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The rush to get Avera to safety proved chaotic and heart-pounding. It brought back the memory of the last time she’d had to evade assassins, only this time, instead of Gustav urging her, the emperor hurried her along.

Titus kept a firm grip on her with one hand and held his sword out in the other. A squad of guards kept pace, forming a human shield. Unnecessary, as it turned out, since no one attacked them as they fled.

Upon arriving at the palace, Titus glowered as he barked orders to the soldiers who came running. “The queen was attacked in the marketplace. I want security doubled around the palace and tripled around her tower. Inform the kitchen we’ll be using a tester for her meals.”

Avera almost protested but knew better than to interrupt as he commanded his soldiers.

The emperor finished his spiel with, “Once the assassin is caught, I am to be informed immediately. I’ll be in my study.”

With that, Titus, still gripping her hand, tugged her to follow. Might as well. At least he seemed intent on protecting her.

They didn’t have far to go, and soon went through a door that he slammed shut and bolted. Only then did he release her to pace with agitation.

She glanced around to see an office much like her mother used to have.

Walls lined with bookshelves, the spines of them thick.

A desk large enough her arms stretched wouldn’t have spanned its length.

A single chair behind it and several in front.

Of interest, no window. The room nestled in the heart of the palace relied on the hanging chandelier to light the space.

“I cannot believe that just happened,” Titus huffed, stalking for a rack of bottles arrayed alongside a tray of glasses.

Seeing his agitation, she tried to soothe him. “At least no harm was done to either of us.”

He slewed a glance in her direction. “Only by chance.”

“And fast reflexes.”

The compliment didn’t ease his annoyance. “Once the perpetrator is caught, they will be questioned to see if they worked alone or were hired.”

“Mostly likely this is Benoit’s doing.”

“What makes you think that?”

“They aimed for me and only one person is determined to see me die. Benoit was quite miffed I escaped his plot to have my entire line murdered. He made a few attempts afterwards that also failed, hence why he resorted to sullying my name and honor when he seized the throne.”

“It is a grave offense to send assassins to Merisu to pursue his personal vendetta. Surely he’s not stupid enough to risk a war with me.”

“I don’t think he cares. He’s been listening to Zhos.”

“How, if it is still imprisoned?”

“As the ice around its prison melts, it creates a fog that is tainted with Zhos’ presence. This mist can control people, force them to do its bidding.”

“It can influence from afar?” Titus sounded skeptical.

“Yes, and scores of people at once. When I discovered its presence in Fraegus Spire, it had enslaved an entire town. By now, who knows how many it’s managed to infect and force to do its will. With how easily Benoit took over, I suspect many in Daerva’s court are affected.”

“Weaklings,” Titus muttered with a sneer.

“It has nothing to do with strength. Zhos uses magic to compel people to do its bidding.”

“That is no excuse. A man should own his own mind.”

She arched a brow. “Said by someone who hasn’t seen what I have. One of the strongest men I know was overcome by Zhos and tried to kill me even though he’s always treated me like a daughter.”

“And how did you prevail?” he asked, his gaze keen with interest.

Should she explain how her touch could dispel Zhos’ magic? How her blood could shatter spells, too?

She pursed her lips. “Not easily.”

“Perhaps with physical touch, or maybe your blood?” he asked. Her eyes widened in surprise at his knowledge, and he nodded. “I encountered the same.”

“Zhos tried to compel you?”

“I don’t know who or what it was. The attempt to control me came via a gift of unknown origin.

The palace received a bottle of wine of a brand I appreciate.

Over dinner, I shared it with my general and my former vizier, Phelgar.

Within a few sips, General Mintro tried to kill me. Alas for him, he died instead.”

“And your vizier?”

“Went into convulsions. Kept saying, ‘No, no, I won’t do it.’”

“You were unaffected?”

“I’ve always been stubborn.” Said with a tilt of his lips.

“This Phelgar managed to beat it as well?”

“Only after I slapped him. The shock of the blow helped him to shake it off.”

In other words, he’d touched the vizier. Could it be she and Titus were the same in that Zhos’ magic had no effect on them? There was no real way to test it.

“You appear pensive,” he remarked as he uncorked a wine bottle.

“I never realized there’d been attempts on your life.”

“Several, actually. Not surprising. With my renewed vitality I took a more active interest in my country. Those who thought they could fleece an old emperor soon realized their mistake. Of course, making an example of them didn’t curb the inherent greed. Some thought it would be best to remove me.”

