Once again shivers worked their way over me, and I marveled at how this body of mine, one I thought I knew, could give me such pleasure. How I wished Torric could trail those kisses lower, pull away my gown, take me to bed once more.
Later. For now we were expected in the audience chamber.
“As ready as I can be,” I replied. “But it must be done. Then there will be nothing tying me to my past.”
He nodded, dark eyes warm with understanding, and took my hand. We left our chambers that way, fingers twined around one another’s, as the guards fell in around us to provide an escort down all those staircases, through all those corridors, until at last we entered the grand hall where the Emperor and Empress conducted their business.
It was already full. No real surprise there; word had gotten out, as it always did, and the waiting onlookers had the greedy, expectant air of those about to observe someone else’s downfall. I felt my mouth twist with distaste, but there was nothing for it. This thing must be done, and if those watching took enjoyment from seeing someone else’s misfortune, I could not be responsible for that. I had asked Torric if this could be done in private, and he had said no, that he wanted everyone to witness this punishment, and learn from it.
When I had further inquired why he wanted this punishment to be public, when my aunt had been quietly whisked away, he had only shaken his head and said gravely, “It is far more likely that there are those in my kingdom who wish to scheme and steal the goods and lands of others, rather than practice magic, and so I believe this particular set of consequences will hit home with far more people.”
I could not really argue with that observation, and I had agreed that the deed would be done in the audience chamber. My stomach still knotted at the thought of confronting her, but after this, I told myself, it would all truly be over.
Torric did not release my hand until we had both seated ourselves on our thrones. One final squeeze of my fingers, and a reassuring smile, and then he turned to Renwell Blane, his captain of the guard. “Have them brought in.”
That had been the first disagreement of our marriage, for I had not wished my stepsisters to be present for this. However, Torric overruled me, saying that while perhaps they had not been involved in my stepmother’s original scheme to deprive me of my wealth, they most certainly had never spoken up for me, or done anything to make my lot at all easier. That was nothing more than the truth, and so I had not protested further.
Now, though, I felt my fingers grip the carved arms of the throne in which I sat as the doors at the far end of the chamber opened and my stepmother and her two daughters entered. At the sight of them, I felt the breath seize in my throat — a foolish reaction, I supposed, since I was now far beyond the reach of Bethynne Millende’s harsh words and petty vindictiveness. It was not as easy as I had hoped to shrug off a decade of such treatment.
Not that any of them were looking terribly intimidating at the moment. They had dressed soberly and plainly — I guessed that my stepmother wished to avoid any obvious evidence of her misuse of money that was never hers — and while she held her head high, both Jenaris and Shelynne appeared thoroughly wretched, their gazes cast resolutely toward the stone floor they now traversed.
I waited until they had paused at the bottom of the dais where Torric and I sat, and then rose, aware of the watching eyes upon me. The crown I wore upon my head suddenly felt very heavy. I cast a quick, sidelong glance at Torric, and he nodded, his eyes earnest on mine, even though his sober expression did not change.
“Bethynne Millende,” I said, and to my wonder, my voice was clear and strong, carrying to the farthest corners of the audience chamber, “the Crown’s investigators have found irrefutable evidence that you plotted to deprive me of my inheritance, and that you took the proceeds from this inheritance to support yourself and your daughters, only to leave me to work as a drudge in the very house which should have been mine.”
To my surprise, she lifted her chin and glared at me, saying, “You had a roof over your head, and meals every day. I deprived you of nothing.”
Anger blazed through me, that she should continue to spew her falsehoods, even here before her Emperor. Beside me I heard a hiss of breath, and the creak of the throne on which my husband sat. I knew Torric wished to rise, to tell her exactly what he thought of her lies. But it was not his place to do so.
It was mine.
I laughed, and I saw her eyes widen in shock. I knew then that she had perhaps expected she could still cow me, even now when I was Empress. She had spent too many years in control of her household and everyone around her; it was clear that she still had not grasped how drastically her situation had changed.
“A pallet in front of the fire in the kitchen, and stolen mouthfuls of food, yes,” I said. “Not precisely what I should have inherited, however. Therefore, I am now taking back everything which should have been mine — the estate in Larenston, the townhouse here in Iselfex, whatever remains of the money you have squandered for your own luxury over the years.”
Her face paled, and I could see the rouge standing out on her pallid cheeks. “Am I to be thrown on the street?”
“Not at all,” I said sweetly. “For I know your sister, the Baroness of Delanir, has given you much advice and succor over the years, and so I am sure she would be only too happy to shelter you now in your time of need.”
No protests at that pronouncement, although I saw her lips compress and her eyes narrow. I had a feeling the Baron might have some choice words about her coming to live with him and his wife, but that was no concern of mine.
“And my daughters?” my stepmother asked, and now an almost whining, cajoling tone had entered her voice. “Are they to be left with nothing? For they are blameless in all this.”
A few paces behind her, both Jenaris and Shelynne looked up for the first time. I could see the worry and fear all too plainly in their faces. Although I did not much like them, I did feel sorry for them.
