Chapter 13

T he moment the two women departed the breakfast room, Helen pounced upon her, wrapping an emerald arm through her gold-clad one. "I simply know we're going to be the best of friends."

They floated down a grand staircase emblazoned with silver and onyx filigree.

Vala decided it was time to do some inquiring. "Princess, you know that I'm from the Lower Levels, right?"

The other woman giggled. "Why does that matter?"

"How can someone like me become an empress?" She felt more and more perplexed by the minute.

Helen turned to her; green eyes merrily gleaming. "This is Luiximor you are marrying. The most powerful man in the world. Wielder of solar fire and greatest rune stakeholder in all of history. A snap of his fingers and you turn into a noble, a princess or even his empress. Goodness, do you think every courtier around here was born into their status?"

She had no response. The emperor was serious then. He had tracked her down at Sandy's, saved her life, and now intended to marry her. Was it because he believed her to be some reincarnated past lover? Or did his passion stem from her opposing rune path? Perhaps it was good politics to marry one's savior. Or, was it something else? The subtle, silvery sharpness crept into her thoughts. Some budding awareness, the definition of which lingered just out of reach.

Helen must have mistaken her silence for confusion for she clasped her shoulders with earnest sweetness. "You must understand. My brother runs this empire like a business. I've heard that you are a prodigy at designing rune trades. Your talents are needed to serve Luiximor. Having a common lineage is the least of your concerns."

Vala frowned. "I see."

They walked through another marble hall, their footsteps echoing in the brilliant gloom. Giant mirrors flashed dim reflections of their forms and peaked windows shook under the pounding sleet.

Helen's smile deepened. "Do you really? My brother rewards those who serve him and destroys all who stand in his way. I've watched him flog people to death with flaming whips. Have you ever seen a human body pump out blood and filth while fire withers the flesh?" Her eyes slanted to examine Vala. "Whatever he decides to do, he applies himself with the utmost attention to the task. You would do best to serve him truthfully and with all your heart."

"Sounds romantic," Vala muttered. It frightened her that he had simply assumed she would marry him. He simply demanded and took whatever he wanted. She figured no one ever dared say no. Could she even? How did one reject a god-emperor and remain alive?

"Oh, it's just business. Romance has nothing to do with it," Helen chirped. "Well…most of the time. My brother is in love with you. That's why you're marrying him and not just working for some big paycheck or noble title like the others." Her smile hardened. "But, look. Here comes my prince."

"My future, beloved wife! HAH! What a day to see you and be alive." The voice boomed out before Vala could even turn around.

Prince Rafeal looked well, she thought sourly. Chestnut hair perfectly curled upon that strong brow and his broad shoulders filled out a magnificent, gold brocade suit. For once, he did not stagger from alcohol. But the morning was young. She scowled, avoiding his dark eyes and that abominable smirk. Perhaps he would just go away . She had enough to worry about without his goading interest.

Helen elegantly held out her hand to the prince in greeting. Rafeal made a great show of kissing her long, jeweled fingers.

"How stunning you are! I am the luckiest man alive." He amorously cast eyes upon Helen's lips and bosom.

As a response, Helen smiled even more beautifully, playing with her curls and flirting with her lashes. Together, they seemed utterly lost in each other and Vala felt a stab of dark jealousy at the sight. Ridiculous , she thought, the prince was a buffoon and Helen, absurdly self-obsessed . Just as she prepared to slink away, Prince Rafeal wheeled upon her.

"HAH! And who is this?"

She gritted her teeth in annoyance. Such a loud voice. Her eardrums hurt.

Helen beckoned for Vala to step forward. "This is Vala Flowers, the future bride of our emperor."

His dark eyes glittered upon Vala's gold dress and jeweled throat. She swallowed, feeling his shocked reaction tangible upon her skin. " Bride ?" His smirk deepened. "It's not even noon. The butterfly flies toward the sun most aggressively. I am impressed."

She copied Helen, sweetly extending her hand for his kiss. She would not fall prey to his revolting mockery. Prince Rafeal dutifully bowed and clasped her fingers. His palm felt hot and for a moment, she wondered why a tremor ran through his hand. Startled, she gazed down at him. His eyes looked upon her, cool and analytical. Just as she thought he would kiss her hand, he released her as though she were a live snake.

The prince straightened his jacket and bowed to Helen. "My dear, promised wife, I must leave you both to your duties. My friends have started drinking for this evening's celebrations and I cannot abandon their kind company. I will see you at dinner tonight."

With that, he stiffly pivoted and left them. As he walked away, she noticed him clench and stretch his hand as though trying to remove all memory of her touch. She bit her lip in sudden rage. He had obviously recalled how common she was and dropped her hand in distaste.

He was arrogant, mean, and insufferable. Perhaps, when she was empress, she could do something about the state of the Lower Levels. If she could not escape Luiximor, there had to be some usefulness to becoming empress. Corina would expect no less of her. She thought of Janie. She would have hated Vala living in the palace. She smiled to herself. Corina may be tricked by a shiny object but Janie knew a trap when she saw one, no matter how guilded.

