Divined (22 page)

“So it’s true. You’re planning to declare war.” She dug her fingers into his flesh, as if she could keep him from ever leaving.

“You expect me to discuss such matters with the new favorite pet of the Emperor?”

“Enough,” Clio snapped. “You can’t seriously consider this. Don’t bring our city to war. We’ll lose.”

“Who do you mean by
we’ll
?”

She stepped back, her eyes wide. “I mean Sheehan, of course.”

“Do you? You’ll need to pick a side when this all begins. You cannot serve the Emperor and remain loyal to our people.”

“Derik, I’m on Sheehan’s side. I’m
always
on Sheehan’s side. It’s for our people I beg you not to do this. There’s something coming, something bad. I don’t want Sheehan caught up in it. Please.”

He seemed to soften. He was opening his mouth to respond when his eyes focused on something behind Clio.

She turned to find Zarae dressed in bright blue and green standing in the archway. She nodded to Derik.

“I’m sorry, Clio. I have to go.”

“Derik.” She caught his hand in hers. “What are you doing?” Zarae had disappeared back into the crowd.
 

“I’m finally doing what my people need.” He pulled his hand from Clio’s grip and walked back into the throne room.

CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE

The room was silent once more. The Emperor had taken his seat on the golden throne while Mannix and Riece flanked him on either side. Clio pushed through the crowd in time to see Zarae kneel on the bottom step leading up to the throne.

“Your Highness,” Zarae began. “When you tasked me to bring the Oracle back to Morek, you made me a promise.”

The Emperor straightened. “I did, Princess, and I intend to live up to my word. You are released from your betrothal to the Commander Riece.”

Riece’s gaze sought out Clio, and he offered her a small, satisfied grin.

“Thank you, Your Highness. However, there was a second piece of your promise. The right to pick my own match from among the Empire’s nobility.”

“I have not forgotten, Princess.” The Emperor’s voice was slower, more guarded. “I am certain any man in the Empire would be overjoyed to take one such as you as his bride.”

“I’m pleased to hear you say so.” Zarae stood.

The Emperor leaned forward. “Did you have someone in mind already?”

Zarae smiled. “I would name Derik, the King of Sheehan, for my betrothed.”

The entire room seemed to suck in a breath. Clio watched as Derik made his way to the front of the crowd and took Zarae’s hand.

The Emperor remained silent.

“Your Highness, does my choice displease you?” Zarae asked coyly. “The King of Sheehan is one of your nobility, is he not? And you did say I could pick from among the men of your Empire. So unless you consider Sheehan apart from the Empire, I see no reason why the Corner should not tighten bonds with Sheehan. I mean to say, we are all one peaceful Empire, are we not?”

The Emperor concealed his anger well, but Clio saw the whiteness in his knuckles.

“How could I possible refuse?” He raised a glass. “May your union stand as a testament to this new era of peace.” The Emperor stood without another word and retreated to his private chamber beside the throne with Mannix and Riece.

The crowd did not know how to react. Clio could feel it in the air. Too many shocks had been leveled on them in the course of a single evening. Zarae and Derik made their exit immediately, inviting the chorus of whispered gossip that spread through the feast. Everyone recognized Zarae’s decision for what it was—a direct challenge against the Emperor.

Riece emerged from the Emperor’s chamber a moment later, his expression furious.

“We’re leaving.” He took Clio’s arm and led her out of the throne room.

“Will the Emperor declare war?”

“How can he? After everything he said tonight? The nobles would call him a liar.”

“But if he doesn’t then the Order—”

“—will call him weak,” Riece finished. His face was flushed, and Clio had to hurry to match his pace. “Derik has created a real mess this time.”

“Derik? Surely you aren’t blind enough to think this
his
doing? Zarae’s behind it all.”

Riece shot her a glare as they passed the Emperor’s guards. “Derik will be the one declaring war. He has the army. I will blame him as much as I please.”

“But now we know Zarae is instigating this. Everything is due to her influence. I’m sure of it.”

“It hardly matters! Whoever’s idea it was, now we must face an alliance between the Corner and Sheehan.”

“Riece.” Clio stopped. “With the strength of the Corner behind him, does Derik stand a chance of winning this?”

