Chapter 14

H uge chandeliers shone over hundreds of the empire's top social echelon. The silks, furs, and velvets…the glittering clusters of gems on this throat and the shimmering flash of gold on that coiffed head. How elegantly the people walked and spoke amongst each other, champagne bubbling within slender flutes, and voices bright and merry over the music. Amidst them, rows of tables lined the hall, covered in flowers, heaps of food, and gleaming cutlery and crystal.

Vala paused in the doorway, unable to recognize any face she knew. Except for one. Heep energetically spoke to a group of courtiers—lost in some intellectual conversation, she figured. She wanted to kill him for all the lies and deceit but he knew about her runes, more, perhaps, than anyone else in the empire. She had to find a time to meet him alone and grill him for information. He looked her up and down in a disapproving fashion. She tried not to grind her teeth and gave him a pleasant smile but he turned back to his conversation.

The music stopped and horns blared forth. At the head of the room, in front of the finest table sat Luiximor and Helen. A huge crown lay upon his braided hair and black velvet robes swept from his broad shoulders, revealing the upper part of a honed chest. Helen wore a metallic dress and a tiara with diamonds the size of grapes.

Guards flanked her as they walked through the packed tables. People turned and stared as she stumbled past, probably wondering at the newest gilded thing in their midst. Deciding whether they should fear or befriend her. Estimating what she could bring them in return. Did they realize she was the girl who spoke to the dragon? Was that event why they assumed she stood here, dressed in finery, as the emperor's newest talent acquisition? Worse, did anyone connect her to the murder of Titus Lingerton, a Court favorite? She must be careful. Gods, she really needed a drink to calm her nerves.

Luiximor watched her with benevolence as she curtsied. He stood and offered her a hand to rise. His fingers felt cool upon her palm.

"Welcome, darling Vala."

He guided her to a seat beside him. She could feel her every move dissected and calculated by the throng. As if she were a rune itself, and the Court, the Dynn world. The similarities were striking. Slightly amused by the image, she felt more at ease.

She sank into the plush seat, feeling the emperor's hard glance upon her red dress. Well, he should look. There was a lot of skin to see . She wanted to feel his possessive gaze upon her. It reassured her of his love amidst all the strangeness and splendor. Besides, love made fools of the best of people, a fact that she would use to her advantage.

Luiximor beckoned and on cue the music sprang up. Everyone began chatting and laughing amongst themselves once more.

"You are magnificent." His eyes drank her in as though they were the only people in the room. "Every time I look upon you, I cannot believe that you are mine. To have found you, just before the Noventury, after waiting hundreds of years for you to be reborn."

"Thank you." Vala grabbed the wine and took a gulp.

Hundreds of years. Right. He had loved all former versions of herself. She still struggled with the whole reincarnation aspect. Not that she thought he lied. Only, it was hard to accept a past life that was so utterly unrecoverable. It was like believing in a dream long after the memory of it had faded. The former Vala, if such there had been, was an idiot, she decided. But he loved her, or…whomever he thought she was. That must be true. Even now, his fingers grazed her jaw and his eyes fell upon her lips and bosom with such cold ownership, she felt herself blush. She wondered if he would summon her to his bedchamber that night and if so, what on earth was she to do?

She flushed at the thought as his hand twined through hers. His silver hair, falling upon her naked breasts, the way those blue eyes stared upon her as his lips touched the skin of her waist. His hands on her legs and the night robe dropping from those bare, muscled shoulders ? —

"HAH! HAH!"

She jumped with fright.

Prince Rafeal slapped a heavy hand upon Helen's chairback as the other flung a drink down his throat. She noticed he utterly ignored her glare. Good. Perhaps she had gotten her message into his thick, stupid skull. She met Luiximor's eyes with a beautiful smile and he swiftly kissed her lips. She blinked, startled. He pulled her towards him, eyes burning into her soul. She leaned in for a second embrace but he only smiled and turned to Helen.

"Did he fail to recall what time we met for dinner?"

She shook her head at Luiximor and beamed a smile of happiness at Rafael. "Good evening, my prince. What took you so long?"

Prince Rafeal flung himself into a chair beside Helen and dragged over a full carafe of wine with both hands. "You will never believe what I overheard, my stunning princess!"

Princess Helen darted a small glance around the packed hall, her jaw clenched with what she probably imagined was a joyful expression. "Must you drink so quickly? People are watching us."

The prince studied the multitude of faces with a speculative frown. "Only because they do not DRINK WITH ME!" He slurped the wine with grand appreciation.

Several people openly stared. Vala assessed this with some pleasure and a little bit of spite. Obviously, he was only popular with the drunken imperial courtiers who kept him company. But the emperor traced slow fingers down her neck and she shivered with pleasure. It was strange, she thought, that her body could react with desire while her mind raced with plans to escape.

