Page 63 of A Pact of Blood

Can I lead him to strike on the idea apparently by himself?

My heart thumps faster, but I will my voice to stay even. “I’d imagine the biggest problem is that when it comes to the Lavirian citizens who are inclined to lash out, they already see anyone from Dariu as an intruder and a threat. Having Darium soldiers hurt them will only convince them that they’re right. I wonder what they’re hoping to see happen if theycoulddrive the imperial forces out of the country?”

Marclinus snorts. “Presumably they imagine rulership will become the sole domain of the Lavirian royal family. Asif the past centuries of their line have any true experience with what it takes to keep even a single country in line.”

I shake my head as if in derision. “If they think their local rulers would never make decisions they disagree with, they’d be in for a harsh awakening even if they got their wish. So much unearned trust. No one can govern a country through kindness alone.”

“Indeed.” His gaze goes briefly distant. “They do have quite a bit of trust in their fellow Lavirians of whatever status, if only in contrast to Dariu. There are still plenty of Lavirian soldiers we monitor, but none oftheirbases of operation have been attacked.”

He’s already thinking along the lines I hoped. I knit my brow. “What are those soldiers doing while their countrymen harm their supposed allies?”

“Not enough, clearly.” Marclinus pushes himself off the wall, an eager light coming into his pale face. “But they could be. Would you object to threats and torture if it was Lavirians carrying it out against each other, my pacifist?”

I swallow a smile. “I prefer to avoid violence when possible, but when it’s necessary… I’d say the native forces would be more likely to determine who the real dissidents are, wouldn’t they? And more likely to convince those in the know to reveal information without having to crack down unduly hard. And why shouldn’t the supposed rulers of Lavira take responsibility for rooting out their own traitors?”

Raul’s family will also be able to cover up the rebellion if they see the chance—carry out strategic punishments of the worst offenders, convince those less committed to temper their aggressions. Whereas if the Darium forces handle the situation, they’ll conduct a full-out slaughter without consideration of the nuances.

“A very good question,” Marclinus mutters. “I think my father would have approved of making them take care oftheir own mess. And if any of the local contingents balk at intervening, then we’ll know they’re equally traitorous.”

“Yet another benefit.” May it not come to that.

My husband pauses and studies me even more closely than before. His mouth slants at a wry angle. “You won’t harbor sour feelings over us setting Lavira’s royals on their own? If you have some objection, I’d rather hear it now than after the thing is done, even if I can’t say I’ll change my mind.”

I hold his gaze steadily. “I think it’s a brilliant strategy, quite worthy of an emperor—a balance of cleverness and strength, immediate impact and recognition of long-term consequences. I understand that any revolt must be stamped out. I simply hate the thought of inciting a worse conflict rather than taking the quickest route to peace.”

Another grin flashes across Marclinus’s face, warmer than I’d have expected. “If we both like it, then it must be brilliant. Patience is worthwhile if it means getting more effective results in the end. And I’ll see that your suggestion about rewarding those we’ve been able to count on is passed on as well.”

I tip into a shallow bow, letting a smile cross my own lips at least. “I’m glad you found my thoughts useful, husband. It’s a pleasure to strategize alongside you.”

The more I can weave my influence into these conversations, the closer I’ll be to truly winning the empire.

Chapter Twenty-One

Aurelia

The palace on the outskirts of Ubetta doesn’t loom nearly as large as the immense marble building in the capital city, but the sprawling two-story structure still takes my breath away. The pale gray walls glow in the late morning sun with a silvery shimmer that highlights the intricate carvings of figures and foliage decorating them.

As I stare at the spectacle from the carriage window, I have to catch my jaw to stop it from going slack.

A knowing smirk crosses Marclinus’s lips. “Wait until you see the inside. The imperial chambers are just as impressive as you’ve gotten used to, and there are a couple of extra benefits here as well.”

When the carriage rolls to a stop, we wait for a footman to open it before stepping out. Marclinus offers an exuberant wave to several of the other disembarking nobles beforeleading me up the front steps himself. A few pages scurry along behind us, clutching the trunks we were riding with.

My husband strides past golden sculptures and delicate mosaics, glittering chandeliers and paintings enchanted to ripple with movement. We continue down the main hallway, up a staircase, and around a couple of corners into the farthest west wing.

There, he motions me past a gilded door into a vast room with fine marlwood furniture, a thick rug that caresses my feet, and broad windows reinforced with wrought-iron bars—detailed with flowers and vines, but clearly intended for security over décor.

As the pages set down my trunks behind us, Marclinus strides to the window closest to the silk-draped bedframe. He unbolts the sturdy lock and pushes the double panes wide.

They rustle the leaves on the low branches of a tree growing just outside. Pale yellow fruit dangle amid those branches.

Marclinus leans out to twist one off. “Apparently a distant empress—my great-great-great-grandmother or some such—loved pears, so she had a few trees planted along the outer wall here.” He flips the fruit playfully in his hand and then tosses it to me. “You can have them fresh without leaving your room.”

While he grabs another for himself, I take a tentative bite. The pear’s flesh is tart and chewy but invigoratingly sweet. “They are good.”

Marclinus shoots me another grin. “Don’t fill up on too many before lunch. The staff always prepares quite a feast whenever the court is back in residence. Then we’ll be off to see our people and earn that blessing from Prospira.”

He saunters out of the room, leaving me alone.

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