Chapter 17 #3
The introductions continued, but Amryn barely heard them as her mind raced.
The bloodstone was shielding her. Even with feeling for herself how that protection worked, it was difficult to trust in something so miraculous.
And yet, with every second that passed without the knights looking at her, she began to believe it a little more.
Her heartbeat began to slow. And she finally became aware that Carver’s thumb—which had continued to move all this time, gently skating across her skin—was tracing out letters.
Soft strokes forming one word, over and over.
Breathe.
Emotion nearly overwhelmed her. Carver was tracing letters on her hand, just like she’d told him Rix had done for her in the past. To calm her. Ground her. Remind her that she was not alone. Despite her lingering anxiety and the painful grip of uncertainty, she did what Carver told her to do.
She breathed.
The meeting unfolded around her. Amryn didn’t truly feel a part of it, even when she was asked to speak. The emperor wanted everyone from Esperance to share their experiences. Nothing was held back, since the emperor wanted everyone in this room to know all that had transpired.
As the hours passed, servants brought in food. No one did more than pick at the offerings. Everyone was too busy listening, speculating, or arguing about their next steps.
“We must not show any hint of weakness,” the emperor finally said, cutting into the verbal fray.
“The search for Argent will continue, but quietly. We cannot risk our enemies learning he’s unguarded.
We’ll tell everyone outside this room that he remains isolated in his room as he recovers from an illness.
” He looked to two uniformed men. Thanks to the introductions, Amryn knew they were Morelli and Keats.
“Use all your resources to find him, as well as Tam Ja’Kell. ”
“It will be done,” Morelli said, as Keats nodded grimly.
“What of the Craethen Council?” Chancellor Morav asked.
“The empty seats must be filled,” the emperor declared.
“I’ll send word to every kingdom that lost their representative so they can select a new one.
But until new appointments are made, the Council will not conduct any official meetings.
For now, their only assignment is to demonstrate a united front to all of Craethen. ”
“Will more marriages be arranged?” Highest Cleric Jeremiah asked.
Ivan stiffened, his eyes cutting to the emperor.
Emperor Vayne released a long sigh. “I had planned to do so, after Cora’s death.
But now that we’ve lost so many . . .” He shook his head.
“No. We will not arrange further marriages.” He looked at each of the Chosen.
“It was never the plan for your successors to intermarry. Your marriages were designed as a strong foundation for the Craethen Council to be built upon.”
Carver’s father leaned forward. “Rumors will spread about what happened at Esperance. I suggest you put out an official statement, Your Eminence. It is the best way to show our strength not only to all the kingdoms in the empire, but to our enemies as well.”
“I agree with the High General,” Chancellor Morav said. “A statement will make it clear that we are in control. To that end, I suggest that you also host a ball.”
“A ball?” Lisbeth arched a brow. “Is this truly the time for levity?”
“It’s not levity,” Morav argued. “It’s strategy.
How can the empire give credence to any rumors of failure when the emperor celebrates the Chosen’s early return with a ball?
” She looked to the emperor. “You can invite select noble families from the surrounding kingdoms. Give a speech. Make it clear that bringing the Chosen to the capital was a calculated decision. Condemn the Rising. Show the world the empire remains strong.”
The emperor hummed low in his throat. “An insightful suggestion, Morav. I want you to work with Hector and Jayveh to make the arrangements. Will six weeks give you enough time?”
Morav glanced toward the emperor’s steward. The thin man was hunched over as he wrote everything down, but he looked up so he could nod. “Yes, Your Eminence. We’ll get the invitations sent right away.”
“Excellent,” the emperor said. He leaned back in his chair. “I would also like to introduce the Chosen to all my advisors and the nobles in my court, so I will hold a feast tomorrow night. I want all of you there.”
Around the four tables, everyone nodded.
“If I may, Your Eminence,” Zacharias said, inserting himself into the brief silence. “I feel it would be unwise to allow Amryn and Samuel to remain free.”
Beside her, Carver stiffened.
The emperor frowned. “Amryn received a full pardon from my grandson, and I intend to honor that. What’s more, I personally extend my thanks to her for all she risked in assisting the empire.
” He cast her a faint smile, which Amryn wasn’t able to return.
Then he sobered. “As for Samuel . . .” He glanced at the prince of Wendahl, who appeared pale, but looked on with a carefully neutral expression.
Beside him, Sadia grasped his hand, holding tight.
“I have considered Samuel’s actions and weighed the consequences,” the emperor said. “In the end, the only true damage he caused was done solely to protect Sadia.”
Zacharias’s expression tightened. “But Your Eminence, by his own admission, Samuel turned over forgeries of imperial seals to Tam. The damage that alone could cause is unforgivable.”
“Hector has already begun to take steps to mitigate any harm the Rising might think to do with those forgeries.” The emperor sighed.
“There is a larger issue at stake. I fear the image of the Craethen Council would be too damaged if it became known that Samuel—as well as Amryn and Tam—were aligned with the Rising, no matter how briefly. That could bring irrevocable harm to the empire, since the peace I’m trying to build feels fragile enough these days.
Bearing all this in mind, I have decided not to arrest Samuel. ”
Sadia released a shaky breath, while Samuel blinked his surprise, his shoulders still tense.
The emperor wasn’t finished. “As soon as things have settled, Samuel will be removed from the council. If he has served the empire faithfully during that time, he will be free to return to his life in Wendahl.”
Samuel’s chest expanded as he drew in a full breath. Perhaps the first he’d taken in weeks.
Tears shined in Sadia’s eyes as she said, “Thank you, Your Eminence.”
The emperor’s expression softened. “You’re welcome, my dear.
” He nodded to their joined hands, which lay on the table in clear view.
