by J. C. Owens
Now it was tearing at him so that he could not settle.
Isnay strode in, smiling at Raine, before freezing and staring around him in clear amazement.
It was only then that Raine realized that he had most likely overstepped his bounds. This was Isnay’s private space, and Raine was here on sufferance. He should not have taken it upon himself to…
“By the gods! This is amazing! I never have the time or energy to clean up the place, and it always bothers me.” With a big grin, he swept Raine into a hug, half lifting him from the pristinely washed floor.
“I’m sorry,” Raine burst out. “I shouldn’t have assumed…”
“Assume any time you like if it means you clean. My mother would faint if she walked in and saw how spotless this place is right now. Always getting nagged when she comes to visit.” He shot a glance at Raine, then frowned in sudden concern, coming closer to wrap an arm around the smaller man’s shoulders. “It’s fine, Raine. You didn’t tread on any toes.”
Raine released his withheld breath with a sigh, relaxing under the half hug.
Isnay shook him slightly, peering into his face. “You’re shaking, Raine. What in the gods’ name is wrong?”
“I don’t know. I never know. I just get feelings—premonitions. Usually when something truly awful is about to happen.” He found himself leaning into the comfort of Isnay’s warmth.
“Are you certain this isn’t just you being sure that nothing good can possibly happen to you?” Isnay prodded gently.
Raine shook his head miserably. “No. This is too strong. I’ve had this all my life—”
The knock on the door was loud and brisk.
“Oh, gods…” Raine looked pale.
Isnay ruffled his hair as he stepped away. “You need to relax, Raine. You might be from Odenar, but you are a citizen of the empire.”
Isnay opened the door to meet the cold eyes of one of the Shadows, two more lurking behind him, weapons in hand.
He swallowed with difficulty, trying to find his voice. The emperor’s guards didn’t do lackey duty. If they were here, then something serious was afoot, and that they had come to Isnay’s home…
“Lord Raine Yoldis is staying with you?” The words were anything but friendly sounding.
Isnay nodded, bracing himself. “He is. What is this about?”
“You can come with him if you wish. He has been summoned to the emperor’s throne room. The emperor himself wishes to see him.”
Isnay shot a startled look over his shoulder, taking in Raine’s pale visage before opening the door further.
Raine leaned against the wall to keep from sinking down to his knees. Fear had him in its teeth. This, in no way, could possibly be good.
In silence, they escorted him through the palace. Raine was too terrified to look up, though he heard murmurings as they passed by people in the hallways. Isnay was close at his side, holding his elbow firmly, perhaps as much to hold him up as any sort of comfort.
Raine’s knees felt like they might give out beneath him, leave him crumpled upon the floor. It took all his will to keep walking, struggling to keep pace with the Shadows as they kept in strict formation around him.
These were not the Shadows he had seen with the imperial prince. He couldn’t confirm that impression, but he had not felt threatened by Taldan’s Shadows, but these—these held menace in every movement.
The great doors to the throne room were held wide. After they passed through, the massive doors closed behind them with a resonant boom that echoed through Raine’s very bones.
He looked up now, trying to marshal his own fears as they moved through the silent, vast room to where a single figure sat upon the famous golden throne.
The emperor himself.
The emperor’s mask made him nothing human, nothing that could hold mercy, and Raine bit his own lip to stifle the whimper that almost broke free of his control.
That cold, stark metal face, so unnatural, so terrifying in its unyielding stare, made him drop his gaze once more.
The Shadows drew to an abrupt halt, saluting the emperor, the sudden silence ringing in Raine’s ears.
“Kneel.” The nearest Shadow kicked the back of his knee.
Raine half fell to the ground, realizing that Isnay was already down there, head bowed. Not in the room two minutes and already he had disrespected the emperor, the ultimate power. Mistake after mistake.
He bowed more deeply, letting his forehead touch the ornate marble mosaic that decorated the area before the throne.
He was dimly aware that he was trembling and squeezed his eyes shut.
The strength of the response and the depth of anger that he was detecting from the Shadows, seemed to imply that this was a much greater misdeed than Raine would ever have imagined. Had the imperials who had been sent to Odenar discovered Parsul’s plans for Bhantan, for expanding Odenar into that country and seizing the illenium mines…? But his brother wouldn’t have been foolish enough to proceed with those plans without Raine being the Chosen.
Raine looked up, breath catching as the doors to the throne room opened wide. The Imperial Heir, Prince Taldan, Prince Zaran, along with Lord Naral strode swiftly into the room, the doors booming closed behind them.
Raine wanted to be ill. For his hero to see him in these circumstances was a nightmare he couldn’t believe was real…
* * *
Taldan
Taldan felt something in his chest tighten as he realized it was Raine huddled upon the floor before his father.
Nie, one of his Shadows, had come to get him, tension in his tone, saying only that his father had summoned him and he was to get to the throne room as swiftly as possible.
Fortunately, he had already been at lunch with his brother and Naral both, so they had left their meal and gone together, all of them tense and concerned.
