Chapter 41

" H oly—" My voice drifted off as my eyes wandered.

Dim orbs of light floated through the humid, warm air, laden with the loamy scent of fertile soil.

Thick tree trunks, overgrown with plush moss and twisting vines, supported majestic, emerald crowns. Twittering songbirds hopped from branch to branch, pecking at the plump flesh of round, purple fruits. Butterflies flitted from flower to flower, drinking from palm-sized blooms with petals looking as soft as silk and as orange as the afternoon sun.

Skrain chuckled as another awe-filled sigh sneaked from my lips. He hooked my arm under his and guided me onward on the stone path. If he didn't, I would've probably stood there admiring the view until the intermission was over.

"This isn't just a garden … it's a forest, indoors ?" I shook my head. "We need one at home!"

Emily clapped. "Told you she'd want one as soon as we walked in here. You owe me a bottle of white wine, Skrain. At least thirty years aged, thank you."

My husband inclined his head toward her. "A bet is a bet."

"You bet on me ?" I poked him in the ribs, laughing. "Incredible! How rude!"

"Don't worry, you'll get your own enchanted forest. When we're back home, I'll send a letter to the Emperor and ask for the architect who built this one." He favored me with a smirk. "The orangery is a relatively new addition to the theater and reserved for the most esteemed guests, invited by the royal family's request. I've only visited it once before, but I heard rumors that the Emperor likes bringing his mistresses up here on occasion, which makes it the ideal location for our scheme."

Emily hummed, fingers brushing along a blue blossoming bush. "The rooftop garden was actually a birthday gift for Empress Nadyra. Even most nobles never get the chance to set foot in here."

But nature wasn't the only thing this building had to offer.

We strolled along until we reached a spacious, round clearing, and for the first time, I saw what lay beyond the canopy. My breath halted. A domed crystal roof with gilded beams held the night at bay, the sickle of the moon glittering amid a sea of twinkling stars.

A tiered marble fountain was the centerpiece of the plaza, at its top the statue of a sparsely clothed female Xar'vathi, pouring golden wine from a gem-studded carafe. Guests paced around the fountain, holding shiny goblets with tall stems, refilling them at their leisure. Small groups gathered along buffet tables arranged around the edge of the square, plates stacked high with delicacies.

My mouth watered. Atop silver platters laid meats, cheeses, and fish, prepared in every imaginable way from grilled to steamed, sautéed, and fricasseed. Vegetables, pickled and raw, had been cut into the shapes of flowers, stars, suns, and moons. More than a dozen different kinds of desserts tempted me, from puddings to sweets and pastries.

I didn't know half the dishes presented, but my stomach rumbled. My legs reacted before my brain, drawing me closer to a colorful selection of candy.

Skrain followed and reached for a large bowl with faceted, blue gems inside, approximately the size of a large walnut. He picked one up and held it out to me. "Try this. It's a traditional Xar'vathi treat, enjoyed by the upper class."

"This is edible?" I took it from him. "How do I?—"

"Like this," Emily cut in, snatching a gem from the bowl and putting it in her mouth. A muffled crunch sounded from behind her closed lips. She swayed with pleasure as she chewed and swallowed. "How delicious! These are my favorite!"

Eagerly, I followed her example.

As I laid the smooth jewel onto my tongue, gentle sweetness teased my tastebuds. I bit down, and with a satisfying crack, the sugar crust broke. My eyes went wide as fizzy liquid flowed from its core, carrying the tart taste of fresh blueberries and a hint of lemon. I swallowed and immediately reached for another, when a deep, rumbling shout had my fingers freezing above the bowl.

"Skrain Ra'shok!"

The three of us spun around.

Emperor Laxandral raised a hand in greeting as he approached, his wife giving a soft smile, walking beside him. Emily curtsied, and I rushed to do the same, demurely inclining my head.

A potent aura of magic radiated from the royal couple, but it was difficult to discern whose was stronger or which kind of powers each of them wielded. They must have used an advanced masking spell to disguise their abilities, likely as to not give away any weak points to the public.

"Veryn Laxandral!" Skrain spread his arms, and the two men shared a brief embrace, mostly consisting of back patting and shoulder clapping.

"It's been a while since we have seen you in the capital," Empress Nadyra remarked as Skrain dipped into a bow and blew a polite kiss onto her outstretched knuckles.

"Business and life have been good, but keeping me busy away from the luster of Xalax'ar," Skrain said diplomatically. "It's nice to be back and in such brilliant company. Thank you for your invitation, Veryn."

Emperor Laxandral's ocean-blue eyes crinkled as he huffed a laugh, a firm hand landing on Skrain's upper arm.

Even from up close, he was an objectively attractive man despite his advanced age—which was quite some decades higher than apparent, according to Emily's explanation from a few nights ago. Like many of those in positions of power in Xar'vath, he was known to extend his lifespan through magical means.