Helen's eyes narrowed. "How odd."

"Hmm?"

"Do you know each other? He acted as though you had met before." Her voice sounded decidedly cool.

Vala thought of the warmth of the prince's hand, the way he tightened and flexed his fist as he left her. He must really hate her so much. Well, she hated him in return.

"Um, yes, I've met him."

"Oh? You must tell me all about it. I love learning about my future husband." Helen's arms clasped hers and Vala felt the grip to be stronger than prior.

She suddenly realized the princess must be jealous. Or angry. Or both. "I ran into him at the stadium. He mocked me for being a commoner. I don't…like him." She looked down, not wanting to say how much she loathed the prince.

But the other woman understood her expression. "Hate is founded within the passions," Helen murmured. "Do recall, you speak of my future husband."

Vala remained silent. This princess was different from the chirpy, sweet woman of minutes ago. She should immediately apologize for insulting Helen's betrothed. But as she opened her mouth, the princess's mood changed.

"Let me tell you a secret." Her voice dropped low and conspiratorial. "I also have no love for the prince."

Vala tried to feign surprise and wondered how much longer she needed to play friends with Helen.

The princess gave her a confidential glance. "Luiximor immediately agreed to the marriage when the old Thevian king proposed it last year. There's no threat to his empire from such a drunken fool and the match allows us a claim upon Theves which Luiximor has wanted for centuries. Yet the whole world pities me for having to marry that idiot. Me, who could have my pick of husbands. Look at how beautiful I am." Helen brushed a hand upon her alabaster neck.

Vala blinked, at a total loss for words.

"Do you think he's handsome?"

"What?" Vala heard her voice crack at the unexpected question.

Helen sighed. "He's not bad on the eyes, right? And the rumor mill informed me that all his womanizing has a benefit. Apparently, he's a god in bed. So at least our wedding night will be endurable ?—"

Vala wondered all of a sudden if Helen bragged to her. Prince Rafeal had paid her attention, no matter how unwanted, and Helen felt jealous, despite her apparent hate of him. This was her way of putting Vala in her place. She decided not to care. Let them play their stupid games. She had far more important things to think about. Such as Luiximor and that flicker of fire within his palms. And how she had become the great short in his rune strategy, and was to be the future empress and?—

The princess's brows pleasantly arched and she realized that Helen misunderstood her silence as a response. Was she baiting her? Relating these private things about the Thevian prince to elicit some reaction to hold against her? She felt a wave of fear. These conversational duels were so different to anything she had ever experienced in prison or on the streets. If only she had a way with words like Corina.

"I'm sorry," she said, wondering what in the world she could say.

Helen cocked her head, mouth twisted into a smile. "We all have to make our way in this world and not all of us are lucky to have rune talents such as yours or immortality and magic like my brother."

"That's not right." She clasped her hands, hating that she felt so nervous talking to Helen. "Luiximor shouldn't make you do anything you don't want to."

"Says the person who is being forced into a marriage of her own." Helen shortly laughed. "You are so young. I know you have no love for my brother. You just met him. You can escape this wedding, you know. You don't have to become Empress."

She remained silent. The trap had sprung. Helen considered her to be competition for sway over the empire and Luiximor's affections. For a moment, she felt afraid. Helen was clever, far more so than she ever could be. She decided the easiest thing to do would be to agree with Luiximor's planned trajectory for her.

She took a deep breath. "I like Luiximor and I'm honored to become his wife."

Helen patted her hand. "Oh, that's nice to hear. Come, we have seen enough of the palace. You must return to your chambers and rest. The Noventury festivities begin in seven hours."

Back in her room, she took a hot bath with profuse compliments to Greeta who decided to open up for a sentence or two. The Noventury preparations had all the palace servants working around the clock and perhaps such stress had relaxed the woman's anxious nature. She stayed quiet, hoping she would continue to talk but Greeta only focused on the task of fixing Vala's bright hair with diamond pins. Real diamonds each the size of a fingernail. A single jewel could have saved all the inhabitants on Midway Avenue from a year of labor. She blinked back tears of rage and focused on the gown. It was of red velvet with a plunging bodice and skirts that clung to her hips as though painted. She did like her reflection in the mirror, but it seemed like a betrayal of her friends…her life. How could several years of hardship be so easily swept away? If she continued like this, she would forget everything and if that happened, her parents and Janie would have died for nothing.

Thanking Greeta, she clutched her skirts and followed the guards. Whatever came her way, she would not forget herself. She had to strategize. The emperor controlled her runes…her future. Somehow, she had to persuade him to release her, that she was not fit to be his empress. As for the great short, she needed to probe for more information.

They walked down several marble staircases and along a new set of halls, all as equally grand and stuffed with finery as the other rooms. The distant sounds of merriment grew louder and took shape. Violins, horns, and wind instruments burst forth in harmony. She hoped that no dancing would be required. She felt quick enough on her feet when it came to slipping away from dangerous situations. But dancing? Dancing required rhythm and graceful steps. She had no desire to look like an idiot in front of?—

In front of the entire court , she breathed in dismay, and, standing in the entrance, stared upon a packed hall.