Again, no one said anything.
“Well?” said Gabriel. “Any thoughts?”
Nothing.
Gabriel wasn’t sure what to think. On the one hand, if no one said anything, then he supposed he could just repeal the law himself, with his own word. Maybe it was better if they were silent. On the other hand, he knew well enough that he couldn’t force the entire empire to align with his desires. There would be resistance. If he didn’t have any idea what it would be, he couldn’t combat it. He found it hard to believe that the council members didn’t have opinions on this issue.
“You,” said Gabriel. “Anthony, regent of Gorgy, you must have some opinion on this?”
Anthony’s eyes widened. “Me, sir?”
“Yes,” said Gabriel. “Please give me your thoughts.”
Anthony swallowed. “With all due respect, sir, it’s not my place to comment on the plans of Your Eminence. You are the emperor, and I am only your humble servant.”
Gabriel narrowed his eyes. “You’re frightened.” He looked around at the rest of the men. “You’re all frightened.”
The head cleared his throat. “This is why I said that it might be better if you weren’t present.”
“But what is there to be frightened of?” said Gabriel.
“You seem so aware of the laws of our empire, Your Eminence, even reaching back into our history. But I wonder if you’ve studied the recent changes to them. The laws your father implemented, for instance?”
“I… must admit I have not,” said Gabriel. “I thought I was aware of the most drastic changes, however.”
“If you’ll refer to the Edict of Respect, brought into play in the first year of your father’s reign, Section Two clearly states that disagreeing with the emperor’s opinion in front of witnesses is forbidden. The penalty is up to the emperor’s discretion, and can be as simple as a reprimand or as serious as exile. In extreme cases, even death.”
“My father made this law?” said Gabriel.
“Yes, Your Eminence.”
“Well, that’s a stupid law. We should repeal that law. That should be the first order of business. I don’t see how a council can be much help to an emperor if it can’t disagree with him.”
“That’s as it may be, sir.”
“What’s the process for repealing it?” said Gabriel.
There was a knock at the door.
Gabriel was surprised. “An interruption? During the council?”
But one of the servants had already opened the door, and a messenger rushed inside. “I have to deliver to the emperor himself,” said the messenger, a young boy whose hair was pasted to his forehead with sweat.
Gabriel stood up. “Is there trouble?”
The messenger thrust a letter into Gabriel’s hands.
Gabriel raised his eyebrows. That was unusual. Most messengers had the message memorized. There were too many noblemen who could barely read. He fumbled with the paper and began to read the message.
Ezekiel. His heart sank. Why couldn’t that stupid man have stayed in the capital like Gabriel had asked him to?
* * *
“Why are you telling us this?” said Michal. “It’s ludicrous. You can’t seriously be considering it.” She gaped at her brother, who she was fairly certain had lost his mind.
“I’m making you aware of the situation,” said Gabriel. “That’s all.” He had come into their quarters to address Darius and Michal, and now he was telling them that some upstart group of rebels had a friend of his, and they were threatening to hurt him if Gabriel didn’t trade Darius for the friend. Of course, Michal was fairly sure that the man was much more than a friend, now that she knew the rumors about her brother were true.
Darius was lounging on a couch. He wasn’t wearing his robe. He was bare-chested and hulking, and he looked formidable, even in a state of repose. “I can’t think how this could be a good plan,” he said.
“I’m not saying that I’m going to do it,” said Gabriel.
“You can’t,” said Michal. “Darius isn’t yours to trade. He doesn’t belong to you. He belongs to himself.”
Gabriel sighed.
“What did the council have to say?” said Darius.
“I haven’t actually…” Gabriel massaged the bridge of his nose. “You’re the only people I’ve discussed this with. I thought that, since it concerned you personally, Darius, you should be consulted right away.”
Darius gazed at Gabriel coolly. “Do you want me to gather up an army of revenants and destroy these people who have your friend?”
“No,” said Gabriel. “No, I need them. I invited them to the castle so that we could learn and experiment together, and I still want to do that. I don’t understand why they’re doing this.”
“Maybe they’re angry because they got thrown in the dungeon,” said Michal.
Gabriel sat down on one of her chairs heavily. “Maybe.”
She glared at him. “I don’t know why you’re sitting down. There’s nothing else to say about this. Forget about it and move on.”
He looked up at her. “What about Ezekiel?”
“What about him?”
His jaw twitched. “I understand that Darius is important to you, but did you ever think that Ezekiel might be important to me?”
Michal felt disgusted. “Oh, don’t be an idiot, Gabriel. Whatever you’ve been doing with that man, it’s unnatural and disgusting. You can’t possibly compare it to what happens in a proper marriage.”
Gabriel got up out of the chair. His expression was stone. “A proper marriage? With a necromancer?”
She sucked air through her nose. “Take that back.”
Darius cleared his throat. “What do you mean by what you said?”
Gabriel turned to him. “Nothing offensive. I’m only trying to prove a point. Just because you don’t understand something doesn’t mean it’s disgusting.”
She folded her arms over her chest.
