Page 9

Avera offered a tight smile. “I’m surprised a woman of her supposed stature would be so out of touch with the happenings around court.”

“You could have introduced yourself,” Druelle snipped.

Titus whirled on Druelle and she recoiled. “I think you should pay your parents a visit.”

“But I just returned from their estate,” she whined.

“Then you won’t need to unpack.” His stern glance went to the guards next. “As for you, did you not peruse the briefing in the barracks? And before you lie, if you had, you’d have known about my very important guest.”

“Sorry, Eminence,” whispered the big guy who’d lost his brashness.

“I’m sorry you’re an idiot who doesn’t know how to read. I won’t have it. Please report to the Master Sergeant and tell him you need reassignment.”

“Aye, Eminence.” The men didn’t argue, simply fled.

Titus kept his frown for a moment and spread it around the room, showing his displeasure because he knew, as Avera did, that many had seen her the night before and yet none spoke up. A possible indication of their displeasure that he planned to marry an outsider?

In the quiet, Titus stated, “I am disappointed.” That was the extent of the chiding, but heads still ducked and the chagrin could practically be touched. With the rebuke meted, Titus faced Avera with a wry grin. “Guess that wasn’t how you wanted to start your day.”

“It wasn’t so bad. I did try to warn them, but your close friend, Druelle, didn’t seem keen on listening.”

“Close?” He snorted. “She wishes. She’s been after me for a while now. Apparently, my lack of interest isn’t a deterrent.”

“Must be so hard to have beautiful women throwing themselves at you.”

He grimaced. “If only they had the intelligence to go with it. Most can’t manage to converse without batting their lashes and doling out endless compliments.”

“How horrible,” she stated, trying to not laugh.

Titus glanced around at the diners who had resumed quiet conversation as they finished their meal. “Apparently, I will need to make some kind of official statement about your presence to avoid such mishaps in the future.”

“I’m sure the morning’s event will take care of that chore from you.” She knew how fast gossip could travel. “I will note, though, I’ve yet to agree to marry you.”

“You will. You’re a smart woman and you know I’m your best recourse for regaining your home.”

She hated he had a point. “I’ve always assumed if I ever did wed, I’d do so for affection.”

His grin had a mischievous lilt as he said, “Challenge accepted.”

He was certainly charming. “Your timing, by the way, was impeccable.”

“Your maid came flying the moment she saw Druelle heading for you, so I made haste. Were you done your meal?”

“Yes. I was about to walk down to your bazaar and take a peek. It was one of my favorite pastimes back home. As soon as I knew a shipment had arrived, I would hasten to visit the market.” She waited for him to forbid it, thus exposing his claim she was a guest as a lie.

“Would you care for company?”

She arched a brow. “Doesn’t an emperor have more important things to do?”

“More important than getting to know my future consort?”

She laughed and shook her head. “You are persistent.”

“It’s one of my better qualities. Let me call for a palanquin.”

“Oh, please don’t. While I needed the lift yesterday, today my legs are yearning for exercise and my lungs for some fresh air.”

“Then we’ll walk. Shall we?” He offered the crook of his arm, and she placed her hand on it, more at ease than previously.

She noticed the defined muscle under his sleeve, not as thick as Griff’s, but solid.

As they strolled, they drew attention, not so much her, but him.

People dipped into bows as they left the palace and passed into the city.

Even better, no one threw anything rotten or shouted invectives, which she should note never happened to her mother, either.

Avera had learned in her lessons about politics that a populace unhappy with its ruler made their disfavor known.

Thus far, it appeared the Merisuan citizens liked their emperor.

When Titus had Koonis beheaded, she’d wondered if he was quick to punish. The answer seemed to be yes, but then again, if the person deserved it, the quickest way to ensure that particular crime didn’t happen again was to make a swift example, or so Gustav had taught her.

The walk proved a bit more strenuous than expected after her many days of confined inactivity, however, Avera didn’t complain. After her captivity aboard Koonis’ ship, she welcomed the soreness in her thighs and the huff of exertion.

The buildings they passed were comprised of stone, some of it the same ebony rock as the palace, along with some gray-hued.

The one structure that stood out, though, was pure black and glossy in appearance, the texture more glass-like than rock.

