Chapter 2

The Tirsha River fed the sprawling tropical rainforests that Oeiras overlooked, that vast green canopy hiding dangerous revenant wild beasts. The port city sat at the mouth of the river and was known for its trade with the Tovan Isles, the same way Seaville was known for trade with E'ridia in the east. Unlike that city, Oeiras now held the honor of the Imperial family calling it home while the palace was rebuilt in Calhames.

The House of Dayal oversaw the surrounding vasilyet, a House that had thrown its support behind the House of Sa'Liandel during the Conclave before the Dawn Star had given her blessing. That was more than some other Houses had done, and it was one reason why Vanya Sa'Liandel, of the House of Sa'Liandel, had chosen the Imperial estate in Oeiras over all others to temporarily rule out of.

While Vanya could have stayed in his House's ancestral estate in Calhames, he'd needed to escape Solaria's capital and all the terrible memories that city held for him these days. More than even escaping heartache, he'd wanted to protect his daughter. Oeiras wouldn't have been his first choice to return to, but of the major cities he could temporarily rule out of, Seaville was held by a House whose loyalty was still in question, Karnack was too close to the northern border and the war happening in neighboring countries, and Bellingham would never be an option.

So to Oeiras they had gone, and Vanya had been tasked with turning a temporary residence into a home. Unlike the last time he and Raiah had resided in Oeiras, Vanya and the praetoria legionnaires were well aware of the threat from rionetkas and had planned security accordingly. He did his best to shield his daughter from the threats aimed at their House. Raiah was the brightest start of his day, and that never changed.

"Papa!" Raiah cried out as she raced across the inner courtyard, her long hair flowing behind her in thick waves. The white robes she wore were perhaps an inch too short, courtesy of the growth spurt she was going through. She was all legs even at five years old, and Vanya had a feeling she'd take after him in height rather than her mother.

Vanya scooped Raiah up into his arms and tossed her into the air, causing her to shriek happily. He caught her easily and held her close. "How is my favorite girl this morning?"

Raiah wrapped her skinny arms around his neck and pecked a kiss to his cheek. "I'm your only girl."

"Ah, your valide would argue otherwise."

Vanya tucked Raiah against his side and carried her over to the table set with a family-style breakfast spread. Taisiya Sa'Liandel, of the House of Sa'Liandel, sat on the low bench built beneath a curtain of flowering vines, watching them approach with a smile on her subtly scarred face, mouth dragged down at the left corner. She'd survived a poisoning on her wedding day while her husband had not and spent much of her days since then at a coastal estate.

She'd returned to Calhames before the start of the Conclave last year, becoming Vanya's advisor as was her right as valide, the matriarch of the ruling House that held the Imperial throne of Solaria. She'd stayed with them when Vanya decided to move the Imperial court to Oeiras, making her the only person he trusted with Raiah these days after the betrayals that had come to light last year.

He no longer had a majordomo for his household, reluctant to bring a stranger so close to his family again after Alida's treachery. Taisiya handled the running of the household for now, capable of doing so only because the Imperial estate here was smaller than the Imperial palace had been, meant to hold a family and not a government. Still, he knew it could not be her duty indefinitely, not with her age and other duties bearing down on her.

"She wants to join you when you meet with the Tovan Isles ambassador today," Taisiya said, the rasp of her voice familiar. In her youth, she'd been one of the most revered theater singers in the country before fervere stole her voice and her husband. But she'd survived, voice ever altered, speaking as if she'd smoked tabac all her life when she'd never touched it.

The loose curls of her graying auburn hair were similar in shape to Raiah's, styled today in a coiled updo held in place by hair combs made of pearlescent shell and inlaid with jewels. Her gown was a teal color, the light robe layered over it a pale gray that was almost white. It reminded Vanya of the waves in the port, and he knew the homage was done on purpose. Taisiya would be joining him when he and his other advisors met with the Tovanian ambassador after breakfast. Raiah would be otherwise occupied.

"I believe her tutors would protest Raiah missing her lessons," Vanya said as he sat on the bench opposite Taisiya, letting Raiah go so she could sit beside him.

"But Papa!" she protested. "I want to see what you do."

Taisiya reached for the teapot that held the strong red she favored, pouring herself a cup and then one for Vanya. He handled pouring Raiah her favorite chai, setting the cup beside her empty plate. "You will, but for now, you have lessons."