The emperor did not summon his sons unless something was of great concern. Most matters were handled by Taldan himself and never had to impinge on the emperor’s time. That was the heir’s role, to deal with the lesser matters of the empire.
Now he went to one knee before his father, hand to his heart, bending his head, tension thrumming through his body.
This could only point to Odenar.
“Rise, my sons.” The emperor gestured to the lesser basalt throne and the one beside it, smaller yet and ornately silver.
Taldan bowed to his father once he gained his feet, before seating himself upon his throne, Zaran silently following suit on his silver one.
Blue eyes gleamed at him behind the emperor’s mask. “You sent troops to Odenar, along with two diplomats.”
Taldan nodded. “I sent you the report, my emperor.”
He felt tension rise. Had he missed something? Failed to include something?
The smooth mask turned to regard Raine upon the floor.
“I sent two of my Shadows to look into this matter. Upon their arrival, they joined with your troops. It took only a few hours to discover that most of the Odenar army was missing. After considerable ‘persuasion’ of Lord Parsul Yoldis it was revealed that an invasion into the neighboring, autonomous country of Bhantan had been set in motion on the day that he and his brother, Raine Yoldis arrived, upon the order of Lord Parsul.”
Taldan sucked in a harsh breath, rage beginning to find a foothold. He shot a glance at Raine, unable to believe…
Raine had looked up. His face was white, his eyes wide with disbelief.
“No. He wouldn’t have done it… He wouldn’t have been so foolish!” He turned his panicked gaze upon Taldan. “He wanted to speak to you about an illenium mine that would enrich the empire. That’s why he wanted me to become the Chosen, to have your support. He would not have simply acted on his own.”
But the young man did not seem as certain as his words, even as he spoke them. Taldan almost rose to his feet, anger rising, fists clenching.
“You knew about this?” The silence that fell was painful in its intensity.
He could hear Raine’s panicked breathing before the young man lifted his chin and faced him fully.
“I knew that he wanted the invasion. I never believed that he would simply go ahead with it. I tried to council him against the idea. I told him it was pure foolishness and that the empire would see it as…”
“Treason?” Taldan questioned sharply.
Raine flinched but met his angered gaze squarely. “I knew, but I couldn’t…” He swallowed hard. “I couldn’t betray him,” he finally choked out. “I might not be worth much, but I have some degree of loyalty…”
“To the wrong person.” The emperor’s voice was ice itself. “You have only one loyalty. To Anrodnes. To the empire.”
Raine flicked a panicked glance at the Emperor. “I am loyal to you. To the Empire. I never meant to—”
The emperor held up a gloved hand, halting the spate of protestations.
“You are under arrest, Raine Yoldis, for treason. Your family will be hunted down as the traitors they are. If they do not surrender, your life will be the price. I have already ordered our army to mobilize and chase down the invading force, using whatever force is necessary to see this invasion halted. We will hold you here currently as hostage to your family’s cooperation.”
Raine half rose off his knees, flinching as one of the Shadows forced him back down harshly.
“You don’t understand! Their behavior would never be moderated by concern for me. I am the worst person to use in this. Please—”
“Enough.” The single word rang with power, bringing instant silence.
Raine had fallen into a huddle, his shoulders shaking, head hanging.
“Imprison him. He will remain in a cell until we have this entire mess dealt with.” His father turned to Taldan, his mask a frozen, emotionless sculpture of blank metal. “I want this dealt with swiftly. There will be no doubt in anyone’s mind what will happen to those who rebel against the empire. If Odenar needs to be made an example of, then see to it.”
Taldan gave a sharp bow, giving a last icy glare in Raine’s direction as he struggled to remain detached and not give in to his fury. He was failing though. The betrayal cut too deep. He quickly rose and strode off, Zaran and Naral at his heels as always.
This rebellion would be ended with extreme force. Not one of the empire’s conquered territories would dare to imitate the traitors after this was over.
He left the room behind and did not look at Raine again. As far as he was concerned, the man was a traitor and would pay the price for it.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Raine
Raine was pushed into the cell with considerable force so that he stumbled forward, crashing into a wall, letting out a gasp as his injured ribs jarred painfully.
The door clanged shut behind him. He slowly straightened, regarding his new quarters with dismal resignation.
At least there was a bed of sorts, narrow and with the thinnest of mattresses, but it was not the cold flagstone floor as he had half expected. The room was barely long enough for the bed, and he wrapped his arms around himself in a futile search for comfort.
Already the walls seemed to close in upon him, an impression no doubt aided by the fact that he could not simply leave, that he would be held here for the gods’ knew how long. And then?
His fate linked to his brother’s actions. There was no hope then. He sank down upon the bed, putting his head in his hands, drawing a deep and shuddering breath of the stale, heavy air.
Yesterday had been so amazing, a wondrous future unfolding before him. Enrolled in college. Having a job. Staying with a newfound friend… He flinched, remembering the betrayed look Isnay had given him as Raine was dragged from the throne room.
He wanted, more than anything, to explain that he had never meant to harm anyone, never meant to…
Now, as always, no one was going to care what he had been thinking. He would be judged by his family and never for his own reasonings.
