“That is not what I asked,” Sulel’s voice grew louder, indicative of his rising anger. “Were you, or were you not, seen by my soldiers in Rothdara?”
“That depends…”
“Do not play coy with me!”
“It is not my intention to be evasive, Your Majesty. I merely was unsure to which incident with your soldiers you referred.” Why couldn’t she slow the incessant beat of her heart? Every second she spent in this man’s company only served to increase the rapid pounding until she felt certain she would faint. Somehow she managed to maintain her composure, swaying only slightly on her feet.
The anger in the Emperor’s face softened, replaced by a smile, though more forced than it had been upon their initial greeting. “Ah, yes,” he nodded, gripping Kaori’s chin firmly between his thumb and index finger, the strength of his hold impressive as he turned her head from side to side, analyzing every detail of her face. “I think you know to which incident I refer. You would not be here if you did not.”
She hated being afraid of this man. He was too powerful. Capable of destroying her and her family if she didn’t do everything he asked. “The incident about which you inquire, I assure you my family was unaware of my involvement in. They believed I was safely hidden away in my room.”
“You exited your home without the permission or knowledge of your parents?”
“Yes, Sir.”
Slowly he released Kaori’s chin, the tips of his fingers trailing along her neck to brush her collarbone before coming to rest on her slender bicep. Squeezing it tightly he gave a derisive snort. “You expect me to believe that you are the one responsible for assaulting my soldiers?”
“I struck your soldiers, Your Majesty, but it was not with malicious intent. After General Deliao left his men behind, they attempted to chase me into the woods. I believe it was their intent to dishonor me.”
“Dishonor you?” As if only just noticing how tightly he had hold of her, Sulel loosened his grip, lightly stroking the skin of her arm with the back of his hand. He looked distracted. Pondering the information she provided. “As I said, you are quite mature for one who is still considered a child. Based on your appearance before me now, I find it difficult to believe that you did not give my men reason to assume you were interested in their advances.”
“I beg your pardon?” Kaori gasped. Angered by the implication of Sulel’s words, Kaori brought her arm up, no longer caring who he was as she pushed his hand away. She may lack refinement in her manners, but she was not the trollop the Emperor seemed to think.
Sulel looked confounded by Kaori’s harsh reaction, staring down at his hand as if Kaori had placed some venomous insect upon his palm. “You heard me,” he stated calmly, the steadiness of his tone unnerving. “Had you approached me dressed as you were when you interrupted my dinner, I might have believed my soldiers’ advances toward you were unwanted.”
“When I approached you dressed in that fashion, you refused to speak with me! I am clothed this way now only because it was imperative I make a better impression than that with which I started.”
“Of course I refused to speak with you. What would people say if they saw me conversing with a child who has not yet been granted the blessing of your ridiculous gods to be seen in public?”
“Then why did you grant me an audience at all if you are so concerned about what people will think of you?”
“Have you seen yourself, my dear?” Sulel smirked. “I barely recognized you when I saw you return to the Great Hall. It was easy to forget that you were – forbidden fruit, so to say. It wasn’t until His Grace introduced you that I was reminded of your delicate age. Although, your age truly isn’t as delicate as your parents think.”
“That is exactly why I have come.” Kaori seized the opportunity to change the subject, anxious to bring the conversation around to the true point at hand. “You have charged my parents with crimes they have not committed. I have come to surrender myself, as you and I both know it is I who is guilty, not them.”
Sulel’s head tilted back, his eyes rolling heavenward in irritation. “You miss the point. I cannot arrest a child!”
“We have already established that I am not a child! I am old enough to take responsibility for my own actions.”
“That may be so, but your people do not recognize you as an adult. If I lock you in a cell, every Vor’shai in Carpaen would be knocking down the palace doors in protest. There are laws by which I must abide, Miss Kaori. I cannot simply disregard them at the behest of a pretty face.”
