by J. C. Owens
A cup of tea appeared before him, and he almost flinched, so intent was he on the emperor’s reaction to what was planned.
He glanced up at his father’s Chosen, Sarnwa, and offered a nod.
His father’s Chosen was an enigma, silent and often fading into the background as skillfully as the Shadows themselves. As tall as the emperor and Taldan, he had the bright golden hair of the western territories, and the wide-shouldered build as well. Kind brown eyes met his before the Chosen melted back into the inner rooms.
Despite having grown up with the man, Taldan knew very little about him, only that he had a calm, gentle manner. Whenever Taldan had injured himself as a child, it was Sarnwa who had silently appeared, soothing him in the closest to caring he had ever received.
Now, looking back on it, Taldan wondered if his father had even been aware of what his Chosen had done, giving his son comfort when orders had been to the contrary.
Perhaps the reason that Taldan was never as cold as his father was because of that interference, the knowledge that there was someone who cared, someone who saw nothing wrong with being emotional and crying when you were hurt.
When Taldan had grown older and was under the sway of harsh tutors, the visits had ceased. From then on it had been the emperor’s way.
Had Sarnwa’s kindness been exposed, and he had been kept away? Taldan had vowed in his mind that if his father should ever die, then Sarnwa would be freed, and he would be treated with the respect and honor that he deserved.
Taldan pushed the thoughts away with impatience. He needed to maintain better control of his scattered thoughts. Now was not the time to delve back into the past and it certainly wasn’t the time for emotion to creep in.
“This is well done,” his father said. “Exactly as I would have wished.” The emperor placed the papers down and leaned back in his chair, eyes fixed upon his son. “You will not be leading them.”
Taldan froze, then forced his body into compliance, hiding his shock.
“I don’t understand. I am the heir. The heir is the one who leads the military for the emperor. It has always been so.”
“Your coronation is planned in a month. I have now determined that it will be sooner so that you will be able to fully deal with this with all the power of an emperor. I will not risk you in a country so far from the center of the empire. Especially when we don’t know what awaits in Odenar. The diplomats sent word that they and the small cohort of troops are being stonewalled when they try to travel beyond the capital. They have not been able to travel to Bhantan to see the truth of this invasion. This sign of rebellion is more than I will condone. I want our military to go in with extreme force, and Zaran will lead them in your place.”
Taldan felt fear run cold down his spine. “My brother has not the training that I have had. I would be concerned for his safety.”
“He is second born. He is expendable. Not to mention that upon attaining the throne, this will be his role for you regardless as he becomes the heir until you have offspring.”
Taldan’s right hand, safely out of sight of his father, slowly curled into a fist. He kept silent, holding his father’s eyes without the slightest hint of emotion.
At last, his father nodded, satisfied, the intensity of his stare lessening somewhat.
“Good. I want the ceremony for the bonding arranged just before your coronation, as is custom, so the arrangements will have to be swift. Make sure this is clear to the Lord Chamberlain so that he will see that the Master of Ceremonies gets to work immediately. I want this done swiftly, Taldan. This is a risky time for the empire. We cannot be seen to be weak.”
There was something almost weary in the tone, more so than he had ever heard from his father. The man had always seemed indomitable, more than mortal.
The emperor watched him in silence for some time, and Taldan remained motionless, waiting with the patience that he had been taught so well.
“You will need the magic for this, I believe. Once I have transferred it, you will be able to tap into the memories of all emperors, use their knowledge to your advantage. When events similar to this has happened in the past, any form of rebellion whatsoever, it has goaded other territories into testing our limits. Be aware. Be prepared.”
Taldan nodded.
“Anrodnes’s glory has been hard won down through time. I would not see it fall under the rule of my son.” There was clear warning in the words, a hint of doubt that made Taldan bristle, though he was careful to show no outward reaction.
He had his own plans, his own beliefs, and he would not share them with his father anymore than his father had shared his thoughts and motivations with him. The isolationist way of the leadership seemed foolish to Taldan, even though he had been raised in its extreme hold.
There were better ways, and he was going to find them. But first, he had a rebellious territory to quash, and his brother would be the one leading the imperial army…
* * *
Raine
The bolt in the cell door slid back. Raine rolled to his feet from the uncomfortable bed, wrapping an arm around his ribs as he did so. His impact with the wall had done the injuries no good. They ached fiercely, although he did not think they were reinjured. Merely jarred. Regardless, the pain made him catch his breath.
He half expected to be dragged out, tortured for the little he knew. Anrodnes had never been known for mercy, and now, he was suddenly on the wrong side of their laws.
Instead of the Shadows or some hulking interrogator, Isnay worked his way through the door sideways, burdened with a wealth of bags and a huge roll of something over his shoulder. Raine blinked in astonishment, then leaped to help his friend.
Isnay emerged breathlessly from under the pile, laying everything down before reaching out and tugging Raine into an embrace.
Raine hesitated, tears rising. He gently held Isnay, laying his head on the taller man’s shoulder and giving thanks to every god he could name.