Darius stood up too. He made his way over to stand next to Michal. “You’ll have to make your own decision. You’re the emperor. But what she said was true. I won’t be traded. I don’t belong to you.”
Gabriel swallowed. “No, I suppose not.” He backed away from Darius’s imposing height.
Michal watched him leave the room. She waited until the door was closed and she and Darius were alone. “He can’t go through with something like this.”
“Doesn’t seem a prudent move for the emperor,” said Darius.
“We can’t let him… bargain you away like some piece of property.”
Darius let out a slow breath. “No, I wouldn’t want that. But he’s the emperor. How would I oppose him?”
“You’re the necromancer. How would he force you?”
* * *
Leah watched as Gabriel paced in her chambers. She’d been stunned when he’d shown up at her door. He never came to see her, and he hardly paid attention to her. What could he be doing here?
She was sitting on one of her couches, yawning occasionally. It was getting late, and she was always tired these days. She had a full stomach, and her nausea seemed to have subsided for the day, but that didn’t mean it wouldn’t be back in full force the next morning.
She was curious about why Gabriel was here, but she wished he’d get on with it. She was going to fall asleep on this couch if he didn’t say something soon.
“Are you all right?” she asked.
He stopped pacing. “I’ve done something, Leah, and I’m afraid it’s not the kindest thing that I’ve ever done for you.”
She knitted her eyebrows together. That didn’t sound good.
“I’ve come to apologize,” he said. “And to pledge to do my best to make it better. However that I can, I want you to be comfortable. I made you a lot of promises—”
“What did you do?” She was wide awake now.
Gabriel sighed. “I got a letter. I don’t know if you’re aware, but there was a group of gypsies in the mansion sho
rtly before you and I met.”
“I’m aware,” she said. He had no idea how aware she actually was. She loved Nathaniel, was carrying his child, and was as committed to his revolutionary cause as a woman could be. “What did the letter say? Did it have something to do with me?” Maybe Nathaniel had heard about the marriage, and he’d gotten the wrong idea. Leah swallowed.
“You?” Gabriel looked confused. “Why would you be involved?”
She laughed. “Oh, no reason. It’s just that you’re here, and, I thought…”
“No,” he said. “It’s not directly about you. It’s more that it affects you, and I’m sorry about that. You remember Ezekiel?”
She made a face. “Of course.”
“You know that he and I were… together.”
She nodded.
“Well, they’ve captured him. They’ve threatened to harm him. They want me to agree to terms that I can’t agree to. But I… well, I can’t let Ezekiel be hurt or killed. If I did, I’d never be able to live with myself. And furthermore, I just…” He started to pace. “Well, I care about him. I’ve never cared about anyone like this before, and the thought of something horrible happening to him just because of his association with me makes me crazy.”
“They’re probably bluffing,” she said. She didn’t like to think of Nathaniel hurting an innocent man. Of course, they were pretty serious about overthrowing the emperor and that probably involved people getting hurt, so maybe they were willing to get their hands dirty. “I mean, they could be. Maybe they aren’t, but…”
“I can’t take a chance on that,” said Gabriel. “I don’t even know why they’re doing this. I can’t see why they’d want to hurt me or target the empire. Maybe all gypsies really are untrustworthy opportunists.”
So, they hadn’t revealed their revolutionary plans. That was probably smart. But what were they planning? Leah had to find some way to get back to Nathaniel. She was on his side, not the side of privilege and wealth, and she wanted that to be clear.
“Anyway,” said Gabriel, “I’ve sent a message to them, asking to meet and to negotiate. I’m prepared to do what I need to do to get Ezekiel free. However, I know that my decision will not be met favorably by the council or by anyone here at court. It’s the wrong thing for an emperor to do, and it may have unfortunate consequences. I can’t be sure what will happen to you as a result of that. The council was already practically convinced that I oughtn’t even be the emperor. I managed to change their minds, but I don’t know how long that will last once they find out what I’m doing.”
“There’ll be talk, won’t there?” she said. “People will know that there’s something between Ezekiel and you.”
“I’m afraid so.” Gabriel shook his head. “And I don’t know where that leaves you, as my wife.”
He was right. This was a bit of a problem. If she could only find a way to Nathaniel. Everything would work out then.
“I’m very sorry,” Gabriel continued. “Really, I am. But if they agree to the negotiations, then I’ll go to meet a representative. I requested one that they call Nathaniel. He seemed reasonable when I spoke to him before. I’ll be away from the mansion, and you’ll have to fend for yourself. I’m so very sorry, Leah.”
She got up from the couch. She struggled to keep her voice from sounding too eager. “I’d like to come with you.”
He looked surprised. “Leah, it won’t be a comfortable trip. We’ll have to camp, sleep on hard bed mats in flimsy tents—”
“You forget that I didn’t grow up in a luxurious mansion like this one. I’m used to being uncomfortable.”
He inclined his head, accepting this. “Why do you want to come?”
“I’ll be better off with you, won’t I?” she said. “And you said you’d pledge to do your best to make it better.” But really, I want to be with Nathaniel. And when I get there, all the knowledge I have about the way the mansion runs can only be an asset to the revolution. I can help Nathaniel crush Gabriel. Her heart pattered in her chest. She had to make this work. She had to.