“And what if I complete the rites?” Kaori challenged, determined not to back down. She had Sulel where she wanted him. It would only take a little prodding to make him see things her way. “If you hold the trial for a few weeks, I could present myself to you, with the blessing of my gods and my people, in exchange for the freedom of my innocent parents.”
Intrigued, the Emperor clasped his hands behind his back, proudly displaying the golden chain of office draped low around his neck to match the perfect shine of the gold buttons lining the front of his plum-colored doublet. “Do you have any idea what will happen to you if I have you arrested for the crimes you committed? Assaulting my soldiers is considered treason, Kaori. Do you know what we do to traitors in Carpaen?”
“Execution,” Kaori replied matter-of-factly. There was no doubt in her mind as to what she was getting herself into. She couldn’t in good conscience allow her parents to lose their heads for a crime they didn’t commit simply because of some religious rite that she was four years late in completing. “I am not afraid of death, Your Majesty. The only thing I am afraid of is watching my parents suffer for something they had no part in.”
“A shame,” Sulel clucked his tongue in disappointment, shaking his head. With false sympathy he strolled forward, reaching to twirl a strand of Kaori’s ebon hair around his index finger. “I hate to see such beauty go to waste.”
“Does that mean you will accept my offer?”
“How could I refuse?” Sulel shrugged. “You have admitted your guilt. It wouldn’t be right to execute two innocent people when the criminal is willing to give herself up.”
Kaori’s heart leapt in her chest, nearly choking her with excitement. She had won? Had it really been that easy? It seemed too good to be true. “You have my eternal gratitude, Your Majesty,” she said softly, lowering herself once again into a formal curtsy before the Emperor. No other gesture felt appropriate. She owed this man everything.
“There is no need for that,” Sulel smiled, offering his hand to Kaori. “Come,” he insisted. “In the morning I will have one of my men take you to your parents so you can inform them of the good news. I would not linger here, though. I cannot release them until I have you in custody.”
“I will not keep you waiting,” Kaori accepted Sulel’s outstretched hand, rising swiftly to her feet. She couldn’t get out of there fast enough. It would take time to make the trip from Eykanua back to the northern territories where the rites were to be performed. The sooner she was on her way, the sooner her parents would be returned to freedom. With a final nod of respect Kaori started to turn away, feeling a tug on her hand where Sulel applied pressure around her fingers, preventing her from leaving. Confused, she lifted her eyes to stare at the Emperor, unsure of how to react. What did someone do when a man of such authority touched them in that way?
Their eyes met briefly, a flash of something in the inky blackness of Sulel’s gaze setting Kaori on edge. She stumbled as another hard pull closed the gap between her and the Emperor, a sharp cry escaping her before she had a chance to catch her breath. He was so close. The warmth of his mouth was humid as he exhaled over her ear, whispering to avoid being overheard by Therek. “Patience is not a virtue I have ever been accused of possessing. You have one week.”
“A week?” Kaori blinked in disbelief. “The Lake of the Gods is too far away. I cannot return to Eykanua so quickly.”
“It is not my parents sitting in tha
t cell. If you are not here within the week, I will expect more from you in return for my generosity than a smile. Understood?”
Gritting her teeth Kaori pulled away from Sulel, the pit in her stomach returning. This man was despicable. It was amazing how quickly one’s opinion of another could change. No longer did she consider him the great leader he appeared only moments ago. He was no better than his debauched soldiers. “I will be here, Your Majesty,” she spat the formal title, disgusted. “You will get nothing more from me than my head on the chopping block.” Biting her tongue to keep from saying anything more, Kaori strode defiantly out of the room, leaving the Emperor and Therek to stare after her in silence. She would find a way to be there within a week. Her family’s honor depended upon it.
Kaori was already in the hallway and halfway back to the Great Hall before she took note of the footsteps behind her, gathering speed in attempts to catch up. She didn’t care who it was. She wanted out of this palace. Away from this damnable city that was ruled by such a contemptible wretch. How could she have let herself be deceived by that man? She should have known the Emperor wouldn’t care about her or her parents. It was nothing more than a show of power. An opportunity for him to stroke his ego by throwing his authority in her face.
