Page 55 of Shadow Throne King
I walked over to him, touching Tallu’s arm with my hand. He blinked, turning his head to look at me. Without speaking, I stepped toward the mirror, turning his attention so that he could see the two of us next to each other.
We looked like a matched set. His dark hair and copper skin next to my blond hair, braided back in the northern style. My blue eyes and his russet gaze. And then our outfits, nearly inversions of each other.
With my hand on his arm, our relationship to each other was clear. I stared at him in the mirror, letting him take in how well matched we were.
“There is nothing we cannot face together,” I said quietly. “And the king of Krustau has only but look at us to understand the same.”
Even if I had to kill him to make the point.
Thirteen
Tallu turned, and his fingers were featherlight as they traced up my jaw, resting just below my cheekbones. He brought my face close to his, kissing me deeply, his lips plundering my mouth, and everyone else in the room disappeared. It was just the two of us, as it always had been, even when I hadn’t known our goals were the same.
When he released me, I grinned at him, feeling as though he had read my mind.
“Your Imperial Majesty,” the Kennelmaster said from the door, his expression dour.
“Did any of the others that Maki brought into the palace know anything?” I asked. “Or had they been given their own orders to assassinate Tallu?”
“They claimed ignorance of the attempt last night, but their story is too strange to believe.” The Kennelmaster stepped further into the room, his eyes turning to the servants still present. It was just barely a suggestion, and Tallu raised his hand, dismissing everyone.
A Dog closed the door behind them, returning to his position, hands resting at his sides, near his weapons.
It took me a moment to recognize him as Sagam. Something in his posture had changed over the past few days, and he looked stiff, his eyes narrowed uncomfortably.
“What story did they tell?” I crossed the room to the breakfast that had been checked for poison and set up on a round table next to a set of double doors that opened onto a wide balcony. I chose from the fruits and rolls laid out, breaking apart one of the pieces of soft bread and spreading butter and honey on it. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught sight of Terror, Dawn, and Ratcatcher. Putting aside the roll I had just made, I made up a large plate of fruits and meats for them, setting it at the doorway.
The birds hopped down, Terror snapping at the other two until they yielded him first choice. I couldalmosthear his voice.Almosthear him saying, “You should be grateful I even introduced you…”
“They claimed to know nothing of what happened at Maki’s camp,” the Kennelmaster said. “They remember the Bemishu twins but had no idea he had even sent Topi away. According to them, one day, a rider came into camp, and they captured him. Maki took him into his private laboratory, and when he finished with the man, he said they were leaving. His men did not question him because he said there would be food, and they were very hungry.” The Kennelmaster hooked both thumbs in the waistband of his pants. “They admitted to leaving more than half their number at the camp, but they claimed it was because General Maki suggested Tallu’s servants might ask about their large number.”
“If they were starving, they didn’t worry about their comrades?” Even thinking about the level of hunger Topi Bemishu had described made my own stomach twist. I shoved half of the roll in my mouth.
“No.” The Kennelmaster shook his head. “Susipo may have been telling the truth when he said he acted on his own. Although we will see what a few days in the dungeon does to their tongues. Men’s stories often change when they realize we do not accept their lies.”
“You think they’re lying?” I asked.
“It is too strange. Maki led them here, leaving the rest behind to be slaughtered. They had gaps, as well. Some of them I recognize as commanders, men of science that Maki chose specifically for his command. And yet they have no memory of the experiments they were doing with him, nor if they ever visited him in his workshop here.” The Kennelmaster shook his head just slightly. “They also claimed to have no idea what Maki was sending to the king of Krustau in lieu of Emperor Tallu’s messages.”
“And these ‘gaps’ in their memory also cover Maki’s departure, as well?” I guessed. The Kennelmaster nodded.
“The rider.” I considered. “Your first messenger was directed to the Lakeshore Palace, but if he saw men in imperial uniforms at the old outpost, he might have assumed they were Saxu’s men. He might have trusted them right up until Maki killed him and took the sealed letter from you that he bore.”
“It would explain how Maki got the scroll and the idea to contact the Shadow King in my stead. Where would he have gone? He effectively soured my relationship with King Inor. But I doubt the king would trust him either.” Tallu approached the breakfast table, but instead of taking any food, he poured himself a steaming cup of cori, the caffeinated drink Hipati preferred when she planned to stay up for three days straight. “The new information does not change our plan. Airón and I will go, along with a pair of Dogs that we trust. We will confront the King of the Shadow Throne and demand to see my brother.When we have seen him, we will have a better idea as to how to facilitate his escape.”
As he sipped his cori, I finished off my own plate, turning back to the table and taking small portions from all of the dishes. I presented him with the plate, plucking the mug from his fingers and waiting for him to eat at least half before allowing him to take back the mug.
“And Empress Koque?” The Kennelmaster’s question was as sharp as a bolt of lightning thrown across the room.
“My heir is the priority,” Tallu said cooly.
“I wish you would take more Dogs,” the Kennelmaster said.
“You do not think two of your finest men can stand up against anyone in Krustau?” Tallu asked, finishing off a small flaky pastry. The buttery scent of it hit me, and I leaned forward, nearly licking the red jam from the corner of Tallu’s lip. His tongue traced it, catching the sugar-sweet berry residue.
“My men can stand up against anyone in any kingdom, conquered or unconquered,” the Kennelmaster said sharply. “Theycannotstand up against an army.”
“This is a trap that must be sprung,” I said. “Neither Tallu nor I can rest easily until we know for certain if the Shadow King is telling the truth.”