by J. C. Owens
Parsul was a fool to think that simply because of distance that Anrodnes would not act upon his invading a neighbor in a search for power and resources and the seizure of the valuable illenium mines. Odenar was not autonomous. It belonged to the empire.
Raine saw the entire matter as a dangerous provocation to the empire. Parsul seemed to believe that after the fact of the invasion, that Anrodnes would accept the matter, even praise Odenar for taking the initiative and adding to the empire’s coffers by seizing the mines. Raine knew his brothers intended for Odenar to exploit the mines, skimming a share of the production to sell on the black markets, fattening their purses.
Raine thought it was far more likely that it would be seen as a rebellion against the empire’s will. His brother was hedging his bets, hoping Raine could become the imperial heir’s Chosen and use that leverage to allow Parsul free rein at the borders of the empire.
His cautionary words had not been taken well at all. He put a hand to his jaw, remembering the blow that had sent him to the ground. Parsul had a heavy fist, much like their late, unlamented father. But the fact that a candidate for the Choosing had been expected of Odenar only seemed to make Parsul believe that they had a chance to seduce or coerce the First Imperial Prince into providing both approval and possibly resources for the planned invasion.
Raine was convinced that his brother had lost his mind.
The chances of Raine being chosen were miniscule at best, and should he let anything slip, he doubted that either he or his brother would be allowed to return to their country. It was far more likely they would be seeing the inside of a prison cell.
The empire was not noted for letting the smallest of infractions go. Somehow, he doubted that a planned invasion, along with coercing the imperial prince was going to be seen as anything less than treason.
Isnay’s look sharpened when it became clear Raine wasn’t going to go on. “Control, my lord?”
Raine’s cursed his ready tongue. “I believe my brother wishes to encourage greater trade with several other countries outside the empire. He thinks that I can bring Odenar better control of trade routes from the empire with the right offer of bonding.”
That was a very twisted version of the truth, but he had no choice but to say something. He believed, in the small part of him that was still whole, that Parsul would see reason, that the invasion was a mere whim, not a plan.
“There are many who are born into noble houses whose fate is similar. Perhaps you will have at least a little time to spend here, attend the college for a brief span.”
Raine forced a smile. “Perhaps. Let’s see how the next week ends up. When I am not chosen…”
Isnay watched him with those clear, bright eyes, far too much comprehension in their depths. “Then let us make the most of this week, my lord.” He gestured around the ornate library, glancing upward at the other levels beneath the massive dome, far, far above. “Where would you like to begin?”
CHAPTER FIVE
Raine
The week passed far, far too swiftly for Raine’s taste.
Every moment was spent in the library with Isnay at his side. The other man was a good companion, intelligent, quick-witted, and with infinite patience for Raine’s eclectic tastes in literature. He provided paper for note taking, and Raine’s fingers ached at the end of each day, as he tried to compile all that he could so that he would have that much to take home with him.
He thought of Parsul’s threat of a brothel and shuddered. He could not imagine a brothel offering much money for him at all, but then, what did he know of such things?
Parsul was perfectly capable of making such a threat come true if he were enraged enough. Raine would just have to keep his head down and pray for a better outcome than he was presently envisioning.
He dimly realized that there was a sudden silence around him, so he swiftly finished the sentence he was writing and glanced up.
Second Imperial Prince Zaran stood before the table.
Raine leaped to his feet before crashing down to one knee, head bowed, heart pounding.
His stupidity just seemed to compound itself in this place of strangeness and opportunity. He stayed in position, jaw clenched.
There was no sound, and he frantically wondered exactly how badly he had erred, how great an insult he had offered.
“Rise, Lord Yoldis. Seat yourself. There is no need for such dramatics.” The calm, cold tone did nothing to ease Raine’s panic.
He rose shakily, bowed once more and took his seat, swallowing with difficulty as the imperial prince sat gracefully beside him, leaning back in the chair and viewing him with a dispassion that Raine wished he could currently emulate. His usual state of distance and policy of not engaging with others was failing him utterly in this place.
He had to get himself under control. His passionate interests in what was contained within this treasure trove of books could hold no place in what his brother expected of him.
“I apologize deeply, Your Highness. I was not aware, but that is hardly an excuse.” He raised his eyes to meet that chilly gaze, holding it with difficulty.
Prince Zaran was silent, still. Thankfully, at long last, his gaze fell upon the books spread before Raine and the scattered notes that were beginning to pile up.
“The week is almost done, Lord Yoldis, or may I call you Raine?”
“Raine, my prince. I would be honored.” Raine cursed the hoarseness of his tone. He had never felt so awkward or out of place. It was like he had returned to being a youth, and that had been a time he had no wish to revisit.
Prince Zaran nodded. “I have spoken to most of the others. It is your turn now.”
Raine drew a quivering breath before nodding respectfully. “As you wish, Your Highness.”
