Page 97 of Blood Sanctuary, Part Two

“It is hardly a scandal, to be sure,” Cassia answered. “It is a matter of course that a man in the brother’s position would keep a concubine, and accidental children do happen. However, the child is a boy. Bastard sons have a way of turning up later and causing inheritance trouble. The brother was probably trying to spare his dynasty the worry, or spare his bastard son a knife in the back.”

Lio shuddered. “I hate that you ever lived in that world.”

“It’s still hard to believe I don’t anymore,” Cassia said.

“Look at this.” Lyros held up a note in one hand and in the other, a gaudy gold ring covered in sapphires and engraved with peacock feathers.

Mak took the note from him. “‘From your loving mother, Her Serene Highness Princess Piles-of-Names-and-Titles, on the occasion of your ascension to the office of Dexion.’”

Lyros studied the detailed lettering on the ring. “It bears his mage name, office, circle, and order, but also his birth name. The jeweler must have cried trying to fit all this on here.”

“What is his birth name, then?” Cassia asked.

“Florian Pavonis, it looks like,” Lyros answered.

Cassia let out a low whistle. Knight lifted his head from his paws where he lay on her feet.

She stroked the top of his head. “I’m hardly an expert on the intricacies of power in the Cordian principalities, but anyone with an ear to politics hears about the Pavones. They are one of the two greatest dynasties of Corona and the bitter rivals of the other, the Tauri.”

Lio nodded. “Uncle Argyros gave me lessons in what we know about the Pavones and Tauri.”

“You think Hadria and Segetia have a feud?” Cassia shook her head. “From what I hear, more than one Pavo has paid with his life for looking wrong at a Taurus.”

Mak frowned at the letters. “So Chrysanthos may be all that stands between this child and assassination by a jealous Pavo or a feuding Taurus.”

“I could come up with all kinds of explanations for why Chrysanthos might find the woman and child useful for his own gain.” Cassia hesitated.

“But you don’t really believe them,” Lio said.

“No,” Cassia replied. “A man who wants to use his brother’s bastard in a contest for power does not cherish the baby’s nonsense drawings in a box so covered in spells, it took the Akron’s Torch to open it.”

“‘I miss the boy every moment,’” Lio read. “‘Tell him I keep his drawings with me always. I count the days until I can see him again and in him, glimpse my brother for one moment more.’”

“Goddess,” Xandra said. “I actually feel sorry for the Dexion.”

“So do I.” Cassia sucked in a breath. “That man, who called me the worst kind of woman. Hedoeshave a heart in his chest. He’s taking care of his dead brother’s concubine and her orphan…”

She didn’t finish, but Lio knew what she was thinking. The king had been far crueler to his own concubine and child. A loving sibling had been all that stood between her and death. Lio put an arm around Cassia.

“It sounds like his brother is sorely missed.” Mak read, “‘Our father carries on with fortitude, but I see the toll my brother’s death has taken on him. Pray for our father. His position does not permit pain or allow time for mourning.’”

“By the sound of the woman’s letters,” Lio added, “she and the brother were devoted to one another.”

Cassia pursed her lips. “She would certainly say so to secure Chrysanthos’s favor.”

“But you don’t really believe that, either,” Lio said.

“No.” Cassia sighed. “Do you notice they never mention any names? They are clearly taking care, in case their correspondence is intercepted. They’re protecting his brother’s memory and each other, and especially the child.”

“Another woman like all those in the history scrolls who are never named.” Kia shook her head.

Lio studied the woman’s handwriting. “At least we have these letters, through which she may speak for herself.”

Another moment of silence fell.

“I think we should leave these off the Summit record,” Lio said.

Mak sighed, then nodded. Lyros took his hand.

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