Page 9 of The Laws of Nature (Heirs of the Empire #3)

Elric pulls himself away from Lukas and says, excitedly, “It was all the plotting of Vindar. Chancellor Vindar. He wanted Damon dead. He wanted Lukas dead too. We think he’s trying to kill all of Rafus’s line so that he can put Umbert on the throne and rule as regent.”

“Umbert?” says Markus. “His son with Princess Ferra? But would he need to rid himself of all Rafus’s bastards? Surely Umbert comes higher in the royal line than Rafus’s bastard-born sons.”

Lyr says, “Arguments could be made that even place Damon before Atticul. And even without them, a male bastard may be considered before a son of the female line.”

Markus takes his own pipe from his pocket and fills it from Lukas’s pouch of moonleaf.

As he does so, he says, “Vindar is a very intelligent man. If you truly think he plans to put his own son on the throne he would have needed to rid himself of me first. Perhaps he saw it then. He began his schemes years ago. He knew my tastes were sly. He knew Selim would never have a son. If I were exposed the succession would be uncertain. And Rafus had a daughter. I have had many a year to think about the way I was removed from the throne. Vindar gave me advice about my situation. Which I took. He was my closest advisor. I have oft thought that Vindar gives very good advice that just happens to also be exactly what he wishes.” Markus pauses.

“So, let me see. I do try to keep up with news from Azuria. What else could Vindar be plotting? Rafus has three legitimate children. Atticul, Ferra and poor Endrew, who was killed last year. And then on the other side of the sheets, there is Damon,” he points to Damon, “Lukas, Tobi and,” he narrows his eyes as if recalling, “Kerik?”

“Kerik has been missing for five years,” says Elric, breathily, clearly keen enough to demonstrate his knowledge of the Rose Palace, to focus on the conversation rather than Lukas for a moment.

“Which might also be Rafus’s doing. He is believed dead.

His mother, Lady Ilyne of Fanost, has had him commended to Zai. ”

“Lady Ilyne,” says Markus. He glances at Kai. “You know, I was meant to marry her. In another life Kerik would have been my son,” he finishes wistfully.

“Ha,” says Elric, “that is what she claims too. Lady Ilyne came to the Rose Palace after your exile to demand compensation for her broken betrothal, and Prince Rafus took her to bed. She insists that because she was betrothed to you her bastard son by your brother should be part of the royal line.”

Markus raises an eyebrow. “And is he?”

“No,” laughs Elric. “He is a bastard. The Rose Court refused even to make him Duke of Fanost when Lady Ilyne’s father died. But Lady Ilyne has little substance to her claims now Kerik is missing. No one knows where he is.”

Markus leans forward. “That’s what missing means, darling.”

Elric looks at Markus amazed. He makes a little gasping sound, slapping his splayed hand to his chest. “I cannot believe I am sitting with Emperor Markus, the sly Emperor, and he is mocking me.”

“How could he not mock you?” Lukas says, mouth close to Elric’s ear. “You are so pretty when you are being mocked. ”

Elric sighs. Going soft and easy for Lukas.

Lukas says, “Perhaps I should take you somewhere and mock you more vigorously.”

“Please do,” Damon says. “If you don’t take that Lordling to bed soon, he’ll slide under the table to suck you.”

Elric blushes, mouth open in mock horror. Although, glancing at the Alios Day revelry all around them, Damon doubts he would be the first to do such a thing in this place.

“Perhaps there is another reason Vindar wants rid of all of Rafus’s bastards.

” says Markus. “Several years ago a strange man came to visit me here on Luxoria. He told me some very odd tales. He was also very interested to learn all about Rafus’s bastard sons, although he claimed there were five, not four, and that,” he pauses, “that they were prophesied to save the world from some kind of demon.”

“A strange man?” Lyr says, leaning forward from Damon’s lap. “What did he call himself?”

Markus lifts one shoulder. “I forget. If he ever told me.”

Damon frowns. “What did he look like?”

Markus says, “Comely, tall, white hair. An odd manner.”

“That sounds like Perl,” says Lyr.

“Yes, Perl,” says Elric, leaning forward. “You met Perl. What did he say to you?”

Markus waves a hand in the air. “He wanted to know if I had ever seen The Books of Alios. Old Hevelikar books, long lost when the Hevelikar fled the Ivory Palace during the Sarelik Revolution. I had not, of course. Those books are known to be long lost.”

Damon feels Lyr tense on his lap. As Markus continues.

“He told me that I have Hevelikar blood. Fae blood. And that there is some kind of organisation, a group of watchers who think that there is a lost demon of the Bellator in the Amber Forest who will rise again — or maybe has risen again — and when it does it will try and free all the old Bellator demons from beneath the forest. And they need five fae princes to stop him. And there is information in these books that these princes will need. It sounds ridiculous. I don’t know why I listened. ”

“Because you were in your cups and he was comely,” Kai says.

Markus turns and grins at him. “Not that comely.”

“He told me the same,” says Elric, “almost the exact same thing. The Bellator. The Amber Forest.”

“And Jareleezi also said those same things,” says Lyr. “I have this on my back,” he twists on Damon’s lap, lifting the chiton to show his scars. “She used me as a vessel. These are messages sent to her by her Gods about how to defeat the Bellator.”

Markus glances at it. “What does it say?”

“It’s in Ur-Ambolk,” says Damon. “I am planning to take Lyr to Attar where there is a scholar I believe will be able to read it.”