Page 89 of Blood Sanctuary, Part One

Cassia blinked at him. “You already know she is with child?”

“We can all hear the heartbeat.”

Cassia sighed, shaking her head. “After all the effort she’s gone to not to say it aloud, in case the walls are listening. She didn’t breathe a word of it to me until tonight.”

“I’m so sorry. We’ll do everything we can to help her feel safe.”

“Could you have some decent food brought to her and Callen’s room each night? I don’t want her poisoning herself with those rations from Tenebra. I think I’ve managed to convince her your food is safe to eat, for her, at least.”

“I’ll make sure the initiates see to it right away, along with some extra blankets, stockings, and an even warmer cloak. If any dangers arise, we will find a way to convince her to let our healers help her. I promise we’ll take good care of her.”

“Thank you. She says the Semna is mixing tonics for her in secret, but I know your healers could do much more. I wish she would realize this is the safest place in the world for her to be with child. I wish…” Cassia shook her head again.

“You clearly managed to reassure her a great deal tonight. She already feels safer.”

Cassia took a deep breath. “I had to tell her another piece of the truth about what happened at the Equinox Summit. Now she knows I warned your embassy about Dalos, and that your people know the role she and Callen played. I know it was a risk to bring her deeper into our plot, but I had to make it clear that Orthros knows she saved seven Hesperine lives.”

“She took it so well?”

Cassia smiled, her aura bright with relief. “Yes.”

Lio let out a breath, considering the implications. “She is a friend and ally beyond compare. In fact, after you, she is Orthros’s best ally in the Tenebran embassy.”

“The Dexion will regret underestimating the strategic value of handmaidens.”

Lio’s arms tightened around Cassia. “To Hypnos with the Dexion. You don’t know how close I came to—”

“Ohh, I was afraid of that. You must have been sorely tempted. I’m sorry you had to stand by and do nothing.”

“You were clearly in command of the situation. But I shall not forget how he threatened you.”

Her gaze on his fangs, she smiled wickedly. “He’d best watch his back, then.”

“And the opponent in front of him, for she is clearly winning the game.”

“I do believe we have him surrounded.”

“You are dauntless. You certainly showed that in the face of the ugly truths tonight’s circle brought to light.” Lio rested his hands on her shoulders. “I think we’re overdue for a walk on the grounds and a question-and-answer session about Hesperines.”

At his mention of how they had first gotten to know each other, she smiled. “When we met, our ramblings at Solorum were the greatest solace I had ever known. But now I know the grounds of House Komnena.”

Underneath her fond expression and talk of comfort, he still sensed a heavy gloom, which had only deepened since Hypatia’s circle. It was time for a respite at home, where Lio could finally discover what weighed so on his Grace’s heart.

When massive evergreens and frosty, verdant air surrounded them suddenly, she blinked as if she had barely felt Lio step them to the grounds.

He did not let her go. “I’m sorry you had to contend with Hypatia and Konstantina tonight.”

“They are the gargoyles at the gates of Sanctuary. I respect that. They have wrestled with Anthros’s dragons and still bear the burn scars.”

“The same is true of you. Chrysanthos is on guard against you. He has made it clear there will be consequences if you continue to usurp his authority over the embassy.”

Cassia slid out of his embrace, but kept hold of his hand. She set off along the nearest deer path. “Yes, he was rather obvious about that, wasn’t he? Have you noticed how heavy-handed he’s been ever since we arrived?”

Lio levitated them both over a fallen log covered in frost and lichens. “In true war mage form.”

Cassia shook her head. “He is of the Aithourian Circle, yes—but he’s the Dexion. How does a man achieve one of the highest offices in Corona?”

“Hm. You do well to remind me. He is a war mage, but also a politician.”

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