Distracted, she barely felt the hand which grabbed onto her arm, slowing her swift pace, though unable to stop her from moving. She pressed onward despite the tightened grasp, dragging whoever it was along behind her. “Lady Kaori, wait,” Therek’s voice cut through her rampant thoughts. He sounded almost desperate. Filled with concern.
She couldn’t wait. His request wasn’t one she could so easily grant when time was of the essence. “I have to see my parents,” she exhaled, finding it difficult to catch her breath with her quickened pace. “Where are the cells? Can you take me to the dungeon?”
Therek continued to tug on her arm, the pressure becoming more insistent the longer she ignored it. “Why now? I heard the Emperor say he would have one of his men take you to them in the morning…”
“I do not have until morning!” she exclaimed, slapping his hand angrily to get it away from her as she spun around to face him. “That bastard has given me one week to reach the Lake of the Gods, complete the ritual, and return to Eykanua. You are an intelligent man. I am certain you can see how that does not grant time to linger.”
“One week? That is impossible –”
“Yes, but I am left with no choice.”
“I do not understand,” Therek shook his head, clearly confused by what she laid before him. “What did the Emperor say? I cannot help if you do not explain what was said between the two of you before your departure.”
“Nothing respectable,” Kaori hissed, leaning closer to speak the words at the realization that they were no longer alone. Courtiers milled about in the halls, more sparse than before, but present. Enough to make discretion necessary if Therek insisted on discussing the details of her conversation with the Emperor. “If I have not returned within a week, he will see me dishonored before my execution. My family has been humiliated enough. I cannot allow that man to add further insult to that which has already been laid upon the Levadis name.”
What little color could be seen in Therek’s face drained away, leaving him a sickly shade of white under the flickering light of the chandeliers overhead. Hesitant, he withdrew his arm, only just seeming to notice that it remained outstretched toward Kaori where she had forced it away. “I wish I could say I am shocked, but I know the Emperor well enough to know such a thing is within his character. What I fail to understand is why you did not argue the behavior of his guards. You cannot allow yourself to be executed when the only thing you are guilty of is defending yourself against those soldiers.”
“You were not exactly chiming in to my defense when I tried to make that point.”
“I held my tongue, as you requested of me. If you desire my assistance, I remain willing to offer it. When last we spoke on the matter, you were insistent that I not implicate myself to have been present during the incident in question.”
Heaving a sigh Kaori shook her head in frustration. She didn’t know what she wanted. There was no point in dragging Therek into the matter any more than she already had. If he stood up for her now, he would face a similar punishment to that which awaited her. In the end, her conscience wouldn’t allow her to ask Therek to place himself on trial as well. “I am sorry,” she frowned, turning away from Therek to hide the sadness she knew was visible in her eyes. “I never should have let you get involved. Perhaps it is best you forget we ever met. My company will only create trouble if you continue to entertain it.”
“I cannot simply walk away,” Therek argued, reaching Kaori’s side in a single long stride, easily keeping pace with her along the corridor. “We need to focus on the task at hand. From there we can try to determine the best course of action. Right now we must get you back to Rothdara so you can prepare for the rites.”
“I am not leaving without seeing my parents. They must be informed of the agreement made by the Emperor. My poor mother should not be left to think her children have abandoned her and left her to die.”
“That may be so, but she should also not be allowed to see you dressed as you are,” Therek’s tone faltered, his head shifting slightly to the side in order to avoid looking at Kaori’s figure. “I will accompany you back to my quarters so you can cover yourself. Once you are ready, we can seek entrance into the dungeon, though only briefly. If you are going to have any hope of completing the rites within the week, we must be on the road before the night gets much later.”
