Page 135 of A Dance of Shadows

I hesitate. Some of the possibilities spinning through my mind set off jitters through my nerves.

But that doesn’t mean they’re unwise.

I can take risks within my plans. Weave innovation into my practicalities. The caution that served me for so long and the creativity my family has venerated are both worthy tools, no matter how much they’ve derided one and I’ve shied from the other.

And it’s time to bring every tool in my arsenal to bear to get the woman we love home.

I set my jaw. “Before we can see Marclinus gone, we need to see Aurelia back to Vivencia. So it’s time to put our gifts to use convincing him it’s time to take to the road. We need to targethimwith our magic—obviously enough to affect him but carefully enough that his guards won’t realize.”

To my relief, no sign of doubt crosses my foster brothers’ faces. A matching determination lights in their eyes.

Now that I’ve taken charge, they’re waiting for me to lay out my full plan. The gears turn swiftly in my head. My heart thumps faster.

I turn to Raul. “Linus has gotten even more susceptible to paranoia. Any chance you get, conjure brief omens in the shadows that’ll suggest Vivencia is in danger without him. Close enough that he’ll definitely see them, but ideally only him.”

As Raul nods, I catch Lorenzo’s gaze. “He hates thinking he’s bowing to anyone else’s desires. You can’t easily project illusions directly at him, but you should be able to stir up nobles close enough for him to overhear. Look for chances to prompt them to talk about how glad they are he hasn’t sent them back on the road yet. We’ll have the side benefit of him acting more irritated with the court as well.”

Raul grins and bumps his shoulder against mine. “And what are you going to be doing, Your Highness?”

Despite my apprehension, the thought of my contribution to the imperial asshole’s discomfort makes the corner of my mouth tick upward. “I’m going to ensure he doesn’t get a moment without the winter chill blowing his way, until he’s craving the Darium sun.”

Chapter Forty-Seven

Aurelia

Linus rotates his fork between his fingers and smirks at the waystation dining room stretched out before us. “Ah, it is good to be back on Darium soil. We’ve been away an awfully long time. Perhaps we should pause and bestow our good graces on some of these outer towns that are so often deprived. They might particularly enjoy my presence during Creadenalia.”

My next bite of our breakfast eggs slides down my throat in a sticky lump. It took three weeks to get my husband out of Goric. Is he looking for some new excuse to delay before we’re all the way back to Vivencia? The festival of Creaden often lasts a few days in Dariu.

My constant companion in my belly seems to share my silent protest with a particularly forceful squirm. I think she might have just punched my liver.

At least she’s got spirit.

I summon an ingratiating smile, knowing that any hint I show that extending our journey would bother me may give the sadistic side of my husband an excuse to test my resilience yet again. Besides, he’s given me an opening to plant a different sort of hint.

“What a generous idea, husband. I have gathered that some of the court feels we’re rushing back rather quickly. Although whatever you choose, I’m sure they realize your decisions have all our best interests at heart.”

Linus’s gaze sharpens as he flicks it over our table and those beyond. “Have you heard someone complaining about the pace I’ve set?”

I wave my hand dismissively, lowering my voice. “Oh, one of my maids mentioned that some muttering has been going on among the nobles—I’m sure it’s nothing significant.”

But Linus isn’t inclined to let any dissension at all slide. He frowns, studying his court as if he can pick any mildly mutinous thoughts out of their heads.

While he’s distracted, I manage to catch Raul’s gaze where he’s sitting by the end of our table and make a hasty gesture. My princes were largely responsible for convincing Linus to get a move on back to Dariu. We may need another “omen” to make him even more inclined to defy his court’s supposed dissent.

The prince of Lavira gives me a subtle nod and a trace of a smile once he’s no longer looking my way. He turns toward where Lorenzo is eating in his careful way at a neighboring table.

The baron seated across from my husband jolts, and I realize Linus kicked him under the table. The emperor gazes at the man with a smile that bares his teeth. “Baron Nisto, you’re looking forward to our return to the grandest of my palaces, aren’t you? Let me hear your favorite spectacle that I conducted as you’re looking forward to describing it to our friends back home.”

The baron’s dark face takes on a duller cast as he appears to grope for his words. “Certainly, Your Imperial Majesty. I, ah, I’d have to say…”

While he stammers through his praise of the Rionian boat-building, the morning light on the wall behind him shifts. The shapes painted by the beams of sunlight passing through the windows stretch a little taller with roof-like points that vaguely mimic the imperial palace.

I pretend not to notice, but after a few seconds, Linus catches the “vision” Lorenzo must have conjured. He’s been primed by the little warning signs the prince created back in Goric to help convince him it was time to leave.

One tower and then another breaks away, blinking out into shadow. Like a signal from the gods that the capital city may be under threat.

Linus’s fingers tighten around his fork. He cuts the baron off with a jerk of the utensil. “Yes, yes, very good, enough.” He shoves to his feet. “All right, you lay-abouts, finish gorging yourselves and get on your way. You’ve had enough time to dally.”

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