Page 21 of Haunted

“What did you want to see me for?” I ask.

“My dear boy, I must have a successor. You’ve denied my insistence that you take control of Creiddylad, but the time has come.”

“My lord, no.”

“It must be you,” Siarl says. “I trust no other.”

I sit on the edge of his bed. “Your people despise me.”

“Not my people, our people. You possess the power within your heart to be a great leader.”

I spread my hand over my chest. How does he think so highly of me and of my capabilities when I am unsure of myself most days, when I have competing powers of light and darkness within myself?

Siarl places his hands over mine. “I’m not talking about your light, nor your darkness. I’m talking about your courage and your convictions. You’re loyal, to a fault. You would give your life for our people if it came to it.”

“But you will live for many more years.”

“We must be prepared. The transition must be smooth. The papers have been drawn up. You have only to sign them. I will announce you as my choice tonight at the banquet. Our people will have plenty of time to get used to an immortal leading them.”

“You mean an immortal pretending to lead them,” I say. “We both know the empress is the one who pulls the strings.”

“Then you will be the one to show them that there’s another way, that with your immortal gifts, which you’ll use to protect them, you’re a man with as many faults as any other person, and despite them, you can always be counted upon.”

I embrace my lord and tuck my head against his shoulder. The emotion I hold under a close rein erupts in silent sobs. The months of being under the empress’s scrutiny wear on me.

Siarl claps me on the back over and over. He’s the only one to see when my control slips. What would I have done if he’d died?

18

An evening banquet masquerades as a tribute to the empress even though it’s a celebration of Lord Siarl’s recovery. We have the empress to thank for that, so I suppose she is rightly honored. She sits at the center table raised on the dais, and Lord Siarl sits on her right. Normally, I sit to Lord Siarl’s right, but the empress requested that I sit on her other side to appease her, should boredom strike.

I’m so glad she thinks so highly of me and my time.

Long tables on either side of the great hall leave the center of the room available for the attendants milling about with large serving platters and leave the space open for dancing later in the evening. Platters of scallops, clams, and oysters are the main course.

I laugh when Empress Rhianu prods a fried squid tentacle on her plate. It looks like a shriveled version of the creature’s normally plump and vibrant appendage. Who served her up the squid when we weren’t paying attention? As unaccustomed as she is to the sea’s bounty, because of her landlocked barren country, I wouldn’t blame her for not wanting to try it.

“Does Her Highness not like her supper?” I lift a bread-encrusted scallop to my mouth. “The scallops are my favorite.”

The empress presses her lips firmly together. “A roasted quail is more to my liking.”

I chuckle and wave a server over. “Do try the scallops. I never cared for the rubbery texture of squid.”

The server dishes her out a fresh portion and removes her offensive plate. The empress hesitates only briefly before gingerly opening her mouth and placing in a morsel. Her lips barely touch when a smile hints at them. Her cheeks lift, and I have to remind myself to ignore the gleam in her eyes, but her satisfaction is so rare I’m beyond intrigued. I don’t look away as she takes another bite. She slides her fork from her mouth with a little hum. She’s teasing me.

I snap myself upright and turn to the person on my left. Nesta. Though I want to know more about healing, I’m unable to focus on her words, though I pretend I am, until Siarl rises to his feet for an announcement.

It’s for show, but Siarl goes on about the benevolence of his savior—the empress—and the masterful hands of Nesta. She blushes and draws her shoulders up. She’s a meek half-emrys, given her daily proximity to the viper on my right.

“This illness has brought an important detail to attention, one I’ve been pondering for some time,” Siarl says. “I’m but a mortal. I’ll eventually die. Though the empress has promised the skill of her healers to each realm, they can only cheat death for so long when we are mere mortals.”

Men in the room nod. Some look puzzled. A few gazes fall on me.

Siarl turns toward me. “I shall be frank. Forgive me, empress.” He addresses his subjects. “I know you are all leery of the immortals. Ambassador Caedryn has served me for some time. He’s served my father, and his father before him. Caedryn is loyal to us and to our people. He wants what is best for each of you. Yes, he is immortal, but he’s a good man. He will be my successor.”

The room is veiled in silence, but to my surprise, the majority have welcome attitudes in their hearts.

I’m touched.

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