Chapter 13
Thirteen
I woke to an empty room. The light was barely trickling in, a soft white that turned yellow as soon as the sun crested the horizon. The massive door that guarded the emperor’s private chambers was open, and there was no sign of a struggle beyond what our lovemaking had done to the bedsheets.
Well. That was something. Somehow, I’d imagined that Tallu would want to wake with me, that he’d want more of what we’d shared. But perhaps I should have studied seduction with Eona? and her private tutors. Maybe the rough, desperate act that Tallu and I had shared wasn’t enough to keep him in bed with me.
I refused to think about the way he’d said he didn’t deserve me, didn’t deserve what we’d shared. Clearly, he was a man who said more when he was desperate to find release than he meant when he was in his full senses.
And that was fair. That was fine . I still had him. I still had his confidence and his trust, and I still could get him back in my bed anytime I was ready with a blade for his neck.
As soon as I sat up, putting my feet on the plush carpeting, someone stepped into the room, as though they’d been waiting for me just outside the open door. I flinched, hands tensing, but I didn’t have any weapons.
Before I could attack, I recognized him for what he was. One of the Emperor’s Dogs. His mask was carved the same as the others, but after seeing so many of them, I recognized that they moved just slightly differently, their heights a slight variation that told me that this wasn’t Sagam, the Dog I’d gotten to know.
He silently stepped to the side of the door, his hands clasped behind his back in a guard position. Both my eyebrows went up, and I exhaled a long breath, waiting for him to speak.
“So, are you here to inform the emperor when I wake?” I finally asked. My stomach turned over in hunger.
“No. Emperor Tallu has assigned me to guard your safety.” The man didn’t even move as he spoke. If it wasn’t just the two of us in the room, I might have believed that someone else was speaking for him.
“Assigned you to guard my safety?” I said slowly. “Since when do any of the emperor’s consorts receive the benefit of an Emperor’s Dog at their beck and call?”
“I am not at your beck and call . I am here to do my duty for the emperor.”
“Your duty is now me .” I blew out a breath, lying back on the bed. Staring up at the ceiling, I realized how much this complicated things. My once-easy plan of killing Rute and stirring up dissent was now complicated by the guard theoretically there for my safety. “What’s your name?”
“Asahi.” The Emperor’s Dog bowed, low enough to show respect but without the triangle of the fingers to show my superior rank.
“Great. I’d like to return to Turtle House. I want to change and find out any new information about the assassination attempt.” I sat back up, swinging my legs over the edge of the bed.
“You need to wait for the doctor to see you.” Asahi’s words were firm, and when I turned to him, both eyebrows raised, his eyes were in shadow, and his mask gave no hint of his feelings. “And the emperor ordered food for you.”
“What?” I asked.
Quiet voices in the hallway preceded a servant bearing a tray of food and a pair of men dressed in expensive clothes, the stitching marking one of them as the Minister of Medicine.
“Prince Airón, I’m glad to see you up.” The minister bowed. “I am Dr. Jafopo, Minister of Medicine for the Southern Imperium.”
“I’m hearing that a lot. Did you think I wouldn’t wake up?” I smirked. “Northern men need more than a long nap to kill us.”
The minister’s lips pulled flat in something that might have been amusement. “I saw you after you lost consciousness in the throne room. I thought you might take more time to recover. You were gravely injured last night, and Emperor Tallu said that it was your bravery that kept him from greater injury himself.”
I felt something cold settle in my stomach as I realized that Tallu had never asked me about his injury. He knew his leg had been sliced clean through by a blade. He knew and had felt the effects as we limped down the mountain and into the forest.
But he had never asked me what happened in that small cabin. Not once.
Maybe he thought the injury had not been that bad. Maybe…
Dr. Jafopo was still talking. “With your leave, I would like to examine your injuries.”
“Not with everyone in here,” I said. “Unless it’s some imperial custom no one has told me about that half the kingdom has to see me undressed before I can marry your emperor.”
Jafopo flushed, his cheeks darkening. “No, no, of course not.”
The servant set his tray down on the side table and left the room with the other robed man. They shut the door behind them. The Emperor’s Dog stayed behind, arms crossed, trying to fade into the wall. I eyed him suspiciously.
Jafopo was efficient. His hands roved over me, poking me in sensitive spots, testing the range of movement of my limbs. He felt my head, finding two spots that made me yelp with pain.
