Once again, Mara had done the unthinkable. Her people of the Empire were coming to expect that of her, so adept had they grown at taking such turns in their stride.
And then Justin was off his throne, discarding his mantle and headdress into the care of his body servant. He flung himself into the arms of the father he had never known, but whose name had become a legend spoken in awed tones by the older Acoma servants.
Mara looked on, new tears brightening her eyes, until Kevin's huge arm hooked out and hauled her off her cushion to share in a three-way embrace.
The Lady was startled into laughter. She had forgotten how impulsive he was, and how overwhelmingly strong.
'Mistress of the Empire,' he murmured over a redoubled volume of cheers. 'You are a Lady of surprises! I trust I will have the chance to spend time in the imperial suite, getting to know my son, and renewing old acquaintance with his mother?'
Mara took a deep breath, smelling the odd taint of off-world fur, and strange spices, and velvets that were woven on looms far away, in a colder land that someday she must journey across the rift to visit. Her blood quickened to a beat of passion that all but swept her from her feet. 'You will have a lifetime to share with your son,' she murmured to Kevin so that only he could hear. 'And all the years you could desire in the company of his mother, so long as your King permits.'
Kevin laughed. 'Lyam's glad to be rid of me, I think. Things are too quiet on the border for a troublemaker like me.' Then he pulled her tight against him, for the simple joy of holding her.
The temple gongs rang out over the Holy City at that moment. Sweet music sounded over the Imperial Precinct, as the priests of the Twenty Greater Gods sang their devotions at evening. Officially, the Day of Appeals was at an end.
Kevin drew back and smiled upon the Lady who had never for a day lost her hold upon his heart. 'You are mistress of far more than this Empire,' he said, laughing, and the cheers from the Lords of Tsuranuanni did not stop as he led her and his Emperor son, hand in hand, down from the high dais.
Empire - 03 - Mistress Of The Empire Page 81
