Page 6 of A Reign of Embers

He wasn’t there when Aurelia mentioned Tribune Valerisse’s claims. I balk automatically, so used to censoring what we discuss around the youngest of our group—but we’ve made the mistake of shutting out the prince of Goric too many times before.

He sided with us and with Aurelia when it mattered most. We might not have saved her from the fire without his gift of strength to bash down her apartment door.

Lorenzo picks up the thread for me, his gift letting him speak much more openly than I could with the nobles all around us.“When Tribune Valerisse attacked Aurelia, she announced that Sabrelle is on her side—and would support the army turning against Aurelia to get her off the throne. I supposewe don’t know for sure if that’s even partly true rather than delusional ranting, but?—”

Neven breaks in, his tan face gone sallow. “I don’t think it’s just delusion. I—I should talk to Aurelia as soon as possible.”

Chapter Three

Aurelia

I’ve never felt entirely comfortable surrounded by the Darium court, whether they were judging me for being a wild princess from the north or fawning over me to win favor with their empress.

The atmosphere in the palace has an even more unsettling energy now. Everyone feels theyshouldmake a gesture toward their now-sole ruler who just birthed an imperial heir and survived two assassination attempts, but I can tell nobody is quite sure what the appropriate approach would be. Their expressions waver between smiles and frowns; they halt in the middle of sentences and double-back on themselves before scurrying away.

Even Vicerine Bianca, the woman who’s become the closest thing to a real friend I have despite our very rocky beginning, joins me on my way out of the dining room with unusual hesitance.

She pats the upswept locks of her shining black hair as if to make sure it’s in place and tips her head with a cautious smile. “Your Imperial Highness, you’ve had quite the trial of a day. Is there anything you need that all these fops haven’t thought of?”

My lips twitch at her irreverent phrasing even as my heart pangs that she asked at all. The last time I spoke with Bianca, I was asking her to take on a dangerous task: drugging Linus so that I could kidnap his twin. She doesn’t know my true reasons, but she took up the duty without question or complaint.

Even though I can’t imagine she thinks the few hours the emperor spent unconscious in her bed could have caused him to later be tossed out the window of my apartment, she’s sharp enough to have some sense of plans gone awry.

I might have trusted her enough to make that risky request, but I’m not quite at the point of confessing all of my sins. I smile back at her as warmly as I’m capable of. “I’ve been quite fussed over, thank you. The hardest parts are those I must see to on my own.”

“Of course.” Her dark gaze drops to the baby in my arms, and her smile softens. “She’s lovely.”

The pang expands to the base of my throat. I stroke my thumb over the delicate down that shades Coraya’s head and admit one thing I haven’t to anyone else yet. “I’m still having trouble believing I made her.”

Bianca simply laughs. “Who else could have? Look, she has your perfect composure already.”

Her relaxing into our familiar rapport eases my own nerves a little. Enough for me to take her up on her offer of help after all.

I sidle a little closer and speak under my breath. “Recent events have left me rather uneasy about our company here inthe palace. If you hear any hint of dissention—from the court or the staff?—”

Bianca’s eyes spark with understanding before I need to finish my sentence. Her smooth brown face firms. “Of course, Aurelia. I’ll keep my ears pricked.”

She swans off with a sway of her voluptuous hips. The other nearby nobles glance over with curiosity and perhaps a hint of disdain.

Just a few days ago, I guided Linus into banishing Bianca’s husband to their estate, a punishment that wasn’t extended to her. The charge was the most superficial of supposed treason, but a little of that taint may have rubbed off on her.

I’ll have to hope that my favor will offset any ill-feelings I’ve stirred up while freeing her from that loathsome man. I’d rather see sneers aimed at her than fresh bruises on her skin… but I’m not entirely sure she’d have made the same trade.

On my way to the palace temple, Coraya wakes with a thin but demanding wail. I step into a sitting room to feed her. Once she’s sated and drifting back into sleep, one of my guards has summoned a nursemaid.

I can’t help balking again before I hand her over, but I’m not sure funeral rites are the best place for a baby. Would the image of the broken corpse everyone believes was her father burn itself into her brain even at this young age?

It’s certainly seared into mine, however well the devouts have straightened out and dressed up Linus’s body after his fall. The carefully placed cushions can’t do much to disguise the caved-in portion of his skull, no matter how they’ve cleaned the blood from his sallow skin.

The four imperial advisors—High Commander Axius, Counsels Etta and Severo, and Cleric Pierus—join me in the temple. I follow Pierus’s instructions and my memories of therites I assisted Marclinus with after his father’s death, intoning the words of respect and mourning, bowing here and dipping my head in prayer there.

By the time I’ve tapped my fingers down my chest in the gesture of the divinities for the final time, my spirit feels wrung out, even though I’ve spent most of the day dozing.

One of the palace medics has arrived while I carried out the familial rites. She walks with me back to my chambers, asking me questions about how each part of my body feels, and examines me in the privacy of my bedroom.

She steps back with a brisk nod. “You’re healing well, Your Imperial Highness. Continue getting plenty of rest when you can and avoiding any significant physical strain. Our gifts can see you through the early days after birth faster than without them, but no magic can heal everything in an instant.”

My mouth curves wryly. “I know, and I appreciate the help you can offer.”

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