Crave To Conquer (Myth of Omega, #1)(18)

“And where will you go? The entire Eastern Lands is now Lox Empire. You won’t be able to escape pledging your allegiance and I will not end your employment.”

The servants reentered with more plates and bowls, but Cailyn’s eyes remained on Drocco. This expectation on her to pledge to the Lox would ruin her cover.

“Most of the files are organized now. A team of historians could find patterns one mind would miss,” she suggested.

Drocco didn’t even answer her. He bit into a slice of black crumble cake and chewed, watching her.

“I’m sure the keepers would also be very useful in assisting—”

“I’m not ending your employment.”

“You cannot kill my sister,” she countered.

“I will have your loyalty.”

“You have it,” she hissed, leaning forward. “Just don’t hurt my sister.”

“It is the way of the Lox,” Drocco said, somewhat nonchalantly. “It is the only way to ensure true loyalty.”

“Do you intend to ask everyone to pledge?” she asked, her voice rising. “Your entire Empire? Because you’ll have no one left.”

“Just the people who have access to this building,” he said, taking another bite and shooting her a look that said he had noticed her tone.

Cailyn fought against the effect his glance had on her, choosing to focus on the utter disgust at his methods. This man had no business running an Empire. It would indeed be dark times ahead for the people of the Eastern Lands.

“Your sister will be brought here for the ceremony,” Drocco said, once he’d finished the cake.

“No!” Cailyn tried a different tack and burst into tears. “No, Emperor, please.”

“The quicker you accept it, the quicker you can move on,” he said, irritably.

Cailyn’s anger built steadily. Of course he wouldn’t be affected by tears, the man had no compassion. She quietened and began picking at a bowl of fruit. They ate in silence for a while until Drocco had finished, and Cailyn stopped the pretense of eating.

“A dress has been left in your quarters that I expect you to wear to the celebration,” Drocco said, as the last plates were cleared. “I have been told it’s in your size.”

Cailyn took a sip of the spiced tea that had been poured for her. “Yes, Emperor.”

As soon as he dismissed her, Cailyn returned to her quarters and pulled a sheet of parchment from her writing equipment. Clearing her mind, she gently filtered magic into the ink of her quill-pen as she wrote.



Prepare for distraction. Signal will follow.

Protect loved one or unwanted reveal inevitable.



She inspected the ink and, once satisfied, sealed the parchment with magic. This hid the ink, protected the message from the casual Talent-crafter, and made it a beacon for her contact. She folded it and placed it in the trash. If Miss Lefroy’s sister suddenly went on a trip or in some way became inaccessible, there would be no one else for the Emperor to threaten her with.

She entered her bedroom and noticed the dress laid out on the bed. It was a close fitted, long dress with a slashed neckline that would reveal the tops of her shoulders. Cailyn fingered the soft deep red material. It was beautiful, of course, and reminded her of the sophisticated stateswomen and regal royals she had seen during her work in various cities. She never thought she would ever dress in such quality material or in such a graceful design.

She pulled her hand back sharply. She would be leaving the night of the celebration. As soon as she showed her face for the Emperor to tell her that her pledge would be delayed, she would escape. He would be too busy drinking himself into a stupor and fucking his Lox women to notice anything.

She dropped onto the bed breathing a sigh of relief. She was going home.





CHAPTER FIVE


DROCCO



The Great Hall had been decorated to Drocco’s liking. The elaborate ornamentation and gleaming weaponry on display reflected the impressive Lox might and wealth. Thick, long tables had been organized in the space, as well as circular areas with plush seating to watch dancers, musicians, and single combat challenges. Lox colors—red and black—coordinated the entire display and were echoed in the chosen clothing of his most experienced warriors who prowled the hall like wild animals.

Drocco noticed his visitors were very nervous anytime a warrior sat near them or even passed by. It was a good sign. Fear was one of his greatest weapons.

The evening was going well. He hadn’t yet spoken to all the rulers of his territories but they were all in attendance. Some had bought their nominated family member in preparation for their pledge and others didn’t yet realize that a random family member had already been collected for that required purpose. Annoyingly, there had been three whose family members had proved difficult to reach, including the historian’s sister. He had demanded to know if she had sent any communication out of the Palace since their dinner, but it had been reported back that she hadn’t. It didn’t matter though. He would get her sister eventually.

Family sacrifices were the most effective way to weaken a family structure and ensure the whole family felt threatened enough to pledge loyalty to him. Cailyn might not have any other family, but he wanted her unwavering loyalty. And she would give it to him. Maybe not tonight, but it would happen.