She wasn’t going to let him change the subject that easily. Something had changed between them. He’d held her hand the entire time his father was here instead of trying to cover up his affection for her. Maybe I’m actually breaking down his armor.
“I told you to be patient,” Loku said.
She stood and took his hand again. “I’d feel much safer if you stayed by my side.”
He glanced at the bedroom, then at her. “You know I’m bound by my duty, Arden.”
“Yes, and I’m not asking you to do anything contrary to it.”
The worried set of his mouth told her he disagreed.
“Just stay with me tonight.” She pulled him toward the bedroom. “We both could use some rest after the fire, and I want to know you’ll be close if I need you.”
His shoulders dropped as though he’d given up trying to fight her. A minute later, he was lying next to her in the bed, his arm around her shoulders.
She snuggled deeper into his arms, the smell of smoke still clinging to his clothes and reminding her how close she’d come to losing him. He flinched under her, reminding her of the raw skin she’d glimpsed from the holes burned into his clothes. She released the last trickle of magic she had to ease his pain and finish healing him. “I never thanked you for shielding me from that fireball.”
“I would do it again if I had to.”
“I know.” And she loved him all the more for it.
Chapter 25
Kell fought to keep his jaw from dropping when he first saw the Imperial barge floating in the middle of the canal. Extravagant seemed too small a word for it. His father would have called it ostentatious.
The entire structure was covered in gold leaf and gleamed in the sunlight. The precious stones encrusted along the columns could easily rival Ranello’s crown jewels. A center structure resembled an open temple, and at the heart of it sat the Empress.
She certainly knows how to play the part of a goddess. Marist wore a form-fitting dress made of gold thread that flexed and sparkled with every mundane movement. Her arms and shoulders were left bare, and a long slit in the skirt revealed a teasing glimpse of her legs. She reclined on a settee, discussing some matter with the Lord Chamberlain while she sipped from her goblet.
Kell waited on the gangplank as the servant announced his arrival.
The Empress gave him a sultry smile. “Prince Kell, so good of you to join me.”
He approached her and bowed. “How could I refuse your invitation?” If I refused, I would dash any hopes of forming an alliance with your empire.
“I’d like to discuss a few things in private with you. I thought the cruise would add a change in scenery.”
More like she wanted to show off her wealth. So far, his stay in Gravaria had proven to be one big political game, full of pomp and courtesies without ever getting to the heart of his mission. Today would probably end up the same way.
The Lord Chamberlain eyed him like a potential thief. “I’ll give the order to depart.”
“And get off the barge when you do,” Marist said sweetly.
The Lord Chamberlain stood aghast with his mouth open, but quickly regained his bearing. “I’m sorry, Empress Marist, but I don’t think I heard you correctly. You wish for me leave you alone with him?”
“Yes, you heard me correctly, Uncle.” Her tone was sharp and cold like a blade, cutting off his protests. “Now go before the sun sets too low and I risk catching a chill before the cruise is over.”
He glared at Kell before bowing to her. “As you wish.”
Marist waited until the Lord Chamberlain was back on land before saying, “Please forgive my uncle, Prince Kell. He keeps forgetting that I rule the Empire, not him.”
“Yes, we had a similar problem last year with my brother.”
“So I’ve heard.”
The boat pulled away from the shore, and the steady slap of the oars sounded from the deck below. Kell sat in the chair next to her, thankful for the white linen roof that dulled the hot rays from the sun above. “I appreciate you agreeing to speak with me again, Empress Marist.”
“Save your thanks until after we’re done talking.” She shifted her body, exposing more of her legs. “I’m very curious about your attachment to the Soulbearer.”
He stopped himself before he rolled his eyes. “I didn’t know my personal life interested you so much, especially when I’m here as a diplomatic envoy—”
She cut him off with a laugh. “There’s no need to continue that pretense, Kell. We both know you came here for her. I’m merely a second thought, an excuse to justify your presence.”
He took the extra goblet sitting on the table and took a long drink. “Perhaps, but that doesn’t mean I intend to waste an opportunity to build a new relationship between our nations.”
“A new relationship.” She swirled the contents of her cup. “A very interesting choice in words. Tell me this—have you heard anything from the Soulbearer since she left for the Conclave?”
An ache formed in his chest. He’d heard nothing from her since then, despite the almost daily letters he’d sent through the Empress’s messengers. He’d hoped that she would write back, perhaps even accept his proposal, but everyday ended in silence from her. “She is busy completing her training so we can return home before the winter storms.”
Marist nodded and leaned toward him. “Aren’t you worried about her being away from you for so long?”
“Why should I be worried?” As soon as the words left his mouth, an image of Dev entered his mind. She was up there, alone with Dev all day. Was there a chance she might have renewed her feelings for the knight?
“Why indeed?”
The images in his mind grew darker. He pictured Arden and Dev in bed, their bodies tangled under the sheets, her cries of passion turning his blood cold. He pressed the palms of his hands against his eyes to erase the images, but they still haunted him.
“Is something wrong, Kell?” the Empress asked innocently.
