The Heart Forger (The Bone Witch #2)(102)
“I found confirmation just before the ceremony began. I had enough time to tell Shadi and Inessa. We wanted to expose him as soon as possible, but Inessa wanted to wait until after the ceremony.” She flinched. “I would have looked foolish if I’d called out Tansoong.”
“You were planning on assuming command all along,” Shadi said to Inessa. “That speech was a little too practiced to be spontaneous.”
The princess grinned. “I’ve been reading up on Daanorian history. Whenever the emperor was incapacitated, his empress could use as much power as she wanted and expect the same obedience as was due the emperor.”
“Were you expecting to knock out the emperor yourself?”
“I asked Althy to bring me some herbal preparations before we’d left Kion. One of them was a sleeping remedy I’d slipped in his wine earlier for the toast. I wanted to be prepared for any eventuality, but Fox punching him was an unexpected bonus.”
Shadi looked impressed.
“I am not looking forward to telling your mother we have another unwanted international incident on her hands, Inessa,” Zoya scolded.
“Then maybe she shouldn’t have dangled me in front of Emperor Shifang all these years. Or offered the betrothal to him in the first place.”
“The Daanorians have retreated back into the city, Your Majesty,” Tansoong reported, hurrying forward. “We have barricaded the gates, but I fear that will not last long.”
“Have the men stand at the ready, and keep an eye out for any other spies within. Report to either Lord Kalen or Lady Tea immediately should any soldier begin acting strangely. There may be a few more under the effects of the seeking stones.”
“Nothing says loyalty better than the newfound devotion of a man whose rival you helped depose,” Zoya noted sarcastically as the man scuttled away.
“Do you think Aenah is behind this somehow?” Likh asked. “She’s the only Faceless we know of in Odalia.”
“It’s hard to tell at this point. Zoya, I want you and Shadi protecting Inessa and the old forger.”
“He’s not going to die, is he?” Likh asked worriedly.
He and Khalad were tending to the still-unconscious Heartforger, the relief I saw in Khalad’s heartsglass the only bright spot this morning. A bed had been carried in, water and clean cloth brought forward, and Khalad had dug into his medicine pouch, administering treatments. “He suffers from a lack of water, but he’s still as strong as they come.”
“You must really love him, don’t you?”
He hesitated, smiled. “I suppose I do. He has his odd moments, but he’s been like a second father to me.”
“I wouldn’t go that far, boy.”
Khalad pounced on the old forger, who was already struggling to rise. “No unnecessary movements, Master!”
“Every one of my movements is necessary, boy,” the old man scowled, resisting. “And what’s necessary is that I get up from this contraption!”
“It’s called a bed. If we’d ever saved enough money for one, you’d know. And what’s necessary is to keep you well rested and healthy, you old codger. If you keep struggling, know that I am a lot stronger than you and will use force if I have to.”
“You wouldn’t dare!”
“Try me!”
Master and apprentice glared at each other. The former finally relented, sinking back against the pillows with a grunt. “I should be gone more often. You’ve got some of your hotheadedness back, boy.”
Khalad sagged. “You scared us, Master.”
“I scared myself too. I was certain it was the end of the road for me.” The forger nodded in my direction. “That was very perceptive of you, girl. Thank you.”
“I’m glad you’re all right, sir.”
“I’m not all right. I can’t be all right when that bastard’s still running free! I must be getting soft in my old age, giving him the benefit of the doubt simply because I knew his father. Is the princess still asleep? Unharmed?”
“She is,” Likh confirmed.
The old forger stared at him. “You’re a pretty girl, but I don’t know who in the seven hells you are. What’s happening?”
“Daanoris is being attacked by Odalia, and Usij is out there using the savul to create widespread panic,” Zoya growled. “Nothing out of the ordinary.”
“Master, you should rest…”
“Rest, my foot. We’ve got enemies surroundings us at all sides, and the bastard who locked me up is at the forefront. Where is he? I need to punch him. I’m glad his father’s no longer alive to see his son fall into such depravity. Always been a weak boy, wanting things he didn’t want to earn. The princess is all right, you say? Take me to her.”
“We should,” Khalad said. “It’s the safest room in the palace at this point.”
“And where are you going?” Fox demanded as I headed for the door.
“I’m not going to stay here while a daeva is making short work of the people outside, Fox. Stay here with Inessa.”
“Don’t do anything stupid, Tea!”
“When have I ever?” I was out of the room before he could reply, but I could hear the pounding of feet behind me as Kalen gave chase. I raced up the staircase, making for the highest tower in the palace—the same battlements Kalen and I stood on as we watched the Odalian army approach a few hours before.