She pouted at him, brows furrowed in a way he knew she was trying to come up with an argument that would get her way. Raiah was as strong-willed as they came, despite the horrors she'd lived through in her short life. "Lessons are boring."

"Lessons until you are seven. Then you will be old enough to sit with me in court some mornings," Vanya said. It was never too early to learn how to rule, but he wanted her to have a childhood a little longer.

Raiah sighed loudly, clearly believing he was in the wrong but allowing his decision. "Yes, Papa."

Taisiya hid her smile behind her teacup. "Let us eat before the hour gets away from us."

Oeiras was known for their spicy dishes, and the rice mixed with eggs and chunks of pork was the main part of the morning meal. Vanya served Taisiya first, then Raiah, and finally himself. The flatbread was passed around, chunks torn off to dip in the bowls of sauces that added more flavor to the rice they scooped up.

"Have you heard any update from General Chu Hua?" Taisiya asked after several bites.

"Only what you know from the last report. The House of Kimathi's stolen vasilyet still remains under their control, and Daijal continues to claim their designs for the war machines they deploy against Ashion are their own. I fly to Calhames tomorrow," Vanya said, trying not to let the bitterness seep into his voice.

He would never forgive Joelle her machinations that had nearly gotten his daughter killed and risked Solaria's sovereignty. When his spies had come back from the north with information that Daijal had built war machines far too similar to those used by Solaria's Legion to be anything but stolen, Vanya discovered Joelle's treachery ran deeper than anyone had thought. Aligning herself with a country determined to interfere with other sovereign nations had cleaved the vasilyet her House had presided over for Ages from Solaria, and Vanya was spending resources and political capital to claw it back.

Despite their military prowess, the Legion had yet to take back the vasilyet. Joelle had provided quite a spirited defense of the land there in the northwest with Daijal's unofficial help. The worst problem the Legion faced wasn't war machines but the astronomical number of revenants roaming the vasilyet and the self-inflicted poison Joelle's side had ruined the cleansed land with on a wide scale.

Passage through the poison fields was a risk the Legion had no choice but to take. The officers in command were trying to mitigate losses as best they could. Add in the fact that Vanya couldn't commit the entirety of the Legion to that fight in the corner of Solaria when the bulk of the Legion's ranks were needed to guard the long stretch of the northern border meant it was a slow grind to gain ground.

The revenants would be more of a problem if not for the efforts of the wardens. Vanya knew his country was lucky to still have their support after the announcement of sanctions as payment for the actions of the Houses who'd held the Imperial throne. But the wardens numbered fewer now after Daijal's attack on the Warden's Island, and most of their numbers were in Ashion, aiding the war effort. Their alchemists could only do so much to help cleanse the poison fields in the northwest, and it wasn't enough yet to tilt the fight in Solaria's favor.

Solaria's borders still had wardens guarding them, and Vanya tried every day not to think about the only warden who had ever mattered to him. It was a losing battle, one Raiah was ignorant of.

"When is Soren coming back?" Raiah asked halfway through the meal.

Vanya had learned young not to let his pain show in the wake of questions that hurt, but hiding his reaction didn't diminish the way his chest went tight. Even these many months on, the heavy knot of hurt and betrayal that sat behind his ribs had yet to ease.

It was just as hard—if not harder—for Raiah. His daughter had grown up with Soren coming and going in her life, a familiar presence Vanya had never thought twice about, not until that fateful night of the Conclave ending. His absences were always paired with a return, but it was far past the time when Soren should have come back to them if all was right in the world. Only it wasn't.

For all of Vanya's simmering anger and hurt when he thought of the warden, he couldn't quite excise the curl of worry Soren's absence brought him. Nor could he be angry at his daughter for asking about the warden who had once kept her safe. He could only try to mitigate the hurt she felt at an absence she had a difficult time comprehending. Eventually, one day, she might forget Soren, even if Vanya knew he never could.

"Someday," Vanya said, hoping she would accept the vague answer that was no longer a promise.

Taisiya arched an eyebrow at him but held her tongue. Raiah frowned at her plate before raising her chin and giving Vanya a mulish look. "I want Soren. You should tell him to come back."

Vanya reached for a teapot and refilled his daughter's cup. "Drink your chai."