“You know, there are men that enjoy this sort of thing in bed,” I said, pulling away and glaring. “I am not one of them.”
“Well. That makes two of us,” the doctor said. “You appear well enough. The head injuries I am concerned about. They are soft to the touch. I cannot tell if that means the bone itself has been damaged or merely the tissue around it. If you begin seeing visions or lose consciousness again, you must let us know immediately.”
“And what would you be able to do about it besides prepare my death rites?” I crossed my arms, waiting.
“I do not know how it is in the barbaric north, but in the south, we do know how to drain fluid from an inflamed brain. More often than not, the patient survives.”
That I doubted.
Finished, Dr. Jafopo ran his hands over his coat, straightening up. He bowed to me, nodding at Asahi.
“If he seems unsteady at all, let us know immediately.” Then, the Minister of Medicine left, closing the door behind him.
“I would sooner jump into a sea serpent’s mouth while covered in pig’s blood than I would let that man drill a hole in my head,” I said.
On the wall, Asahi didn’t even move; it was only by his eyes that I knew he was a real person and not a statue.
“Come. That was very funny.” I waited and was rewarded when the Emperor’s Dog spoke.
“It wasn’t funny. It was sensible.” And that was it. His voice was lower than Sagam’s, and where Sagam had an air of energy around him, this man gave me the impression of a mountain lake, the surface unbroken by any movement under the water.
“I’m going to go back to Turtle House.” I started to push myself up, but Asahi turned to face me.
“You will eat first.” The voice emanating from behind the mask brooked no argument, and I glared at him, my eyes narrow, brows tight.
“Since when does an Emperor’s Dog act as a nursemaid?” I gestured around us. “I thought you were here to guard me from threats, not from hunger.”
My words were undercut by a roll of my stomach, hunger twisting enough that Asahi could clearly hear the sound from the other side of the massive room. Pointedly, he looked at the tray the servant had left.
I huffed and moved it onto my lap, taking off the cover to reveal a bowl of milky porridge topped with dark fruit compote. I stirred it together, taking my first bite and nearly groaning from how delicious it was.
I really was starving if I was this excited over breakfast cereal .
On the side were strips of fried bacon, and after a single bite, I shoved the rest into my mouth hungrily. I was glad Terror wasn’t here to demand food. I wasn’t about to let anyone share this meal.
By the time I finished, I leaned back, considering the room. Idly, I tapped a spoon on the side of the bowl. “Does Emperor Tallu expect another attack from whoever tried to assassinate him?”
“It is not my job to know what the emperor thinks,” Asahi said.
“No, I don’t suppose it is. But you must know him after spending so long guarding him.” I considered again. Maybe I could get around killing Rute. I would just need to give Tallu a reason to kill him. What had Lord Fuyii said?
Tallu had given his father letters from Krustau that showed Fuyii’s disloyalty, and for that, the Minister of the Treasury had been exiled. What would Tallu do if Rute had letters from Krustau setting up an emperor’s assassination?
He’d have no choice but to have him executed. And that would tie the whole thing up in a neat bow just in time for our wedding. As long as whoever had tried to assassinate him didn’t try again.
Tallu would have people searching Rute’s quarters, going through all of his belongings; it wouldn’t be hard to push them to search again after I’d planted evidence. That was a plan. Good.
Now, I just needed supplies.
Turning to Asahi, I pretended at a smile. “Is there anything else I forgot? Do I need to brush my teeth or write a thank-you letter before I am allowed to leave?”
Asahi pursed his lips. “No.”
Getting up did leave me with a hint of dizziness that I shook off quickly. I needed to get moving. There was too much to do and only two weeks to do it.
Servants bowed low as we left the emperor’s private quarters, although I saw no trace of Tallu. As we passed by two sets of guards dressed in amber and started down the path back to Turtle House, I asked, “And where is my intended?”
“I am not your social secretary,” Asahi said sharply.
“No, but you do know, don’t you?” I asked.
“Yes.” Asahi briefly stepped in front of me as we passed a group of courtiers out for an early morning walk, their voices dropping to whispered gossip as they passed us.
“Well, this relationship is getting off to a swimming start. You and I are clearly going to get along brilliantly, Asahi.” I kept my voice cheerful and walked into Turtle House, ignoring him all the way to my rooms.
