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Chapter Fifty-Four

Aurelia

A s I compose myself with the broad purple tent set up for my use, a growing warble of voices filters through the fabric walls from the gathered civilians. Most of them sound excited, or at least curious, don’t they?

Bianca peeks inside and steps in at my beckons. With a click of her tongue, she re-pins one lock of my hair. “Your maids were a little sloppy.”

“I sent them off while they were still trying to fuss. I needed a moment alone.” I smile at my friend so she doesn’t think her presence is unwelcome. “I’ve had it now.”

Bianca smiles back and smooths her hands over her ornate gown. The vicerine looks as polished as always—even with the pale nick on the left side of her jaw.

An arrow grazed her in the middle of the battle a week ago—it came inches close to stealing my closest friend from me along with so many others.

“It’s a big thing you’re doing today, but I think they’re ready for it,” she says. “We’ve all been ready for a change for a while, even if not all of us realized it.”

I can’t hold back a wry chuckle. “They’d better be ready for it, because I’m going ahead either way.”

The vicerine’s gaze slides to the tent door. “I’m not sure she deserves the honor you’re giving her.”

I don’t need to ask who she’s talking about. “It’ll help the rest go down easier. Reinforce the sense of peace. And I’m not going to say anything untrue.”

“Well, I’ve learned to trust your strategies.” She pats my arm. “Go lead the way, and we’ll find out what the future holds.”

Lorenzo ducks past the flaps and makes a quick gesture to me. Everything’s in place.

I square my shoulders and move to join him. “Let’s reshape the empire.”

Beyond the tent stands a tall platform that was constructed yesterday for our purposes. I climb the steps with Lorenzo beside me and my guards at my heels.

My other husbands are waiting for me on the smooth wooden surface above.

Raul, Bastien, and Marc fall in to flank me, Marc in the new uniform I had commissioned for him that elevates him beyond the rank of guard.

We haven’t settled on a definite title for him yet, though I’m partial to Imperial Protector.

As I move across the platform, a soft twinge passes through my belly. The medics who inspected me after the battle were startled to discover that a small chunk of my liver had vanished. My repayment for the magic I worked with Marc and then Bastien, I suppose.

I’m lucky it was an organ that can adapt to such a loss. The gods looked kindly on me. I’m the only one among us who extended my gift so far I evoked another sacrifice.

Before me, on the sprawling plains that stretch beyond this side of Dariu’s capital, thousands of citizens from both the city and the surrounding countryside have gathered to hear my announcements. Many of the curious gazes linger on the marble coffin placed at the front of the platform.

I fasten my amplification charm to the bodice of my dress and nod to the cleric and devouts in Sabrellian red who’ve been waiting off to the side. They ease a little closer.

Clearing my throat, I lift my hands toward my audience. “Greetings, my people of Dariu—and wherever else you may hail from. It’s wonderful to see so many of you gathered here today to welcome in what I hope will be a long-lasting time of peace and prosperity for all of us.”

Those words are enough to provoke an initial cheer. Most of my audience are Darium, but a few soldiers from the outer territories have lingered since the battle last week, perhaps to report back to their respective royal families.

I step forward so I’m right at the coffin and cast a solemn glance down at it before lifting my gaze to the masses again.

“First today, we must recognize the sacrifice of Tribune Valerisse. Her methods may have been misguided, but there’s no denying that she was dedicated to protecting the empire.

I wish we could have worked together rather than being at odds.

I’m grateful that her commitment allowed me to demonstrate my own. ”

At my beckoning, the Sabrellian cleric and his devouts surround the coffin.

I tap my fingers through the gesture of the divinities.

“I give the tribune’s body over to the representatives of the godlen she served so avidly, to be offered a hero’s entombment.

Before the gods, I thank Sabrelle for sending such a worthy challenger, who pushed me to expand my own might and understanding.

May our godlen of war continue to ensure all our rulers are worthy of this realm. ”

As the last words fall from my lips, the sunlight wavers at the edge of my vision. I get a fleeting glimpse of a circlet of glowing red descending toward me, as if to rest on my head atop the crown I’m already wearing.

My heart skips a beat. Sabrelle appeared to recognize my victory on the field the other day, but I haven’t been sure the godlen had completely set aside her animosity. It seems my act of honoring has earned even more good will than I hoped.

Or perhaps, just like the people they watch over, our deities sometimes need a little time to fully adjust their thinking when they realize they’ve been wrong.

No gasps or murmurs follow the omen. I don’t think it appeared to anyone else. It was an acknowledgment just for me.