“I thought you would hate me,” he whispered hoarsely.
Isnay stepped back, his own eyes none too dry. “I am not so fickle as that.”
“I lied to you. I could have told you what Parsul was planning. Instead…”
“You didn’t lie. You just kept your own counsel, as would anyone with a stranger. And I was a stranger, Raine.”
“Not now. And I let you down. You shouldn’t even be here. They’ll—”
“It doesn’t matter,” Isnay’s tone was fierce. “I believe in you, even if others don’t. I can’t do much to rectify what has happened, but I can damn well look after you as best possible.”
Raine gave a choking laugh. “I can’t imagine what I’ve done that the gods gifted me with you.”
Isnay waggled an eyebrow. “Or cursed you with me. It’s hard to say. Only time will tell. Until then, I have brought you a few things to liven up the place and keep you comfortable.”
The roll turned out to be a down-filled pallet. They fitted it over the existing mattress to give support, and when Raine sat on it, it felt heavenly.
Warm blankets and a thick duvet were added, the thin, scratchy wool blanket that had formerly been there being folded and put to the side.
One of the bags, unusually heavy, soon proved to be full of books.
Raine traced a finger down the spine of one of them, tears running down his cheeks.
“I was going out of my mind, trying to imagine how I would endure being trapped here.” He hugged Isnay fiercely before stepping back, wiping his cheeks self-consciously. “You couldn’t have given me a greater gift.”
“I know how you speed through them, so I will bring more each day. If you think of any that you particularly want, or a subject that grabs your attention, let me know.” Isnay rummaged around in another of the cloth bags and came up with a sheath of papers and several quills for writing, along with an inkpot. “I brought your notes so you can continue to work on things.”
Raine shook his head and sank down upon the ne
wly made bed, overwhelmed.
“I can’t thank you enough, Isnay. I thought I would never see you again.”
Isnay reached out and cupped his cheek. “Our friendship is more than that, shortly formed though it might be.”
“I’m not worth this. For the gods’ sake, don’t get into trouble because of me.” Fear rose that Isnay would be judged for this, or worse, punished.
“I have the permission of the imperial prince himself. I’m not a fool, Raine.”
“He allowed this?” Raine’s tone was full of wonder.
“He did. I have a written note.” He patted his pocket with one hand. He shook his head at Raine’s expression. “Don’t give him too much credit, my friend. This is not any particular kindness, nor is it a sign he believes you. I’m his best friend’s cousin, and he considers me part of his inner circle because of that link. I wouldn’t count on any mercy being extended toward you.”
“But this is mercy. He could have so easily said no.” Raine rose and paced the small area. “Thank him, if you get the chance.”
Isnay looked saddened momentarily, as though he were concerned that Raine was not understanding what he was attempting to convey, before he simply nodded. “I will.”
Raine sighed with relief, then stiffened as the door swung open and one of the Shadows stood looming in the space.
“Time is up, Lord Isnay.” He bowed his head slightly, but his eyes were hard upon Raine.
Isnay nodded, tugging Raine forward for a swift, hard hug. “Hold your spirits. I won’t stop trying to make them see that you had no role to play in this debacle.” He stepped back and tapped Raine’s nose with a forefinger. “Chin up. I’ll be back tomorrow.”
Raine nodded tightly, unable to speak as he watched Isnay turn and make his way through the door and past the Shadow, who eyed Raine warningly, before he swung the thick door shut, the sound of the bolt loud in the room.
Raine glanced around him, pushing away the melancholy to snatch up one of the books.
Within moments, he forgot he was in a prison at all.
* * *
Taldan
Taldan looked up from his desk at the knock on the door. He reached out and carefully wiped his quill and put it on its stand. “Enter.”
His Chosen entered slowly, hands clenched into nervous fists, flinching slightly as the door closed behind him. The terror on Antan’s face was unsettling, to say the least.
“Please, sit.” Taldan waved toward the chair on the far side of his desk, the one Zaran favored for its comfort.
Antan eyed him warily, then perched on the edge of the chair as though he might take flight at any moment.
Taldan leaned back into his chair, giving the man more space.
“I’m not going to hurt you, Antan. No matter what you may have read, or indeed heard, I will never harm my Chosen.”
The man blinked, then clasped his hands tightly in his lap, struggling to control his expression.
“I never thought you would, Your Imperial Highness. I merely…”
“I have no doubt at all that you have heard or read any number of salacious stories about what it means to be a bondmate of the emperor. You came here today fully certain that I would rape you and stake my claim immediately.”
Antan paled alarmingly. “No! I…”
Taldan waved a dismissive hand. “I take no insult from your belief. If I were in your shoes, I would no doubt think the same. I will not lay a hand on you until the ceremony itself. Although we must have sex on that night, for the rest of it, I believe we need time and proximity to grow comfortable with the notion of what this bond will mean. I am no more at ease with it than you are.”
The thought of intimacy with his Chosen did nothing for him now. Save for Hredeen, the only other man he’d had those feelings—brief though they had been—was for Raine. He was glad he had chosen his bondmate with his mind instead of listening to the distraction and irrationality of the heart. An emperor must put the good of the empire first and foremost.
