Page 38 of Lady of the Drowned Empire

“Can any soturion bet on luck, your highness?” I asked. The litter lifted, and we began to glide forward, the crowd yelling at us—a mix of cheers and protests. I was no longer able to tell who supported my family and who was angry with us. It was one huge blur of noise.

“No,” the Imperator said. “None can. Which is why it’s important to know your options. I mentioned this at the ball. And my offer still stands. I could find a place for you. One that doesn’t involve such…pain to your body.” His eyes dipped down to my waist and back to my breasts, one hand lifting with a finger pointing, tracing my curves in the air. “Other options might call for pleasure instead.”

I shuddered involuntarily. I was fully clothed, covered in my dress and armor and cloak. He hadn’t touched me this time, and still, his gaze made my skin crawl, made me remember the torture he’d inflicted on my back, the feel of his phantom fingers pressing in, poking….

“I do intend to continue my studies,” I said sweetly. “Soturion training has grown on me.”

“Many would offer you marriage,” he continued, completely ignoring my statement. “You are of age, and while lacking in power and soon status, you are still from a well-respected bloodline in the Empire. And you will not mind my saying, you are rather pleasant to look upon. Many of the arkasvim up north have expressed interest in such a contract with you.”

Rhyan’s admission that his father had tried to marry me to his arkturion ran through my mind. Deciding with Rhyan that we needed to approach every ruler of Lumeria as a threat had felt smart last night. Assuming they all might want me because they might know of my true identity had made sense. That they would use it against me, turn me into a pawn in their game before I could take control of my power, claim it, master it. It had all seemed so hypothetical, what we’d discussed while I was in Rhyan’s arms, tucked into my bed.

Now, I could feel how dire the threat was. What did the rulers of Lumeria know?

I needed answers. And I needed off this Gods-forsaken litter. Away from the wolves. Away from my enemies.

The Imperator’s eyebrows raised, clearly waiting for me to respond.

“I should think,” I said, “that Arianna was the most desired woman now.”

His lips curled. “One would think. Just know that I am fully prepared to make your life much more comfortable than it has recently become. Life isn’t always easy for women in the Empire. Especially women without power. Many problems can arise for women without men to protect them.”

“Some women protect themselves,” I said before I could think better of it.

The Imperator laughed. “Some do.” His gaze narrowed. “Some don’t. You know,” he said casually, “I used to spend time with the Lady Julianna before, well,” he winked, “you know.”

My breath hitched. Control what they see. Control what they see.

“Is that so,” I said.

“We used to have chats, her and I, on my visits to Bamaria. Quite intimately.”

I had to keep breathing. I knew this. I knew he’d often cornered her at dinners and parties and acted improperly on multiple occasions. Often, she’d find an excuse to get away, or her guard would come to her rescue. I’d watched her guard seething in the corner on dozens of occasions, waiting for the right moment to step between Jules and the Imperator in such a way that he would not lose his position. Her guard had to protect her, but he could not offend the Imperator or make things worse. I even recalled Rhyan intervening on his visit that summer, coming between her and the Imperator and taking her out of the ballroom.

But after her arrest, I hadn’t been able to think about those times. I’d blocked so many memories of her, just so I could survive. I couldn’t go there. I couldn’t allow those thoughts in my head, or I’d lose every ounce of sanity I’d clawed my way toward after the Bastardmaker had grabbed her. I could feel it even now, the panic, the terror—how desperately I missed her—all rising to the surface at once. Threatening to ruin me, to destroy me.

“And because of those intimate conversations,” he drawled, “I was able to pull some strings for her after her arrest.”

“Intimate conversations?” I seethed.

Smiling, he nodded. “We’d spoken together many, many times before. I am not the monster you seem to think I am. I made sure she was as comfortable as she could be.”

“Comfortable!” My voice shook. He’d had her dragged to Lethea and murdered and…Gods. No. I couldn’t allow myself to imagine anything else she had suffered under his care.

His eyebrows lifted in admonishment, the look so predatory I nearly sank to the ground of the litter to avoid his stare.

My mask had fallen. I took a deep breath, affecting my voice to be controlled and sweet once again. “I’m sorry, I wasn’t aware any strings could be pulled for someone like her. Vorakh is vorakh.” Sweat beaded at my neck.

“True. But sometimes I like to show some kindness to those about to…be stripped.”

Breathing was becoming difficult.

“You said she was a fighter,” I snarled.

“I did say that.”

Wind blew harshly against my cheeks. The crowd watching us cheered as we passed.

“If she was so comfortable,” I said, my voice rising, “I’m unsure what she was fighting against.”