City of Deception (The White City Series Book 1)

by Alexa Mackintosh

  “You’re correct. He kept Ivan alive to secure his posi- tion. The public wouldn’t accept a new Emperor without explanation, so he created the story of being a long-lost cousin and Ivan’s guardian.”

  “Why did he let you live?” “He needed a new wife.”

  I frown as I quickly run numbers. “You’d have been sixteen.”

  She nods. “I was. He found me attractive, and let me live. I was kept in a cell, and Mercier used me for testing. I won’t explain why because you’ll learn soon, but they considered the population of this planet a new species. We aren’t, but I still endured the tests.”

  I always knew Mercier was a creep.

  She rolls up her sleeves and reveals three, thin scars on her wrists. “His testing did many things, and I have other scars, but you see I tell the truth. After a few months, Ser- gio called off further tests, and I waited in my cell fearing that any day he might find me no longer useful and kill me. One day I met Anton, Sergio’s younger brother. He was the opposite of his brother, kind and willing to listen. He would come to my cell with gifts, and it helped make the time endurable.”

  “What happened to Anton? I’ve never heard of him.” “I’ll get to that. Anton was always out of the public eye.

  He preferred the quietness of the palace and spent much

  City of Deception

  of his time looking after Orion while Sergio took care of political matters. A year into my imprisonment, Sergio gave my guards permission to escort me to the gardens. There, I find Anton and Orion, and long story short as Sergio used to say, Anton put me in charge of the Royal nursery. Orion loved me, and I got to see Ivan. I had to wear a veil at all times to cover my face, and Georgianna’s mother supervised me at all times. She was a good woman, though.”

  “You said your gift was nurturing. I can see why that would be a perfect position.”

  She chuckles. “Any position was perfect compared to a cell, except the one Sergio offered me eight months later. He asked me to be his wife, and at eighteen it was the most terrifying thing he could ask of me.”

  “He murdered your parents. How could you agree?” “It was that or death, and for the sake of watching over

  Ivan, I accepted. I’d once promised my mother I’d watch over Ivan if something happened to them. You see, I was eleven years older than Ivan.” She takes a deep breath. “He wanted another heir, but thankfully, he was away on military missions often. While he was away, I got lonely, and turned to the one person I’d come to care for along the Mersiovskys.”

  “Anton,” I guess.

  “Yes, and one night while Sergio was away, Anton and I slept together. You don’t need to know the reasons be- hind the betrayal, but the next morning Anton left for a

  Alexa Mackintosh

  dangerous mission in the desserts. A month later, we re- ceived word he was dead. But, two months after we shared a bed, I found out I was pregnant, and the baby wasn’t Sergio’s.”

  Tears fill her eyes. “I convinced Sergio the baby was conceived one night after he came to bed drunk, and that I was a month along, not two. I bribed the doctors as I’d learned money and blackmail kept people quiet. After the next few months, I became so miserable I considered end- ing my life but refused to because of the baby. I planned to kill myself after Kir was born, but one of the midwives at the birth said something to me that changed my mind. I won’t tell you what was said, but I will tell you that the midwife was you, a few years older than you are now.”

  “M…Me?” I sputter.

  “I told you I owed you for something you had yet to do. You were there when Kir Anton Mersiovsky was born. You even suggested Anton as the middle name in honor of his deceased uncle. I loved the idea, as it was a secret way to remind him who his father really was. At the time, I didn’t know who you were, but when Orion showed me a picture of you, I knew. I thought, at first, it must be your mother, but then I remembered Veronica and her inven- tions. She never told me what she was designing, but I knew she was brilliant enough to create something like a time machine, and it explained why she often talked of time-related scientific theories. Please don’t speak of this to anyone. I’ve never told Kir the truth. Nor does Ivan

  City of Deception

  know my identity. The plastic surgery Sergio made me have changed my appearance to unrecognizable.”

  What possesses me to be present at Kir’s birth?

  The Empress reaches forward and kisses me on both of my cheeks. “You, darling, have a very complicated future ahead of you. A fortune teller once predicted part of my fate with Sergio, and the same one has told me yours. The stars have written your fate, darling, and all of this was the beginning.”

  { 39 }

  Chapter 39

  DECIDE TO GO TO MY ROOM AFTER MY STRANGE CON- VERSATION WITH THE EMPRESS.

  When I arrive at my room, I open the door to find

  the apartment overturned. Tables lie on their side, their contents smashed. The clothes in the closet are strewn across the floor, and the drawers hang open. The covers of my bed are ripped and on the floor.

  I turn to the guard outside my door. “What hap- pened?”

  He glances my direction but doesn’t speak. Only a First could do this and force his silence. Unless he’s a rebel and rebels did this. Maybe they know I gave Dmitri infor- mation and fear I’ve turned into a traitor.

  Either way, I don’t want to think of the consequences.

  Fear grips my stomach as I leave the room.

  Something tells me I’ve been playing a dangerous game, and finally, the wrong person caught me cheating.

  Alexa Mackintosh

  I pass through the hall and am halfway down the stair- case to go to the library when I run into Dmitri with a retinue of guards.

