Page 69 of Betrothed to the Emperor

Recite a long, formal promise of fidelity. Listen as Tallu recited the answering promise of protection. Bow again. Accept the formal invitation to break our fast together. I could do this.

I bowed, then stood, my eyes skipping over the crowd of ministers and the patriarchs of important houses in the back of the room, my eyes finding Tallu, always Tallu, only Tallu.

Carefully, I walked until I was standing in front of him, my heart pounding in my chest as though I were facing a sea serpent again. I struggled to pull breath, then lowered myself into another bow, my hair laden with jewels that informed everyone in the room how precious he thought I was.

I cleared my throat, the blade heavy on my hip. “Your Imperial Majesty, Emperor Tallu, Dragon Born, Emperor of the Southern Imperium, I ask for welcome as I make my plea. Allow me to join your household so that we may become one, my life to your house, my soul to you for the keeping. In joining your house, I yield my life to the House Atobe and promise the benefits to my person and position will be rewarded by my complete devotion.”

Tallu regarded me, his russet eyes lingering on my face. Then he nodded once, the gleam of his skin and jewels glued to his cheekbones catching the light.

He wore a formal crown, the gold glinting in the pale morning light. It emphasized the warm brass color of his skin. Two dragon horns spiraled from the sides of the crown, curving upward.

“Prince Airón, son of the Northern Kingdom, I accept your promise of fidelity. I grant you entrance into my house and all the benefits of being a member of it. I accept your hand in marriage and promise that with our union, you are no longer a stranger but considered my husband, with all the advantages and responsibilities that entails.” Tallu considered me, and for a long, taut second, I wondered if we would be able to avoid the next bit, the part that had kept me up the night before, the part that still made me tremble. Eonaî had had years to get used to it, but I still felt bile in the back of my throat. “I give you myhand, and in exchange, you give up all loyalty and fidelity to the Northern Kingdom. Do you accept?”

I wet my lips, focusing on the crown on his head rather than his knowing russet eyes.Get through this.It meant nothing. It was just words.

It was just words. It was just pretend. I could lie about this, even as my stomach twisted, acid burning my throat. It was a lie, and I had told plenty of those.

I would never forsake the Northern Kingdom. I would never let my mother down. She had sacrificed me and my sister to this cause, and I would fulfill the promise she’d made when she looked out over the white snow stained red with frozen blood.

The Southern Imperium would fall.

Because if it didn’t, if I failed, then what was the point of my life?

“I accept.” I cleared my throat. “Husband.”

“With your promise, our marriage is solidified and bound by our oaths. Will you share a meal with me to celebrate our bond?” Tallu’s hands were hidden by the long fall of his sleeves. I couldn’t see a hint of nervousness on his smooth face.

“I will, thank you.” I waited as Tallu stood, stepping down from his throne.

When he stood in front of me, he was taller, tall enough that I had to look up into his face.

Tallu extended his arm, level with the floor, and I placed my own on top of it. We entered a formal dining room reserved for state events. As one, the rest of the court rose and bowed to us, their hands forming triangles, staying bent over until we took our place at a lonely table at the head of the room.

The members of court who’d been witness to our union took their places with their families, and finally, the meal began.

I shifted, already uncomfortable on the hard chair. We would feast for hours, each meal stretching into the next as a signof how long our love would last. Looking down at the plate prepared by servants, I could barely more than nibble at the food in front of me.

Two weeks had been more than enough time to learn the basic shape of the court and which of Tallu’s enemies had arrived during those two weeks. Even though I hadn’t introduced myself to them, I knew them by sight.

Terror informed me that at least three of the deposed members of the emperor’s council had received visits from current ministers. The other two had kept quietly to their quarters, refusing visits from General Kacha’s envoys. Perhaps they were the loyal friends Tallu needed. Or, if not friends, frightened subjects at least.

Servants brought in more food, the changed dishes indicating that we had passed from breakfast to lunch.

Tallu hadn’t said anything more than the required phrases all day, barely doing more than nodding to every member of court that approached to swear loyalty to him. The rings on his fingers interlocked with each other, like one long chain running along his knuckles, gleaming with facets that reflected the light.

I glanced out the window, seeing the midday sun high in the sky. I took a deep breath in through the pain in my chest.

Weddings in the north started at the midday, when both parties walked out as far as they could onto the ice and made offerings to each other and to the great northern bear.

Usually, it was pelts to each other and a large carcass of meat to the bear.

Here, the wedding was more about a reassertion of power, requiring everyone in the room to come and grovel, declaring loyalty to the emperor. They showed this fidelity with expensive gifts, even now piled high on a central table.

Turning back to the room, I caught Tallu watching me. He stood, his silken robes dragging over my arm. With a tilt of hishead, he indicated a door on the side of the room, then walked out of it.

Conversation slowed, quieting to near silence. The clack of silverware on plates was loud. Hurriedly, I stood, following him out the side door.

The rest of the palace was dark compared to the bright lights of the dining room, but I could see Tallu’s figure already halfway down the hall, two Emperor’s Dogs trailing him. Asahi was only a few footsteps behind me, and I turned to him mostly out of desperation.