“I’m aware of who she is, sir,” Ingvar said with a slightly patronizing smile, then pointed. “You will find her suite on the third floor from the top, with a courtyard-facing balcony. Not the worst accommodations, but not as luxurious as those enjoyed by the main combatants, such as yourself.”
I thought back to the tiny room where I had spent maybe half my nights on this planet. It was lavish for a soldier direct from the front, but severe for a League royal. “I certainly hope Princess Marie has a better room than mine.”
“Much better, sir, but not so fine as that which your prince enjoys,” Ingvar assured me. “Will there be anything else?”
“I’m certain there will be, but I need to assemble some allies and plan first. Will you be available when I next need you?” I asked.
Ingvar gave me his small, knowing smile once more. “Of course, sir. Just say the word.”
I made to kick off, but a thought made me pause. “Ingvar,what I’m about to do is insanely dangerous. Most of my possible futures wind up with me dead very soon. Why are you willing to risk your life to help me?”
Ingvar paused just outside the balcony door, considering before he answered. “A servant chooses little in this life, but the one thing they may choose is their master.” The hordling gave a little bow and vanished inside.
Ten minutes later, Tilly and I hung upside down above the Stelsylvanian suite’s balcony, shielding ourselves from prying eyes and infrared goggles in the protective overhang of obsidian crystal. I did not have a key, and I dared not knock. If a servant answered instead, I’d be lost. Thus, I settled in to wait until Princess Marie came outside. At least, I desperately hoped she would.
My legs were cramping and my back ached by the time the balcony doors opened, but it was not Marie who emerged. It was Darius.
I watched in silence as the Yezhidian archduke walked to the railing. He was half-undressed, his jacket missing, cravat gone, and shirt collar undone in a relaxed, after-party look, the disheveled disorder of the private chamber, not an outfit he would wear out. Had I gotten the wrong balcony? But no, here came the princess, dressed in a shimmering evening gown and white fur stole, moving to stand next to the archduke.
“Are you certain you wish to do this? You don’t have to say yes,” Darius said.
Princess Marie smiled sweetly, but I could see a hint of melancholy in her eyes. “After the events two evenings past, I see no other way to save my nation. Worry not, it’s a sacrifice I am willing to make.”
“I hope you don’t think it too great a sacrifice,” Darius replied.
Marie gently placed her hand on his cheek. “It couldbe far worse. Against my expectations, I find you’re a good man, not at all the treacherous, untrustworthy, bloodthirsty snake I was warned about.”
Darius grimaced. “That bad? Well, I hope your people will accept our deal. Do tell them I tried to keep casualties to a minimum, but we Yezhidians practice aggressive warfare. It’s brutal, but it’s meant to be quick.”
“And we Stelsylvanians adhere to the defense. Outrun, outbuild, outlast. We preserve our society, no matter how long it takes,” Marie said, stepping in and laying her cheek on Darius’s shoulder.
Archduke Darius held her comfortingly, gently stroking her hair. “Well, you succeeded. Stelsylvania will remain, despite the Federation and Empire’s chaos. Besides, following up on this declaration should be more pleasant than receiving our declaration of war.”
Princess Marie softly laughed. “I’m not worried about that part, but I do hate abandoning my allies. The League governments in exile at our court; the Royal Commonwealth, they deserve better. The Despotate, I don’t mind so much, but it feels wrong to turn on those I promised to help, like something the Federation would do. I wish there were some other way.”
“Well, in that case, I’ve got good news for you,” I said.
The two former League royals jumped and spun as though electrified. Darius reached for the dirk he ordinarily wore on his hip but which was not there, and Marie took in a breath to scream. Before she could, I spurred Tilly forwards, battered Darius aside and clamped my hand over the princess’s mouth.
“Don’t. I’m not here to hurt you. If I get caught, I can’t offer you a way to get everything you want from this peace,” I hissed, glaring at the princess and the archduke.
I felt Marie relax in my hands as she recognized me, and Darius straightened from his fighting posture, his eyes wide with wonder. I released the princess and nudged Tilly back, retreating into the shadows again.
“Stars above, where did you come from?” Darius asked.
“We thought you were to be returned to the Commonwealth and executed,” Marie said.
“I decided it wasn’t for me. Now, will you two invite me and Tilly in so we can get out of the open?” I asked.
Immediately, Princess Marie walked to the door and opened it. I spurred Tilly inside, then landed, swinging from the saddle to rub the cramps from my legs.
“You mentioned a deal?” Archduke Darius badgered me the moment he closed the doors and polarized the windows.
I stood, noticing the fresh flowers, opened champagne, unfolded blanket and tumbled cushions on the sofa. “I’m sorry, I appear to have interrupted a most pleasant evening.”
Princess Marie blushed a deep shade of crimson, but Archduke Darius waved my objection away. “Never mind all that, tell us why you’re here and not, say, escaping to another planet to live your life in peace?”
I glared at the Imperial ally. “Do you honestly think I could live with myself if I left now, when I still have a chance to make things right?”