Nohe waited for me beside the doors, gesturing for a servant to open them as I approached. “Prince Airón, we are so grateful for your safe return.”
“Yes,” I said drily. “I imagine that none of us expected my morning walk to end up like this.”
“I’ve had a private bath arranged for you in your quarters, or I can reserve time at the bathhouse. Do you have a preference?” Nohe tilted her head in the silent gesture for direction.
Shaking my head, I said, “A bath here is fine.”
“Very good.” She led the way to the empty room I’d assumed was for training, and I saw someone had brought in a large tub. Piivu, the servant I’d saved from Rute what seemed like a decade earlier, was pouring a steaming jug of water into the nearly full bath.
“Piivu!” I smiled when I saw him. It felt like the first thing that had gone right since I’d gotten to the Imperium. Turning to Nohe, I said, “Thank you for finding a place for him.”
She nodded, her expression as mild as possible, although I could feel her curiosity. “Of course. He’s a hard worker.”
“Good.” I started to undo the ties on my clothes, and both Piivu and Nohe made sounds that were no more than horrified breaths. “Don’t tell me—someone needs to undress me?”
“You’re the emperor’s consort,” Nohe said, almost apologetically.
“You need to be properly attended,” Piivu said, showing more propriety than I’d expected. When I looked at him, he flushed.
So, Piivu had once been higher ranked in the servants’ hierarchy than he was now. Based on his youth, he’d probably been training for some position as a valet or private servant. How did he end up holding one half of a lion’s chains?
“Fine,” I said.
Nohe and Piivu immediately jumped into action, stripping me down and helping me into the tub. I looked for a washcloth, but both were too fast, producing some of the bathing salts that had been available at the bathhouse. Feeling awkward, I let them lift my arms, scrub my body, tilt my head back to wash my hair.
Whichever of Tallu’s servants had washed me between collapsing in the throne room and Tallu’s bedroom had done a good job wiping off most of the dirt, but Piivu’s careful fingers found scrapes and cuts from the river at the Dragon Temple that hadn’t been cleaned. He had me tilt back my head, rinsing out the strands.
My hair was still loose, and for a moment, I remembered when Tallu had fisted it, grabbing it tightly and pulling my head back for his pleasure. I shook my head, and Piivu immediately stilled.
“I’m sorry, Your Highness. Did I hurt you?” He bit his lip, nearly in tears, and I shook my head again.
“Just lightheaded after all the excitement,” I said. Then, I lifted a wet arm and pointed at Asahi where he stood at the door. “That is not an excuse to call Dr. Jafopo. I like my brains inside my head where they belong and my skull free of holes.”
Asahi didn’t react at all, as though he were a statue, and I rolled my eyes up to the ceiling. That was going to get old quickly.
“Where do Tallu’s cousins live?” I asked, using the most casual tone I could, as though Velethuil had never told me the layout of the palace. “Prince Rute was at court yesterday late in the evening. Does he live in the palace?”
“Yes,” Nohe said after a moment of hesitation. “Yes, they live in the Mountain Thrown buildings.”
I remembered the map of the country that was more clear from above. That would put him near the lake on the far side of the property, about as far from Tallu’s rooms as anyone could get. He was also in a different building than the other cousins Velethuil had dismissively waved at. I considered my options.
More information was necessary, but with Asahi around, I needed to be more sneaky. Moreover, I needed to decide how I was going to frame Rute. Would a few letters implying he’d hired mercenary Krustavians be enough? Would I need more?
While my mind was spinning, I must have fallen asleep. The next thing I knew, Nohe was gently shaking my shoulder, waking me. I blinked, feeling strange as I stepped out of the bath and allowed Piivu to put a robe on me. He was gentle, but I could see him glancing at Nohe for approval.
As I made my way to my bedroom, I decided what I needed. Piivu helped me into clothing, and I turned to Nohe. “Is the writing desk stocked? I would like to send a message to my sister. I understand it will get there after she arrives home, but it would reassure both of us, I think.”
“Of course, Your Highness.” She looked uncertain. “Does the Northern Kingdom use a different sort of material to write with than the Imperium?”
“I’m sure it’s fine,” I said, but I realized my error as the words left my mouth. I needed paper and ink that had come from Krustau. That would be harder to get. Who in the palace would have it, and how could I get it from them without drawing suspicion? Or would it be necessary? Could I disguise it so that it looked like Rute was trying to get past the servants who delivered the mail?