Antan stared, then flushed deeply. “I apologize for my foolishness, Your Highness. There is so little information out there.”
Taldan nodded. He tapped his lips with a forefinger. “It might be wise to see that some of the histories and journals of the Chosen are more readily accessible, especially just before a Choosing, when stories are most rampant.”
He rose to his feet and skimmed through two shelves of books, pulling out several as he went.
“Here. These are the most relevant I know of. It might ease your mind to read about the experience of other Chosen.”
Antan had regained some of his color and nodded swiftly. “Thank you, Your Highness…”
“We will be working together in the future, and we will need to find a relationship that best fits that goal.”
Antan swallowed hard and glanced down, tracing a thumb over the cover of the topmost book. “I would be most honored to help you with your works.” He glanced up, blinking nervously. “Will I be allowed to continue other projects?”
“You mean your own artwork?” Taldan considered the matter for a moment, running the thought through his mind. “I don’t see why not, although my works will be of prime importance. They will always come first. Is that clear?”
Antan nodded, a hint of relief in his expression. “I am at your command, Your Highness.” He worried at his lip for a moment. “Will I have my own quarters?”
“Within my rooms, yes. You will not be allowed to leave unless I grant you the privilege. I am sure you have heard that much.”
His Chosen nodded jerkily, a hint of desperation in his expression. “We will both have our own rooms though?”
Taldan narrowed his eyes. “Yes. Although you need to be available for my needs at all hours. If I choose to come to you or order you to come to me, there will be no delay, regardless of the hour.”
Antan was trembling very slightly, and Taldan felt that he needed time and space to work through his acceptance of what was to come.
“The ceremony has been moved up. If all goes according to the new plan, it will take place within two weeks.” He paused as Antan flinched once more. If Taldan had been a more emotional creature, he might have taken umbrage with how afraid his Chosen was of being with him. “I have assigned a member of the ceremonies staff to work with you so that you will understand the event and be ready for the day.”
Antan was looking down, twisting his fingers together, white knuckled, but he nodded in response.
Taldan sighed and rapped on his desk. The door immediately opened, and a small, thin man stepped in, bowing deeply.
“This is Rensiben. He is the one I spoke of. Listen well to him and be prepared. There is little time.”
“Yes, Your Imperial Highness.” Antan managed a less-than-graceful bow, then backed away to the door, almost fleeing through it once he straightened.
“He will be ready, Your Imperial Highness. I will personally ensure it.” Rensiben put a hand to his heart. He turned away and pulled the door softly shut behind him.
Taldan rubbed his forehead and rolled his neck before reaching for his quill once more.
So much to accomplish in so little time. The fact that this coming conflict had pushed the coronation closer was vexing. He paused, quill suspended above the paper. Was that the true reason his father had demanded that things be sped up?
There had been something there, when he spoke to him, something the emperor was withholding.
He dipped the quill into the ink, chastising himself for delaying even a moment. To attempt to comprehend the actions and reasoning of the emperor was a useless and ultimately frustrating enterprise.
He would find out in due course.
Still, annoyance surged along the edges of his consciousness, and he tried to push it away. He well knew the reason for its presence.
The fact that he was not going to be leading the army during this time would not reflect well upon him in the people’s eyes. They would not und
erstand the reasoning, and certainly the emperor was not about to explain. Taldan could see this matter stretching out into the future and making his reign that much more complicated.
His lips thinned. If the populace decided to rise up, decided to test him, they would not like the results. He might be attempting to bring peaceful economic prosperity, but he came from a long line of men who had not hesitated to kill in the empire’s name.
Their peace had been hard won. If a brutal response was what was needed, then he had the blood of warriors running through his veins.
He would not be less than all the emperors of the past had been.
* * *
Isnay
Isnay laid a hand upon Zaran’s shoulder, feeling the tension there with concern.
“You will have personal guards?”
Zaran shrugged out from his touch, looking less than composed as he paced about the room, expression set and tight. “The emperor has pledged me a contingent of Shadows. Whether that is to protect me or to ensure that I do what is needed, I cannot really say.”
There was a fair amount of bitterness in the words. Certainly, the emperor’s youngest son had never had any doubt that he was merely insurance for the future of the emperor’s line in the event that the heir should be harmed. If Prince Taldan had received no affection, then it had been doubly so for Zaran. If not for Taldan’s care of him, Zaran would have been a lost little ghost in the scheme of things.
Isnay had always found the youngest brother to be the more practical of the two princes, having had to make do in ways that Taldan had never experienced. He seemed more aware of those around him, perhaps a survival strategy in the politics and infighting of the imperial court. Certainly his silent demeanor often led to him discovering things, things that made him a very good choice for the titled head of the security forces, Naral’s commander.
Naral might be the leader of the city’s forces, but Zaran was the mind and director of security for the whole of Anrodnes. His sharp mind and suspicious nature made him a natural for the role.