Helen's beautiful face turned pink with rage and she leaned across Vala to face Luiximor. "Brother, do something. He's embarrassing me in front of everyone." Her words slipped through a plastered smile.

Vala supposed anyone watching would have surmised that the emperor and his sister engaged in a happy conversation. Everyone pretended in the palace , she figured. It was a matter of survival. She reached for her wine, wondering how she was to survive the next few hours intact.

Luiximor's eyes flickered from Vala's lips to Rafeal. He grimaced, obviously bored with the whole situation. "I am spending tonight with my beautiful future empress." His mouth found Vala's for a languorous embrace. Surprised, she met his lips with hesitation and felt within his touch a deep eagerness that caused a rush of heat to pool within her core. Luiximor kissed exceptionally well and she was beginning to like it. "He's your problem, sister . Entertain him. Make him talk so he does not drink so much."

With an icy glare at both the emperor and Vala, Helen settled back and curved her rosebud lips into a winning smile for Rafael. "Where have you been all this afternoon? Pray tell me what exploits possessed you so I may be delighted with your words."

The Thevian prince loudly hiccuped and thumped his chest. Vala marveled that he avoided eye contact with her, even though she sat beside the princess and in full line of sight. He really was revolting.

"My Helen, I have lived these past hours in the most horrid fear!"

"Oh, pray tell why," Helen purred furiously.

He smacked down the empty goblet, not seeing her glare drive away a servant who tried to top off his cup with more wine. "A courtier was butchered just two nights ago. And still no one has found the assassin who killed him!"

Vala gasped but not because Luiximor's lips drifted down her neck. By the sun god above, Rafeal could only mean Titus Lingerton. The Masked Man who had gutted Titus with such joyful cruelty sat beside her in the black robes and crown of the emperor. The Thevian prince had better mind his words.

"Oh, I would be in mourning were there not so much to celebrate," Helen continued, dabbing at her cheeks as though tears had flowed. Vala saw none. "You know I heard there was a young woman also present at the scene of his…passing. They traced her to the Lower Levels. Found dozens of Dynn books in her apartment, stolen from the Academy?—"

Her eyes widened. Helen knew . She knew and she was going to say what she knew. She would do anything to bring Vala down. Her head buzzed from wine and fear.

Luiximor also appeared to be on edge, listening even as he nuzzled the soft spot in the base of her throat.

"Vala, do you know this story?"

"Stop interrogating my bride," Luiximor interrupted, his voice tight and annoyed. "I spoke to the Lingerton family this morning. The assassin acted alone. All else is gossip and speculation."

Vala quietly exhaled as a servant replenished her wine. Thank the gods the emperor fought for her. She took a solid gulp and focused on breathing as a familiar dizziness spun through her body. She caught Rafael's black eyes flickering towards her, lingering on her wine, and then he looked away. As if he judged her drinking. Talk about pot calling the kettle?—

"Well, it's a good thing we keep a close hand on murder witnesses, isn't it, brother?" Helen brightly smiled, her gaze lingering upon Vala with just a tad too much unnerving intensity.

Luiximor appeared to not have heard her as he kissed down Vala's neck, his lips tracing to the swell of her bosom. She blinked. Really, here and now? Perhaps the palace was less prudish than she supposed. Either way, she had begun to feel embarrassed. Her eyes drifted past the grumpy Helen to where Rafeal hunched, his eyes hot enough to burn holes in the tablecloth, a forced smile arresting his mouth. Did he see her now? As the emperor kissed her? Muddy, little creature , indeed.

But he continued to ignore her, and so she met Luiximor's mouth in a passionate embrace?—

That did the trick. His knuckles turned white upon his goblet.

Good , she thought and felt Luiximor smile in return upon her lips.

"My sources were highly reliable and confirmed she was there for the killing. You know what they say her name is?" Helen prattled on. "My courtiers informed me this morning. Vala, they say the little thief's name was?—"

"—Titus deserved to die for what he did to me—" she blurted out.

"—Janie Forth," Helen finished.

She had opened her mouth too soon. Fucking shouldn't have drunk so much, so fast.

Helen's green eyes widened with malicious glee. "What a strong statement. Did you know Titus Lingerton?"

Oh, yes, she most certainly did. Her stomach twisted from the memory of his boot kicks.

"I've met him before," she said coldly.

Rafeal tossed back the wine with a ferocious swallow and glared upon the courtly throng. People caroused, laughing, toasting, eating in huge enjoyment—utterly nonchalant and yet hyper focused upon the various dramas playing out across the vast hall and the imperial table was the highlight of the court's gaze. Could he possibly get any more drunk? She sneered inwardly, thinking herself more aligned to Helen's disdain than she thought prudent. But still, why didn't he care what people thought of him? Everyone could see he was nearly comatose with alcohol?—

Helen's eyes glimmered maliciously, drawing her attention away from Rafael. "You really do… meet …a lot of men." She cast another spiteful look at the amorous Luiximor.

