Page 10 of Kiss of Ice

One more thing the new Emperor had to answer for, Ren thought bitterly.

She mounted up, reflecting that she would need to ride hard to get back before dinner. Her father wouldn’t notice she was missing before then. But if he didn’t see her at the table, there would be awkward questions.

She urged Mistral into a trot, then into a canter as they left the outskirts of Arjhan. Now there were just clear open fields between her and home. She spurred the stallion into a full-blown gallop, revelling in the feel of the wind streaming through her hair.

She hadn’t lied when she said she never fell off. She had learned to ride before she could walk. Her earliest memory was of her mother lifting her onto the broad back of a sturdy grey pony and leading her round the garden. That was the start.

Now Ren could ride any horse, no matter how wild or untrained. It made her feel free. On horseback, she wasn’t clumsy. She was balanced and graceful. All her insecurities about her looks, her size, melted away. And always, without fail, it made her feel closer to the mother she’d lost far too soon.

She bent low over Mistral’s neck and flew.

Five

“You should tell your people the truth.” Shade watched his friend pace, seeing the tension in his shoulders. Kam stopped mid-stride.

“What, that I spent the last half century as a monster? Oh yes, that woulddefinitelymake them trust me more. Not.”

“But they think you deserted them. That you ran away from your duty.”

“It’s better than the truth. I don’t care what they think, Shade, but Idocare that things seem to have changed in my absence. Did you know there are now people in Arjhan who can’t afford healers? My father was wrong to let that happen.”

“Your father was devastated by your presumed death. You cannot blame him.”

“I don’t. I blame Salaq.” Kam clenched his fists and Shade tried to soothe him.

“You will make it right. As Emperor, you have that power. I will help. So will Raya.”

“Yeah?” Kam gave a crooked smile. “I think your wife is still pissed I gave away part of her kingdom.”

“She is coming to terms with it,” Shade answered diplomatically. “Though she is still unsure why you divested her of the Forbidden Zone. As am I.”

“It was payment. For the one who saved me.”

“Natalia?” Shade frowned. “The slayer? Why did you not just give her money? We agreed on a handsome price and…”

“Trust me, my friend. The Forbidden Zone is in the right hands. Anyway, we have more pressing matters. Look at this.” Kam strode to the bureau and drew out a scroll. Unrolling it, he showed Shade a list of names. “My prospective brides.”

Intrigued, Shade scanned the scroll.

“Your advisors seem to have put every unmarried noblewoman on here regardless of age or sexual orientation. I know for a fact Duchess Xian is well beyond her child-bearing years.” He pointed to another name. “Lady Melisande is living with a witch. And Countess Deveaux does not have her own teeth. Or hair.”

“By the gods. Who the fuck are they trying to saddle me with?”

“There are some good matches, however,” Shade continued thoughtfully. “I see several Elhinn ladies here. Any one of them would make a suitable Empress.”

“And bore me to death in the process. Try again.”

“What about this one? She is a high-born Vetali. It may be useful to forge closer ties with Palissandra.”

“I’m not marrying a vampire,” Kam said flatly.

“Are you sure? Tala seems to like it.”

“Yeah well, she’s weird.”

“I will be sure to tell her that. I shall enjoy watching her reaction.”

“Find me someone less bloodsucky.”

---