Betrothed to the Emperor (Emperor’s Assassin #1)

Fourteen

A few hours later, after Nohe and two servants of her choosing had dressed me and then spent another hour making sure the fall of my jacket and the fit of my pants and shirt were perfect, I presented myself at court.

It was the same as last time, although now I didn’t see a room full of metal statues but instead saw the ebb and flow of power. As I walked in, I noted Rute in the back, a courtesan on one arm, entertaining the twins that General Kacha had introduced. A few more courtiers swirled in their orbit, and I remembered their faces from the lake party, although I couldn’t name them.

Velethuil stood near the edge of the room, his brilliant smile making those around him draw close. His patron, General Kacha, was nowhere to be found, although I saw General Saxu in the corner, his dark clothes blending into the shadows almost as well as the gray robes of the Emperor’s Dogs did.