“Not that it’s any of your fucking business, but she’s my partner. Mistress Fortin played an instrumental role in uncovering that plot you mentioned. Though, I’m sure the Vicereine has informed you that Maksym and Richelle Pacha have escaped with everything they need to fulfill their plans. So there’s hope yet that Ethyrios could be rid of you.”
“Watch it, Tristan,” the Emperor whispered, his voice simmering with low menace. “Our shared blood will not spare you an execution.”
Tristan finally, wisely, shut his mouth.
“And you misspoke, brother,” the Emperor continued, leaning back and resting his hands on his stomach. The Vicereine followed his movements with hungry eyes; her tastes must run in the family. “They do not haveeverythingthey need to carry out their plans. There is one piece still missing. And you are going to fetch it for me.”
Tristan expelled a bitter laugh. “As if I’d willingly help you.”
The Emperor ran his cool, hazel eyes down Cassandra’s body, his lips pinched. “Maybe itistime I see what all the fuss is about. I’ve never taken a mortal lover. Rather gauche in Delos.”
Tristan flared his wings, his span so broad that the tips of his feathers touched the wall and opposite window. “You wouldn’t fuckingdare,Eamon.”
The combined power of the two males stirred the room into a trembling frenzy, rattling the windows, bookcases, and glass tabletops.
The Emperor whispered into his palm, then opened it towards Tristan.
The message contained within the Emperor’s gust stole Tristan’s fight. His wings collapsed and his head bobbed onto his chest. “What would you have me do?”
A satisfied smile spread onto the Emperor’s cruel, handsome face. “Surely you’ve already guessed. Varuna led me to understand it’s the very reason you’ve come here today.
I want you to bring me that necklace.”
* * *
Cooperateor I will end your human. Don’t forget what happened the last time.
Tristan thanked the High Gods that Cassandra couldn’t hear his brother’s windwhisper.
He should have warned her, should have told her about his ties to the Emperor. But he was terrified she’d close herself off to him. Label him as just another terrible member of his terrible family.
This was certainly not how he wanted her to find out that he was an exiled Prince of the Empire.
Despite the anger coursing through him, his brother’s words seeped through.
I want you to bring me that necklace.
“That’snotwhy we’re here. We’ve come to request additional resources to aid in the rescue of Sister Cirillo and Officer Zephyrus. Cael’s father is one of the Empire’s staunchest supporters. He’d be furious to learn you’re not lifting a finger to find his son.”
Eamon leaned forward, resting his forearms on the desk. “You underestimate me, Tristan. I’ve already spoken with High Councilor Zephyrus. A task force of warriors from Brachos is searching for his son as we speak.”
Tristan exhaled a relieved sigh. He’d never met Cael’s father, but the male’s unflinching dedication to his sons was legendary. Arran Zephyrus would travel to the furthest reaches of Ethyrios to find Cael. Not to mention the Windrider and Beastrunner warriors of Brachos were the strongest trackers in the world. If anyone could find their friends, they could.
“Do they have any clue as to where Maksym might have taken them?” Tristan asked.
“They’ve narrowed the location to several regions on thecontinent,” Eamon said with a sharp look. The message was clear; Tristan would not be permitted back there to assist with the rescue efforts. “You’ll be of much more use to me here. We have no reason to believe the necklace has left the colonies.”
Tristan had to agree. Sister Cora Aritia, Cassandra’s fellow Shrouded Sister who’d hidden the real necklace wouldn’t have had the time to journey to the continent and back before she’d been captured by Maksym’s cronies.
Eamon continued, “I’ve doubled the security around the Thalassium seam along the Dordenne River. That necklace is the only means available for Maksym and Richelle to create their weaponized batch of Delirium. It’s imperative we find it before they do.”
The Vicereine fell to her knees beside Tristan’s brother, bowing her head and dipping her golden wings. “Your Imperial Majesty, forgive me. I am ashamed this plot developed on my watch.”
Eamon lifted her chin with a finger and ran a hand over her glistening blond hair. “I do not hold you accountable, Varuna. You’ve always been my most loyal subject.” He pulled her from her knees and curled an arm around her waist.
What in the name of Stygios was going on here?
Tristan didn’t really care. His brother hadn’t yet taken a mate and was welcome to Tristan’s sloppy seconds. But he couldn’t help a shudder of disgust, envisioning Varuna as Empress. Luckily, the two heartless Windriders were too busy eye-fucking each other to notice.