Raiah was so like himself at that age, stubborn and demanding. "He always comes back. Why hasn't he visited yet?"

"Raiah," Vanya said sharply. "The warden has his duty."

She scowled at him, crossing her arms over her chest. "He's not a warden. He's Soren, and I miss him."

"That's enough. Finish your meal."

She didn't wait to be excused, sliding off the bench with a huff and stomping away from the table. Vanya turned his head, frowning at her back. "Raiah. This tantrum isn't becoming of a princess."

Raiah whirled around, the hem of her robe fluttering around her skinny legs. "You could tell Soren to come back, but you haven't. I want to see him, and you won't let me."

Then she burst into tears and ran out of the courtyard, one of the praetoria legionnaires standing guard at the entrance swift to follow her. Vanya got to his feet, torn between going after her and knowing that he didn't have time in his schedule to try to soothe such a tantrum when they were due for their meeting with the ambassador soon.

"You let Soren into her life the same way you let him into yours. You should not be surprised at the hole he left," Taisiya said quietly.

Vanya clenched his hands into fists and let out a slow breath before turning to face his valide. "The warden is not open for discussion."

Unlike every other person in Solaria, Taisiya did not bow her head to him when faced with his anger. "Soren is the reason Raiah is not with Joelle, I am alive, and you still hold the Imperial throne."

"The wardens called him back."

"You never asked him to stay."

Her words were like salt in a wound that refused to heal. Vanya still dreamed of that last night he'd spent with Soren, wanting answers, wanting more than what the warden could give him, wishing the betrayal hadn't hurt so much. Knowing Soren could cast starfire, a skill that should have made him ineligible to be a warden if it weren't for the interference of the Dawn Star, was a secret he still hadn't spoken of, not even to Taisiya.

"He is a warden. His duty was never to me."

Taisiya snorted at that. "His duty perhaps, but not his heart."

She slid across the bench, and Vanya automatically stepped forward to offer his hand. She took it, and he helped her to her feet. Taisiya was shorter than him, thin and fragile-looking if one didn't know her internal strength. Her hazel eyes were more green than brown, filled with a compassion he hadn't seen directed his way since his mother was alive.

"Pretending Soren never existed in your life or Raiah's does a disservice to the memories he built with you," she said.

She didn't know Soren had lied, that it had been one lie too many after the Imperial palace had burned. All Taisiya knew, like Raiah, was that Soren had returned to the wardens. For all of Soren's betrayals, his secrets weren't Vanya's to tell.

"The Tovan Isle ambassador awaits us," Vanya said.

Taisiya sighed. "Stubborn child. Very well, let us depart."

He offered her his arm, and she curled her hand around the bend of his elbow. They left the courtyard and the unfinished meal behind them in favor of crossing the estate for the dignitary room used for trade talks with the Tovan Isles. Unlike other rooms in the estate, this one had a deep pool filled with salt water. Vanya could smell the sea before they reached the archway of open doors.

A servant announced his arrival with a voice that rang through the spacious room as he and Taisiya entered it. "May I present His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Vanya Sa'Liandel, of the House of Sa'Liandel, and valide Taisiya."

The Tovan Isles delegation stood on the elaborate floating cabana anchored to the edge of the pool. The thrum of the engines that kept it afloat was a soft hum at the edge of his hearing, and Vanya could feel the faint vibration of the mechanics filtering up through the floor. Ambassador Akeheni, of the ship-city Matariki, bowed at his arrival, as did the others with her. Vanya's advisors, political aides, and several high-ranking Legion officers who waited at the low table near the pool all bowed as well. A photographer waited nearby with their camera gear and an assistant, ready to document the meeting for the broadsheets.

Vanya escorted Taisiya to the pair of empty center seats meant for them and saw her settled in one before turning his attention to Akeheni. The ambassador stepped to the edge of the floating cabana and bowed to the Imperial degree. "Emperor."

"Ambassador," Vanya said. "Welcome. It is good to have you back with us."

Akeheni smiled, the thin tattooed lines that arced away from the outer corners of her hazel eyes and which framed her chin and mouth elongating a bit with the motion. Those tattoos marked her as a ship's captain, while the six-pointed star tattooed between her eyes marked her as a government official. She'd lived quite an illustrious life, something Vanya knew from their previous conversations. He found her stories of a life at sea interesting, her personality calming, even when they disagreed on particular points of diplomacy.

