Bright We Burn (The Conqueror's Saga #3)(22)

Kumal gently took the letters from Radu. Radu kept his eyes fixed on the ground. Watching Kumal for a reaction was the same as reading the letter. He wanted to pause time here, forever, where he did not have to know if his truest friend was dead and it was his fault.

Kumal let out a sharp, relieved breath and praised God. Radu was pierced through with hope and dared to look up. Tears shone in Kumal’s eyes, and he smiled. “She is alive.”

A gasp tore free from Radu’s chest, loosing all the months of torment and fear. “She is alive?”

“She is.” Kumal scanned the letter again. “They were shipwrecked on an island in the Sea of Marmara. Nazira was unharmed. Cyprian and the servant boy were badly injured. She had to stay to care for them and did not have a way to send word until she could travel to a more populated area.”

Nazira was alive. Cyprian and Valentin were hurt. “Are they …? Did Cyprian and Valentin recover?”

“It does not say. This is not written by Nazira herself. It is from one of Mara’s contacts. The writer says he can escort Nazira as far as the port city of Bursa, but that she will need someone to meet her there.”

Radu was already turning his horse. He took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and lifted his face toward the heavens. Breathing in gratitude, breathing out fear. Breathing in hope, breathing out worry. Nazira was alive and well. He had not killed his truest, dearest friend. He would bring Fatima’s wife home to her.

And Cyprian.

If Cyprian and Valentin were dead, the letter would have noted it. Surely they were well, which was all he could ask for. Anything more was too selfish on his part after everything he had done.

“You should go to her.” Radu smiled at Kumal.

Kumal’s warm eyes were filled with tears. He shook his head, a smile lighting his face. The same kind, gentle smile that had been a lifeline to Radu as a terrified and lost young boy in a foreign land. “You are her husband. Go and get her.”

“But Lada …”

“I will see to everything. I promise I will treat her with respect and as much gentleness as I can. Let me take care of your sister while you go take care of mine.”

Radu laughed, reaching out and clasping Kumal’s hand. “Thank you, my brother. I will bring her home.” Radu turned his horse toward the route that would take him to Bursa and Nazira. He paused. “Please be careful with my sister.”

“I promise I will be kind.”

“No, I mean, be cautious. For yourself.”

Kumal’s expression turned colder and decidedly grimmer. “I have read the reports. I will not underestimate her.”

With another shared nod, Radu and Kumal parted ways to retrieve sisters who needed to return to the empire. One as a rescue, the other as a prisoner.





11





Tirgoviste


“WHAT DID THIS one do?” Lada asked, sharpening daggers while a motley group of prisoners waited in front of her throne, surrounded by her own soldiers.

“Rape,” answered Bogdan.

“Kill him.” Lada did not look up as the man was dragged away and the next was brought up. “And this one?”

“Theft.” She felt Bogdan staring at her, willing her to look at him. She had avoided him since Daciana’s warning. She did not have time to be careful with his feelings and resented having to accommodate them in any way.

“Why?” she asked.

“My family was starving,” the prisoner growled. “I would do it again.”

Lada paused, considering him. He was lanky and thin, but with the potential to be strong if well fed. “You may join my army. You will be on the front lines of any conflict and will most likely be killed. If you survive and distinguish yourself, your crimes will be forgiven and you will have the opportunity to get land for yourself and your family. If you steal again, or you disappoint me in any way, you will be killed. Otherwise you will go back to a cell. Do you agree?”

The man hesitated, his brow furrowed in thought. Lada appreciated that. The men who agreed without taking time to weigh the offer were lying either to themselves or, more likely, to her. She always had them put back in prison or had them killed, depending on their crimes.

Finally, the man bowed his head and dropped to one knee. “I agree, my prince.”

“Very good.” Lada waved him away. The soldiers directed him to the opposite exit, where he would join the ever-swelling ranks of her forces. She was approaching five thousand and hopeful for even more from Transylvania.

“Do we really want criminals for our army?” Nicolae asked. He sat nearby, though she had not asked him to join today’s session.

“We have had criminals for our nobility for centuries. Why not let criminals actually accomplish something for us?”

Nicolae sighed. “But will you really give them land after?”

“I give land to whomever I see fit. If it comes from me, they owe me everything. If I fall, they lose all they have gained. Do you see a better way to encourage loyalty among my people?”

Nicolae shrugged, grinning. But the grin felt off, faded and worn like his scar. Things had not been the same since he had questioned her. She felt the distance between them like the edge of a serrated blade. Move a finger along it slowly and it was merely uncomfortable. But move too fast and there would be blood.