“This is what I prayed for. For love to grow between you. For a new era of peace and greater understanding between the kingdoms. It brings me great comfort to know that, in this, at least, Esperance succeeded.”
Sadia blinked quickly, trying to stem her tears as she smiled at Samuel.
“What of Trevill?” Zacharias asked, not bothering to hide his scowl. “That traitor’s actions can’t be dismissed. He worked against me at every opportunity in Esperance.”
“Trevill’s treason has already been noted,” Chancellor Morav said. “Using him as an excuse for your own failures won’t work.”
Color appeared on Zacharias’s cheeks. “Perhaps we should focus a little more on the fact that a high-ranking chancellor was a traitor.”
“Trevill acted of his own accord,” Morav snapped. “I won’t tolerate the insinuation that other chancellors took part in his treason. As a cleric, perhaps you should humble yourself and admit your own failures.”
Zacharias’s nostrils flared, but it was Highest Cleric Jeremiah that said, “Now, Chancellor, there’s no need for this fight to become about clerics and politicians.”
Lisbeth smiled faintly. “If it did, I think we know who would be seen in a better light.”
Morav’s eyes narrowed, her voice terse as she said, “Once, it was understood that a cleric’s role was to advise only in spiritual matters.”
“All matters are spiritual, Chancellor,” Lisbeth said with a smirk.
“Enough,” the emperor said, before Morav could retort. “There is no use in arguing amongst ourselves. I value each of you in this room, and you all have an equal voice here.”
Morav’s lips pursed, as if she’d tasted something sour.
Lisbeth murmured a contrite apology.
Highest Cleric Jeremiah cleared his throat. “I would like to assure everyone here that the church takes what happened at Esperance very seriously. We’re sorry for Zacharias’s missteps, and we wish to make it known that he will no longer be the High Cleric of Esperance.”
“What?” Zacharias hissed. “Holy Superior, I—”
“You will not speak again,” Jeremiah interrupted curtly, his eyes even sharper than his words. “This is a matter for the church, and as such will be discussed privately.”
Zacharias’s face flushed red. He looked murderous, but he held his tongue.
Satisfied with Zacharias’s silence, Jeremiah straightened and resumed speaking to the room at large. “I came to handle this matter personally, but I’m needed back at the High Temple. Zacharias and I will leave at dawn.” He glanced at the emperor. “By your leave, of course.”
The emperor frowned slightly. “You only just arrived. Is there something I should be aware of, Holy Superior? Are there troubles in Daersen?”
Jeremiah’s expression gentled, though Amryn could still see the strain around his eyes. “No, Your Eminence, no troubles. Simply some matters of the church that require my attention.”
“I appreciate you making this journey all the more, then,” the emperor murmured.
Jeremiah cracked a smile. “Of course, Your Eminence. When I learned what happened, I knew I had to come immediately. Especially considering the empath.”
A chill raced over Amryn’s arms as the mood in the room darkened.
The emperor’s lip curled, disgust rising in his eyes. “I want that empath found.”
“It will be,” Jeremiah soothed. He gestured to the knights. “Renault and his sons will conduct private interviews with the Chosen to see if any clues can be gleaned about the identity of the empath. Then they will search every inch of Esperance until the empath is caught.”
“Rhone will remain with you in the capital, Your Eminence,” Renault said, his voice deep and a little rough. “He will be able to protect you and the Chosen in case the empath followed them to Zagrev.”
“Thank you, Renault. I’m sure we’ll all feel safer having a knight here.” The emperor eyed them all. “I know you’re all weary, so we will conclude this meeting. But I wish for the interviews with the knights to take place immediately. You can use the adjoining rooms.”
Carver’s breathing thinned, and panic ripped through Amryn.
The bloodstone pulsed with reassurance.
“We can interview three Chosen at a time,” Renault said. He looked down the table, and Amryn’s heart tripped. “Prince Ivan, General Vincetti, and Lady Vincetti. You will go first.” His eyes slid over Jayveh, Samuel, and Sadia. “You three will wait here until summoned.”
The emperor dismissed everyone else before he turned to speak quietly with Jayveh.
Murmurs filled the space as people climbed to their feet and shuffled toward the door.
Cregon was immediately swept into a conversation with Morelli and Keats about the Rising, and Ivan was already being approached by Revell Quinn.
Renault and Rhone were making their way toward Amryn and Carver.
Carver hadn’t risen. He was still holding her hand as he tracked the knights carefully. Aggression seethed beneath the surface, along with an almost painful desperation.
“It’s all right,” she breathed, the words barely audible.
His eyes snapped to hers, his fear for her as sharp as a razor. “Amryn—”
She squeezed his hand, silently cutting him off. Beneath the table, she eased the bloodstone out of her pocket, just enough so he could see the edge of it.
The moment he realized what it was, wariness flared inside him.
“It’s shielding me,” she whispered. “I’m safe.”
Saints, please let that remain true . . .
Carver met her stare, a thousand questions burning in his eyes. But there was no time to ask them.
The knights had arrived.
“Come with me, Lady Vincetti,” Renault said.
Amryn’s heart hammered against her ribs as she shoved the bloodstone back into her pocket and pushed to her feet.
Carver rose with her. She could feel the war raging inside him. The need to attack and defend her conflicted with the need to not draw attention to her. He met her gaze, the storm in his eyes enough to make her own stomach clench.
Trust me, she pleaded silently.
Carver’s mouth pressed into a thin line. She knew what it cost him to release her hand. To watch her walk away with a knight. She could feel it.
Carver’s anxieties were overtaken by her own as soon as Renault led her into a small sitting room down the hall. The door closed, sealing them alone inside.
Renault’s dark eyes pinned her. “I have some questions for you, Lady Vincetti.”