He bit his lip until he tasted blood.
* * *
Taldan
“I knew it! I knew the little bastard was hiding something!” Naral paced the room, flinging his arms around in his usual emphatic way. “He was too innocent, too naïve to be true. What in the hells did he think he was going to gain? Surely the brother was not truly foolish enough to believe that you would turn a blind eye to his invasion!”
Taldan rubbed his temples, trying to fight back a raging headache. They had spent the day in meetings with the military generals and had finally hashed out details for a swift strike force to forge ahead of the main Anrodnes troops. Every fine point had been written up, and with the generals already hard at work getting ships ready to take them across the inland sea to Odenar, he had his own tasks. Number one, taking the information to the emperor and getting his permission to lead the foray.
Zaran glanced at his brother and snapped at Naral. “Enough! What is done is done. I still don’t believe Raine meant anything sinister other than being reluctant to betray his own family. Watching his expression, the shock and disbelief, he thought that his idiot brother would not go so far.”
Naral glared back. “All he had to do was tell Isnay. They were close. There was trust between them. Instead, he let this happen. A lie by omission is still a lie.”
Taldan rose to his feet. He snatched up the papers and stalked from the room, leaving the bickering behind.
Halfway to his father’s rooms, Isnay waylaid him.
“Your Imperial Highness. Forgive me for interrupting you.”
Taldan halted, trying to rein in his impatience, highlighted by the pounding in his skull. It took all his skill to keep his tone level and calm. “What is it?”
“I would like to take Raine a few things to keep him comfortable while he is kept in the prison.” Isnay’s expression was neutral, but his eyes told Taldan a great deal.
“You believe that he is innocent? That he didn’t come here as part of a plan to bring this invasion about?”
Isnay flinched at the hardness of his eyes and looked away for a moment before returning his gaze, determination in the line of his jaw.
“I’m a good judge of character. You have told me that.”
Taldan nodded slightly.
“Then trust me in this. There is nothing in Raine that would seek to harm others. Nothing. It is why he doesn’t fight back against his own abusers. It’s not in him. If there was harm meant, then it is the doing of that brother, the same one who dared to harm him here in the palace itself. Raine may have been foolish to keep quiet on this matter, but that is all.”
“The emperor is not going to be merciful with this, Isnay. He can’t. This is blatant insubordination on Odenar’s part, and Raine is a member of the ruling family. Nobody is going to believe that he held no part.”
Isnay lifted his chin. “I believe that Raine will be proven innocent. Until then, I ask that I be allowed to visit him, to take things to him.”
“This will not put you in a good light, Isnay, consorting with a traitor.”
Isnay’s eyes flashed. “You think I care for that, Your Highness? I believe this is a travesty of justice, and as a diplomat, I cannot let this go. I will do what I can for him, and others can judge me as they see fit.”
Taldan measured the will behind the words before nodding. He did not wish to admit that the thought of Raine rotting away alone in a dark cell alone made a hidden part of him ache inside. He gritted his teeth. He should not allow his anger to rule him…or his caring and mercy. He must think clearly, keep his logic, and push away emotions. Isn’t that what his father would do?
“As you will,” he replied. “I will give you written permission at the end of today.”
Isnay swept into a bow, relief lighting his face. “I give you heartfelt thanks, Your Imperial Highness.”
“Don’t thank me just yet, Isnay. When he is formally charged with treason… You know the fate of traitors. That, I have no way of changing.”
He hardened
his heart against the devastation writ large on Isnay’s face, nodding to him and continuing onwards. He still had the meeting with the emperor to get through. He had done all he could for Raine. From now on, his heart would need to be ice.
He had reached a sense of inner calmness again once more when he reached the heavily guarded private wing of the palace where his father lived. Even Taldan was searched before he could enter the emperor’s personal rooms. No one was exempt from such a thing, and in the past, sons had often been the most dangerous threat to an emperor’s life.
Taldan submitted to it as he always had, with cool, calm composure. After Taldan became emperor, this would happen to all who sought his presence within his private sanctum. He felt a pang that he would be even further removed from day-to-day life, that he would be regarded as a god, and as inviolate. That his face would be hidden behind the mask of the emperor. But such feelings only showed he had not fully mastered his emotions yet.
He would need to try harder.
Once the Shadows deemed him safe, he stepped forward through the door and sank to one knee, hand on heart, head bowed.
“Come.” His father’s voice, always cool and emotionless, drew him further in, to where the emperor sat in a large, comfortable chair before the fireplace.
Taldan was gestured into a chair across from his father. He sank into it with caution, keeping his posture perfect, his face expressionless.
“I have the notes from the meetings, my emperor.”
A long-fingered hand, gloveless now that he was within his rooms, reached out to accept the papers. Taldan glanced up at the mask, but as always, could discern little from those cool, blue eyes. Without facial expressions to guide him, it was impossible to say what his father might be thinking. The sad fact was that he had never seen his father without the mask. He would only recognize him from the portraits.