Page 55 of A Reign of Embers

“At this point, I think we need more than letters,” I say as if only to Axius. “We should send the princes themselves home, so they can make their appeals for me in the most direct and impactful possible way.”

Neven jerks even straighter. “If it would make a difference?—”

At the same moment, Raul blurts out a strangled, “What?”

The prince of Lavira catches himself before he protests any further, but his younger foster brother’s mouth snaps shut.

Neven glances around the table at the three now-rigid figures. At the mental calculation that must go on behind his eyes, his posture deflates.

He has no significant bonds tying him to Dariu. Heading home would only benefit him. But he knows the other princes have a much different level of investment.

To be fair, even Axius looks skeptical. “Send the fosters back? We would lose any—well, they’re meant to more closely connect their home countries to imperial interests.Without their presence here, their kingdoms might feellessinclined to support the current imperial powers rather than more.”

That’s a very polite way of saying they’re our leverage—which I think he’d have spelled out more blatantly if the leverage in question wasn’t here in the room with us.

The ache in my chest has grown teeth it’s sinking into my flesh, but I propel myself onward, still focusing on the high commander. “That’s exactly why it will be such an impactful gesture. We’re showing our good faith while asking them to act with their own. I believe the princes will make a solid case for us, and one which their families will be more likely to believe when they can hear it without any mitigating factors.”

Axius would have a difficult time arguing either of those points. He saw how all of the princes, even those with little military inclination, leapt in to help during the riot the other day.

Bastien clears his throat. His voice still comes out strained despite its usual evenness. “Are you sure this approach wouldn’t harm your case with the court—if they assume that we’ve ‘abandoned’ Dariu?”

I force myself to meet his gaze for the first time. “If anyone asks, I’ll tell them you’re on a mission for me. That will make my position sound more secure rather than less.”

Raul makes a rough sound that draws Axius’s head around, but the prince keeps quiet otherwise. I hate to think what furiously defiant thoughts are passing through his head at my proposal.

Doubt winds through my chest again, compressing my lungs. What if I’m asking too much, extending myself too far? Risking more than the gamble is worth?

I was never meant to be in this position in the first place. In the plans I made with my family and my godlen, I’d have been the picture of an obedient wife, gently nudging myemperor husband toward more compassionate policies bit by bit.

But here I am. This is the place I’ve ended up in with the hand I was dealt.

If I don’t claim my role with all the conviction I have in me, I’ll lose the throne right out from under me. I have to trust that my vision for the future is right… and that the royals who’ve been at odds with imperial rule for so long will recognize that too.

Axius is rubbing his jaw. “I can see the value of the plan. We certainly can’t afford to be all that cautious at this point. I’d rather we didn’t need to call on anyone beyond the imperial forces to begin with, but desperate times…” He smiles crookedly at me. “You’ve always been willing to make sacrifices for the greater good.”

He has no idea just how much of a sacrifice this plan is for me.

I dip my head in acknowledgment and catch Lorenzo’s pained expression at the corner of my eye. My heart wrenches.

How is it fair for me to be putting them through this conversation with Axius as a buffer, merely to make it easier for myself? I can’t let them leave without giving them a chance to speak openly.

I’m not a coward, no matter how appealing that route looks right now.

I square my shoulders. “I’d like to speak with the princes alone to discuss our exact strategy. If they have any objections or concerns, they should have the opportunity to express those with minimal possible judgment.”

Axius only hesitates for a second. Presumably he thinks the likelihood of the princes attacking me, especially when I’ve just offered up their freedom, is nil. As he heads to thedoorway, I seek out Marc’s gaze. “Please wait in the hall with the rest of my guards.”

My husband’s posture tenses, but he only flexes his jaw and follows Axius out of the room.

The second the door has thumped shut behind them, Raul launches into speech, if at a lower volume than I can tell is his natural inclination. “This is ridiculous, Aurelia. We should be here with you. If there’s ever a time when you needed support— You know we don’t want to go ‘home’ for our own ends. There’s got to be another way.”

Bastien grimaces. “And who says our families will listen to us even if we’re right in front of them? We couldn’t make much progress on your behalf during the tour.”

Lorenzo fixes his gaze on me, so intent I can’t look away.“You shouldn’t have to be alone while you’re facing this. We’ve worked together through every step toward seeing you on the throne. We can domoretogether.”

Neven just watches the four of us, his expression drawn, as if he’s a kid watching his parents fight.

I swallow thickly. “I didn’t make this proposal lightly or without thorough consideration. If it was only about my immediate happiness, of course I’d want you right here. But in this one case, I think you can do so much more for me—and your home countries—if we work together from afar.”

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