Kaori didn’t know if she should be angry with Therek for assuming she desired his company on the trip or thankful that he was not leaving her to do this alone. He was more familiar with the area. With his guidance, they could make the trip to Rothdara in significantly less time than she would on her own. Not to mention the safety his mere presence granted. She found it easier to remain silent, hoping that her lack of argument would be enough for Therek to recognize her concession. There would be time to talk about matters more in depth after they were on the road. Until then, she needed to keep her mind focused. A single mistake could be the difference between success and failure. And failure wasn’t an option Kaori was willing to risk.
Drawing her cloak tighter around her body, Kaori followed Therek through the twisting corridors of the palace, a feeling of unease settling over her stomach at the sight of the shadows dancing under the flames of the sconces lining the walls. They were deep underground, the dampness in the air causing her to cough from the unusual moisture inhaled into her lungs with every breath. Therek was the perfect image of calm in front of her, moving with fluid ease, unaffected by the change in temperature. Very little had been spoken between them since leaving the throne room, though there didn’t seem to be anything worth saying. They both knew what needed to be done. Words were no longer necessary.
They encountered no resistance from the guards when approaching the dungeon. It never ceased to amaze Kaori how much influence Therek held within the palace. The soldiers treated him much the same as she imagined they would treat the Emperor himself. Courteous. Respectful. Whatever he requested, they provided, giving nothing more than a nod and a mumbled expression of submission.
With every step they took, Kaori moved closer to Therek’s sturdy form, cowering from the dirty hands which reached out to her from the dank cells, whispered pleas for help meeting her ears, mingled with the rattling of chains from the movement of the prisoners.
Even through the dim light Kaori was able to recognize the face of her mother within one of the cells, her high cheekbones dirt-covered, hair disheveled, still dressed in the same gown she wore the day she and her husband left Siundel. Etyn was seated beside his wife against the wall, arms wrapped tightly around her, as if in attempts to console her. Streaks could be seen through the dirt on her mother’s face, revealing the tears long since dried upon her skin.
“Mother,” Kaor
i breathed, rushing forward to kneel beside the steel bars of the cell. At the sound of Kaori’s voice, her mother’s head lifted, staring toward her in disbelief.
“Kaori?” Her voice was hoarse. Cracking under the strain of speaking the name. Desperate in her motions she moved from her husband’s arms, shuffling along the floor to settle herself in front of Kaori. “Are you really here?”
“I am, Mother,” Kaori nodded, reaching through the bars to clasp her mother’s hand gently in her own. “The Duke of Avishul brought me,” she waved toward Therek’s somber form standing off to one side, staring down at them with a solemn expression. Kaori’s mother gazed up at him, the silver light from her eyes brightening to see Therek there.
“Etyn,” her mother whispered, beckoning Kaori’s father to come closer. “Kaori has come.”
The sound of grinding chains accompanied Etyn’s movements, shackles dragging across the floor as he made his way toward his wife. He looked miserable, bloodstains visible on the lighter fabric of his shirt. From her vantage Kaori was able to see the swelling around his left eye, the lid barely lifted to reveal his steady gaze from underneath. “My darling, Kaori,” he whispered, lightly caressing her cheek through the bars. “What has happened? General Deliao spoke of some great offense you have committed.”
“Everything will be alright, Father,” Kaori assured him. She didn’t know what else to say. The details of how she would see her parents freed didn’t seem important when faced with their tortured stares. “There was a misunderstanding with a few of the General’s men. I have spoken with the Emperor and he has agreed to release you if I am able to complete the rites in a timely manner. Then you and Mother can return to Rothdara and forget about this awful place.”
“And what of you?” her mother asked, squeezing Kaori’s hand tightly. “What does the Emperor intend to do with you once the rites have been completed?”
Averting her gaze, Kaori stared down at the floor. She couldn’t tell them the truth. If she let her parents know the danger she faced in saving them, they would argue she not go through with it. She knew them too well. They were noble people. Loyal. They would never allow Kaori to take their place. “I would have to stay here for a little while, but it is nothing to worry about. Once I have explained the situation to the Emperor, he will let me go. Even the Duke has agreed that I have done no crime.”
The Myatheira Chronicles: Volume Four: In the Beginning Page 19