Page 76 of A Dance of Shadows

“Weshould have ensured it,” the woman who noticed the spit says, with a guilty dip of her head.

A flurry of rough cheers yanks my attention to the platform. It appears that amid my confusion, the winners of Linus’s challenge have been determined.

Ten boys and girls, their faces scuffed with dirt and clothes askew but smiles triumphant, stand on the platform holding aloft the pouches they won.

“See what abundance even a child can accomplish for the good of their families!” Linus calls out, pacing behind them. “And they can accomplish just as much for their empire, now that they know they have the strength.”

With his guards flanking him closely, he stalks along the line of children again, touching each on the top of the head as if in benediction. “You showed the most fire out of all. I name you protectors of the empire. If you hear or see any signs of threat against me or my Darium representatives any time in the future, find one of my soldiers and report it at once. You’ll be rewarded even more handsomely than you were today.”

Another round of cheers rises up, one I can’t help thinking sounds rather hesitant. My stomach bottoms out.

Linus hasn’t just pitted the city’s children against one another and compensated them for wounding their neighbors. He’s converting them into spies for the empire.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Aurelia

Idab a little more of the gel I’ve brewed onto the inside of the armband and step back to study my work from a distance. Does the gleam look a tad purple-ish now?

Maybe, but I don’t think it’ll draw attention from anyone unless they’re going out of their way to spot an odd hue. Given my husband’s usual clothing, it should simply look like a reflection of his royal purple outfit.

A breath rushes out of me with a sag of my shoulders. I got out my cauldron the instant we made it back to the palace after the pledging ceremony. My gift has presented me with a concoction that I believe will stir up feelings of boldnessandsink in through the skin rather than needing to be ingested.

I haven’t had time to experiment. I’m lucky my maids didn’t question the trail of steam rising from behind my trunk while they pinned my hair in a more elaborate style.

Once this layer dries, I’ll apply one more coating, and then?—

My bedroom door whips open with a thud of impatient feet. Linus stops just past the threshold, his arms folded over his chest, his eyes lit with an unnerving fervor. “You do have it, don’t you? Your godlen came through?”

My skin jumped at his sudden entrance, but I manage to hold my face in its calm expression. “I believe so. It’s difficult to be certain, unraveling divine visions?—”

“Yes, yes.” Linus stalks closer, his gaze fixed on the steel armband resting on top of my trunk. Thank the gods I tucked away my brewing equipment already so there’s no evidence of the enhancements I added.

I dip my head in an obliging gesture. “Did you still want me to present it to you at the feast? I thought it would make a grander statement that way than offering it in private.”

Linus’s mouth twists with obvious inner conflict. His hands flex, and then he steps back. “Yes. That will be much more impressive. I’ll see that one of the pages brings a velvet cushion to rest it on—you can bring it straight to the table after most of us are seated. Well, come along then.”

My stomach flips over. “Are we dining already?” I’d hoped that my gambit would buy me enough time to add the second layer of the gel.

Linus tsks his tongue and motions me toward the door. “The Lavirians start their feasting early so we can continue to enjoy the meal for as long as possible. We only dined late yesterday because of our late arrival. There’s a special entrance for royals; you can compose yourself there.”

But I can’t grab the pot of cooled gel I’ve hidden between the trunks, not while he’s watching me so avidly.

Swallowing hard, I lift the armband gingerly and follow my husband out of the room.

I suppose it’s a blessing that they weren’t starting dinner the moment we returned from the square, before I had any chance to doctor my replica at all.

Linus manages to convey his orders with considerable urgency while we hustle to the main palace. When we reach the small but silk-and-gold smothered private parlor that leads into the dining room, a page is waiting there with a velvet cushion as requested. It’s imperial purple, of course.

At least that’ll match the gleam of my enhancement.

Linus peeks into the dining room and then pats me on the head as if I was a dog. “Wait by the door until you hear me call for you. I want all of the nobles to see just how great a prize I’ve won.”

He’swon? What in the realms did he have to do with it other than ordering me around?

I bite back that cutting remark and bob my head again in agreement.

As soon as he’s stepped into the dining room, I position myself next to the door. Boisterous voices carry through as Linus greets various friends and colleagues.

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