Chapter 17
Amryn
Amryn followed Jayveh into the advisory chamber, where the emperor’s meeting would be held.
The room was larger than she’d expected, with a vaulted ceiling that resembled a chapel.
Framed oil paintings covered the walls, everything from landscapes to sweeping battlefields.
There was also a portrait of the emperor, probably a couple decades old, hanging at the head of the room.
The eyes staring at her seemed darker and harder than the ones she’d looked into yesterday.
She didn’t know if that change came from age, or the artist’s perspective, but the dissonance made the back of her neck prickle.
Tall windows lined the back wall, and four long tables were set in a square at the center of the room.
Dozens of tall-backed chairs were set along the tables, all on the outer edge of the square formation so those seated could face each other.
Amryn could just make out the small placards set on the tables, undoubtedly assigning each seat.
There was always order in the empire.
Some of the attendees had already taken their seats, while others stood in small circles around the edges of the room, talking quietly amongst themselves.
Clearly, they weren’t as early as Jayveh had intended to be.
Their walk in the garden hadn’t been long.
Certainly not long enough for Amryn to come to terms with everything Jayveh had told her.
Her insides squeezed. She didn’t know if she’d ever come to terms with how Carver had suffered. She wished he was here. After everything she’d learned, she felt a burning need to see him. Almost as if she had to reassure herself that he was truly all right. That he was here.
Her emotions were a chaotic mess. Being in a crowded room surrounded by strangers wasn’t helping.
The emotions swirling around the room were varied, but it was impossible to pick out anything specific.
It was like a deafening wall of sound, leaving no room for anything coherent.
Tension sank deep in her shoulders, and Amryn forced herself to take a breath.
To focus on the people in the room that she recognized, in hopes that they could ground her.
Samuel and Sadia were seated together at one of the long tables, their heads bent together as they spoke privately.
High Cleric Zacharias stood near a large map of the Craethen Empire, speaking with High Cleric Lisbeth.
Just the sight of the female cleric made Amryn fight a shiver.
While she couldn’t make out any of the woman’s emotions right now, she remembered the coldness that had seemed to radiate out of her in the throne room.
As well as the unsettling way her stare had lingered on Amryn.
Glancing away, Amryn’s eyes fell on Cregon Vincetti.
Her stomach tightened. The Bloody General.
The man who had conquered her home before she’d been born.
The man who had ordered the deaths of her grandparents, along with all the other nobles who’d stood with their king and resisted the empire’s violent takeover of Ferradin.
Amryn had grown up hearing his name uttered in terrified whispers.
She never could have imagined she would end up married to his son.
Cregon was speaking with two other uniformed men.
He looked the same as when she’d met him in Esperance.
Tall, broad, and commanding. Amryn looked away quickly, hoping he wouldn’t have felt her gaze on him.
She knew she’d have to face Carver’s father eventually, but she desperately hoped Carver would be at her side when that happened.
Another scan of the room assured her that Carver wasn’t here yet. Neither was the emperor.
“Princess Jayveh, Lady Vincetti—how good to see you both again.” High Cleric Lisbeth had spotted them and immediately glided over. Her tone was as deferential as her bow to Jayveh. Sunlight from the windows glanced off her bald head.
“High Cleric Lisbeth,” Jayveh greeted politely.
Amryn could not make herself do the same.
Lisbeth gave Jayveh a wide smile, but her eyes kept flickering to Amryn.
Lingering, as they had the last time they’d come face to face.
“I look forward to getting to know you both much better,” the female cleric said.
“If you’d like to talk about your experiences in Esperance, I’m eager to be a listening ear.
I know it was a traumatic time for you all.
If I can offer counsel or comfort, I would very much like to help.
We could also just pray together, if that would bring you peace. ”
“Thank you,” Jayveh said. “That’s very kind of you.”
“It’s a standing offer,” Lisbeth said, that unwavering smile still in place. “Feel no pressure—only acceptance.”
Amryn said nothing. She’d never felt comfortable around clerics, but there was something about Lisbeth that made her incredibly uneasy. It probably had to do with the way the woman stared at her. Like she was doing again. Right now.
“Princess Jayveh.” They all turned to see an older woman approach.
She was short and thin, her hair twisted into a neat bun at the back of her head.
Lines traced over her brow and around her alert eyes, further betraying her age.
Still, she dipped into a curtsy before Jayveh.