Zaran reached out and drew one of the messy, note-covered pages toward him, briefly scanning the subject matter. One aristocratic brow rose before he glanced up and met Raine’s nervous gaze.
“You seem fascinated with building techniques, not to mention the details of city infrastructure itself. Is there a particular reason for this?”
Raine remembered the painful encounter with Lord Naral and flushed in response.
“I know that it seems odd, and I apologize profusely for any misunderstanding, but I swear to you that this interest is real, and has long been a part of me. I have cobbled together rough notes at home, from the few bits that I have gleaned from our own historical texts, but the Imperial High Prince has created such perfect, well thought out and illustrated texts that I cannot help wanting to absorb all they can tell me. It gives me a milestone to reach for.” He gave a rueful grimace. “I don’t mean that I could ever reach the heights of His Imperial Highness, but…”
“You realize then, how this looks.” There was no emotion in the statement, no indication what Zaran himself thought of the matter.
“I do. I cannot truly correct that impression, only try to explain why I am doing this.” He took a deep breath and raised his chin to meet the prince’s eyes more squarely. “But I can’t let the chance to bring this knowledge home pass me by.”
“Please explain,” Zaran urged, though his expression remained impassive.
“I do not know if you truly understand how incredible this city is, a place of learning for all, for everyone, not just those who have been born to privilege. We have nothing like this in Odenar. There is no formal education for children. We are noted for our trades, and I am proud of the learning there. Then the military schools are well known. But this…” He gestured at the endless treasures of knowledge that surrounded them. “This is something beyond that. I want to know why things work. How they work. I believe that improvement could be made in Odenar. There are many areas of my country that still drain their sewage into the streets or rivers. Surely in this day and age, there are better ways, healthier ways. Our northern lands are often plagued by earthquakes, and the buildings there collapse, killing many. Surely there are ways of building that are s
tronger, more resilient.”
He paused, lips tightening. He was getting passionate again, and there was no future in that. He was becoming aware that whoever was chosen was going to be a figurehead for the people, not someone who held the faintest degree of respect from those here within the palace walls.
He bit back a wry laugh. It was remarkably like home.
Prince Zaran listened with motionless politeness. “So you wish to improve your province then?”
“I wish to improve the lot of my countrymen, Your Highness. I don’t believe suffering is a necessity.”
“You are probably well aware then, that the imperial high prince has devoted his life to similar beliefs. You expect me to accept this as coincidence?” The emotionless words struck deep.
Raine raised his chin a little higher, cursing his own stubborn will. A will that had brought him nothing but trouble in the past.
“I cannot expect you to accept anything, Your Highness. I can only reiterate that I have my own beliefs, my own plans. I am well aware that you view me with suspicion. In your place, I would as well. There is no possible way I can change that.”
Zaran nodded, watching him with those eerie pale blue eyes that characterized the royal family of Anrodnes. Along with the short silver hair, there was no mistaking those born into the blood line.
“You are an interesting man, Raine. I cannot decide whether you are an accomplished liar or truly the naïve, ingenious man that you so well portray.”
Raine clenched his jaw, biting back the words that leaped to his lips.
Those pale eyes pinned him in place with effortless ease. “So, if you were chosen, how do you envision your role here?”
“I believe that this is being done to appease tradition. When this is over, whoever is chosen will have to find their own way, for I don’t see the imperial high prince having the slightest degree of interest in his Chosen. Especially once he becomes emperor. He will be far too busy to care.”
There was a flash of surprise in Zaran’s expression, as though Raine’s blunt assessment had caught him off guard.
“If that is true…” There was no indication one way or the other whether Raine was correct. “Where would this leave you?”
Raine shrugged, palms out in a “who knows?” gesture. “I would have to find a place for myself, somewhere I could be of some use, however small.”
“You do not see your position of nobility as requiring sufficient acknowledgement?”
Raine tilted his head, meeting that stare head on. “Your Highness, we both know that being from a backwater territory, far away from the capital, will give me nothing of position within Persis in the heart of the empire. I am the youngest of four sons. I am well aware of my lack of importance. That will not be a concern.”
Prince Zaran made a non-committal noise, never taking his gimlet stare from Raine’s eyes.
Raine’s heart beat heavily, sweat beginning to slide down his spine at the effort it took to hold that look and not back down.
The stare eased, the prince nodded at some private thought before he rose to his feet.
Raine leaped to his and would have gone back to a knee, but the prince caught his arm and held him from doing so.
“No need. Continue with your learning.”
The royal turned away and swept out of the library with his guards at his heels.
Raine stared after him, realizing that people were staring and whispering. He groaned under his breath. He had been less than respectful, less than prudent with his blunt assessment of the situation. No doubt many had overheard his words. It would be round the entire palace by nightfall.
His brother was sure to hear of it.
* * *
Naral
Naral heard the knock upon the door and looked up wearily. His position as companion and head of Persis security forces meant that he was the one people came to see before Zaran and instead of Taldan. He valued the fact he could save his friends from the petty intricacies of court life, but there were times…
“Come in.”