“As for ‘blameless,’” I said, “I am not so sure of that, for certainly they did nothing to make my life any easier. However, I know how cruel this city can be to a young woman on her own, and so I do not wish that fate upon them. Jenaris shall be given the estate in Larenston, and Shelynne will have the house here in town. All monies left of my inheritance will be divided equally between them. I myself will appoint managers to oversee both properties and to ensure that the funds are spent wisely. They will not be cast out, and they will have sufficient wealth to perhaps attract worthy husbands. But you are to leave them strictly alone and have no further contact with them.”
Even as their mother looked aghast, Jenaris and Shelynne appeared distinctly relieved. Perhaps having Bethynne Millende removed from their lives wouldn’t be quite the hardship she herself thought it to be.
“And sisters,” I continued, fixing them both with a direct stare, “if word reaches me that you have spoken to your mother, that you have used any of the funds given to you to support her in any way, then you forfeit my generosity, and will be thrown on the sufferance of your relatives. Do you understand?”
“Yes,” they both replied at once, and nodded vigorously.
“Very good,” I said. “Lord Keldryn is overseeing the transfer of the properties to you. Until the estate’s renters can find another property, you may both stay here in the townhouse. But your mother is to be removed immediately to her sister’s home. Say your farewells now, for this is the last you will see of one another.”
My stepmother began to weep, and turned toward her daughters, hands outstretched. They, however, backed away, all but throwing themselves into the arms of the guards surrounding them, who appeared distinctly uncomfortable.
“So, she has poisoned your minds against me already?” cried their mother. “Think of everything I have done for you. It was all for you! All of it!”
They both shook their heads violently, and cast entreating looks at the men-at-arms, who obligingly led them away after I nodded.
Noting their unceremonious departure, my stepmother took a step toward the dais, fury etched in her brow.
“I knew I should have killed you when you were a child!” she spat. “Useless, worthless, scheming little whore!”
The watching crowd, which had been silent up until that point, sucked in a collective breath, and Torric finally stood.
“You are speaking of your Empress,” he said, “and what you say is treason. You will have no comfortable exile at your sister’s estate. Guards, take her!”
They surrounded her and pulled her away as she screeched and hurled insults. Aghast, I could only stand there and watch until she and her escort disappeared through the doors to the audience chamber. My fingers trembled, and Torric stepped close and wrapped his warm hand around my icy one.
“That is the end of today’s audience,” he announced.
At once the remaining guards began to herd everyone out. There was much murmuring and muttering, but of course no one dared go against their Emperor’s wishes. At last we were alone, and he pulled me against him, holding me, saying nothing, but lending me his strength.
Finally I murmured, “I had no idea she hated me that much. That is, sometimes I wondered if she ever thought of killing me, but to hear her say it out loud….”
“Think no more of it.” He gently lifted the crown from my head so he could place his lips against my hair, his breath warm and reassuring. “She is an evil woman. Indeed, I am rather glad she spoke out as she did, for then she gave me a reason to imprison her. I thought you were being far too lenient by allowing her to simply go to her sister.”
“And what are you going to do with her?” I asked, pulling away so I could meet his gaze. “Keep her in the dungeon forever?”
“As much as I would like to, no.” One of those brilliant heart-melting smiles, and he continued, “I think letting her cool her heels there for a few days might assist her in pondering her misdeeds, so that when she is released, she will be suitably chastened and will reconsider her future actions.”
“Very wise, O Emperor,” I said, and grinned back up at him.
“I have learned from your wisdom, wife of mine. And I hope I will continue to learn from you for the remainder of my days.”
“Only if you will teach me as well,” I replied.
“Always.”
He took me in his arms and kissed me on the steps of the dais, and I knew then that he would always be there for me, and I for him…and the both of us for Sirlende.
And perhaps, just perhaps, we all would be the better for it.
* * *
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Also by Christine Pope
TALES OF THE LATTER KINGDOMS
(Fantasy Romance)
All Fall Down
Dragon Rose
Binding Spell
Ashes of Roses
One Thousand Nights
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THE WITCHES OF CLEOPATRA HILL
(Paranormal Romance)
Darkangel
Darknight
Darkmoon
Sympathetic Magic
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THE GAIAN CONSORTIUM SERIES
(Science Fiction Romance)
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The Gaia Gambit
The Mandala Maneuver
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THE SEDONA TRILOGY
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Also available in an omnibus edition at a special low price!
About the Author
Christine Pope has been writing stories ever since she commandeered her family’s Smith-Corona typewriter back in the sixth grade. Her work includes paranormal romance, and fantasy and science fiction/space opera romance. She now works as a freelance editor and graphic designer in addition to writing fiction. She fell in love with Sedona, Arizona, while researching the Sedona Trilogy and now makes her home there, surrounded by the red rocks. No alien sightings, though...not yet, anyway!
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Ashes of Roses (Tales of the Latter Kingdoms Book 4) Page 26
