Page 109 of Scorched Earth (Dark Shores #4)

“A decision I regret every waking hour,” Cordelia finally answered.

“As to why… I suppose the answer is that I was a coward. I was too afraid of the consequences to take action, and now it is too late for my words to matter at all. My brother has flaws beyond counting, Teriana, but cowardice is not one of them.” Pulling free from Teriana’s grip, Marcus’s sister left the room.

Moments later, Valerius appeared. His expression was grim.

Refilling his glass, he paced back and forth across the room, visibly trying to master his anger.

Finally, he said, “Cordelia has known from the beginning what happened to Lydia, hasn’t she?

Tiberius as well? Perhaps the whole Domitius family? ”

“If you were eavesdropping, you know the answer.”

“I wasn’t. But since learning Marcus is Domitius’s son, I’ve had my suspicions.”

“Your suspicions are correct.”

He sighed. “While I’d have hesitated to ever call any of them friends , for there is no such relationship between those of us on the Hill, we have long been allies. Knowing they kept the information from me to protect Marcus puts a tarnish on that alliance.”

“You have it wrong.” Teriana stared at the letter in her hands. “They kept it a secret to protect themselves.”

“A fair point.” Rubbing a hand over his face, Valerius added, “I wish I could sever my relationship with all of them, but my allies against Cassius are too few to lose even one, however imperfect they might be.”

Imperfect was a generous word. More like setting villains against villains. Teriana was reminded of a conversation she’d had with Marcus about lesser evils. There was no one with the power to stand against Cassius who’d she’d describe as good , only less horrible. “What is the status of my mother?”

“She’s being brought into the harbor on a fishing vessel,” he answered. “I think it best you leave Celendrial as soon as possible, so we should head to the Quincense now.”

Dusk was falling over the capital of the empire as they reached the harbor, the city strangely quiet.

“Where is everyone?” Teriana asked.

“There is a curfew,” Valerius replied. “Civilians must be off the streets an hour after sunset. The Twenty-Ninth are supposed to imprison anyone they catch out, but more often they choose their own form of punishment. As I hold political office, I am exempt, but that doesn’t mean it’s safe.”

They crossed paths with a legion patrol, the Twenty-Ninth giving them and their private guard, who were all retired legionnaires, a cool once-over.

“Pretentious pricks,” one of Valerius’s guards said after they’d passed.

“Acting like they’re titans for intimidating civilians when everyone knows they’re shit in a real battle.

I’d trust a row of roaches in this city’s defense over those pathetic excuses for men. ”

“Those pathetic excuses for men outnumber us, so keep your opinions to yourself,” Valerius muttered.

“Yes, Senator.” The guard’s eyes roved the darkened city, hand resting on the hilt of his weapon.

They reached the harbor market, all the shops and stalls shuttered, but Teriana didn’t miss how the guards watched the shadows between buildings, weapons now in hand. As though they anticipated an attack from every angle.

The guard who had spoken against the Twenty-Ninth murmured some commands, the phrasing and tone eerily familiar, and Teriana asked him, “You were a centurion, weren’t you?”

His eyes didn’t break from the shadows. “Yeah, Seventh Legion. What gave it away?”

“Experience,” Teriana replied, her attention stolen by shadows climbing onto the end of the pier on which the Quincense was moored. One of the shadows broke away, moving toward the ship. The familiar stride made her heart hitch. “Mum.”

Ignoring Valerius’s warning, Teriana broke into a run, heading in the direction of her mother.

She heard her aunt’s voice shouting as she passed the Quincense , but all Teriana cared about was reaching her mother.

All that mattered was once again being under Tesya’s wing, every decision made for her so that there was no chance of making yet another catastrophic decision. “Mum!”

Tesya stopped in her tracks, face hidden by shadows, and for a heartbeat, Teriana thought that she’d turn her back. That she’d hold to everything she’d said about Teriana no longer being her daughter.

But then her mother’s arms were around her.

“Oh, thank the gods you are safe,” she sobbed, gripping Teriana so hard she could scarcely breathe. “They kept telling me you were alive, but I needed to see you with my own eyes.”

Teriana buried her face in her mother’s shoulder. “Mum, I’ve messed up. I don’t know what to do.”

“We’ll fix it. I’ll fix it,” her mother whispered. “I have you back and everything will be made right again.”

Relief nearly caused Teriana’s knees to buckle beneath her, because she’d refused to allow herself to imagine her mother forgiving her.

Their relationship had always been fraught, and while she’d once thought it was because her mother didn’t understand her, Teriana now realized that it was because her mother understood all too well.

All her life she’d wanted out from beneath her mother’s control, wanted to strike out on her own, but now Teriana clung to her, desperate for the protection she’d always railed against.

“I missed you,” she sobbed. “I needed you.”

“I’m here now.” Her mother hugged her tight. “I am so sorry for the things I said. I was afraid, and my fear made me say things I didn’t mean. There is nothing and no one in the world I love as I love you, my little girl.”

Vaguely, Teriana heard several thumps, and then shouts from behind her, but it was her aunt’s scream that sent a surge of fear through her.

“Tesya, behind you!”

Her mother reacted in an instant, pushing Teriana away even as she whirled.

Directly into the downward strike of Hostus’s blade.

Teriana screamed as he jerked the knife out of her mother’s chest. “Mum!”

Her mother didn’t answer, only collapsed into Teriana’s arms.

Hostus bent down and wiped the blade across Teriana’s shoulder. “I told you there would be a reckoning, little girl,” he said. “And I always make good.”

Feet thundered down the pier behind them, Valerius’s guards shouting, but Hostus was already moving. Teriana knew they’d never catch him in time.

If he got away, he’d get away with it forever.

Yanking free the knife belted at her waist, Teriana flung it through the air.

The blade flipped end over end, embedding in Hostus’s skull. He stumbled two more steps, then fell facedown on the pier.

She stared at his still form, waiting for him to rise because a monster like Hostus could not be so easily vanquished. But the legatus of the Twenty-Ninth did not move as a pool of urine spread out around him.

Dead.

“Teriana.”

Her mother’s voice was weak, but her grip on Teriana’s wrist was strong as she said, “I’m so sorry for what I said. I didn’t mean it.”

“Shhh. Don’t talk. We’ll get help.”

Valerius and his centurion reached her right as Yedda knelt next to Teriana.

Her aunt pulled up her mum’s shirt to assess the injury.

She immediately pressed her hands to the gaping wound, trying to stem the flow of blood, but the centurion sat back on his heels.

“Say what you need to say.” His voice was quiet. “But be quick.”

“No, no, no,” Teriana pleaded. “We’ll get you help. Get you on the ship and find a healer.”

“Teriana.” Her mother lifted her hand to Teriana’s face. “You must lead, my sweet girl. Now is the time. You must lead.”

“Lead who?” Teriana sobbed. “No one would follow. It needs to be you. You need to live. You need to lead our people, not me.”

“It has to be you.” Her mother’s hand dropped, her eyes focused on something beyond. “Madoria says it must be you.”

“She’s wrong! She was wrong to choose me! Every choice I make is a mistake!”

Her mother only smiled, and said, “I love you, my dearest girl.”

Then she was gone.