The Heart Forger (The Bone Witch #2)(51)

A subdued and angry silence followed as the empress led us out of the hall, the guards close behind.

“Ah!” the empress sighed. “Talking to those old women is like having your teeth pulled by a herd of tortoises. I hope you don’t mind, Lady Tea, but I instructed the guards to free your brother. It’s about time the association stopped using my dungeons for their personal whims.” The trek to the palace was eliciting stares, but the guards surrounded the empress, matching her stride.

“Empress Alyx…words can’t even begin to express—”

“Then don’t. My daughter is as much embroiled in this mess as you are and just as innocent.” She paused. “You should be blaming me, not thanking me. I agreed to the betrothal over Inessa’s objections. She still hasn’t forgiven me for that either.”

“But why would you arrange for an engagement, Your Majesty?”

“Tea!” Mistress Parmina snapped. “You do not talk to the empress that way!”

“That’s all right, Parmina. She asks a valid question.” The pretty woman grinned. “When Telemaine first proposed the idea, I wondered. Odalian nobles rarely married outside their own kingdom, excluding the occasional treaty with Arhen-Kosho. But I suppose politics there are not as stable as one might think, and Kance is a good man and would make an able son-in-law. Besides, I was curious to see how Inessa would react.”

“Less talking, more walking, Your Majesty,” Councilor Ludvig interrupted. “There are eyes around us.” He patted me on the shoulder. “Although I am glad to see you safe, Tea. It seems you’ve had quite an escape.”

“I am glad to be here, milord.”

The guards saluted smartly as we entered the palace, and the empress led me past the magnificent throne room and into a smaller hallway, toward the royal chambers. Princess Inessa was already there, staring moodily out the window. So was Fox, at the opposite corner of the room. Kalen stood between them, an apple in one hand from a banquet spread out on the table before him: fresh flatbread with hummus, feta cheese drizzled in honey, lamb stew and carrots, and rows of fruit and sliced vegetables dipped in yogurt. Kalen refused to look at me, anger still simmering in his heartsglass. Khalad perched nervously on the arm of a long couch, nibbling on a piece of carrot.

“Did they give you any trouble?”

Fox asked the question, but it was the empress who answered. “They were about to exile your sister into perpetuity if I hadn’t threatened them. I’m sure they’re obstinate enough to try again.”

“Where are Mykaela and Polaire?” I asked.

“Resting comfortably. Altaecia is watching over them.” She turned to her daughter. “Well?”

Looking irritated, the princess reached into her dress and pulled out both Prince Kance’s and her own heartsglass.

Empress Alyx grabbed at Kance’s without warning. There was a brilliant flash, and the older woman reeled back.

Princess Inessa rose to her feet, mouth agape. “Mother! You know you can’t take his heartsglass without permission!”

“I had to try.” The empress frowned. “It’s too dangerous for you to have it right now.”

“I can handle it.”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Fox said harshly. “There are people who can better protect his heartsglass.”

“Try to take it then,” the princess said stubbornly. “You know how heartsglass work. Kance gave it to me. I’ll guard his heart with my life if necessary.”

Their stares clashed. Fox was the first to look away.

“I hope neither of you were too uncomfortable,” the empress said cheerfully to the other boys.

“It’s no problem at all, Your Majesty,” Khalad said meekly.

The woman smiled. “I remember how you used to play with Inessa, Kance, and Kalen when you were children, Khalad. I’d always hoped that you would stop by the palace when you and your master visit, though you never do.”

“My master doesn’t like the nobility, I’m afraid.”

“I’m not surprised. He’s had to deal with the worst of our lot in his trade, and that would wear down anyone. He holds Odalian nobles in greater contempt though. I’m surprised he took you in.”

“I stopped being a noble the day I agreed to be his apprentice, Your Majesty,” Khalad answered.

“Why did you bring us here?” Kalen spoke up. “It feels like we’ve been freed from the control of one kingdom only to be taken over by another.”

“Kalen!” Khalad exclaimed, shocked by his rudeness.

The empress only laughed. “If you’re clever enough to realize that, Kalen, then you’re clever enough to understand why. We have a problem. My daughter’s betrothed has taken ill under suspicious circumstances. My daughter also has his heartsglass, which does not portray her in a good light, and this is all exacerbated further by her fleeing Odalia with a handful of other suspects. What, then, are we to do?”

“I can leave Kion,” I offered quietly. “Tell them I compelled her to leave with me. If you think it will help protect Prince Kance—if anything happened to him because of me…”

“You care for him?”

The empress, I feared, was a keenly perceptive woman. I forced myself to look in her eyes. “I care for him as one of his most loyal subjects,” I said steadily, surprised by how the words came easily. “I will not see him harmed. I’ve done enough damage.”