Page 24 of Bred By the Emperor

He shakes his head. “Not until we get to the bottom of this. But I can at least get you out of this dreadful cell.”

I laugh and jump up, hugging him. He feels like a smaller, lighter version of his dad. Still a tall, strong, muscular man, but not quite so comfortingly sturdy.

“Thank you,” I sob into his shoulder.

“For what?” He doesn’t hug me back.

“For believing me.”

“I don’t. I didn’t say that,” he protests, but I know better. Men. They all hate showing their emotions, the silly dears. Nothing is worse than having to admit they’re wrong, and Kenton just did.

“You wouldn’t be here if you didn’t know in your heart that I’m telling the truth. Please be gentle while questioning my grandfather. He’s a sweet man.” I step back and hold his gaze, peering into eyes so much like his father’s.

“If this is true, your grandfather needs to abdicate.” It’s almost funny how much Kenton doesn’t want to believe I’m innocent. Hard-headed like his sire. Yet facts are facts, and they’re staring him in the face. He’s honest enough to accept them, and I’m grateful for that. Even if he is ambivalent about it.

“Agreed. It’s past time for him to step down either way. I’m ready to root out the rebel stronghold. Ideally with Malakai’s help. Can I see him?”

Kenton hesitates. “I’ll see what I can do.”

Not long after his visit, I’m brought to what is obviously a courtroom. Carved wood panels frame the desk in the center of the room, with two smaller desks positioned opposite, a witness cage set off to one side, and three rows of seats waiting to hold the jurors.

But there is no judge.

Only Malakai, striding into the room, grim-faced and wearing black military apparel. His jaw works when he sees me. We stare at one another in silence for what feels like forever.

Finally I whisper, “Do you believe I knew about the rebels?”

“I don’t know what to believe,” he says tiredly.

That hurts. My stomach sinks. “So you think it’s my fault.”

He exhales slowly. “I think you have carried the weight of your country on your shoulders.”

“I was trying to protect Kellimar.”

“And instead you endangered yourself.”

“I endangered us.” I swallow hard. “I should have asked my grandfather to step down sooner. I knew he wasn’t up to the task, but I thought that being under the protection of the empire, we were safe enough. I knew you were chasing down the rebels.”

“Trying to.”

“Does the council still want our marriage annulled?” My chest is squeezed tight by a band of hurt. A tear slips down my cheek before I can stop it.

He sees it immediately.

He always notices my thoughts. My feelings.

“I would have chosen you always, Malakai. Even before I knew you, I never would have done anything to hurt you.”

“I know. Lili, I know. I believe you.” He surrounds me, enfolding me in his thick arms. Clutching me close to his broad chest. “I will never let them take you from me.”

Something is nagging me about the maps. A sliver of information I couldn’t force to the forefront of my conscious thought when I was languishing in that cell. But now that I’m safe again, and I can think?

The answer springs immediately to mind.

“The maps,” I gasp. “I can prove my innocence and clear my grandfather, too! Mal, you must take me to the council at once.”

“What about them?” he asks in bewilderment.