Isnay poked his head around the door and gave him a small smile. “Have you time for me, cousin? I know the others have reported in, but I only just saw Lord Raine Yoldis to his room.”
Naral glanced at the clock in surprise. “Did you even eat? I didn’t see either of you at the supper table.”
“I brought food for both of us and persuaded him to eat in one of the small antechambers off the library. He is as bad as the High Prince.” There was no true reprimand in his cousin’s tone.
Naral gestured him in, indicating he take the comfortable chair that faced the massive desk.
“So? I know you have been reserving judgment, but I need the information now. Zaran and I will be making our decisions tomorrow night.”
Isnay nodded, making himself comfortable.
“First of all, Raine is amazingly open, and clearly at ease with those below his station.”
Naral narrowed his eyes. “Does he know who you are? That you are my cousin and part of the diplomatic corp?”
“I have not brought it up, Naral. He has not asked and assumes I am one of the lesser courtiers, but he has never said or done anything the least bit offensive. He even apologized tonight for having me miss supper once I pointed out the time. I have not observed any amount of ego within him. In fact, I believe that he does not see himself as important in the least. The small things he has let slip seem to point to his brother, and perhaps his father before that, as being the ones who led him to that belief. His brother intends to use him to increase the influence of Odenar in trade. He let that much slip. I am not certain Raine likes being in the middle of it. Raine doesn’t seem to have any ambitions where it comes to the prince.”
“How typical of Lord Parsul.” Naral put his quill back in the inkwell and leaned back in the chair. “So you don’t believe my suspicions of Raine are correct?”
“I think Raine holds tremendous respect for Taldan. There is almost a hero worship there as regards Taldan’s works. Not as a man. Raine certainly fears his power and reputation. I am not sure Raine even sees him as truly human.” Isnay’s lips quirked with clear amusement.
Naral snorted. “No one does. There are times I wonder myself.” He viewed his cousin in silence for long moments. He had always admired and respected the younger man for his deep instincts regarding people, something Naral found difficult. He was proud of Isnay for making it into the diplomatic corp. Few were accepted into the upper echelons, and his cousin had done it within five years, an almost unheard of achievement.
“Your idea of pairing the candidates with diplomatic staff was brilliant. It has lessened the chances of incidents and given Zaran and me valuable insight and opinions.”
Isnay gave a faint smile. “I like him.”
Naral sighed and pushed an impatient hand through his hair. “I overreacted is what you’re trying to tell me.”
“You protect Taldan. I would expect no less. In this case though, yes, I believe you were wrong in your assessment.” The smile widened. “I love telling you that.”
“Brat. Don’t make me dump you in the mud again.”
Isnay snorted. “I was five. I think I can hold my own now, despite your training with Taldan.” He reached out a hand and patted Naral’s arm. “I believe that Raine should be one of the twelve. Even one of the six.”
Naral grunted. “I can’t see Taldan choosing someone who hero worships him. He would sooner accept someone who is out to gain power than that. It sounds as if Raine’s brother is more than willing to use him as well.”
Isnay shook his head. “That may be, but I think Taldan may surprise everyone, including himself.”
* * *
Taldan
“Your Imperial Highness!” The chorus of acknowledgement from the members of the harem, and the subsequent rush to embrace him, made something ease in Taldan’s chest.
The royal harem always felt safe to him. Those within its borders were devoted
to the family, and although they were not confined within its walls, as in the past, they continued to see their place as an honored tradition.
Fifteen men lived here, and he knew all of them well. Some of them were older than he was, others younger, newer.
Here, he actually allowed touch, let his aloofness slip the smallest amount.
The head of the harem, and his personal favorite, Hredeen, strode forward, tutting softly before taking his hand and leading him further into the warm, welcoming living area. The bedrooms lined the outer walls, while this massive room opened into a large, ornate private garden, hidden from all prying eyes.
Here was safety of a sort that the outer world could not provide.
“You have been working too hard again.” Hredeen’s tone was fondly chiding, with a hint of concern in the depths. “Your brother is turning out to be as bad, with the Choosing nipping at his heels.” The smaller, lithe man ran a gentle hand down Taldan’s cheek. “This Choosing is wearing upon all of you. Even you, though you will deny it.”
They sat themselves upon one of the luxurious couches that dotted the living quarters.
Taldan grunted, unwilling to answer. The whole matter was one large mess as far as he was concerned, and he was beyond grateful that Zaran and Naral were tending to it. He would never have had the patience to step away from his work.
Nimble fingers unlaced his boots, and he glanced down, reaching to run a hand through long sable curls as one of the newer harem occupants, Naitlien, gently removed them. The freedom of bare feet seemed decadent, and he sighed at even so little a release as that.
Naitlien smiled at him, a soft curve of full lips that had him gently pulling those curls so that those lips met his.
He hummed at the taste. Nothing worked as well as being in the harem to bring him back into his body and remember what it needed.