Terror landed on my windowsill. He had an insect hanging out of his mouth, and with a decisive snap, the grasshopper was gone.
“You’re back,” the raven said.
“It has been a long few days,” I said to the room at large. “Can I have some privacy?”
“Of course,” Nohe said, gesturing Piivu out. “His Imperial Majesty has asked for your presence at court later, though. If you need help dressing…”
“I will rely on you,” I assured her. “I just need a bit of privacy to clear my head and write to my sister.”
“Of course.” She started to head out, her hand motions indicating Asahi should walk ahead of her, but he stayed put by the door.
They both froze, and I wondered if it was going to be a showdown. If it was, who would win? The seasoned servant, used to managing her betters, or the lethally trained guard?
Finally, Asahi nodded his head, then strode out of the room. Nohe bowed to me, triangling her fingers, and then closed the door behind her.
Terror chuckled. “What were you planning to do if he said no?”
I sat heavily on the bed, making a face at Terror. “What happened?”
“You missed all the fun.” Terror tilted his head, opening and closing his beak before shaking his feathers, puffing them up briefly. “All sorts of dramatics since you left.”
“Tell me what they said at General Kacha’s lake party after I left,” I said, keeping my voice so low it wouldn’t carry through the door. I had reverted to Northern out of habit, and hopefully, none of them spoke it.
“Most were trying to curry favor. They spoke amongst themselves about what they might offer the general or Rute. One of them discussed the murder of his uncle.” Terror cocked his head.
“Wait. One of them wanted to murder his own uncle or Rute’s uncle—Lord Sotonam?” It was a significant difference.
“Lord Sotonam. He was immediately shut down. They are all suspicious of each other. That much was clear. No one talked openly.” Terror opened and closed his mouth meaningfully, and I took a nut from a tray of snacks to the side and tossed it toward him. He snapped it out of the air, throwing back his head to swallow it. “They all kept reminding each other what happened to the council. And how they would never betray the Imperium.”
“They kept reminding each other how?” I asked.
“They kept reminding each other that every secret the emperor had ever exposed about the council was said only in private, which meant that any one of them could be whispering all of their secrets into the emperor’s ear.” Terror looked at me from the side of his head, his one unblinking eye examining me. “They said that every servant in the palace must report to him, and even talking inside the palace was foolish.”
“So no one will move against him?” I asked.
“The ones there were young and foolish,” Terror said. “And like the young and foolish, they were speaking in ways that their betters would not.”
“What do you know of their betters?” I asked. I poked at the tray of snacks, discovering a small bowl of fruit. I tossed one of the berries toward Terror.
After he made it disappear out of the air, Terror said, “I hear the ministers when they talk to each other. They scurry around the gardens, looking over their shoulders, checking inside every bush to make sure there are no listening ears.”
“And what do they say?” I speared a red fruit with a fork, bringing it to my mouth and savoring the spill of juice on my tongue.
“They say that the emperor is all-powerful. His eyes are invisible and everywhere. They say that they are loyal to him.” Terror tilted his head.
“They say they’re loyal to him because they believe the emperor is listening in.” I leaned back, and my distraction allowed the bird to hop onto the table and snap up the rest of the berries from the bowl. “They say they’re loyal to him. But I wonder how many of them are still communicating with the council that was disbanded? Or even how many of them covet the power the council used to wield?”
It was a long shot, a remote chance. But perhaps it was a way to create chaos.
“How long do you think it will take to call everyone from the corners of the kingdom back to the capital city?”
“What do you intend to do?” Terror asked. He nosed his beak over the rest of the plates, finding a plate of crackers and cheese. As he gobbled them up whole, I began to grin. I was going to get rid of Rute and then invite all of Tallu’s enemies back to the capital and convince him it was a good idea.
With all the exiled councilors back in the capital, they could see exactly what they had lost. Their bitterness would be more sour, more vicious than Lord Fuyii’s had ever been. When the emperor killed Rute and then died himself, they wouldn’t even wait for the body to cool before demanding power they thought they deserved.
“I intend to get married.” I smiled. If the emperor did have ears everywhere, then I was not going to be as foolish as the young people at General Kacha’s party. “And a party like that needs guests of honor.”