited in the foyer only long enough for thepraetorialegionnaires to perform the physical inspection for scars on Amir, who never protested the precautions. Vanya kept an easy pace through the palace to allow for Amir’s and Taisiya’s slower steps. One of the many servants must have alerted the staff, for Alida was waiting for them outside his office, afternoon tea tray in hand.
“I thought perhaps you would like some tea for your meeting,” Alida said, the many keys on her belt jangling softly as she straightened up.
“The gesture is appreciated,” Vanya said as he entered his office.
Taisiya came in after him, with Amir mere steps behind. The moment Amir crossed the threshold, the spell-detecting device that Chu Hua had discreetly ordered placed in his office went off for the first time since it had been smuggled into the palace.
The device had been attached to the gaslight fixture in the ceiling, replacing the base of it, and painted to look like brass. Clarion crystals thought to be decorative glass pieces inserted into the light were now glowing a vibrant hue of purple in warning. The chime of the alarm built into the device rattled through Vanya’s skull.