Riece narrowed his eyes. “Why? Do you wish Sheehan to crush the Empire?”

“Of course not. But if he has a chance then I don’t know how I’ll be able to convince him not to do this.”

Riece continued walking. “No. Derik doesn’t stand a chance. But
Zarae
?
A leader like her with an army of Sheehan and Untouched—thousands will die.”

They arrived back in their quarters, and Clio sped up to stand before Riece. “How are we going to convince them not to do this? If I tell them about Atzi’s Vision then they will only believe the Empire more vulnerable to an attack.”

“I don’t know. But if we can’t stop it, then you know what will have to be done.”

Clio stiffened. “No.”

“Clio. If you can’t convince him to forget his ambition, then… He’s one man, and we are speaking of thousands of deaths.”

“We will
not
assassinate Derik!”

“Then what will we do? Tell me, because I’m ready to listen to any ideas.”

Clio paced in front of the window. “You know”—she stopped to glare at Riece—“between all the women in your life, it will be miraculous if we can accomplish a single one of our objectives.”

“What do you mean by that?” His voice was flat.

“First your sister. She’s made it her life’s mission to interrupt us. Asking about whether or not we are betrothed! As if we don’t have enough to contend with! And now Zarae. We wouldn’t be in this position if you hadn’t brought her to Morek in the first place.”

“Those aren’t the only two difficult women in my life,” Riece mumbled under his breath.

Clio abruptly halted and glowered at him. “All right. You asked if I had any ideas? Here’s one, and it will solve all your problems at once. Perhaps I should give Derik what he’s always wanted.”

Riece raised an eyebrow. “What are you suggesting?”

“He’s always wanted me. If I were to go to him, he wouldn’t wed Zarae, there would be no alliance, and I would be able to convince him not to wage war.”

Riece threw his head back and laughed. “Your pride really astounds me sometimes.”

“What?” Clio felt heat rise in her cheeks. “You think I couldn’t do it?”

Riece smirked. “Did you see how Derik looked at Zarae tonight? This may be a marriage motivated by politics, but it’s not without desire, that much I can tell you.”

“You underestimate me,” Clio said with a huff.

Riece walked toward her. “I assure you I don’t.”

The air changed around them, suddenly growing heavier.

“The way you look tonight,” Riece continued as he reached Clio, “I’ve no doubt you could make any man forget the world. I have half a mind to myself.” He thumbed her chin, tipping her face to the side. “Even if you are more trouble than I can sometimes bear.” There was a smile in his dark eyes, and Clio felt herself leaning into him.

“If that’s the case,” she whispered, “then why shouldn’t I go speak to Derik now?”

Riece trailed his hand down her throat. “Two reasons. You saw Zarae leave with him as well as I.”

Clio’s eyes widened. “You think she’s—you think they are
together
tonight?”

Riece laughed quietly, his breath tickling the skin of her neck. “I think Zarae is too cunning to leave anything to chance tonight.”

“But that would be improper. They only just announced a betrothal.”

“Improper?” Riece’s lips split in an amused grin. “Like an Oracle sharing chambers with the commander?”

“We have separate bed chambers! The guards will talk if Zarae never leaves Derik’s rooms tonight.”

“I expect that’s the point. Once word gets out, their ties to one another will only be strengthened. And I don’t imagine Derik objects much. I don’t need to remind you of Zarae’s unique charms.”

“Oh please.” Clio slapped his chest. “She only tended an injury of mine. It’s not as if I courted her like someone I know.” She eyed him.

Riece caught her hand against his chest. “It was hardly courting, and you know it.”

“You said you had two reasons.” She tried not to think about the feeling of his hand gently kneading her scarred palms. “What’s the other?”

“I’d like you to stay here tonight.” His look darkened.

“Riece…”

“What?” He squeezed her hand.

“We have so much to do. What about Mannix, the Order, Derik, the Vision, the Deities… The list goes on.”

“We can’t move against Mannix, not yet. As for the Order, well, the Emperor did land a major blow against them tonight. And what could we possibly do about the Vision or the Deities tonight? We don’t know enough to act.”

“Derik and Zarae—”

“I’ve arranged a meeting with Derik in the morning. I will give him a chance to negotiate with me and let him know that I take his threat seriously. If he’s as good as you believe him to be then no blood need be shed.”