“You fared better than me,” she remarked ruefully. “Benoit had me run out of my own castle within a week of my family’s passing.”

“In your defense, you probably weren’t used to the same level of subterfuge. Me, I expect it and therefore am always watching for treachery.”

“I’m surprised to hear that. Your people seem to love you.”

“Seem and do are two different things. It’s easy to pretend. Just like you’re pretending to like me.”

She blinked at him. “I’m not pretending.”

He waved a hand. “It’s fine. I understand. We met a day ago and I will admit, my past would seem unsavory from the outside.”

“Very.” She wouldn’t lie. “An old man marrying so many young women and them all meeting an untimely demise…”

“Is very suspect. Agreed. However, as mentioned previously, I had no hand in their deaths, but I will admit I was a poor emperor and husband. I didn’t care about any of my consorts.

They were the means to an heir and when they failed and suffered an accident…

” He shrugged. “I didn’t question and married again as soon as a bride was presented. ”

“I’m surprised you’re admitting this as it does not paint you in a very good light.”

“You are a woman who appreciates honesty. I am a man who’s no longer willing to let others make decisions for him.”

“Are you? It is my understanding you have three viziers now, instead of one.”

“They work for me, not themselves.”

“Or so you think,” she muttered, unable to hold it in.

“What makes you think that?”

She bit her lip. “The rumors weren’t very flattering.”

“Let me guess, that they’re witches who have bound me with their magic and rule Merisu.”

“Something to that effect.”

“They are magic users of mighty power who came to me because they saw something I didn’t: A leader. Someone who could stand strong against the coming strife and defeat it.”

“Were they speaking of Zhos?”

“That foul entity is part of my task.” He paused before adding, “But I am not to face it alone. Kachezi also saw you in a vision.”

A frown creased her brow. “Me?”

“I was told a daughter of Voxspira would also stand against Zhos. At the time, I assumed it meant one of your sisters, seeing as how your existence wasn’t well known until recently.”

“I was the hidden princess. A bastard daughter with clear Verlorian blood.” Her lips twisted. “My siblings saw me as an embarrassment. It led to me being shunted aside for the most part.”

“Even by your mother?”

“Yes. As she lay dying, she said it was for my own good. To save me.” Avera uttered a bitter laugh. “In the end, the neglect didn’t help for the people didn’t trust me. I was ousted without even a trial.”

“Who was your father?”

“A Verlorian scientist who came to Daerva in search of the Dracova stones. He seduced my mother to fool her into helping. Once he’d stolen what he came for, he fled.”

“Your father was Basil Currosa.”

She stared at him. “How did you know?”

“Because he came here many decades ago, seeking something. The Dracova stones, I suspect, although at the time I didn’t know their name or of their existence. My understanding was he visited Okkilam as well, although their welcome was less than warm. He left there quickly before landing in Daerva.”

“I’m surprised you remember.”

“His visit and quest intrigued me. We drank many nights together and he spilled about how the stones he sought were ancient objects of great power. After his departure, I spent weeks in my library seeing if I could find mention of them.”

“And?”

He shook his head. “Nothing until the guardians arrived bearing the Dracova Compendium, a book about dragons.”

“You keep speaking of it and yet I’ve not yet seen it,” she reminded.

He arched a brow. “Are you asking to visit my bedroom?”

Her cheeks heated. “No. What makes you ask that?”

“Because it’s currently locked away in my safe in my chamber. We could go and fetch it if you like,” he said with a naughty grin.

“That wouldn’t be proper, but I could wait here while you fetch it.”

“Are you sending me off like an errand boy?” He sounded slightly shocked.

“You’re the one who keeps speaking of this book and rousing my curiosity.”

“Then we shall have to?—”

A brisk knock at the door interrupted.

The emperor strode to the portal and opened it to speak with the knocker. He turned to her. “They caught the assassin. I’ll have you escorted to your room while I question them.”

“I’d rather be present.”

His lips pinched before he murmured, “It will be unpleasant.”

“More unpleasant than what I’ve endured? Doubtful.”

He gave his head a slight shake. “You are very different from the women I’ve known.”

“Good. I’d hate to think I bore you.”

At that comment, he laughed. “I doubt you could ever bore me. Very well, you may join me, but if you don’t mind, let me do the questioning. I wouldn’t want my soldiers to think I was going soft.”

