Page 13 of Bloodwitch

It was from the Empress of Marstok.

Now that true negotiations for trade have begun, I wish to invite you to Azmir. Some decisions are best made face-to-face. As are some apologies, particularly for the treaty terms my ambassadors attempted to make before my return.

I have alerted all soldiers to allow Nubrevnan Wind transport into the city, should you decide to come. All I ask is for several hours’ advance warning.

Vivia blinked. Then read the message again, a new sensation winding through her muscles and lungs. A hot, tightening sensation that was a thousand times preferable to the frenzied panic from before.

On the third read-through, a laugh choked up from her belly. Forsurelythe Empress could not be serious. “Tell HerMajesty,” Vivia said at last, crumpling the missive and shoving it into Stix’s waiting hands, “that she can come to me if she really wants to negotiate. And that all I ask is for ‘several hours’ advance warning.’”

Stix chuckled at that, but it was a taut, nervous sound. And when Vivia launched back into a march, she followed more sedately behind.

“Who the hell-waters does she think she is?” Vivia demanded.

“Well,” Stix said, “sheprobablythinks she’s the Empress of the Flame Children, Chosen Daughter of the Fire Well, the Most Worshipped of the Marstoks, Destroyer of Kendura Pass—”

“And?”

“And she’s used to people doing her bidding.”

Vivia scoffed. “I could have just as many titles too, if I wanted them.”

“Of course you could, Your Highness.”

Your Highness. There it was again, and just like that, it was too much. Vivia didn’t need Stix’s pity; she didn’t need Stix’s condescension. And above all, she didn’t need credit or titles or the adoration of a city she worked so hard for.

She didn’t, shedidn’t.

They were almost to the exit now. The wooden barricade built to keep unsuspecting refugees out of the dangerous tunnels glimmered in the green light, and the waters of the Cisterns rumbled in Vivia’s chest. They called to her magic as they barreled past, uneven and weak since the attack two weeks ago.

Before Vivia could tow out the key that would allow her through the barricade, Stix pushed in front of her. “Wait. Please,” she began. “Just hear me out, Your Highness.”

“Why?” Rude, rude—there she went again, being rude. “What is it you need to say?”

“I think you should go to Azmir.”

It was not what Vivia expected, and it was also not what Vivia wanted.

But Stix wasn’t finished. “Believe it or not, the city will not collapse if you’re gone for a day, and the chance to trade with Marstok… Can we really risk passing that up?”

“I don’t have time,” Vivia snapped. She pulled out the key. “Please move aside, Captain.”

Stix didn’t move. She just folded her arms across her chest, a pose Vivia had seen her make a thousand times, usually relaxed and smiling while her nearsighted eyes squinted.

Now, there was no smile. Now, Stix’s lips were pinched tight. “Whydon’t you have time? The operation with the under-city is complete, and you have soldiers across the city to see that it runs smoothly. The High Council doesn’t meet until tomorrow, and you havemeto make sure the dam repairs proceed as planned. If anything, today is the perfect day for you to go.”

“But my father,” Vivia began.

“Has nothing to do with you. He stole your speech. He stole the applause and recognition that should have been yours.Youare Queen-in-Waiting. Not him. And how many times have we said that Noden and the Hagfishes ought to bend to a woman’s rule?

“Please,” Stix added, straightening off the barricade. “The Hasstrels only sent us that one shipment of grains, and now they aren’t answering our Voicewitches. Weneedthis. So do it for you, and do it for Nubrevna. You might not have all the titles the Empress has, but that doesn’t make you any less than her. Andyouare Queen-in-Waiting, Viv. Not your father.”

Ah.Viv.The one thing Vivia had wanted her best friend to say for the last two weeks, and now it was offered alongside a plea.

The bludgeoning returned, twice as strong. Twice as vicious. Vivia had to get away before her chest burst. Shehadto be alone.

“I’ll consider it,” she said, stunned when the words sounded crisp and normal. Then she pushed past Stix, unlocked the barricade, and hurried into the tunnels beyond as fast as her bungling feet would carry her.

And when the Cistern’s tides barreled toward her, she did not try to stop them. She did not use her magic to take control or ease their impact. Instead, she let the waters of her city drag her down and carry her far away.