Typically, Vanya's people handled the minute details of trade, and he was brought in at the end of negotiations. Today's meeting was different—less about trade and more about the war creeping close to both their borders.

The photographer approached and bowed deeply. "If I might make a record of this meeting, Your Imperial Majesty?"

Vanya angled his body toward the camera, as did Akeheni. They composed themselves for the picture, the flash of the light almost blinding. He blinked spots out of his eyes and waited for an aide to escort the photographer out of the room before turning his attention back to Akeheni.

"Please, make yourself comfortable," Vanya said as he made his way to his seat.

Akeheni settled on the low chair screwed into the cabana's floor, comfortable with the slow rocking motion from the machine-generated waves. Tovanians suffered from land sickness when they spent too long away from their ship-cities, a debilitating affliction that could be counteracted with potions, but it wasn't a long-term solution. Hence, a room built to make them comfortable, which Vanya knew made negotiations easier.

"Your people are aware of the war happening between Daijal and Ashion, are they not?" Vanya asked.

"We know the Daijalan queen has much to answer for when it comes to the wardens. We know, too, she has an alliance with Urova. Their submersibles have traveled far from the icy north into the Gulf of Helia," Akeheni said.

"Have they attacked your ship-cities?"

"No, but the sailing routes to Daijal have become tighter, which we don't appreciate. We have no fear of Urova's submersibles. We have our own, and our depth charges sink deep. Urovans are used to the icy deep, not the stormy open sea."

The military officer on the other side of Taisiya leaned forward, gesturing with one hand. "Do you think Urova could become a problem for your people?"

"As much as any country. We have no quarrel with them—for now."

"Neither do we, but the war in the north is a concern of ours," Vanya said.

Akeheni nodded slowly. "I understand you fight against a House who seeks to break away."

Vanya bit back the bitter sting of those words. She meant it as a statement, not an insult. "Daijal's interference doesn't stop at just the wardens."

"We believe it won't stop at Ashion's borders either. We've our Legion in the north, but Solaria has more coastline than any other country," Taisiya added.

Which was true, even if a third of it was buttressed by the Wastelands, a desert that had spawned spores and revenants for Ages and which wardens meticulously guarded, even now with their numbers depleted. The Legion had come into being as a defense against the threat of the walking dead in the south. But the Wastelands weren't the only place in Solaria where revenants congregated.

Rixham was a dead city, one with its walls sealed off and citizens long since succumbed to spores, made that way by the decisions of his mother to keep Solaria whole when a House sought secession. Vanya knew he would have to make the same sort of decision with the House of Kimathi in Bellingham once the Legion fought its way through the numerous revenants in that vasilyet's poison fields.

For now, he was trying to give the people caught in the crossfire a choice to leave, but finding safety outside a city's walls was never easy. The war machines Joelle deployed into the poison fields weren't commanded by humans but by magic. Paired with the frightening numbers of revenants in the battlefield, and the Legion was fighting for every mile while trying to keep legionnaires alive and uninfected by spores. It made Joelle's losses less than Vanya's, and that was an imbalance his military advisors worried about.

"Our countries have a long relationship when it comes to trade. I am here to see if your people would be amenable to expanding that into an alliance. Your ship-cities would be of great help monitoring our coasts," Vanya said.

Akeheni shifted on her seat, frowning slightly. "You ask for something I can't commit to without further discussion with the Uri. An alliance of any kind always makes rough seas that take time to settle."

Vanya had expected nothing less, for he knew the governing body of the Tovan Isles never made any decision without long deliberation. Somehow, he doubted Eimarille would wait for them to do so. "Daijal already allies itself with Urova. If you think Eimarille will stop her war at the shores, then you are wrong. I would not see either of our nations have their sovereignty weakened."

"I will carry your request to Port Avi, but I make no promises to what you ask," Akeheni warned.

For now, it would have to be enough.

"I will send a delegation west with you. They will speak for me about what transpires here so the Uri knows time is of the essence."

Akeheni nodded at that, gaze flicking to the military officers ranged down the table. "I hope your people have strong stomachs. The spring waters are never as calm as the stories say."

"We are Solarian. We will persist."

Vanya settled back into his seat, ready to talk about more than just war.