If not for Bandur’s curse, my heart would have broken. It frightened me how cold I had become.
Never was a finger lifted against me. Not until Khanujin himself came.
If not for his imperial robes and golden crown, I would not have recognized him as my emperor. He’d shrunk so much his clothes devoured him. His outer coat bunched up in folds, hiding the dragons embroidered on them, and the train of his jacket trailed him in a puddle. His sleeves skimmed the ground, with so much excess fabric he kept his arms raised so no one would notice.
But I noticed.
His frame had thinned to that of a child, his face aged to a man’s twice his years. His hair, once thick and glossy, was now thin as paper, and his lips became downturned, twisted with cruelty.
“I should have you killed for what you have done.” The words were quiet, but they dripped with acid.
I hadn’t bowed to him. At that moment, I decided I wouldn’t. So what if I had freed Lady Sarnai and her lover? Without me, the emperor would be dead.
I met his icy stare. “Then kill me. Be done with it.”
He flushed with anger, turning purplish red, and he slappedme.
My head jerked back, more from shock than from the strength of his blow. I recovered quickly and returned my gaze to the emperor.
That angered him, and I could tell he was about to strike me again.
“You are afraid,” I challenged him. “Your ministers have noticed the change in you, and your enemies in court, the ones that used to fear you, now plot against you. You know your throne is in danger. Even if the shansen weren’t a threat, someone from within would overthrow you. Betray you.”
“Speak another word and I will have your tongue cut out.”
“You won’t,” I taunted. “You need me. You cannot lead A’landi looking like—”
“Likethis?” Khanujin barked, pointing at his face and making a grotesque expression. “The shansen brings his army to my gates. We are at war, and I will lead no matter how I appear.”
Desperation leaked from his voice. Despite his bravado, he knew A’landi wouldn’t follow him like this. Not when he looked more like a ruthless child than the benevolent ruler everyone had been deceived into revering. I nearly felt for him. Maybe some part of him did care for our country.
“You won’t win against him. Not without my help.Ican restore Edan’s enchantment.Ican make you what you once were.” As soon as I’d uttered the words, I stopped. Where were they coming from? Ididn’tknow how to restore the emperor’s enchantment. But I couldn’t stop. I spoke as if possessed.
You can, Sentur’na. We will help you.
I clenched my jaw, willing the voices to go away. The effort cost me my calm. My eyes blazed, their scarlet sheen coloring my vision. Khanujin drew a shallow breath; I could tell my appearance unnerved him.
“What are you?”
“The dresses give me power.Onlyme.”
I refused to say any more.
“You are no enchanter,” he said, staring at me. “You’re a…a…”
Demon?I lifted my pendant, pinching open the walnut slightly so it shone with the power of the sun, the moon, and the stars.
Was it a demon’s amulet? I still couldn’t bring myself to believe it was. Its power seemed to weigh heavier on me every day, not fighting against the darkness inside me but not embracing it either. Yet.
“I harness the power of Amana,” I said, though the words clung to my throat, feeling only half true. “Her magic is even greater than Edan’s. How else do you think I defeated the shansen?”
“You are the reason the wedding fell apart,” Khanujin growled, but he made no more threats. I could see from how my pendant drew his eyes that I’d tempted him.
He believed me.
“Give up your search for the Lord Enchanter,” I said, seizing the silence. “His oath to you is broken, and he is powerless. In return, I will help you.”
He gave me a glare so withering it would have sent any of his ministers onto his knees, quivering with fear.