Gabriel still looked unsure. “Well, if it’s what you want…”
“It is.”
He shrugged. “All right, then. You can come along.”
FOUR: DEFIANCE
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Matthew of Sarrasarra was heading home from the tavern when his nephew Gabriel stopped him at the door of the mansion.
“Uncle Matthew,” said Gabriel, “I’m so happy that I ran into you.”
Matthew was more than a little drunk, and he wasn’t particularly happy to have run into his nephew. He knew that Gabriel was the emperor now, but that didn’t mean that Matthew had to like him, and he pretty much never had. He heard all kinds of rumors about the boy’s tastes, which ran to the unnatural. Seeing his nephew made Matthew’s skin crawl.
Matthew was Gabriel’s father’s brother. He’d been next in line to be emperor before the emperor had produced heirs. But it was just as well with him that he’d never really had a chance at the throne. Matthew didn’t have any desire for responsibility. He would rather spend his time in the tavern or, when the mood suited him, wandering out to the far reaches of the city to visit prostitutes. As a young man, he’d campaigned to be allowed to have more than three wives. In his mind, this would have alleviated the need for prostitutes altogether. Others didn’t see it that way, and when he met with friction, he gave up the campaign immediately. He liked the path of least resistance.
Some noblemen who were second sons would have gone off into the wilderness, clearing some land of revenants with a group of volunteers, establishing their own regencies. But not Matthew. He thought such an activity was far too dangerous and not particularly worth it. What would he do with a regency out in the middle of nowhere, anyway? There wouldn’t be any taverns, any prostitutes. He’d be alone with his wives and his children, and he didn’t have much use for any of them. He wanted to be in the city, and he was quite happy with a life of leisure.
So, he squinted at his nephew. “Gabriel,” he said, but he labored over the name because his speech was slurred.
Gabriel furrowed his brow in concern. “Are you all right, Uncle?”
“Oh, marvelous, my boy.” Matthew tried to clap the younger man on the back, but the sudden movement put him off balance and he stumbled.
Gabriel caught him. “Steady there. Been out drinking, hmm?”
“Just a little.” Which wasn’t strictly true, of course. It had been more than “a little.”
“Will you remember this conversation in the morning?”
“Of course.” Matthew drew himself up and promptly got the hiccups.
Gabriel didn’t look convinced, but he plowed on. “Well, the thing is, I need a favor.”
“Oh?”
“Yes, I’m being called away from the capital on urgent business, and I need you to act as ruler in my place while I’m away.”
“Me?” Matthew pointed at himself. Once, many years ago, his brother had left him in charge, but his brother hadn’t left the capital since then. Matthew had hated it. He had to get up early than he liked, and he had to make decisions. He hated having responsibility. He’d be happy enough for everyone to leave him alone to his pleasure. He sighed heavily.
“It won’t be for long,” said Gabriel. “I promise you that.”
“But where are you going?” said Matthew.
“On business, I told you. I have some negotiations to see to.”
Matthew made a face. “Well, what am I supposed to do?”
“Nothing in particular. Just hold everything together until I return.”
“Which will be when?”
“I’m not sure.”
Matthew’s eyes widened. This was indefinite? “Listen, Gabriel, certainly there’s someone else you could ask. Your brother, for instance?”
“Simon’s awaiting trial for releasing revenants on the city, or didn’t you hear?”
Matthew might have heard something like tha
t, but he wasn’t sure. He didn’t pay attention to much of anything that didn’t concern him directly. “Oh, I don’t know. This sounds like an awful lot of work, and I’m really very busy—”
“You aren’t busy,” said Gabriel. “You’re the only person I could ask.”
“But—”
“You’ll do fine.” Gabriel patted him on the shoulder. “Take care, Uncle Matthew.” He gave him a small wave and then took his leave, walking out towards the stables.
Matthew watched him go, a sour feeling in his stomach—whether from drinking too much or from this news, he wasn’t sure. It wasn’t the way he’d planned on ending his evening, that was for certain.
* * *
Leah adjusted herself in the carriage as Gabriel got in with her. “Did you find your uncle?” she asked.
Gabriel settled down across from her. “I did.”
“And he accepted?”
“He didn’t want to, but I made sure that he did.” Gabriel sighed. “I wonder if this is a bad idea, riding off in the middle of the night.”
“It’s good. Like you said, if we waited until morning, they’d try to stop us. The council wouldn’t like it.”
“Well, who knows if the council could really do anything. They’re prevented by law from disagreeing with me in front of witnesses. I never did get around to repealing that law, so I don’t guess they could stop me.”
“We’re already in the carriage, Gabriel. Let’s just go.” She didn’t want him upsetting their plans. They were leaving, and he was taking her to Nathaniel, and that was that. She didn’t want anything to change.
He sighed again. “I wouldn’t even be taking a carriage if you weren’t coming.”
She glared at him. “I can just see you with one horse, packed with all the tents and provisions you need. That would work out well.”
“It would,” said Gabriel. “I’d travel lighter—”
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