  “Would you please come with us? I’d prefer not to make this a spectacle out of respect for Kir.” His eyes are cold like he sees me but looks through me.

  My heart lurches into my throat.

  He grips my arm forcing me to follow. He takes me to the throne room on the ground level. This is the only room in the palace I was expressly forbidden from entering.

  The ceiling rises ten stories above our heads and glit- ters with gold and gems. Paintings adorn the walls and frescos cover the floor. Stained glass windows rest in the upper portion of the walls.

  At the end of the room sets two thrones. Covered in black velvet, the thrones echo the Mersiovskys’ power. Golden wings sprout from the sides, curling at the ends to serve as armrests. Golden bird-like claws serve as legs.

  Dmitri takes a seat and without hesitation leans back and crosses his legs. He motions for the guards to leave us. Once the guards leave and the doors shut, he asks,

  “Shall we share the truth for once?”

  “I told you I know nothing. Were you the one who or- dered my room searched?”

  “I wanted to make sure you weren’t a traitor, but now I know you are.”

  My heart pounds in my chest as I grit my teeth. “I’m not a traitor, Dmitri.”

  City of Deception

  “No, I suppose you are your own army. You are a villain against the rebellion and me. You are dangerous to every cause.”

  “What do you mean I’m a villain and dangerous?” He smiles wickedly. “You’re the future dictator.” The world seems to still for a moment.

  “What?”

  “The rebels didn’t tell you? I suppose not.”

  “I can’t be the future dictator. Besides, how would you know about that?” I don’t believe him, but it would ex- plain how I predicted the movements of the future dicta- tor. It would also explain how I became important in the rebellion in a matter of two years.

  It would explain a lot actually.

  “I’ve known who you were before Ivan chose you. After all, I told him to choose you. I thought giving you to him would keep you close enough, but then I came to love you and learned that only your husband will share your power. I don’t mind if your power eclipses mine, but
I do if Ivan shares in it. I want to marry you, but I need to trust you unreservedly, and I can’t do that until we come to terms with a few things.”

  I step forward. “What have I done to you? Everything I told you is true. I wouldn’t hurt your family. When I ar- rived I would have, but not now.”

  “Since you’re the dictator, or will be, you need to choose who you will serve. Will you serve my family or will you side with Ivan’s lost cause?”

  Alexa Mackintosh

  I feel like Dmitri speaks in riddles. “‘Ivan’s lost cause?’ The rebellion?”

  He shakes his head. “Yes and no. I suppose the rebel- lion didn’t mention I’m not from this planet? I suppose it was wise the rebels didn’t tell you everything since you might use the information against them. You are meant to destroy them after all. Talia, eighteen years ago, my family invaded this planet and killed the royal family after making an agreement that they would hand over the throne.”

  “You’re…You’re an alien?” I ask. “Does this have to do with the artifact and Earth.”

  He laughs. “That’s what your kind are to me and my planet. Remember the little one I showed you when we were at the lake? That is Earth.”

  “Are there others like you? How many other planets are civilized?”

  “I know of three: this one, Earth, and Zadie’s planet. Your father and Vera are from Earth. I want you to be my ally because you’re half Earthen and half of this planet.”

  He goes on to tell me what I already know. “My family said we were long lost cousins of the royal family. My par- ents abducted Ivan and his sister to force the Royals to sign an agreement where we would control power. Once they signed over power, our military killed the Royals and the sister. Ivan was kept alive to give us power and origi- nally to take the throne. We told the people the royals died of illness.”

  City of Deception

  He doesn’t know his stepmother is Ivan’s sister. Does that make Ivan his step-uncle?

  “Why did you take this planet?” I ask.

  “We need resources and land. This planet is much dryer than ours, but at least inhabitable. Our population is at 20 billion, and people die every day from things that your scientists can heal.”

  “And what happens to the population already on the planet?”

  “We sell them off or kill them. Within twenty years, new cities will be built, and the people will learn of Earth.”

  “Was your family Royals on your planet?”

  He shakes his head. “Royals are few on Earth. I come from America, one of five warring countries on Earth. We are winning the war because of the gems we harvest here. Your pebbles are worth half a country on my planet. We can go to war for centuries and still be wealthy.”

  My knees feel weak. His family aren’t tyrants; they’re enemies set to kill all the people they rule over.

  “Why is Ivan Emperor?” I ask.

  “My parents control all that happens. My parents knew the people would want Ivan as the Emperor, so they made him powerless and let me make the hard decisions. They want Ivan dead, but killing him would ignite suspicion and possibly cause us to lose power. I planned to kill him when the time was right, but I need someone who can pro- duce heirs to take the throne. I can’t have children, Talia,

  Alexa Mackintosh

  not since the accident when I lost my legs. That’s why my parents no longer favored me as they used to.”

  He can never have children. That’s why he lost his crown?

  “Everything I know about Ivan and have seen of him is a lie? You forced him to lie if he wanted to live?” I ask.

  He’s smug when he says, “Yes, though Ivan isn’t silent because he fears for his life. He wishes I’d kill him and end his misery. No, he lives because he believes he can help his people, and he knows what I did to Vera for her betrayal.”

