“Princess, I…” I began, uncertain how to express mygratitude. I knew what it must have meant for a royal to denigrate herself so deeply.
“It had to be done. You’d do no less for your Queen and country,” Marie said, brushing off my apologies. Her face was firm and stoic, but when I glanced at Darius, I was shocked to see him blushing.
The subdued atmosphere remained until we docked with the archduke’s cruiser. Darius led us onto his ship and brushed off the captain’s pleasantries.
“We don’t have time for that,” Darius said as he swept aboard.
“Yes, Your Grace…” The Yezhidian captain noticed me, and his hand went for his lancer.
Darius drew first. “Put it away, Captain.”
“But, Your Grace, that man is a criminal,” the Yezhidian officer protested, his hand firmly grasping his half-drawn lancer as he stared down the blade of his prince’s dagger.
“That’s right, and we’re going to help him commit high acts of treason against the sitting Emperor of the Voidskies with the goal of restoring a more favorable head of state to the throne. Any questions?”
The navy captain gave me a hard look, then swallowed and released his lancer back into its holster. “No, Your Grace.”
“That’s good to hear. Now go make the ship ready to receive its other visitors,” Darius ordered as he sheathed his dirk.
“Other visitors?” the Yezhidian captain and I asked at the same time.
Darius smirked at me. “Of course. All the allies you’re going to bring to help in this madcap scheme. They’ll have to come here to help plan.”
“Right,” I said. “Guess I’d better drum up some allies, then.”
The first ally to arrive was Ingvar. I sent Darius down to ask for him, and the two returned soon thereafter. Ingvar then became our primary runner, rounding up other individuals who Darius, Marie, or myself thought would be sympathetic to our cause. Ingvar had a few suggestions of his own. It was on his recommendation we brought Wiktor into the fold, and when the two of them arrived, they brought unexpected reinforcements with them.
My demonic heart did not skip a beat when the ten-foot demon servant strode through the portal, but my adrenaline glands dumped their stimulants into my system. Judging by the way the Yezhidians drew their weapons, I was not the only one worried.
“Please, sir, tell your men to stand down. Lyudmyla is my guest, and loyal to the Emperor. Although not a guardsman, she is still a capable fighter, and could provide much-needed strength for our cause,” Ingvar said in placating tones.
Lyudmyla raised her head. “I wish to fight for the Emperor, and I am not the only servant in the Crystal Palace who feels this way. The Emperor is a shining ruler, a clear path to a glorious future. Selnikov is a squabbling traditionalist who would have us wallow in the past, fighting each other for all time.”
“Fine words. Count Zukov said much the same,” I replied, my hands calmly clasped behind my back as I attempted to maintain a façade of calm control. I did not tell the Yezhidians to stand down.
Lyudmyla snarled. “Do not speak that assassin’s name in my presence. He deserves to be erased from history.”
This seemed more vehement than I was used to from Imperials. They enjoyed the thrill of battle and were dismissive of non-demons, but rarely did they hate their foes. “What did Zukov ever do to you?”
A moment of solemn softness passed across Lyudmyla’s face before she returned to her violent countenance. “He killed Ankhelina.”
I knew that. I was there when it happened. My confusion must have shown on my face because Ingvar leaned in and stood on his toes to whisper, “Ankhelina was Lyudmyla’s older sister, sir. She idolized the Champion. To see her slain in such an ignominious fashion is an insult to the Champion’s memory.”
Understanding, I took a step forwards. Lyudmyla stiffened, but when she saw my offered hand, she met my gaze with a searching intensity, trying to decide if she could trust me.
“Care to help me take revenge on those who spit upon the Champion’s name?” I asked.
Lyudmyla’s fanged mouth broke into a wide grin, and she took my hand, her palm engulfing most of my forearm. “With pleasure.”
Wiktor was a more pleasant encounter. “It’s good to see you, Captain. I thought you might be needing these.”
I took the bundle of folded clothes he handed me. “That’s very thoughtful of you, but I don’t think I have the right to wear a sky captain’s uniform anymore.”
“You have earned that right in my eyes, Captain.” The royal valet’s words nearly brought tears to my eyes. “Besides, you need an outfit smart enough to match your effects.”
“I don’t have any effects. They were confiscated during the coup,” I blurted.
Wiktor gave me a self-satisfied smile. “I know, Captain. That’s why I took the liberty of bringing them to you.” He gestured behind him to Ingvar holding a bundled weapon harness, with my broadsword, dirk, and lancer pistol hanging off it. Gratefully, I took the weapons from the hordling.