"You're always welcome here," Emperor Laxandral said to Skrain, tail swaying with mirth. "But I bet you've been gallivanting across the Dreaming Sea, breaking hearts and seducing the most beautiful women in the realm." His gaze flicked to me, then to Emily, turning hungry as it drew along her lace bodice. "Speaking of beautiful women, aren't you going to introduce us?"

Skrain grinned as he hitched me close, fingers curling around my waist. "This is my wife, Keryssa."

I smiled, curtsying once more. "A pleasure and a great honor to meet you, Your Highness."

"A wife !" the Emperor bellowed, brows jumping. "What a surprise. You truly are a man of secrets. Already tight-lipped about the magic keeping you this youthful, and now you even snuck off to get married!" He turned to Empress Nadyra, chuckling. "Can you believe Xar'vath's most notorious bachelor has finally settled down?"

The Empress looked to me, ignoring her husband's crude remarks. "Congratulations," she said, and I detected true kindness in her tone.

"Thank you," I brought out, just in time before Emperor Laxandral cut me off.

"And who is the radiant sun in red, blessing this dull night with the glory of her divine beauty?" he asked.

Emily giggled, and the Empress's smile twitched. The bangles on her right wrist clinked as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, red eyes dropping to her shoes.

"I'm Emily, Your Highness," she said, stepping forward to stretch out her hand toward Emperor Laxandral in a daring gesture usually reserved for nobility. "What an honor it is to finally meet you in person, I—" She paused, biting her lip. "Forgive my blabbering. I've heard so much about you. When Skrain told me that you collect model ships, I just knew I had to speak to you. I've never met another enthusiast!"

I stifled a full-body cringe as the Emperor smirked.

"Oh, you're also a collector? What a wonderful coincidence," he said, locking eyes with Emily while he perched her hand on his. He brushed a kiss onto her knuckles, holding her fingers just an uncomfortable second too long. As if on command, Emily blushed a virginal maiden-pink, letting out another bubbly laugh.

Creators, he was easy. Shameless. But frankly, Emily's acting was award-worthy.

Had she not made her disdain for him known in private earlier, I would have bought her piece without an ounce of suspicion. The attraction between them was a buzz in the air, impossible to miss like a slap to the face, but the Empress turned to the food, busying herself with a golden-brown pastry.

"A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Lady Emily," the Emperor drawled, eyes on her breasts, nipples pressing against the cloth. "What brings you to the capital? Apart from a shared love for model ships, of course."

Emily gestured toward us. "Visiting my good friend Skrain to congratulate him on his marriage. I really thought my stay here couldn't get much better than seeing the impressive sights of the city, but now?—"

"Father, Mother," a clipped, feminine voice interrupted.

The Empress looked up from her food, eyes sparkling. "Xynthia, there you are! Finally! You missed the first half of the performances, and the intermission is nearly over, too."

The Princess was even taller than I imagined. Twisted horns with silver-studded tips sprouted from dark hair, falling in a thick, neat braid down to her waist.

She wore a few ornamental pieces of jewelry, their cool glint standing out against her sun-tanned skin. Rings, a bracelet, and a layered chain necklace fitting perfectly into the unbuttoned top of her sleek, black tunic, a pair of well-tailored trousers, and polished boots to match.

Xynthia set a kiss on her mother's cheek before turning to her father. Her hand flicked to her belt as if searching for a blade, but she crossed her arms, narrowing her sapphire eyes at the Emperor. He smiled, chest rising with a suppressed sigh.

"Good to see you, Xynthia. We've missed your presence in the palace," he said, and looked to me, giving a sad smile. "Our nest is rather empty without both of our beloved daughters."

Quickly, I sifted through the information Skrain had given me about the royal couple's children.

Xynthia, their oldest, was already a decorated military officer and a capable swordfighter. Their younger daughter, Lyv'ixa, was currently occupied with learning the art of necromancy in a prestigious school across the continent.

The Princess scoffed, grimacing. "I prefer any dirty military camp over this ." She gestured at Emily, shaking her head. "Your behavior is embarrassing, father . Unbecoming."

Emperor Laxandral straightened, brow furrowing. "That's enough now. We have guests, and I will not have my daughter tell me what is appropriate! I'm still the ruler of these lands and?—"

Skrain raised a hand, clearing his throat. "It was wonderful to see you all again, but I think it's time we returned to our seats. Empress Nadyra was quite right, the second half of the festival is about to begin."

Xynthia's mouth snapped shut as she, too, turned to the buffet, hand shooting out to rip grapes off a vine.

Emperor Laxandral gave an awkward nod, shoulders rolling. "We'll speak again soon, Skrain." He turned to me, chin dipping ever so slightly. "It was a pleasure to meet you, Keryssa." Finally, he looked to Emily. "I apologize for the interruption. We shall meet again, too. Very soon."

Ignoring the growl of disapproval from the Princess, Emily let out a bell-chiming giggle. " Nothing would give me greater pleasure, Your Highness."

So far, our plan had been a gut-churning success. Now it remained to be seen if Emperor Laxandral had the audacity to follow Emily's lure to the grand prize.