She frowned. In Corina's words, Helen was being ‘a downright ugly bitch' to her. But then the Masked Man—the emperor—now clasped her waist to him and murmured sweet somethings in her hair. She had nothing to fear. He stood on her side and he was the most powerful person in the world. He was a god, for fuck's sake. He loved her and protected her. She wondered if she could bring herself to love him…provided her escape plans didn't work out. Could she live as an empress? What was love anyway but safety and an answer for the uncertainty of tomorrow?

She continued with some wrath. "You're right. I was there. I saw Titus die and ran before they blamed me. But you have the facts wrong. He tried to attack me. I'm glad he bled to death like a pig."

Helen gasped, slim fingers stuffed against that rosebud mouth in mock horror. "Such language. Titus was a victim."

"He was a brute." Her words dripped ice.

Helen quailed, her lips twitching with surprise. Maybe it was the two goblets she had poured down her throat but Vala realized that she had been cowering in fear at the palace, the emperor, and everything in between and yet, as the hours passed, she increasingly wondered what in the world drove her fear? She had figured out the most difficult of rune equations for the workers of the Exchange. She could learn how to play this game of politics. She could yet escape.

Rafeal leaned forward in sudden interest. "How did you escape the assassin's blade when the unfortunate man did not?"

With a start, she realized he addressed her. His eyes were oddly cool and awake within that flushed face and yet those lips twisted with drunken disdain. That smirk. He still hated her but his curiosity had gotten the better of his emotions.

The emperor's fingers tightened around her waist, his firm eyes meeting her gaze… in approval , she thought. As the Masked Man, he had gutted Titus for her, his blade slicing through stomach and flesh with pleasurable, slow hate. A rush of hot emotion swelled within her at the memory.

Vala elegantly shrugged at the handsome Thevian. "You don't want me to talk about the Masked Man. He'd terrify you."

Rafael choked on his drink and descended into a coughing fit. Helen angrily motioned to a servant to thump his back.

"Thank you, thank you, my good man!" Rafael hacked and spluttered.

Luiximor frowned, his face darkening with concern. "This is a story I would like to hear immediately. Any threat to you is a grave concern to me."

"A future empress embroiled in a murder trial is a threat to everyone," Helen muttered before raising her voice. "Go on, tell us your story."

Well, they asked for it , she thought and downed the last of her wine to steady her overheated nerves. The emperor was obviously fine with her relating the events, so long as she did not suggest his identity.

"Titus was angry with me over an equation he stole at the Exchange. As I walked home, he attacked me. A man wearing a mask killed him and his friends. I ran off before the police arrived. That's really all," she blurted in a rush.

Helen clasped delicate fingers to her breasts, feigning dismay. "What a fortunate escape for you."

Vala placed her hand upon the emperor's arm. The Masked Man had been so gentle with his touch, so deeply concerned. That burning, raw kiss upon her palm. So filled with passion?—

"The Masked Man saved my life." She sent a carefully loving glance upon Luiximor. "If I saw him again, I would do anything to repay his kindness."

Her hand drifted down his arm, her eyes lingering upon his lips before she met his… blank stare ? Had she not been convincing enough?

Luiximor broke away from her gaze. "Hmm. Yes, if the assassin appears to claim the deed, I will bestow upon him a reward for saving you. Although he would be wise to remain hidden. The prince's family are eager to claim his life in return. I follow a strict rule. To never concern myself in the bloody affairs of my nobles unless they directly impact my runes."

Vala frowned, annoyed. He had spent the evening kissing her but one word of veneration and he turned to ice. He really was a master of pretense.

Rafeal gallantly cursed. "Now my hours are to be lived in fear! The masked assassin is still out there. How do we know our lives are secured? Helen, how can I be assured of your safety, even within the walls of this glittering palace?"

Helen rolled her eyes. "We're perfectly safe here. The world's best Dynn workers protect these grounds. Besides, what man would attack a god who holds the fire of the sun in his hands?"

Vala bit her lip in suppressed fury. Who would attack Luiximor? No one. The Lingerton family merely took it out on poor, defenseless mud slummers like Janie. Her cheeks burned with anger and wine. She was about to say something stupid but she couldn't help it. "How can nobles do whatever they want? That man who attacked me knew he'd never face the law for my death. Those police shooting up and down the Lower Levels searching for me…they killed people without interference. How is any of that okay?"

She wondered if the words were too strong, influenced by the alcohol gushing through her veins. But she could not take them back. Worse, she meant every bit and more. She really needed to learn to keep her mouth shut.

