Page 28 of A Dance of Shadows

It’s smart of her, but I can’t say it doesn’t sting to feel so far away from the woman who owns my heart.

This is what my mother was most worried about—that I’d gotten myself so tied up in my feelings for Aurelia that I’d act like an idiot. That she’ll rope me into dangerous designs that’ll only hurt me in the end.

Mother doesn’t know how much our empress has already been hurtherselftrying to save all of us. She doesn’t know howfar I was prepared to go before I ever met Aurelia, at least until my foster brothers and I realized that our own designs were hopeless.

I draw my posture a little straighter, summoning all the conviction I can, and amble on through the garden. I’m already playing a more important role in the future of the empire than my parents or my sister would ever guess.

We can succeed. We’re already on our way.

Still, as I exchange a glance with Bastien, as I pause as if to admire a marble statue in the middle of a flowerbed, doubt gnaws at the edges of my mind.

I’m not sure we can see all our plans through without me convincing my family to believe in me. And right now, that task feels impossible.

Chapter Eleven

Aurelia

“It’s lucky your visit coincided with Ardonelia,” Queen Anahi says, sweeping her arm toward the terrain before us. “We consider this spot Santia’s most spectacular vantage point, and it’s most splendid at festival time.”

I can’t argue with her assessment. The Rionian royals led our small court on a short hike along the crest of the hill where the capital is nestled. Here on the plateau at the highest point, the entire city sprawls before us, stretching out toward the sea.

In the fading daylight of the early evening, the colors of the godlen of love and beauty splash across the white-washed buildings and sparkling waters. The setting sun has streaked both sky and sea magenta mixed with rosy pink. Enchanted globes glow with similar hues where they float in the city streets and squares below us. Pink banners wave in the warm breeze.

The clamor of joyful voices we left behind can’t reach us at this high vantage point, but faint strains of the festival’s music—romantic odes to Ardone and pulsing beats designed to stir feetto dance—drift up. The whole vista is such a sea of passionate light and color I could almost believe nothing exists before us except love.

Until I glance in the other direction. On the far side of the rocky arm that embraces the city’s bay, nothing but verdant wilderness stretches as far as the eye can see—except for the gray stone walls of a hulking Darium fort that protrudes amid the vegetation. A single pink lantern hangs on its highest tower in honor of the godlen this day is dedicated to, but otherwise there’s no sign of revelry there.

That fort must be the primary base the Darium forces use to maintain control over Santia—and thus the entire country. The dwindling sunlight catches on the imprints of white bones painted on the otherwise black uniforms of a few officers who’re moving along the outer wall.

My stomach tightens. Summoning a smile, I turn to my husband beside me. “It’s too bad we can’t bring these wonders to the rest of the empire. The whole continent holds so much beauty that few get to experience.”

Marc slips his hand around my arm far more gently than his twin would have. “I can only imagine the beauty would quickly be ruined if every interested party started tramping through. But I am glad to be among those lucky few.”

I stroke my fingers over his in a brief caress. “And I’m glad to be able to enjoy it with you.”

I don’t want to lay on my affection too thick. Marc may value me more than his brother does, but he’s also the more strategic of the two. He might be the first to question my motives if my demeanor shifts too much all at once.

But the more he thinks I’m truly falling for him, becoming even more enamored when faced with Linus’s awful treatment in contrast, the more his trust in me will grow. And hopefully I canstir more tender feelings in him as well, not just for the child I’m carrying but also me in my own right.

The more he cares, the more he’ll want to protect me from his twin—whatever it requires, whether I agree to help him or not.

Marc gives my arm a soft squeeze. “There’s much of even Dariu you haven’t gotten to see yet. We’ll have to tour more of the country when there’s time.”

I beam at him. “I look forward to it.”

As the staff who joined us on this venture begin setting up the equipment for the festival’s grand finale, someone clears his throat right behind us. Marclinus and I turn to find one of Lorenzo’s cousins—Gaspar, I draw up from my memory—dipping into a respectful bow.

“Your Imperial Majesty, I was hoping to get your input on how my family and the people of our estate might better help the local imperial forces. We’re situated not far from one of the forts. I can’t help feeling we should be able to do more.”

Marc’s gaze remains its usual cool gray, but he inclines his head in acknowledgment. “If you can, I’d certainly like to arrange it.”

Gaspar starts to stroll along the hill-top courtyard, leading Marc to walk alongside him. “My first consideration would be the food supply. We can definitely…”

His voice fades from my hearing as the two men leave me behind. I stifle a grin and resist the urge to glance across the plateau at Lorenzo.

He’s been doing his part, nudging his family to divert my husband when they can. Which gives me the chance to approach the most vital parts of that family on my own.

I meander over to where Queen Anahi is now standing with her daughter by the low wall that surrounds the high courtyard. Their conversation peters out at my arrival.

---