Page 122 of A Pact of Blood

Raul snorts but accepts the garment with a rueful expression. “The things I do for you, Shepherdess.” A slygleam comes into his eyes. “How are you going to repay me for my trouble?”

I roll my eyes, but I can’t resist grasping the front of his shirt and tugging him into a kiss. Raul kisses me back as only he knows how, the heated press of his lips coaxing mine apart so our tongues can tangle together. By the time he draws back, I’m breathless.

“How’s that for a start?” I manage to ask.

His grin returns, its cockiness offset by the tender caress of his hand over my cheek. “You never fail to satisfy me. Make sure you take the path that veers closer to the kennels so I’ll be able to hear when you’re close.”

I nod. “I’ll wait a little before I suggest the walk to him, so you’ll have plenty of time to get everything ready.”

Raul claims one more kiss before disappearing into the hidden passage. I wait a few moments to will the flush out of my face before heading out into the hall.

Back in the garden, I make a show of reading a chapter of my book on one of the benches, though if anyone asked, I wouldn’t have been able to tell them more than the vaguest idea of what the pages contained. When Marclinus has just drained another goblet of juice, I set down the book and glide over to him.

I hold out my arm to offer my elbow. “Husband, I was thinking it might be refreshing to take a stroll through the woods. Perhaps we’ll find a cooler breeze there. At least it’ll be even more out of the sun.”

The emperor pushes to his feet. “Not a bad idea.” He hooks his fingers around my elbow and casts his gaze across the nearby nobles. My plan wouldn’t be ruined by company, but I’m a little relieved when he adds, “Let’s enjoy the benefits just the two of us, hmm? There should be some reward for all our work.”

I make my smile demure. “I’m always pleased to savor your company.”

As we amble between the garden beds and sculpted hedges toward the denser vegetation of the woods, I keep my ears pricked for the footsteps behind us. When I glance at my husband, I’m scanning the path behind us from the corner of my eye.

Three of his guards and the two of mine have followed, keeping a distance of perhaps twenty paces. They don’t feel the need to stick too closely to our sides when we’re within the security of the imperial residence’s walls.

That fact might work in my favor too. Although how I’d ever get a truly fearsome beast from where they’re held for the arena exhibitions into these grounds, I have no idea.

Marclinus dips his hand into the tumbling water of the last fountain we pass before we reach the woods and slaps the moisture onto his neck, dampening the lowest curls of his hair. “Perhaps we should have one of those large pools for swimming put into the garden. It could be quite enjoyable for much of the year. As long as the ladies don’t mind being seen in less than their full plumage.”

He flicks his gaze toward me under heavy eyelids as if gauging my reaction.

I cock my head, considering the proposition. “I’d imagine there are ornate bathing garments available that would suit everyone’s fancy. This heat is enough to make the idea quite appealing. Does it get very cool here even in the winter? Do you ever have snow?”

“Occasionally, but it’s rare. Not like you must see up north. I can’t imagine you’ll miss the stuff, though. Freezing cold and clogging up all the roads?” He grimaces with a tick of the scar on his lip.

“It can be a lot of fun,” I say lightly as we meander on down the path between the trees. I ease toward the branch tothe right that will take us closer to the kennels, and Marclinus joins me without complaint. “But yes, it also causes a lot of problems for things like travel. In those months, most Accasians get around by sleigh, which works well enough.”

“Perhaps we’ll ride in one of those sometime.” Marclinus adjusts his grip on my arm and flashes a smirk at me. “Once I’m fully confirmed, we’ll need to make a tour of the continent. Make sure everyone’s clear on who they’re bowing to now.”

I doubt we’ll want to visit my home country in the winter. The snow clogs the passes between the mountains that separate Accasy from the rest of the continent more than anywhere else. We could end up stuck there for months.

As much as my heart aches to see my family and friends again, I suspect enduring Marclinus’s attentions in front of them would be even more wrenching than facing them among the relative strangers of his court.

Before I can think of how to express my thoughts in a way he won’t take offense to, my husband changes subjects. “I’m glad to say that your former people have risen to the challenge I gave them quite impressively. We’re already seeing increased supply of breamwood logs making it to Lavira and Goric and continuing on the way here.”

I swallow my rancor at the reminder of his increased demands. “I’m sure every Accasian is working hard to ensure you’re happy, Husband.”

“All the more so because they know one of their own stands by my side!”

Marclinus’s laugh cuts through me like a cleaver. Do my own people believe that I wanted them to push themselves even harder, sacrifice that much more?

By the time I return to Accasy, they may be cursing me just as much as many Darium citizens have.

A brisker set of footsteps behind us brings both of our heads around. High Commander Axius is marching toward us at a hurried pace.

I’d stop to see what he wants, but Marclinus simply slows a little, as if he wouldn’t want his military advisor thinking his presence is important enough to fully intrude on the emperor’s pastimes. I think I catch a tick of frustration at the corner of Axius’s mouth that he quickly stifles.

He waits until he’s caught up with us, falling into step beside Marclinus, before he speaks. “Everything is settled regarding the confirmation rite and the Lavirian prisoners, Your Imperial Majesty.”

Marclinus perks up with a wider grin. “Excellent. And it’s good that my wife can hear this too.”

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