Page 66 of Tethered Thrones

I knew it well. I had been here more times than I could count as a revered guest. I had been treated well, sweetened and buttered up, right in the emperor's palm.

He'd played me easily, just as he had played the entirety of the empire.

Trembling with rage, I directed Haru forward at a slower pace, registering the stillness as her hooves clicked upon the marble.

The place seemed almost deserted, but it could easily be another trap.

“Where are Hadi and Kiar?” I asked Clem.

“They were right behind us,” he said quietly, looking around.

The long marble corridors echoed Haru's steps but nothing else.

“Do you sense anything?” I asked.

Clem's soft feet landed on the cold floors next to us. He rested his hand on Haru's muscular brown neck, looking around intently.

“There,” he whispered after some time, pointing at a small door.

It was a semi-hidden door that matched the green paint on the walls as though we weren't meant to give it any attention.

I climbed from Haru's back as we neared it, wondering if this was where the emperor had run to. Perhaps a secret staircase led to a dungeon of torture.

Jaw grit, I took hold of the handle and pulled–and froze.

It wasn't the entrance to a staircase, it was a cleaning closet, filled with musty mops and dusters. And there, huddled amongst the dirty rags was the bratty prince, Syaoran.

He winced when I opened the door, looking so small, pathetic and weak, shivering in fine chiffon and gold, looking up at me with wide, scared eyes.

My lip curled.

Of all the people who had profited from the war, the emperor's firstborn was top of the list. He lived in lavish comfort while the rest of the kingdom fought to live.

“Get up,” I said, and my voice came out hard and unforgiving.

He followed my order, trembling so hard that I nearly felt sorry for him. But there was no room for that now.

“Wh–what are you going to do to me?” he demanded, attempting that ridiculous imperious tone that he always used.

“I'm letting you live,” I said, “but not here.”

His eyes widened.

“What–”

“Get out.”

He didn't seem to be able to comprehend my simple words.

“I–I have nowhere else to go.”

I almost laughed but it was too ridiculous.

“This palace no longer belongs to you or your father,” I spat.

He flinched violently.

“Go!”

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