  The air leaves my lungs as my stomach tightens into a knot.

  “I killed her because she loved Ivan, not me. She came from Earth through her time travel device which can also transport people over almost any distance. I was careful to make her death look like an accident, and it was all worth it to watch Ivan brokenhearted when he learned of her fate.”

  He’s a murderer. I should have trusted my instincts and not my heart.

  “You have two simple choices. Either become my wife and rule beside me, or we part ways, and you are publicly executed in the morning like Petrov was.”

  “What would happen if I became your wife?” I ask. Could I become his wife and change him? Or at least use my position to help the people?

  A flash of surprise mars his face. “You would become the ruler foreseen in the future, and you would make me

  City of Deception

  a happy man. You’d also help me figure out how to use time travel. Vera never showed me how to work the de- vices.”

  “And what of Ivan?”

  “Dead as soon as he marries and has children.”

  I take a deep breath despite the ache in my chest. I love Dmitri, but I can’t accept his crime and plans. I can’t ig- nore the suffering his family caused.

  I also don’t want him to kill me.

  He’s waiting for a reply, but I have none to give. I would have married him had he not told me his true na- ture. I know I can change him only so much. He has to change himself, and our marriage would lead me down the path to becoming the future dictator.

  But the coward in me doesn’t want to die come morn- ing.

  “Oh, and I have a gift for you, Talia. I thought I should find a way to convince you never to cross me again,” he says.

  Reaching into his pocket, he pulls out a communication device. The screen lights up and shows an image of build- ings engulfed in flames. Seconds run about with loaded weapons and bodies line the street.

  I glance at Dmitri for an explanation.

  “You don’t recognize it?” he swipes to another picture and holds it up. “Know it now?”

  The image shows my home in ashes.

  “You monster!” I scream, launching at him.

  Alexa Mackintosh

  He grabs my arms as I claw at him. “They’re all dead. Fighting won’t help you. My spies also discovered the hideout of the rebel leaders, and all the leaders except your father are dead too.”

  Tears stream down my face as guards enter the room and pull me back.

  The beautiful devil watches it all with cold eyes. How did I call him my love a short while ago?

  I will never see my mother or stepsisters again. I’ll never return home as I dreamed. There will be no more nights spent lying outside watching the stars. No more laughter filling the streets.

  Ashes are left in their place.

  All my friends and family dead, save Angelica who I pray is still away with Zadie.

  “I made my choice, Dmitri. I choose death. I will never become the dictator you want me to be so you can con- tinue your rampage,” I say.

  “Guards, take her to a cell.” If he dislikes killing me, he doesn’t show it.

  “If there is a Hell like in the old religion, then I hope you burn in it.”

  “I expect that will be my payment when Death calls my name.” For the first time since the conversation began, I see the pain in his stormy eyes.

  The guards pull me towards the door through I fight against them. In my rage, all I want is to punish Dmitri for what he did.

  City of Deception

  “Goodbye, Talia,” he says.

  When I pass the threshold, I swear I hear him say, “May you make a better future.”

  { 40 }

  Chapter 40

  HE GUARDS TAKE ME MANY LEVELS BELOW THE

  SURFACE. The cells lie beneath the lowest level of the palace.

  When they unlock the door, they lead me forward down a hall running the length of the level. Doors line the walls, and I guess a hundred cells exist down here. We stop at a door, but before opening it, they search me. They find the small knife Angelica gave me and take any
thing else they think I might use as a weapon or means of es- cape.

  A guard hands me a dress and a pair of muddy boots. “Go into the room and change into these.”

  How can the guards treat me like a criminal? Twenty minutes ago, I was going to be Empress. The only verdict they need to hear is the one Dmitri gave. Dmitri said I was guilty and they believe him without question.

  Alexa Mackintosh

  Taking the dress and boots, I walk into the cell. To my relief, they shut the door. I slip out of the smooth gown I wear and fold it. I have started to enjoy the luxurious, silken gowns offered to me. Undoing the clasp of the jew- els hanging around my neck, I lay them on the pile.

  I’m surprised to find the new dress fits well. The cloth scratches but reminds me of the clothes I wore back home. The skirt hangs above my ankles. The dress could pass as a Third’s normal clothes, not that of a prisoner. I know what the uniforms of prisoners look like and this is nicer. Did the Mersiovskys give me these clothes to help me retain a little dignity or to keep the press from going wil- der than they will when they hear the news I’m a supposed

  traitor? Or did someone else make sure I got these?

  I slip my feet into the boots. My feet fit a little too snuggly, but it matters little.

  I knock on the door and wait while the guards unlock it. They take my old dress and leave without a word. I hear the locks slide into place before they go. Turning, I take in the tiny room.

  A light hangs from the ceiling several feet above my head, and a cot with a filthy mattress stretches across the back wall. There’s a toilet in the corner, but it looks like it hasn’t been scrubbed since it was installed a decade ago. Despite the state of the room, I know I could have been placed somewhere worse. At least it doesn’t reek of sweat and decay as other non-royal cells might.