Chapter Seventeen #3
“It is with the Elder Dragons’ approval and Emperor Aldritch’s appointment that I hereby accept you, Varic Euclid, as my Imperial Lead Guard, from now until death.” My voice breaks over the last word, from the cruelty in being made to make this vow less than a day after Hendry’s horrific death.
Emperor Aldritch grabs hold of our wrists closest to him and promptly thrusts each high above our heads as Raki flies in a circle around them. “It is my honor to present our Imperial Grand Witch Tasch and her newly restored Guard. May their bond bring our Ampara Deicra Empire glory!”
Loud cheers assault my ears when the Emperor releases us, then routine carries me back to the space upon the stage I have occupied my entire adulthood. Only this time, Varic follows, taking Hendry’s place by my left-hand side, to stand between me and the Emperor, now and forevermore.
Imperial Guard Roy has already rejoined the other Guards along the side of the stage where the crowd disperses before him. Drums thrum in a low chorus when one of the many Imperial healers approaches Varic to tend to his hand while Cirrin heals my own with his magic.
His Majesty locks eyes with me as he strides off stage with his imposing Guards trailing after him.
Feeling the weight of someone staring, I turn and peer up at the lone body remaining in the seats on high, where General Sal glares down, and my magic senses his emotions rippling heavily outside of his body.
I pointedly make eye contact, and he stands, breaking our collective gaze as he turns to stalk toward the exit.
“Witch!” the Emperor yells, and I obediently pivot, trailing toward him with my newly completed Guard forming an angsty five-pointed star around my being.
The Emperor stalls, glancing from Varic to myself.
“That display of affection between you two will not be tolerated should it happen again. You will not act as a distraction for one another. You each have important roles to play in service to your Emperor, and you are forbidden from engaging in any form of relationship aside from Guardian and charge. Are we clear?”
Varic and I nod solemnly.
“You will not receive another warning. You will perform your roles as expected, or I will make good on my threats.”
Rage ripples from Varic’s body to me, with yellow lightning bolts sparking from his palms—angled too near the sides of his hips.
My heart leaps, and I wish to stop him. I will not let him hurt himself. Not over this.
“Yes, Your Majesty,” I say with a bow.
“The only reason you are ever to touch her is for her safety, and nothing more,” His Majesty commands, stepping closer to look down his nose at Varic, whose ears burn brighter.
“Like you’ll be able to keep your hands off her,” Ivo scoffs.
“Did I order you to speak?” His Majesty turns to sneer at his force Guard.
“No, Your Majesty,” Ivo says, bowing deeply.
My throat bobs once the Emperor turns away.
“Do not delude yourself into believing you would not be found out were you to engage in a tryst. For, as you well know, I have eyes everywhere,” Emperor Aldritch warns, staring in the opposite direction. “What? Nothing to say, Imperial Lead Guard Varic?”
He covers a hacking cough as his cape ripples from squared shoulders when he strides away, having just ensured every Imperial Guard within earshot will report any behavior between the two of us that they perceive to be forbidden.
With Varic to my left and Cirrin my right, we follow His Majesty and his Guards past the tall gray arches.
“That calculated snatcher,” Varic curses under his breath while I hold in a snort.
“I agree, generally, but would you care to explain what you mean in this context?” Lars asks quietly.
“He publicly shamed her to learn how I would react,” Varic whispers, keeping his gaze forward. “Within earshot of enough Imperial Guards to ensure they will report anything they perceive as untoward. And what threat is he referencing?”
I respond as quietly as I can, “One which would kill me.”
Confusion ripples from his body to invade my own.
“He wouldn’t kill you. He values your magic more than anything,” Varic says.
“There are worse things which would make me beg for death.”
Varic is silent, and my magic senses the immense fury and rage coiling inside of him.
I gather what I can and send him a bundle of calm and safety, more than I should spare, yet my own chest feels light now his shoulders have relaxed.
“I’m just surprised he didn’t mention anything about last night,” Lars says.
“I assumed Drusilla would have said how she found you,” Fray adds.
“She did,” Varic says, and we all turn to stare at him. “He asked why I was found leaning against your headboard when discussing my appointment.”
My heart lurches. “What did you say?”
“That while your role is to manage others’ emotions, you are also a being with feelings. I explained how I thought it best to provide comfort to our Empire’s greatest asset while she was grieving the loss of her Lead Guard.”
Bile rises and burns my throat.
“How did he react?” Cirrin asks.
“He left the room without uttering a word,” Varic confirms.
Haze overtakes my vision the closer we move toward the dining hall, with the weight of every complication brought on by Varic’s new role settling in my bones.