"I never interfere in the decisions of the legal system," Luiximor sipped his wine with a coolness that Vala found exasperating. "If my nobles are loyal to me, they have the license to do as they wish. It is the tradeoff of power I require from them."

"Even if their actions hurt innocent people? My friend died because of your policy. Does that mean nothing to you?" Her hands trembled so much with distress, she had to hide them on her lap, under the table. In the corner of her vision, she noticed a strange frown pass through Rafael's face before fading into alcoholic stupor.

"I cannot interfere. I will not. Do not ask me to." Luiximor looked away, his tone a taut wire.

She saw that he was frightened and the knowledge enraged her. She would give anything to have his freedom, power, and autonomy. To be so powerful, she would never have to be afraid of anyone ever again. She shuddered at the memory of Janie's blood seeping across the floor, her unseeing eyes forever staring upwards.

"The Masked Man would never let that happen. He defends the weak. He doesn't let them DIE," she whispered, hoping to drive home the message that he, as emperor, had disappointed her. As the Masked Man, he could yet recover her esteem.

Luiximor elegantly smiled but his lips were thin and stiff. He did not like being contradicted , she realized. She clasped her hands together to quell their trembling.

"What is your obsession with that stupid assassin?" Helen hissed.

Rafeal studied his goblet. She supposed a thought formed in the bottom of that addled brain, taking its time to rise against the swell of alcohol and be made known upon his tongue.

"DAMN IT ALL!" The prince thumped a fist upon the table, causing several people to jump in shock. "The wine is gone. They have taken it from me and I want it!"

He shoved back his chair and staggered upright. "My dear…princess, I must leave you in search of liquid nourishment. But fear not, I will soon return to your emerald gaze!"

Vala caught a final, quick glance from him as he slipped away. Was it hate or did he have any coherent emotion with so much booze sloshing around his brain? Other nobles around them gave condescending glances to the foreign prince and talked amongst themselves. She sighed, realizing their eyes were now on her, and turned back to the emperor with a smile for their gossipy benefit.

But Helen leaned over her, talking to Luiximor in fervent, hushed tones. "I cannot believe I must marry that drunken, boorish prince."

Luiximor icily stared at Helen. "That prince stands to inherit the second most powerful country in the world. His father will be dead from liver cancer before Yuletide and his mother is locked away and hidden, her mind unfit for rule. You will soon become queen."

She smiled for the watching courtiers. "I will be nothing but your vassal. Queen in name only. You will crush Theves into your empire before the ink dries on our marriage certificate."

"Oh, come now. Here you are just a princess that people gossip over. You remain unmarried long past the royal coming of age and for no dearth of suitors."

Helen lowered her head. "I did not want to marry."

"But you are royal. Marry, you must. Theves is the best ask yet for your hand. You will become queen of the second most powerful country in the world. Why the resistance?"

"People love me here. In Theves, I will be mocked and hated. I feel like you are banishing me." Vala heard a slight break in Helen's voice. She wondered just how much of it was genuine.

Luiximor's silver brows drew over hooded eyes as his form stiffened with pent-up rage. "Then find ways to make them fear you. Ruling the country with that idiot will be easy. He will drink himself to death and you can do as you like."

"Maybe I'll poison him first." Helen's response was a hiss.

Vala's eyes widened. She had her own unpleasant feelings about the prince but still…she hoped that was a figure of speech.

Luiximor shrugged, his tense body uncurling into languid ease. "You are best served to go after him now. Seduce him with your charms. That should be easy, considering he is a dolt. Remember, you will always be first and foremost a princess of the empire"

For a moment, Helen looked small and fragile, then her face hardened with brutal nonchalance. "Yes, brother ." She smoothly rose with all the grace that spoke of decades of courtly survival. A subtle glare at Vala and she swept away from the table, leaving the hall.

Vala sighed. That glare drove the final nail in the coffin of sisterly friendship promises. Luiximor was cold. But then, he was a god. He was different, of course, for he managed to experience love for her but the same murderous, immortal blood flowed in his veins. She supposed that great power brought a stronger resistance to gentleness. Thank the fates, his touch upon her felt kind. She would not like to imagine what could happen if he no longer imagined he was in love with her.

But when she turned to him, Luiximor did not look at all like he wanted her in any way. In fact, he appeared to be sulking, if an immortal emperor with a flawless jaw and honed chest could sulk.

"I will retire alone tonight." He beckoned a finger to her waiting guards. "Return my guest to her room at once."

She blinked, slowly rising in shock at the breathlessly fast dismissal. What in the world had just happened?

She paced through the hall, trying not to stumble from the lingering effects of her wine as people whispered over her departing form. As she left the room, she noticed that Heep's chair stood empty.