Page 146 of A Dance of Shadows

My smile turns crooked. “I wouldn’t normally ask this of you, but now that we’re home, I’d like to have just one night to myself, uninterrupted, so I can properly rest. If you could invite my husband back to your bedroom after a few more dances, I’d much appreciate it.”

To the vicerine’s credit, she looks vaguely puzzled that I’d have any concern about making the request. I suppose she has entertained Marclinus that way so many times in the past, it must seem a little absurd that I’d worry about her agreement.

She still doesn’t think she has much worth here in court beyond who she sleeps with, however little she enjoys it. That’s one more thing I’d like to fix… if I get the chance to.

“If that’s what you’d like, I’m sure I can entice him,” she says. “But I don’t expect he’ll stay once the act is done. He’s always shooed me from his bed rather quickly in the past.”

“I have something to help with that.” I dip my hand into the pouch at my hip and press a couple of small items into her palm, the swell of my belly hiding the motion from view. “Eatthis tablet before you invite him. Add the lip paint to your mouth afterward. You won’t be affected, but he may doze off before you’ve even finished attending to him.”

Bianca stares at me. I brace myself for dismay or even revulsion. She could decide her loyalties won’t be stretched that far and raise a fuss.

But I’m taking the chance because I think this is one matter where we understand each other perfectly: the strain of catering to men whose pawing leaves you cold. I doubt she can imagine I’d have violent plans for my husband any more than Lorenzo or Bastien could bring themselves to believe I’d murdered Emperor Tarquin before I told them so.

My assumption is confirmed by the brightening of her face. She tucks my offerings into her own belt pouch and gives my arm a quick squeeze. “Thank you for trusting me. You freed me for ten years—the least I can do is free you for one night.”

A strange twinge passes through my chest, like a stone dropped into a still pond. As much as Bianca might consider me her friend—as much as she might act like one—she doesn’t know who I really am any more than the rest of the court does.

I soften my smile again with my genuine gratitude. “I’m glad we can count on one another. Take care with him. He’s still in a bit of a mood.”

The vicerine gives a cavalier shrug. “I’m used to all of them. May you sleep in peace.”

She gets up and sashays back onto the dance floor with no idea how little I expect to be sleeping tonight.

After another song, I push myself onto my feet too. I submit myself to one more dance with Linus that feels more like a threat than a seduction. When he releases me, a marchion takes me on a careful turn around the floor.

At the corner of my vision, I see Bianca approach Linus. She tilts her head in her coy way, popping her hip to emphasize her voluptuous figure, and my husband immediately prowls closer.

They share one dance before she draws him away from the ballroom. I wait through a couple more songs and then slip away myself.

In my chambers, I loosen the bodice of my dress enough to slide on the metal-laced vest Raul gave me under it. When dealing with either half of Marclinus, I don’t think I can be too careful.

Sprite lifts her head from her chosen spot at the corner of my bed, and I give her a few quick strokes to reassure her. When she settles back down with a pleased purr, I gather my composure.

My ring’s secret compartment is already filled with the same sedative that permeates the lip paint I gave Bianca, only in a higher concentration. I adjust the ring in its new position on my hand and press the spot on the wall that opens the hidden panel.

Lorenzo is already waiting on the other side. As he reaches out to help me into the passage, my heart thumps faster.

We’re really doing this. We’re going to kill an emperor tonight—if only half of the pair currently holding the title.

We move along the dim, narrow hall as stealthily as my body allows. Lorenzo doesn’t extend his illusionary voice, but his hand stays clasped around mine with little pulses of pressure that feel like an echo of all the promises he’s ever made.

I’m here with you. I belong to you. I’m never leaving.

It’s a short walk to the emperor’s apartment. This part of the passage hasn’t been traversed much—the dust itches at my nose.

Bastien and Raul glance over as we join them. Raul is leaning close to the outline of the panel I can just barely make out in the faint enchanted illumination.

He swivels his head toward us so we can hear his understated murmur. “The main rooms are empty. There’s one guard outsidethe door, but he hasn’t noticed my magic. As long as we don’t commit any actual violence in there, we should be fine. Someone’s in the secret room.”

Marc, presumably. I square my shoulders, ignoring the thud of my pulse that’s now reverberating behind my ears. “We shouldn’t waste any time, then.” It’s possible Bianca won’t manage to administer enough of the drug to keep Linus out for long. “Where does the secret room connect to the main ones?”

“Behind the built-in bookcase to the right of the bedroom fireplace. It doesn’t feel as if the wall there is very thick. If you’re close, he should be able to hear you.”

“All right.” I wet my lips and tap my fingers down my front in one final appeal to my godlen.Elox, you know I wouldn’t be doing this if I could see any other way. It’s my life or his, and only one of us will strive for peace in the end.

I glance around at my men, wishing I could immerse myself in their embraces, afraid that even a fleeting kiss would feel too much like a good-bye. “Stay here until I come back and knock, no matter what you hear.”

If this goes badly, if I end up branded a traitor, I don’t want my princes tarnished alongside me.

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