They exited his office and followed a burly man in uniform who led them, no surprise, to the bowels of the palace where prisoners were kept. The dark building blocks brought a gloom even the lit lanterns couldn’t dispel.

Avera stuck close to Titus who’d gone from teasing man to stony-eyed ruler. He certainly didn’t match the rumors she’d heard of him. It made her wonder what the people of his country thought or heard of Daerva. Could it be she’d pegged him wrong this entire time? Her mother too?

The captured bowman hadn’t been placed in a cell but rather tied to a metal rack that sat in the middle of a circular chamber. The flagstones were dark in the center, as if stained, and a grate below the rack made it clear by what.

Torture wasn’t something Daerva ever partook in—that she knew of. It would seem Merisu had a stricter and more violent method when it came to questioning miscreants.

Titus stopped in front of the attacker who still wore a concealing hood over his hanging head.

“Let us take a look at him,” the emperor murmured. The hood took only a sharp tug to reveal?—

“He’s Daervian,” Avera gasped. One of her own countrymen with the distinctive reddish-yellow hair and fair coloring.

“Perhaps of origin, but I doubt he lives there now.” Titus held up his arm and pushed back a sleeve to show the Assassins’ Guild sigil.

The man had yet to say anything although his eyes narrowed, and his lips clamped tight. Choosing to adopt a stubborn stance despite his capture.

“What is your name?” Titus asked.

“Death.”

The ridiculous answer had Avera rolling her eyes. Titus didn’t appreciate it either. He nodded to a man standing by a spoked wheel. The man turned it a few times and the creak of chains made Avera gasp. Those chains were attached to the assassin’s arms. As they grew taut, his limbs were stretched.

The assassin grimaced. “Go ahead and do your worst. I ain’t talking.”

“You will,” Titus promised coldly. “Name.”

“Fuck you.”

The wheel turned some more, and the assassin’s expression twisted in pain.

“Name.”

“Kary,” he gasped.

“See how easy that was. Who sent you, Kary?”

“Dunno.”

Titus didn’t even have to move for the wheel to crank some more. Something popped in Kary’s shoulder and he uttered a sharp scream.

Avera bit her lip lest she show weakness. She’d asked to be here. Complaining would most likely result in her being escorted out as she doubted Titus would temper his questioning methods.

“Who sent you?”

“I don’t know,” gasped Kary.

It took two soldiers on the wheel to crank, the tension enough she heard another audible pop as Kary’s second arm dislocated, drawing a painfilled cry.

Titus appeared unbothered as the man whimpered. “Let’s try again. Who hired you?”

“I dunno who commissioned the job. Guild master just told me my assignment.”

With that claim, Titus turned to look at a burly soldier by the door. No words were exchanged but the man left, and Avera didn’t need verbal confirmation to know he went to fetch the guild master.

Titus tucked his hands behind his back. “Since you know nothing, then I don’t have any more use for you.”

Kary blubbered. “You can’t kill me. I was just doing my job.”

“And now I’m doing mine,” Titus replied with cold finality. “I won’t have assassins thinking they can harm my future empress.” Titus turned away as the wheel resumed cranking. He held Avera by the elbow as he guided her from the room, but not quick enough to avoid hearing the hair-raising screams.

Titus appeared quite serious as he said, “I apologize.”

“For what?” she asked.

“For allowing the Assassins’ Guild a presence on Merisu. If I’d refused, this wouldn’t have happened.”

“Why would you allow killers to set up shop in the first place?”

“We’ve always had assassins. Or should I say, those willing to kill for payment. Most times it’s the squabbling lords who employ them. I thought a guild offering everyone the same chance would make some of them think twice. After all, if anyone can hire a killer, then anyone can be a victim.”

“And has that worked?”

He shrugged. “Too soon to really tell. But it doesn’t matter anymore. As of today, I am revoking their permission to operate. They broke the most important rule I set in place. To never harm me or anyone in my entourage.”

“I’m not technically part of your entourage.”

“It is known we are to be betrothed.”

“I’m a foreigner. Could be they thought I didn’t count.”

“I am unsure why you would argue about me extending protection to you,” was his terse reply.

“I’m sorry I sound ungrateful. I’m just trying to see it from the other perspective. It’s something my mother taught me for settling disputes.” Avera shrugged. “All that to say, I can see why they thought it acceptable.”

“After I am done, all will know why it isn’t.” That was Titus’ final word on the matter.