The images faded, but his body still bore the wounds they inflicted on him. Sweat prickled the back of his neck. His hands felt shaky, even though he saw no tremor when he held them out. His dry mouth made it difficult to answer. “I just want her back.”
“And I’ve told you before that it’s a lost cause. Even if she wasn’t doomed with insanity in the coming years, there was always some part of her she held back from you.”
The sweat rolled down his back. Marist knew far too much. Had she pried into his mind without him realizing it?
She kept her gaze level with his, never wavering. “I admire your dedication to her, but you must realize that people like us are never free to marry for love.”
“My parents loved each other,” he countered, holding on to the dwindling hope Arden would agree to marry him.
“A deviation from the norm.” She sat up and leaned on the arm of the settee, still watching him. “How dedicated are you to your homeland?”
His unease lightened now that the conversation had turned away from Arden. “I would do anything to defend and protect Ranello.”
“As I would for Gravaria. Your request to renew ties between our nations intrigues me. I know what you stand to gain from it. But what will I gain?”
“An ally with a strong army.”
She laughed as though she were humoring a child. “Do I look like I need a strong army? Gravaria can defend itself. I’d be more worried about Ranello, especially with Thallus threatening to invade.”
Fear choked his throat. “What have you heard about that?”
“The last report I heard was that the Thallian troops had gathered along your border. I’m expecting an update soon.”
His gut twisted so sharply, he almost doubled over. “Now you see why I’m seeking to renew ties with Gravaria. If Thallus knows you’re allied with us, they’ll think twice about invading.”
“You wish to use me as a deterrent?” She chuckled and stood, the sunlight revealing the outline
s of her curves under her sheer dress. “I ask you again, what will I gain from this?”
I wish Dev would’ve helped me with this scenario. After seeing the bounty and wealth of Gravaria, he struggled to find something Ranello could offer that the Empress didn’t already have.
He got his answer when Marist ran her finger along his cheek. “Let me propose a different scenario for you.”
A new set of images filled his mind. Instead of Arden, the Empress now shared his bed. Her normally cold, emotionless face came alive with passion. Her lips conquered his in a deep kiss. Her nails dug into his back as he made love her.
He pulled away from Marist, the images disappearing as soon as her finger left his skin. He curled his hands into fists. “What kind of magic are you trying to use on me?”
Her small mouth rose into a seductive smile. Her resemblance to Arden was uncanny, but at times like this, he could easily spot the difference between the two women. Arden would never try to manipulate him like the Empress had. “It was merely a suggestion.”
“One that I’ll have to respectfully decline.”
“Come now, Kell, be reasonable.” She straddled his lap, her fingers curling through his hair. “We could be good together, and I’m curious to know if you live up to your reputation.”
He fought to stay in control against the magic the Empress wove around him. It battered his defenses, tempting him to touch her bare skin, to taste her red lips, to yield to her seduction. He looked around for help, but the deck was deserted.
“You know what I want.” Her breath grazed his ear as she leaned closer to whisper, “Are you willing to give it to me?”
He struggled to keep from falling down that slippery slope. Yes, it was very clear she wanted him. And had the circumstances been different, he might have considered her offer. He grabbed her arms and pulled them down. “I can’t do that to Arden.”
Her eyes grew round. “Even though she’s forgotten all about you?”
Had she? The ache returned to his chest. “She hasn’t forgotten about me, and I will remain loyal to her.”
The Empress retreated from him, her cheeks scarlet. “You would turn me down, the woman who could help revitalize your pitiful kingdom, for her?”
“Yes.”
Her body stiffened, and the air around them grew heavy. Kell placed his hand on his sword, hoping it would protect him from any magic Marist planned to launch at him.
Then a flash of silver appeared in her eyes, and her rage collapsed. She sat on the edge of the settee, her head hanging. “I apologize for that,” she said quietly. “I crossed the line.”
Compassion warmed his heart. Up until now, he’d only seen the cool, calculating Empress Marist wished to portray herself as. The woman sitting across from him appeared lost and lonely. “Why did you test me like that?”
“Maybe because I envy her.” She reached for her goblet, but didn’t drink from it. She stared into the dark wine. “You of all people should know how hard it is to find someone that wants you and not your crown. I thought, perhaps, if I could sway your affection, even for a few hours…”
She set the goblet back on the table, her vulnerability vanishing. “But, it seems I misjudged your feelings for the Soulbearer. I had hoped to cement the ties between our nations with an arrangement between us, but I see now that is not a possibility.”
“Would you be happy knowing I cheated on the woman I loved to be with you?”
She gave him a bitter laugh. “I would always be questioning your loyalty.”
“Exactly.” He paused, wishing he could mend the damage done by his rejection. “Perhaps we can come up with a different arrangement. You asked what I can give you. I want to know what you want.”
“Besides you?” The flirtatious tone returned to her words, but she stayed on the settee. “I shall have to think on it.”
“In the meantime, let’s discuss the threat Thallus poses to both our nations. If they do invade Ranello, what’s to stop them from invading Gravaria next?”
