Page 103 of Captive of the Stolen Empire

Zurina gave me another pat and a sharp nod of her head.

“Many of the guards here are uneasy after today,” Brishon said, gesturing back toward the castle. “I can send a few loyal to me to our training camp to the west and the scouting teams near the Marsali border. They can spread our truth and the events of today before rumors twist them.”

“Send them tonight,” I said. “It will give them an extra head start in case their absence is noted.”

He nodded. “Hopefully, we can rally some to our cause. Or at least keep them from the battlefield to come.”

I turned to Zurina. “These rebels of yours, how long will they take to assemble?”

“A few days to spread the word? It will take my animals time to travel with the message, and I don’t know how quickly the rebels can be ready to move. The nearest ones may be able to advance upon the castle here before we’d be expected to return from delivering Fernand’s body, but it’ll be close.”

We planned to bring the rebels to us. Once they arrived, we’d find a way to deliver the emperor to them as a hostage. It wouldn’t be clean. Not with Orson and the others still on his side, but it was the fastest way to victory.

No, the fastest would be to assassinate him. Despite all he’d done, I shuddered at the thought of slitting his throat or asking another of us to do it. He’d been the only father we’d known for most of our lives.

The rebels could take him into their custody to await a trial among the city-states. There hadn’t been one in generations, but Zurina said it was something the rebels hoped to change. If they’d worked together to begin with, if they’d collaborated, they never would have been so vulnerable to our conquest. If a trial would soothe some of the wounds of war, so be it.

“When the emperor realizes you’ve left without his authority or the authority of his first, he’ll send his troops after you,” I said.

“You’re still our first, whatever he says,” she replied.

Warren nodded along.

A kind sentiment, but not one that helped.

“Besides,” she continued, “that’ll help us. The fewer soldiers here, the easier it will be for you all and the rebels to seize control. I’ll find a place to rest and focus my magic before I circle back to you all.”

“And if he grows suspicious of us before the rebels arrive?” Brishon asked.

“We’ll think of something.” I had no idea, but these few believed in me. Their lives depended on it. I would—

Rustling leaves snagged my attention as a group of guards rushed toward us. Zurina reached for her sword. Magic hummed in the air.

“Wait.” I threw out my hand, halting my companions. Ajax, one of the loyal guards who stood watch outside my quarters, led a cluster of men and women.

“Captain.” The boy saluted. “Er…Captains,” he stammered, face flushed. He swallowed and looked between them, an uneasy, wild look flashing in his eyes.

“What is it?” Brishon demanded.

“It’s Captain Orson. A member of our squadron overheard him during dinner. He plans to…well, he hinted that he might…”

“Spit it out,” I urged.

“He mentioned paying a visit to Lady Ilya in the cells tonight.”

A stillness more absolute than the mirror lake to the north overtook me. All at once, the world rushed back, accompanied by a blazing fire hotter than the Goddess’s bonfires those weeks ago. “I’ll kill him.”

I shoved past the guards, not seeing their faces as I homed in on the castle battlements beyond.

Orson, you’ll pay for this one. If one hair on her head is—

“Wait!” Warren grabbed my arm, but I shook him off without a thought.

“Stop!” Brishon circled in front of me, blocking my path and pushing me backward. “She’s just one woman. You can’t—”

My fist crashed into his jaw, sending the other man reeling. “I can’t let him touch her.”

Zurina whistled.

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