Page 68 of Lady of the Drowned Empire

Now, now, kitten. You and I both know you’ve always enjoyed that.

My core tightened at the truth of his words. I always expected him to be watching. The darkest part of me loved it. Wanted more.

I opened the door to my bedroom and stepped back, returning to my dresser to…not fix my diadem, but arrange my hair for dinner.

Were you going to share with me your news? He stood behind me, his body warm against my back, his calloused hands caressing my arms.

I shivered as I reached for oil.

Allow me, he thought, taking the bottle from me and pouring oil into his hand. He rubbed his palms together, and the scent of jasmine permeated the room. His fingers ran gently through my hair, his touch now so unlike the rough touches he used to bring me to orgasm, so unlike the touches I knew he possessed when he fought, when he killed.

I leaned back into his touch.

Well? When were you going to tell me? he asked.

You were there—you mean to tell me you only found us after my mind turned off?

When one’s been reading minds as long as I have, sometimes it’s a pleasure to be told the information directly.

Like you told me about Arianna?

He wrapped my hair around his fingers and tugged my head back—lightly, but enough to impart the message that I shouldn’t question him. I gasped, and he pulled harder, to the point of pain.

I told you what I knew. His thoughts felt like a snarl, his aura bursting across my skin heavy and dark. Mind-reading doesn’t allow you to know everything.

I met his gaze in the mirror. Jules is alive.

Then you know what that means.

Yes.

His hand wrapped around my throat, and his lips pressed to my cheek, teeth grazing my skin. It’s time. Time to begin putting our plans into action. Things are already in motion.

I nodded.

We need to move quick. Now that you know, the secret isn’t safe.

I’m aware.

His lips quirked. Good. Be ready.

I will be.

I was beyond ready to take action, to get revenge, to get Jules the hell out of the Emperor’s service, to bring her back. And to bring the Empire down.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

LYRIANA

I’d stepped inside of Cresthaven hundreds of thousands of times over the course of my life. It had always felt comforting. It had always felt like home.

Until tonight. Nothing was different, nothing I could point my finger at. The décor appeared the same, and much of the staff was recognizable. But there was a coldness in the air, one I’d never felt before.

I sat in the ballroom with my sisters on either side of me, our escorts standing against the wall behind us.

Arianna announced that the Imperator’s task force was currently doing well. They were hunting at the Elyrian borders. And, according to the report, a soturion from Damara had killed an akadim.

I stiffened. Rhyan hadn’t mentioned any of this in our brief calls all week. He’d offered me no details at all, only calling me once a day to know I was okay and to assure me he was fine. Once that was established, he always found an excuse to end the call. And I’d watch the stone turn white, feel its heat leave my palm.