“Are you aware I saved you from a larger punishment?”

“No.”

“I’ve to make the empress imagine I harm you. Do you perceive? It has to look plausible.” I tempo the room, contemplating. I refuse to take her advantage. I refuse to assault her in such a manner. My fingernails chunk into my palms, drawing blood. Then an thought dawns on me.

“My plan won’t save your tarnished popularity, as soon as phrase spreads, however I promise you may be intact. I swear.”

Emleen chokes again a sob. I slip over to the mattress, fastidiously, so I don’t spook the woman. I lengthen my hand. “Do you belief me?”

Emleen chews her lip earlier than responding in a whisper. “Sure.”

“I’m going to prick your finger. It must be your blood. Then I need you to smear blood between your legs and on the mattress sheets the place you’ll lie. It doesn’t must be a lot, not all maidens bleed. Do you perceive? Then we’ll wake in mattress collectively, however I gained’t contact you all evening. I promise. You can be protected. That manner nobody can say we weren’t collectively.”

I pray that taking her advantage is all of the empress has in thoughts.

“All proper.” She provides me her hand and solely winces barely as I dig my dagger into the tip of a finger pad. I flip away so she will create the proof.

Once I flip towards her, she’s sucking on the finger. “Get some relaxation. I’ll not be a part of you till later.” I enter my adjoining chamber, pull considered one of my books off the shelf, and settle right into a chair.

No written phrases can erase the night’s occasions from my thoughts. Regardless of how a lot I despise and abhor the empress, I can’t let anybody know my emotions. I’m alone in my deception.

12

The following morning, nobody involves my chambers to verify I’ve really destroyed Emleen’s popularity. I dismiss her, sporting my robes, and inform her I’ll converse to her father.

I spare a fast phrase to Lord Jasher earlier than breakfast. He’s mortified he’s been found however grateful I concocted a scheme to guard his daughter. His goal is to get away from Caer, together with his daughter, as quickly as attainable, however the empress is the one one who dictates when her lords can depart.

I’d provide Neifion, however I can’t threat what belief I’ve gained with the empress. Lord Jasher will simply have to attend till the empress releases them.

A ultimate morning assembly commences. The lords are somber after final evening’s dinner, however enterprise stays as traditional. Empress Rhianu is just too composed, well mannered even. When Lord Jasher drops a quill onto the ground, the empress stoops and picks it up.

The room freezes. Jasher thanks her and takes the quill from her with a shaking hand.

I sigh mentally.

The lords are dithering idiots. I want worry didn’t leak from each pore on this room—

Each pore however the empress’s and mine. Have I grown so used to her that she ceases to make me quake?

“It was my pleasure, Lord Jasher.” The empress smiles whereas he indicators the doc earlier than himself.

Irritation passes over the empress’s face when the doorways to the chamber bang open. A guard, flushed and breathy, halts, ready for the empress to grant him permission to talk.

“What’s it, Gwilym?” Empress Rhianu’s irritation is obvious, however she’s not fooling me. She doesn’t look shocked to see this guard.

“Your Highness, we discovered a physique. Outdoors the west wing.”

“Effectively, who’s it?” she asks.

“A younger girl. I’m afraid she’s one of many lords’ daughters. It seems she’s fallen to her loss of life.”

Half of the lads within the room bounce to their toes. The opposite half are afraid to, however their faces are stricken with fear.

“That is horrible.” The empress turns to her lords. “This assembly is adjourned. I’m certain you’re all apprehensive if the poor little one is your daughter.” She turns again to her guard. “Take me to her without delay.”

I don’t purchase her sympathetic tone.

“We’ve laid her on a mattress within the infirmary,” the guard says.

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