Page 39 of A Queen Of Broken Realms
“Queen Leucosia,” she says with a smile in her smooth voice. It’s as rich as salted caramel. I want to melt right into it. Plus, she’s currently slaying it with Rule Two of the Shadow Realm: pay more attention to who carries what. Imani carries a thermos and I can already smell the contents. It’s spiced hot chocolate with blood. And brandy, even better.
“It’s good to see you again,” I say, sitting a little straighter. I want to thank her for what she did that first day in the Kur by shifting the atmosphere in the room to my favor. I wish I could tell her to just call me Lu, but I know the power of a name. I know what happens if you give it away too quickly to people you don’t know.
“I am so pleased to see that you have recovered from your recent ordeals,” Imani replies as she pours the thick chocolate into a glass mug. “How is the search for the new Council going?”
“We have a few good people lined up. I’m hitting a bit of a wall now though.” I take the mug from Imani and motion for her to sit. Ashen takes a seat at the table where the servers set a place for him with what looks like a slab of rare venison, vegetables, and a basket of rolls with way too much butter. He glares over his shoulder as though he can read my thoughts and I grin before turning my attention back to our guest. “Which House are you in, Imani?”
“None. Not anymore,” she replies, smiling at the contented sigh I give when I take my first sip. The rich, boozy dark chocolate is spiced with a touch of chili and the tingling sweetness of Ashen’s blood. “I was once aligned with House Ushzu, long ago, before I took overBit Akalum.”
“Do you have any recommendations for Reapers I should talk to from House Mushussu?”
Imani looks up toward the ceiling as she considers this for a brief moment. “Likely your best option is Bridget.”
My gaze flicks to Zida, who is currently digesting Bridget. I gulp down the rest of my hot chocolate even though it’s still way too hot. “I’m afraid that will be a nonstarter.”
“I see,” Imani replies with a knowing smile as she leans forward and tops up my mug. “You can hear the souls, can you not? Or communicate with them somehow?”
Word gets around fast in the Shadow Realm restaurant industry. “Yes, I can.”
“If you had a Resurrectionist, you could choose a soul to be assigned there. One you feel you could work with. Not a vampire soul, but perhaps a witch or even an apothecary if you can find one, though there are so few that have slipped through the protection of their Guild and wound up here. Someone either neutral or who would fit well with the others already in that House. Even a werewolf, if you can find one you feel you could also work with.”
“That’s a good idea,” I say as I consider the steps. The Resurrectionist issue should be sorted out soon. It would take a while to find the right soul, but it would be safer than what I’ve got to pick from now. “Thank you for that suggestion.”
“You are welcome, my Queen,” Imani replies with a shallow bow of her head. We assess one another for a moment before she starts to rise from her chair. “I should go, and let you have your time in peace.”
“Wait, please.” My eyes rest on hers as I listen to her pulse and the steady stream of air that fills and leaves her lungs. I draw in a deep breath and take in her scent. Jasmine. Orange. Oil on a hot cast iron pan. Pepper from the kitchen. “Would you be on the Council?”
Imani sits back in her chair. She looks at me as though trying to discern if I’m worthy of her commitment. “Representing which House?”
“All. I’d like you to speak for the best interests of the Reapers who are already here as we start to resurrect souls. The newcomers will need places to live. You know best where they would fit, and where they wouldn’t.”
Imani tilts her head, her rich brown eyes raking over every inch of my face. “This could put pressure on my establishment if disagreements occur.”
“Something makes me think you can handle it.”
I take in every detail that comes from this formidable Reaper’s body, though nothing changes. Her pulse doesn’t hammer with anticipation of coming close to something she wants. The smell of adrenaline doesn’t enliven her scent. She just watches me back, probably weighing the pros and cons and the most diplomatic way to let me down, if that’s what she decides.
“I am honored. I accept,” she finally says with a demure bow of her head. I rise, lifting my hand to touch her forehead so I can see her thoughts, but she holds up a palm to stop me. “I can’t allow you. Too many have entrusted me with their secrets, not just here but in the other realms. It would endanger them.”
I let my hand drop back to my side. “And it would risk the favors you’re owed.”
Imani’s smile comes to life. “Correct.”
“Lu can spellcast,” Ashen says, washing down a mouthful of venison as his eyes burn into Imani. “She can create a blood bond between you. That way you keep both your secrets and your promises to your Queen.”
“Ashen,” Imani purrs, tacking on a chastisingtsk. Her smile brightens with a sly curve at one edge. “You and I both know that I have the connections to not only leave this realm despite your travel ban, but to break any spell she could cast. Our Queen is going to have to trust me if we are to work together.”
Ashen’s expression darkens as his gaze slides to mine. His anxiety tingles through my skin, my own following it like an echo. I look to Imani once more as her smile fades to something gentler.
“All right. I won’t look into your mind. But I do have one question,” I say, continuing to test her body’s reactions with every breath I take. “Why did you help Ashen when he made arrangements to free me from the dungeons?”
Imani takes no time to think about her answer. “Because I see myself in you.”
“I don’t hear that often, and when I do, the person is usually batshit crazy,” I reply, a little disheartened.
Imani lets out a vibrant laugh that reminds me of windchimes warmed by the summer sun. Ashen smirks over the edge of his wine glass. “That is not what I meant,” she says, leaning forward a little as the amusement dims in her eyes. What’s left behind looks like appreciation, maybe even a bit of affection. “I have had to fight for myself here too. I had to prove my worth when I elected to take onBit Akalum. I backed down from no one. I showed the Shadow Realm my power, and that night you came toBit Akalum, I watched you at the table doing exactly what I would have done. I saw how you refused to capitulate to Ember. You fought your corner without using your voice. And then you went out onto the dancefloor and showed the room how much power you held. Even not knowing who you truly were at the time, I saw a woman like me. One who would refuse to acquiesce. You did not deserve to be stolen away into that dungeon.” Imani settles back a little in her seat and lifts a shoulder. “Plus, it was obvious your Reaper was madly in love with you, and I am fond of him.”
Ashen coughs his wine into his napkin as Imani gives me a wink. I swallow down a laugh that begs to crawl from my throat. “Good enough for me. Thank you, Imani. I look forward to working together.”