“I’m Chancellor Morav,” she said. “I’m the emperor’s chief advisor and the head of his advisory staff.
I wanted to introduce myself before the meeting began.
” The quick look she sent Lisbeth spoke volumes.
Clearly, the chancellor didn’t want the high cleric to be the only one approaching Jayveh.
“It’s wonderful to meet you,” Jayveh said. “The emperor has spoken very highly of you.”
Chancellor Morav’s lined face softened marginally. “The emperor is very kind.”
“He is. I know he values you a great deal.”
“We work well together, which is an invaluable thing.” Morav aimed a sidelong look at Lisbeth before adding, “The trust we’ve built over the many years we’ve worked together is something I treasure.”
Lisbeth’s smile tightened at the corners. “You’ve served for a great many years, Chancellor. I can’t help but admire your fortitude. You must be looking forward to your retirement.”
Morav’s eyes narrowed. “I have no such plans as of yet, High Cleric.”
“Oh?” Lisbeth lifted one eyebrow. “The All-Seeing Divinities do counsel us to rest from our labors.”
Morav’s lips thinned. “I’m perfectly rested.”
The tension between the two women bled through the other emotions in the room, making the animosity between them unmistakably clear.
They were both vying for the emperor’s attention, each woman hoping to have the better part of his ear.
Politician and cleric. The old and the new.
It was a clash of wills that could only end badly.
“There you are.”
Everyone turned at the brisk words, though Amryn knew instantly who’d spoken—Ivan’s clipped accent was unmistakable.
The Sibeten prince wore a slight scowl on his face, and his ice blue eyes were trained on Amryn. “I stopped by your room. I thought you might need an escort if Carver was busy.”
“I came with Jayveh,” Amryn said.
Ivan grunted. “Good. Go nowhere alone.”
Jayveh frowned a little, her emotions too clouded to read.
“Prince Ivan,” High Cleric Lisbeth said. “I’d love to have a quick word with you.” The request was clear, though she’d worded it nicely.
Ivan glanced at Amryn, seeking a sign that she was all right, before he nodded.
Chancellor Morav watched as the two of them walked toward an empty corner of the room, her eyes shadowed.
Jayveh shared a quick look with Amryn before saying, “Chancellor Morav, I was wondering if you’d be willing to sit down with me some time. I’d like to become familiar with everyone on the emperor’s staff, and I knew you’d be in the best position to help me.”
Morav’s narrow shoulders straightened. “Of course, Princess. I’d be more than happy to help. I can even make some introductions now, if you’d like.”
“Amryn.”
She jumped at the sound of her name, spoken in a low rumble. Her gaze snapped to a pair of startlingly familiar blue eyes. They were a perfect match to Carver’s, set into the lined face of his father.
Her heart raced. Saints, she hadn’t sensed Cregon’s approach. But that was another hazard of being in a crowd; too many emotions made it nearly impossible to focus.
An apologetic smile curved Cregon’s mouth. “I’m sorry I startled you. I’m not sure if you remember me, since we only met briefly in Esperance. But I’m Carver’s father, Cregon.” He held out a large hand, which Amryn took purely on reflex.
She wondered if he noticed how stiff her fingers were. If he could somehow feel the hammering of her pulse. Her mouth was dry, but she managed to say, “I know who you are.”
Some of the brightness in Cregon’s eyes dimmed. He released her hand. “I’m sorry if I’m interrupting.” He cast a quick smile to Jayveh and Morav, who had paused to watch them.
“Not at all,” Jayveh was quick to say. “Chancellor Morav was just about to introduce me to a few chancellors.” She sent Amryn a small smile. “We’ll talk later.”
A thread of desperation tugged as Amryn watched her friend walk away with Morav, leaving her alone with Cregon.
A short silence bloomed. Cregon broke it by saying, “It’s good to see you again, Amryn.”
She couldn’t say the same. But this was Carver’s father. She needed to at least try to make a good impression. She cleared her throat, offering a tentative smile. “It’s nice to see you.”
His smile warmed. “Elowen told me she visited you briefly yesterday. We’d love to have you and Carver join us for dinner tonight, if you don’t have other plans.”
“Oh, I . . .” Her words faded as footsteps sounded near the open doors. They both twisted to watch as the emperor walked in, surrounded by bodyguards.
Those who’d been seated stood at once, and everyone in the room bowed.