“The Heartforgers proved that you are descended from Great Heroes, more fit to rule Daanoris than Shifang ever was. You called for change, Yansheo. I see no more qualified person to lead this kingdom.”
The princess took a deep breath. “I have my own councilors, people I trust. I—I owe that much to my Shaoyun. I will make him proud of me. I will work hard to be a good ruler. I will be one, a true one, the next time we meet.”
There was a faint hesitation on the bone witch’s part before she nodded.
“I will go with you,” the Heartforger said.
“It’s too dangerous, Khalad. Stay in Santiang for the meantime.”
“Danger has never stopped me before. I go with you.”
The bone witch paused. “I cannot promise your safety. You are still needed by the people. You can do well here.”
“That will not stop me from doing what I believe is right, and the quicker we can prevent war, the fewer lives will be lost.” He trembled. “I’ve already lost too much. You know that.”
“What do you intend to do?” I asked.
Lady Tea placed the silver heartsglass around her neck, next to her black one. “We are going to face the army, Bard, and see how badly they want me dead.”
“And this is not even the craziest thing we have done today,” the Heartforger sighed from behind us.
28
The celebration back at Ankyo was a muted and silent affair. Tensions remained high and the city was on alert, with Deathseekers and soldiers patrolling the borders separating Kion from Odalia. That the First Daughter had fled with a handful of asha and a Deathseeker had been a carefully guarded secret, and it was a surprise to most when we came riding back to the city gates with no azi in sight.
Empress Alyx was nearly apoplectic in her relief, clasping Princess Inessa tightly and refusing to let go until her daughter gently pried herself free. Althy was in attendance too, no worse for wear than when I had last seen her and smiling broadly. “Polaire and Mykaela are much better” were the words she greeted us with, even as I dashed into her arms. “They’re eager to see you.”
She was right. Polaire was still weak and exhausted looking, but of the two, Mykaela had fared better, color returning to her thin cheeks. It was difficult to recount everything that had happened since we had left Ankyo for the doubtful safety of Santiang, and not even Polaire’s fragility could shield me from her criticism, all of which I bore in a much better spirit than I had back in Odalia. Now that most of the lingering effects of the Dark had faded from my consciousness, I had more time to reflect and more time to consider my rash decisions.
“You married the emperor?” Empress Alyx asked her daughter, horrified, to which the latter could only manage a sheepish shrug.
The older woman turned to Zoya with blazing eyes. The asha put her hands up in protest. “Annulled as soon as we could. We might have also threatened the emperor with more daeva if he refused and then also offered him trade and a better alliance in the same breath.”
“I am glad that I was not awake long enough to take part in this,” Polaire muttered. “Inessa’s, Zoya’s, and Tea’s ideas of diplomacy seem to stop just short of declaring war.”
Mykaela, perhaps still too weak to scold, laughed instead. “It worked out for the best, Polaire. We might not approve of their methods, but we cannot fault their success.”
“Was the annulment more than a political ploy?” The empress’s eyes fell on Inessa’s hand, which had found its way to Fox’s.
My brother moved to step away, but Inessa only tightened her grip, staring back at her mother with a wary fierceness. “And what of it?”
“You might have found your way out of one engagement, but there is one more with Odalia that comes to mind.”
“Odalia attacked us, Mother. In light of such events, I don’t think it’s unreasonable to break off that engagement.”
“And is that the only reason, Inessa?”
Her daughter took a deep breath. “No, Mother.”
The empress’s eyes shifted to Fox. “You do realize that he is a Dark asha’s familiar.”
“Really? I thought he was a raven prince from Tresea.”
Empress Alyx allowed herself a small smile. “We’ll talk about this later.”
“No, we’re talking about this now.” Inessa straightened. “If you find anything wrong with my relationship with Fox, then say it to my face. I have been hiding my feelings for years when I should have been honest about him from the start, and for that, I am sorry. But I am tired of hiding.”
The empress regarded her daughter for several long moments. “I find nothing wrong with the nice Pahlavi boy. But I was worried for his sake. You are not the world’s most amiable noble, Daughter.” Inessa’s mouth fell open as her mother continued. “I was cautious, of course, as any mother would be, but if I had had any pressing issues with him, I would have voiced my concerns two years ago.”
“You knew?” the princess sputtered.
The empress grinned; it was identical to the one Inessa wore so often. “Of course. Did you think it would have escaped my notice, given the frequency you snuck out of the palace? If I had disapproved, I would have nipped it in the bud early on. Remember: your own father was a general from Arhen-Kosho, and I was no stranger to eluding my chaperones in order to arrive at a promised rendezvous. Gods, I miss that man. As straitlaced as they come, except when it came to me. He sent dozens of marriage proposals after our first meeting, so prim and proper and quite ironic, given our circumstance. I accepted only after he could admit our relationship was more meaningful than simply saving my honor and his.”
She sobered slightly. “There is, of course, the question of offspring and whether or not a familiar can give me grandchildren… Should I discuss that with you in front of everyone else?”
“No, Mother.” Inessa’s face was scarlet.
Empress Alyx laughed.
“How are you two faring?” Khalad was on his knees beside Polaire and Mykaela, examining their heartsglass.
“All bed rest and no excuses,” Althy said from behind him. “Over the sounds of Polaire’s lamentations and expletives, I might add.”
“I feel better now, Althy!” the brunette said, scowling. Althy shot her a glare right back; Polaire acquiesced eventually, sinking back onto the pillows, huffing.
“That’s amazing,” Zoya said. “You’ve managed to get Polaire to sit and stay.”
“I found it entertaining.” It felt good to hear Mykaela giggle again, clear and bereft of pain. “She’s been on my back for months, and now it’s payback. But where is the azi?”
“Usij broke our bond during the fight. I don’t know how he did it.”
“And you’re no longer linked to the azi?”
Before Daanoris, I would have kept this a secret. I’m learning from my own foolishness at least. “No. I reached out to it again.”
She sighed. “Tea.”
“I forged no new bonds with it. But I learned that I no longer needed to compel the azi for it to obey me. Familiarity might have something to do with it. It’s free to come and go as it pleases, but it’s choosing to stay near.”
“I’m not happy about this, but I understand. Can you control it again if you have to? I don’t think we can trust it acting independently, however noble its intentions.”
“I think so.”
“Good. Its help could still be invaluable, and we have few choices for allies.” She turned to the old forger. “It’s good to see you again. We thought we lost you at Daanoris.”
“Truth be told, I was very nearly lost. You have a very clever protégé here.”
“We have high hopes for her,” my sister-asha agreed.
“Although she still acts without thinking half the time,” Polaire said, still frowning. “Althy has been telling me about the Faceless’s book. How you could not deign to tell us earlier? I don’t—”
“I know, and I’m sorry.” I wasn’t sure if this was the right place to ask, but curiosity was getting the better of me. “You knew of the book too—the Heartshare rune.”
Polaire hesitated, then sighed. “I suppose I owe you an explanation. I’ve flouted the rules a few times myself.”