It appeared more recently constructed than the rest and she remarked on it.

“What’s this place?” she asked as she paused to glance at it. While it had a large entrance, she saw no sign of any windows.

“That is a shrine dedicated to Nogard.”

“I don’t think I’ve heard of that religious sect.”

“It only recently gathered a following.”

She wondered if the ill luck Prielli mentioned spawned the interest. “Do you worship a god?”

“No. I’ve never been the religious type, although I make the occasional appearance at the more notable ceremonies seeing how the shrine’s become important to my citizens. Fear not, you won’t be forced to go.”

“We don’t have anything like this in Daerva. People pray to the old pagan gods, but none of them have a dedicated space in the cities or towns.”

“This is one of a few shrines that have been constructed around Merisu. The biggest one is actually situated at the base of the volcano because those who built it eons ago considered fire to be the strongest of the elements and thus worshipped it.”

“Doesn’t water douse it?”

“Not magma,” he countered.

“I guess it depends on the amount. Verlora’s volcano is still seeping into the ocean. The meeting of the lava and water cause the fog around the isle.” A fact she’d only learned once she’d set foot on shore.

“We don’t have an ocean close to ours. When it explodes, it travels for many leagues without obstruction.”

“Does it happen often?”

“At least once every generation. As a matter of fact, we’re due for an eruption.”

“Doesn’t that worry you?”

“Not really. There are no towns of any size in its near vicinity and, as if by design, there is a crevice that forms an almost perfect circle enclosing the volcano. After an explosion, the lava rolls into the chasm like a fiery waterfall. It’s quite magnificent.

We have a painting of it in the palace. Remind me to show you. ”

They continued their walk and soon hit the outer edge of the marketplace, which was already bustling with shoppers and vendors hawking their wares.

Avera’s step quickened as she saw the first kiosk held books. She peered over the tomes while the merchant hovered. The titles confused. The Mariner and the Lady. The Adventures of Graham. After reading a few titles, she turned to Titus and exclaimed, “Are these people’s biographies?”

“No. These are more like fairytales for adults.”

“I didn’t know there was such a thing,” she murmured. “Our fictional books are mostly for children.”

“What you see is a recent addition from a local printing press.”

“A what?”

“A recovered Verlorian machine that allows us to make many copies of a story. Given the lack of interest in history books, the owner decided to try something a bit more daring.”

“I think he’s succeeded,” she remarked, noticing the women clustered and tittering over a few on the end. The one titled Taken by the King had a few of them glancing at the emperor and fanning themselves.

They moved deeper into the marketplace and the array of goods truly had her fascinated. Garments of unique design, fruits that exploded with color, animals in cages the likes she’d never imagined. “Why is it these items never came to our markets?”

“Your mother kept a very tight leash on what goods she allowed through her ports. Anything labelled ‘pointless’ was rejected.”

“Why?” she asked with a frown.

“You’d have to ask her. What I do know is when I tried to negotiate with her about it many years ago, she said something to the effect that the people should invest their resources into useful items, not frivolity.”

“She allowed Verlorian artifacts,” she noted.

“Because most had a purpose.”

Avera wondered if nostalgia for her missing Verlorian father might have played a part in her mother’s decision.

As Avera stood looking over some paintings, Titus murmured, “Excuse me a moment.” The emperor left her side and went to a stall selling sweets.

Avera kept browsing only to become distracted as her nape prickled. She whirled in time to see an arrow streaking and without even thinking, ducked. It ripped through the painted canvas she’d been perusing, hanging at chest level.

People screamed and scattered while Avera remained crouched, looking to see if she could spot the bowman.

There. On a rooftop. Someone clad head to toe in black took aim again. As the arrow loosed, Titus stepped in front of her and his sword emerged from its sheath, the flat metal flashing briefly as he lifted it and batted the missile aside.

His face had gone from genial to stone cold. He yelled, “Find that assassin and bring them to me alive!”

The guards who’d been trailing them since the palace set off at a jog even as the bowman disappeared from sight. As for Avera, Titus grabbed hold of her hand with his free one and began leading her back in the direction of the palace.

She didn’t argue.

It seemed even here, far away from home, someone wanted her dead.