The red-clothed devouts heft the coffin between them. Their cleric leads the procession off the platform and to a waiting cart behind a crimson carriage.

Sabrelle’s blessed armband goes with them, hidden in a locked compartment within Valerisse’s final resting place. I suspect it’s best for all of us if it’s never unearthed again—and possibly the godlen agrees with me on that point now.

I sweep my arm toward a marble tower poised off to the side of the platform, this one only ten feet tall—but it’s just the beginning.

“To all the other heroes who fell on the battlefield, I’m erecting a memorial in their honor.

This obelisk is only the peak of it. The full structure will be three times as tall, to stand in the center of Vivencia’s main square, with the name of every man and woman we lost carved into it. ”

The dove-pale stone with its ruddy veins feels like an appropriate material to represent the final compromise between pacifism and violence. I can’t stop my gaze from flicking over the smooth surface as if I could read the names from here.

I wish I could do more for Kassun, Pierus, and the others who gave up so much to see me survive.

My throat tightens. I clench my hands against the pang of loss.

But maybe the best thing I can offer them is to carry out all the good I hoped to do for the empire as soon as possible.

I pull my posture straighter to address the crowd again.

“The trials we’ve faced over the past few months have also brought one very important fact to light.

In Dariu’s time of need, all of the outer kingdoms risked life and limb to come to our aid and support the imperial family.

Rione, Cotea, Lavira, Goric, and Accasy sent all the soldiers they could despite the threats they’d faced from Valerisse’s forces. Let us hear a cheer for them!”

As the chorus of whoops and eager shouts ripples through the crowd, I check to confirm that the expected tables have been set up around the edges of the gathering. Dozens of palace staff wait to dispense the goods we’ve carried out here.

I spread my arms in a gesture of munificence.

“After seeing the other countries of the empire prove their allegiance so emphatically, we are going forward from today with a new mandate of peace and friendship between us. From this day onward, the royal families of each kingdom will govern their own territories, collaborating with me, my daughter, and future emperors and empresses to come to ensure all of the empire thrives!”

The cheers that meet that proclamation sound more hesitant, but I press on before any doubts can set in.

“The princes of those realms will remain here in Dariu as confirmation of our collaboration—and as my devoted companions. Their families have sent a bounty of gratitude for all of you to enjoy! Let us all now partake of their generosity.”

I point out the sets of tables one by one.

“Please feast on the delicacies each kingdom has provided: rye crisps with coconut jam from Rione, the finest ale from Cotea, stuffed figs and cheese croquettes from Lavira, cured mutton from Goric, and roasted lacquernuts with sips of creekvine wine from Accasy. While you eat, some of Rione’s best musicians will delight our ears while a delegation from Cotea shows off their newest innovative tools that we’ll soon all make use of. ”

As the crowd shifts to investigate the offerings, the air hums with enthusiastic chatter. No one shouts in protest about my declaration—no one questions my right to make it.

I’ve seen them through a civil war and shown them just how strong the empire still is, without the need for tyranny.

Affection for these people and all the others throughout the empire swells in my chest, softening the ache left by all the other funerals we’ve needed to hold for our fallen soldiers on both sides of the conflict.

They fought for what they believed in, for a better empire. I’m going to see that everyone still living gets that, whether it happens the way some expected or not.

My husbands ease closer around me, Marc resting his hand on the back of my elbow, Raul taking my hand. Bastien gazes out across the plain and then shoots a grin at me.

“They’ve already started on the dancing. You deserve to be part of this celebration too, Signal Star. Come on.”

As ever, I’m more than happy to follow his orders. We descend the steps to the fringe of the crowd and form a circle of our own amid the merriment.

Hours later, when we return to my apartment after the reveling, I reach for my door without thinking. I’m about to withdraw my hand and fish for the key when the deadbolt slides aside as if by magic.

Not as if. That was magic. I stare at the door for a few seconds, my mouth gone dry, and then try the knob.

It turns smooth as butter. The door swings open to beckon me in.

A startled laugh snags in my throat.

Raul lets out a soft whoop of encouragement. “It seems the palace recognizes just how well you fill the role of empress too.”

The oldest enchantments in this building are meant to respond only to imperial blood. I wasn’t sure how we’d handle Coraya’s lack of that once she was old enough.

It seems I don’t need to worry about it after all. The stones and wood have embraced my rule too.

That magic came from the gods originally. I suppose it’s following their lead. They’re all on my side now.

My guards are gaping too. When I glance at them, one drops into a deeper bow. “Good night, Your Imperial Majesty.”

No trace of resentment shows on Marc’s face. He takes my elbow to lead me inside. “As it always should be.”