Page 18 of A Dance of Shadows

I snort even as a flush washes over my skin at his words. It’s been too long since I got to fully enjoy the company of any of the men I love.

A solemn cast has come over Lorenzo’s face. I stroke my fingers along his jaw. “I hope being home with Marclinus around doesn’t stir up too many awful memories.”

The prince of Rione gives himself a little shake and takes my hand to press his lips to the knuckles.“Those can stay in the past. I’m going to see that we make new ones, the best I’ve ever had here.”

The longing to get started on that right now wells up in me so fast that tears prick at the backs of my eyes. I manage to keep my voice steady. “I’m looking forward to that.”

Bastien draws back first, with obvious reluctance. “You’ll be called on soon—and so will we. We shouldn’t linger. But I’m sure there’ll be opportunities for other meetings like this.” He pauses. “I noticed—Marclinus has been carrying a book around occasionally during the trip. I got a closer look at it this morning, and it appears to be a collection of fables. You don’t have any idea why he’d be fixating on that, do you?”

Uneasiness creeps through my nerves. “No. He hasn’t been reading it while we’re in the carriage. I don’t know why he’d be at all secretive about it.”

Raul’s mouth forms a grim smile. “I guess we’ll find out sooner or later. Come on, gents.”

Despite his words, he takes the time to claim a kiss before the three of them head back to the balcony.

I won their hearts. I should be able to win over the rest of the empire, right?

By the time the call comes for me to leave, my gut is churning more than I can blame on my pregnancy. I fix a smile on my face and join my husband in an open-top carriage for the journey down the hillside.

“Very nice,” he says, leering at me with a slide of his hand over my hip, which tells me right away that I’m still with Linus for this part of our visit. “You do me proud.”

I lower my eyelashes modestly. “It’s my honor to stand by your side.”

And stand by his side I do, on the platform that’s been assembled at one end of a huge city square, with the harbor to our right and the beach to our left. Flags bearing the Darium crest flap in the light wind while we pose with the court and our escort of soldiers flanking us.

The ocean breeze ripples against the gauzy silk sleeves that stretch to my wrists. I’m not ashamed of the purple blotches of discoloration that scar my lower arms, but I’d rather not havequestions about them color the Rionians’ first impressions of me.

The cleric from Santia’s temple of the All-Giver leads the ceremony, calling out to the mass of spectators through an amplification charm. He speaks in Darium, but my ears pick up the echo of several translators throughout the watching swarm of spectators, repeating his words in Rionian.

“His Imperial Majesty Marclinus comes before all of us of Rione as our new gods-blessed emperor. Long may he reign! To continue the cooperation and respect between our country and Dariu, Queen Anahi, King Emilio, and Princess Leonor will confirm their loyalty to both him and to his coming heir that Empress Aurelia carries.”

Amid the cheers from the crowd, Lorenzo’s parents and older sister stride onto the platform. Queen Anahi’s expression remains coolly regal as she takes in both me and my husband, her polite smile nothing like the heartfelt one I received from her son just an hour ago.

I don’t want you to be humbled any more than you do,I want to tell her.You deserve your pride among your people.

But I have to remain silent while she kneels before us and pledges to support and obey the empire. Linus smirks his approval and taps her head like she’s a dog who’s performed a good trick rather than the leader of an entire country. Off to the side of our assembly, I catch the twitch of Lorenzo’s face with a stifled wince.

As the king and princess make their own vows, dipping their heads to both the emperor and my belly, Linus’s smirk only grows wider. He shifts his weight as if gathering himself—or holding himself back.

When the royal family has finished offering their devotion and moved aside, my husband takes a sudden step forward. My pulse hitches.

This isn’t a planned part of the ceremony—at least not any plan I was let in on.

Linus raises his hands high. “Good people of Rione, would you all offer me your loyalty as well?”

I wonder again how much the crowd’s roar of approval is driven by fear rather than actual appreciation.

“Excellent.” Linus rocks on his heels, his teeth gleaming in the mid-afternoon sun. “For centuries, Dariu has watched over the countries we took under our wing. I feel it’s time for a greater show of commitment. The gods themselves have inspired me!”

My gaze flicks toward the cleric. From his tensed expression, I don’t think he was expecting this development either.

“I’ve heard of an old tale about the first inhabitants of this island,” Linus continues. “It’s said that several ships were wrecked outside this ocean cove, and our godlen Jurnus came upon the survivors. I’d imagine you’re all familiar with the story?”

A less avid murmur of agreement passes through the crowd.

Linus claps his hands. “Jurnus promised to bless their new settlement if they would build him a ship and make him a feast. With little to work with, they swam down to the ocean depths to gather the sloughed-off chunks of tolk coral from the nearby reefs. The rough pieces cut their hands, summoning a school of barama which they then killed for the most extravagant feast.”

A vague recollection of the fable forms in my mind. I don’t understand where he’s going with this, unless… No, that would be absurd.

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