The conversation returned to the comfortable realm of politics, the incident moments ago forgotten as they discussed how to reintroduce magic into Ranello. They were in the middle of discussing how to send emerging mages from Ranello to the Conclave for training when a letter appeared with a flash on her table.
Marist set her cup aside with a frown and broke open the seal. Her expression darkened as she read the contents. “We need to return to the palace at once.”
She strode toward the door that led to the deck below and gave the order to turn around. The barge slid to a stop and began moving in the opposite direction.
When she returned, Kell asked, “What happened?”
She studied him with her cool blue gaze before replying, “There’s been another attack on the Soulbearer, this time within the walls of the Conclave.”
His breath hitched. “Is Arden alive?”
The Empress nodded. “But she’s made a powerful enemy—one I intend to stop before he succeeds.”
Chapter 26
Dev climbed out of the bed, taking care not to wake Arden. His chest tightened as he watched her curl up in a ball, her eyelids twitching as she slept. In a strange role reversal, she’d been the one to save him, not the other way around. The magic she’d woven around them to get through the wall of fire rivaled some his father’s most powerful spells, but her lack of training meant it had taken more out of her than it would the Mage Primus. She needed to recuperate before the next attack came.
The sun had faded behind the mountains, and night surrounded the Conclave. The rest of the world would be falling asleep soon, but his mind still raced. The muffled voices on the other side of the door told him he wasn’t the only one still awake.
Cinder hopped up on the bed and claimed the spot Dev vacated.
He ruffled the wolf’s fur. “Keep an eye on her.”
The wolf licked his hand in response.
When he ventured outside the bedroom, he found his father and the Mage Secundus deep in conversation. “Anything new?”
His question halted them mid-sentence. The Mage Primus recovered first. “The Empress wishes to see the Soulbearer immediately.”
“She can wish all she wants, but we’re not leaving now.” Dev ripped the ruined clothes off his back and searched through his father’s clothes for a replacement. “It’s too dangerous to go down the mountain at night.”
“I told her as much. We’ll be leaving first thing in morning.”
Dev slammed the wardrobe shut. “Why should we unnecessarily expose Arden to danger? This is supposed to be the safest place in Gravaria.”
“And it was breached.” His ended the sentence snapping a scroll closed and pushing away from the table. “The Empress is demanding to know what went wrong and feels the Soulbearer will be safer under her care than mine.”
“Set her straight.” He pulled a shirt over his head. “You’re the Mage Primus, after all.”
“And she’s the Empress.” Arano paced along the length of the desk. “If I disobeyed her, I risk losing my head, which isn’t going to help Arden at all.”
Dev cursed under his breath and sank into a chair. “Tell me what you do know, then, so I know what I’m up against.”
The two top mages exchanged glances. Arano nodded, and the Mage Secundus said, “There was a definite taint of law to the magic. That we know for certain.”
Dev clasped his hand together and leaned forward. “So Loku was right—Nelos is behind this.”
“We can’t be certain. I mean, for a god to intervene like this…” The Mage Secundus shook his head. “Well, it’s preposterous.”
Not preposterous to him. He’d seen Loku intervene plenty of times by taking control of his Soulbearer. “Do we have any followers of Nelos inside the Conclave? Have you questioned any of them?”
Arano shook his head. “But we think Raggia might have known the person behind the attacks.”
Irritation clawed at the back of his min
d. If his father had a clue, why wasn’t he following up on it? What was delaying his progress? If his father had just acted on his suspicions earlier, perhaps today’s attack wouldn’t have happened. “Well, then, interrogate her.”
“I can’t,” Arano said, his expression solemn. “She was found dead in her chambers a few hours ago.”
Dev rose with another flurry of curses. “She knew, damn it. She was the last person Arden spoke with before the attack. For all we know, she was a part of the breach.”
The Mage Secundus shook his head. “Raggia didn’t have the power to cast such a spell, nor did she have any strong religious convictions. She’s not the one behind the attacks.”
“Then why is she dead?”
Another exchange of glances between the two men. “We think she might have known the person behind the attack,” the Mage Secundus replied.
Now it was Dev’s turn to start pacing. He mirrored his father’s movements across the desk. “What I wouldn’t give to be able to have a conversation with a dead woman right now.”
“You know the possible consequences of such a thing,” his father scolded, “so get that idea out of your head. We already have enough problems to deal with.”
The Mage Secundus settled into a chair with a glass of wine. “The good news is that the breach seems to have healed itself. Whatever magic that was used to disrupt it was short-lived.”
At least Arden was safe. For now. “Did the Empress give any reason why she thought Arden would be safer in the palace instead of the Conclave?”
“No.” Arano’s steps slowed and he leaned on his desk, revealing his weariness. “We’re in a fine mess because of that girl.”
“That’s Trouble for you.” Dev stopped and ran his fingers through his hair, noting the stiff, charred ends. Arden was right about him needing a haircut. “Is there anything else we need to worry about tonight?”
Arano handed him the letter. “This arrived from Varrik. I’m letting you handle this problem.”
A Soul For Chaos (The Soulbearer Trilogy) Page 23
