The Heart Forger (The Bone Witch #2)(71)

There was a certain smugness to the older official’s voice as he announced that the next two weeks would be spent celebrating the engagement, with us as their guests of honor.

Emperor Shifang looked over at us appreciatively and added something else in a suggestive tone I would have understood regardless of language.

“The Daanorians have a longstanding tradition of concubineship,” Zoya said dryly, “and it is not unusual for noble visitors to present the emperor with a few as a show of their appreciation.”

“He wants Princess Inessa to give him a concubine?” Likh asked incredulously. “But he just announced their engagement!”

“It’s the custom,” Shadi confirmed. “The number of wives and concubines is directly proportional to one’s power and influence—or so it is believed. That he is granting Princess Inessa the status of first wife is one of the highest honors in Daanoris, considering she is foreign born. The position is usually restricted to local nobility.”

“I’m flattered,” Inessa said, sounding anything but. “Truly.”

The emperor spoke again. Zoya cleared her throat. “He’s already made the decision apparently. His words translated verbatim are, ‘I am particularly enchanted by the lovely concubine in the beautiful red dress.”

“Me?” Likh squeaked. “I’m not sure I meet the requirements he’s looking for.”

“Do you want to turn him down?” Princess Inessa turned back to the emperor. “Tell him we accept the conditions if he will agree to one of our own.”

Likh blanched. Khalad patted him awkwardly on the shoulder.

The emperor looked puzzled but nodded.

“One of my subjects is missing. He was last heard from in Santiang, and I would like to ask the emperor’s leave to search the city for him on the morrow.”

“What is his name?”

Inessa looked to Zoya, who nodded slightly. “His name is Narel.”

Baoyi looked astonished, his mouth falling open. Tansoong burst into a flurry of protests, but the younger man intervened again. They argued for several seconds before the elder withdrew, not looking happy.

“That’s a surprise,” Zoya said. “The other man insists that we be given every assistance to look for him.”

“He’s Master’s friend,” Khalad said. “I’m sure of it now.”

The official continued to speak. Zoya listened closely, and understanding dawned on her face.

“The emperor agrees but not tomorrow—only after the immediate danger is over.”

“What immediate danger?”

“I am beginning to realize why the Daanorians and their emperor are so quick to push forward with this betrothal, Your Highness.”

“Oh, great. What is it this time? Should I be offering him more concubines? Will Kalen suffice instead?”

“This is serious, Princess. Daeva almost never make an appearance in Daanoris, but he says there have been sightings of a gigantic frog-like creature with webbed talons and yellow eyes.”

“The savul,” Fox said bleakly, his hands balling into fists.

“They do not have the means of defeating it,” Zoya explained. “They are very eager to see the Dark asha in action as soon as they can figure out where it is.”





I spent another restless night; the army no longer posed an immediate threat, but I knew they would not give up so easily. Not with the power the Dark asha displayed, the lengths she had proven she would go.

She had risen earlier than I had again that morning, though it was clear she had less sleep than me. She sat on the throne, one leg slung over the armrest, displaying the long scar on her thigh. She had been writing again; the thick bundle of papers before her was testament to that. Lord Kalen and the Heartforger were nowhere to be found, and I surmised that the latter, at least, had finally gotten some much-needed rest.

To my surprise, she handed me some of the sheaves of paper.

“If yesterday was any indication, I will have many busy days ahead of me,” she said. “The rest of my story lies within these pages. Perhaps you can find a song there.”

“What else are you writing?”

“A letter—for my brother to read.” She laughed. “You look shocked.”

“I assumed that you were not on cordial terms.”

“That’s never mattered before.” She looked down at her papers. There is a strange scar marking her right palm, silvery from age. “If I do not survive this,” she said with less mirth this time, “then neither will he. But in the event that I succeed in my quest, he will live regardless of how I die. And I owe him an explanation. Mykaela too.”

“But how?”

“Some secrets I intend to keep a little longer. Do your best not to get caught in the crossfire, Bard. We are only just beginning, and I cannot foresee the future beyond my own, however much I plan.”

“They are quiet today,” Lord Kalen noted, entering the room. “But I suspect they are growing desperate.”

“Let them come. I defy any of them to get past my daeva.” The bone witch stopped. Her eyes widened. “But it looks like someone already has.” She rose to her feet. “Stop.”

I looked around but saw no one.

She sighed. “And here we have another complication. Come to me, Princess.”