Page 55 of A Dance of Shadows

My husband has a few different courtiers hovering around him, one squeezing into the cluster to interject some comment before another elbows closer again. The bunch of them look like a pack of hungry dogs jostling for the food their keeper will dole out as it pleases him.

Raul has sidled closer to the group, his head slightly cocked as the various noblemen split off into separate discussions and then rejoin the larger mass. When he notices me watching, he indicates a woman at the emperor’s left with a subtle gesture of warning.Talked badly about you.

That Cotean noblewoman has been disparaging me when she thinks I won’t find out, has she? I’ll happily find the right moment to deal with that sort of treachery.

I tug my gaze back to Bianca. “After yesterday, I’m fine with a little less attention on me. Loyalties are confirmed—now we should simply be enjoying ourselves.”

“Indeed.” The vicerine gives a satisfied sounding sigh. “His Imperial Majesty does seem quite pleased with your performance yesterday. His temper may be short this morning, but I’ve overheard nothing but kindly remarks when it comes to you.”

He’s out of temper? I’ve had little chance to speak to my husband since waking, as we presided over the breakfast table from opposite ends in the Cotean style, but I assumed I’d be dealing with Marc today after Linus’s presence yesterday. Nothing about his behavior—friendly and quick-witted with his court, but with a controlled sort of energy—has suggested otherwise. The attention he’s currently giving the courtiers around him looks keen rather than manic.

“Has he seemed irritated?” I ask.

Bianca offers a subtle shrug. “He was curter than usual with a couple of the barons just after breakfast. I can’t say they didn’t deserve it, but he isn’t always so provoked. And he was rathersharp when ordering around the servants in my hearing. So I suppose we must all be on our best behavior with him today.”

She rests her hand on my forearm for a moment, and I understand. I asked her to give me warning of Marclinus’s moods. She’s showing she can come through.

I nod in acknowledgment. “That’s helpful to know. I wouldn’t want to add to any stress he’s under.”

I turn more toward Bianca, giving her a closer look. “How have you been faring with all our travels? Are you still glad to have come along?”

“It’s certainly been more exciting than puttering around at home. And it’s quite fulfilling to be of service to you.” Her gaze slides over the room, and her face brightens. “Do you think we should give one of these unusual games a go? They look quite intriguing. My father used to fiddle with bits and pieces trying to create new diversions for us and our guests, but I can’t say any of his attempts turned out so well. He’d have loved this place.”

I’m about to take her up on her suggestion when Viceroy Ennius swoops in. He tucks his hand around his wife’s elbow with a grip that mars her smooth skin and sets my teeth on edge.

“Come along, darling,” he says in a hard voice that shows no affection I can hear. “I’m sure Her Imperial Highness has better things to do than listen to your chatter, and I need a partner at the cards table.”

I open my mouth to tell himIhave a more pressing need of Bianca’s company, but she cuts me off with a hasty motion of her hand. “Of course, my dear. Thank you for indulging me, Your Imperial Highness.”

As I watch him escort her off, I will my hands not to clench. Was he bothered that she might be earning my favor as well as the emperor’s, or did he simply feel it’d been too long since he pushed her around?

The memory of the day I found her wounded from his harsh attentions comes back to me with searing revulsion.

When I have real power, no woman in this empire should have to endure a marriage like that just to be secure in their station.

Which means I need to attend to my own marriage, as short-lived as it may be if I have my way.

I consider Marc—or is it Linus?—again from across the room. His grin does tighten for a moment before he laughs at one of the courtier’s jokes. But when he catches my gaze, his expression softens with what I’d almost take for genuine fondness.

All right, that’s definitely Marc. What’s bothering the usually even-tempered twin today?

King Stanislas’s subtle chiding about how I’ve used my gift—or not—is still wriggling through my brain. My magical talent seems as good a place to start my inquiries as any.

I focus on my husband, letting the rest of my concerns float away beyond the question of how I might cure whatever ails him.

The answer that arrives is startlingly simple: the images swim up of a few ingredients I know from past experience combine to make a particularly effective remedy for a headache. I already have a mixture of them ready for use.

Is that all that’s bothering our emperor? I can see how a pained head could make even so elevated a figure cranky.

And now I have another chance to weave myself into his good graces.

I amble over to his cluster of fawners. Seeing me coming, Marc steps forward to part them. He takes my hand. “How are you feeling this morning, my lovely wife?”

I twine my fingers with his as if I appreciate his gesture of affection. “Quite well. But there was something I hoped to discuss with you—of a more private nature.”

“I won’t neglect you when you’re in need.” He glances at the courtiers who’ve fallen silent. “I look forward to speaking with you further on many of these matters later in our stay.”

As we slip out into the hall, Marc releases my hand to rest his on the small of my back. “Is something troubling you?”

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