“One skill you develop from a life of court functions is how to navigate a dance floor,” Princess Marie replied.
An idea sparked in my head. “Could you maneuver people other than yourself? Push people into different positions?”
The princess’s small smile dropped away. “Possibly. Who would you want me to move?” I glanced towards the Emperor, currently spinning a Despotate lord commander, much to his consternation, and the princess followed my gaze. “You wish to dance with her.”
“I wish a great many things, to get to know you better being one, but I’m afraid duty comes first, and my duty isto get close to the Emperor.” Princess Marie looked at me, concealing the pained cast of her eyes with an inquisitive quirk of the eyebrow. “You could say it’s why I was included in Lynwyzc’s retinue.”
“What do you mean?” Princess Marie asked.
I grimaced. “I cannot tell you, but you have to trust me. If I get a chance to talk with the Emperor one-on-one, it could change the course of these negotiations for the better.”
Instantly, the princess adopted a mask of polite confusion. “Captain, I don’t know of what you speak…”
I shook my head, my urgency making me bold. “You know as well as I that this is a treaty summit, twelve-year jubilee or not. I know as little as to why it’s happening as you, but I do know I could have some clout with the Emperor, and having her friendly to our cause could only be beneficial to your nation as well as mine. Now, will you help me?”
The princess considered this in silence. I noticed we were supposed to have changed partners, but Marie discreetly stepped out of line, leading me around and back into position without missing a beat.
“Promise me you will not forget Stelsylvania when you speak to her behind closed doors,” she said, her voice far firmer than she had shown thus far.
“How could I forget such a staunch ally?” I said, as genuine as I could. I meant it, too.
With a nod, Princess Marie said, “The next song is a waltz. It will not change partners. We should give you to her then, so you will have longer to speak together.”
“Thank you,” I said, relief pouring through my chest like a soothing balm. “How do we do that?”
“Just follow my lead,” she said, then pulled me back out of line and towards the Emperor’s group of dancers. I tried to relax, did my best to follow her gentle pressure on myshoulder and hand as we glided from one quadrille to another, almost joining each, but never integrating with any. The music began to crescendo, approaching a grand finale which would signify the end of the dance, and the princess pulled me towards the Emperor’s ensemble. The final whirls were so fast I could hardly see who was near me, catching glimpses of uniforms, court outfits, and suits. Princess Marie whispered, “Good luck,” then spun to intercept a Federation nobleman who was trying to step into my place. I had just enough time to see his astonished expression before my momentum carried me away. My steps turned me around, and there I was, standing before the Emperor, both of us perfectly still as the music stopped.
The Emperor looked down on me, her green eyes cold, bored, annoyed. Then, her golden eyebrows furrowed slightly, a wrinkle of confusion creased the bridge of her nose, and her eyes flew open in sudden shocked recognition.
The final note played, and I bowed low, my good leg forwards as she’d taught me was appropriate in Imperial courts, and swept aside a hat I was not wearing. When I came up, she was still staring.
I’m not certain what made me say it, but standing this close to her, smelling her scent, feeling the heat of her body, seeing her once again after so many years, I could not think of her as only the autocrat of the Voidstar Trans-Stellar Empire. To me, a part of her would always be my Astrid.
Which might be what prompted my mouth to say, “Hello, beautiful,” to the most fearsome warlord in the galaxy.
DANCING WITH THE DEVIL
THE BAND PLAYEDthe setting note for the next dance, which, if Princess Marie was correct, was a single-partner waltz. I extended my hand and politely asked, “Would you give me the honor of this dance?”
Wordlessly, the Emperor placed her black-gloved hand in mine, the silver-steel nail sheaths winking in the lamplight. I stepped close, placing my hand on her waist. The thrill of touching her again sent a shiver through my body, which I ruthlessly repressed.You have a mission. Stay on mission. For Queen and country.
“You’re looking well,” I said as we began to dance in three-four time. Her body moved fluidly beneath my hand, as she had back at the Academy. “Rulership suits you.”
“Thank you. You look good as well,” she replied, her voice terse. I had hoped for more warmth, but she’d been stiff and awkward when we started dating, too.
I snarked, “It’s all the uniform. Ten years of constant warfare have left me much the worse for wear.”
“If you say so,” she replied, and I mentally kicked myself. She was the new Emperor. She started this war. Blaming her for it would not help my case.
I searched for a meaningful conversation starter, but finding nothing, settled on the inane, “It’s been a while.” She nodded politely. “Over twelve years.” She nodded again. “You’ve come far. Baroness to Emperor.” Another nod. “I would have expected your husband to be in your seat.”
“He didn’t survive the coup,” she said. Another mistake, one which could end the conversation, but her response excited my curiosity. So a couphadbrought the new Emperor to power. Allied intelligence had never determined whether she’d risen via violent overthrow or if a civil war had followed the old Emperor’s natural death.
I would have loved to ask more about how she gained the throne, but even I knew that would be distasteful. “And your father?” I asked, grasping for conversational straws.
Finally, the Emperor showed a hint of emotion, as her lips twitched into a thin smile. “I made sure he didn’t either.”
I had to remind myself that assassination was the Imperial way. I should not be worried that the Emperor had eliminated someone she despised. “I never liked him anyways.”