“You have? Why didn’t you say something?”

He smiled. “I just did.”

“I’m coming with you,” she said as she laced her fingers through his.

“I wouldn’t dream of denying you.” He grinned playfully.

“So…” she began, stepping into him.

“So…” He wrapped an arm around her waist.

“There’s nothing to be done tonight?”

He nodded. “Our problems will all wait until sunrise.”

“And what do you propose we do instead?”

His eyes burned with his answer.

“I’m still not saying yes to the proposal. Not yet. Our future is too far from certain.” She reached for him as she spoke.

“I understand,” he growled, crushing his mouth to hers.

Her breath was lost to his lips. He kissed her furiously, not allowing her any reprieve from the punishing strokes of his tongue. Clio matched his fervor with her own, holding his head in her two hands and not allowing him a chance to pull away.

He picked her up effortlessly, their mouths breaking apart for a heartbeat as he turned to her bedchamber. When he set her down inside, Clio ran her hands along his bare chest, unclasping his golden cloak so it puddled at their feet.

“You sure you don’t want to say yes to me?” Riece asked, guiding her back to her mat.

“Not now,” she mumbled against his skin.

He trailed a line of hot kisses down her neck. “I think I could convince you.”

“I’m not saying you shouldn’t try.” She raised an eyebrow and smiled as she dropped onto the mat.

“Is that a challenge, Clio?”

“Perhaps.”

He knelt before her, his hands sliding up her leg. “I take challenges very seriously.”

“I’m aware, Commander.” She pulled his face to hers. His hands were on the hem of her robe when Clio heard a soft thud from outside.

“Wait,” she whispered, her tone breathy. “Did you hear that?”

“Definitely not.”

“Riece, I think there’s someone in the receiving chamber.”

“If you want to stop you only need say so, Clio.”

“No.” She pushed him off her to stand. “I’m certain I heard something.”

Stepping over him, she silently crossed the room to peer through the drapes. The receiving chamber was silent, but the curtains hanging over the entrance trembled as if someone had just passed through.

“Clio, what is going on?” Riece stepped into the room.

“Someone’s here.” As quietly as she could, Clio crept to the entrance of Riece’s bedchamber.

Whoever it was had to be inside. Motioning for Riece to stay back, Clio flung open the drapes.

There, in the center of the room, a figure knelt, head bowed, and arms raised above his head.

“I’m not here to fight.”

Clio froze when she heard his voice. She hadn’t heard it in a while, but she would never forget the way it had splintered through her most private thoughts, shattering her world time and again.

Vazuil.

CHAPTER FORTY-SIX

She wasn’t about to hesitate. Before Vazuil could stand, she turned and landed a hard kick to his jaw. Forced to all fours, Vazuil looked up at her.

“Clio, do not fight me.” His voice sounded different. Smaller.

She didn’t listen. Picking him up by the collar of his tunic, she threw him across the room, and charged after him. He landed on a chest, and before Clio could get in another blow, he raised an arm, halting her. Her punch slid off him, deflected, and Vazuil straightened and jabbed out at her.

Ducking, she evaded his blow only to have her feet swept out from under her with a low kick. She fell and rolled out of reach, jumping up to strike at his gut.

Vazuil grunted with the force of the impact and stumbled backward, trying to regain his breath. Clio’s hand flew to her hip, remembering too late she didn’t have any blades under her sheer robes. Vazuil coughed, and she frantically looked around the room for a weapon.

Nothing, and Vazuil was recovering quickly. Her headdress had come untied from her hair, and when she stepped forward the beads clanged together as she walked. It would have to do. Ripping one of the bone shards from the headdress, she approached Vazuil. He straightened, his eyes wide with fear. She sliced down on his neck, but he raised his arm to block her, sending the bone into his hand.

Red blood splashed on the floor between them.

But Deities bled light. She stared at the blood, then realized. “You’re mortal. How is that possible?”

Vazuil held his hands out. “Clio, listen to me.”

She grinned. He would never be able to torture her again. It didn’t matter how it happened. He was mortal, which meant she could kill him. Pulling more bone from her headdress, she attacked again, throwing all her force into plunging the sharp bone into his neck.