The Heart Forger (The Bone Witch #2)(74)

“But Emperor Shifang himself is keen on magic?”

“Not quite. His interest lies in the azi for the most part, given its similarity to his royal crest.” Shadi shrugged. “Hopefully, Emperor Shifang’s fascination with Princess Inessa shall work in our favor. In the meantime, Fox, try not to get yourself stabbed. You’re a little harder to explain.”

“I’ll try, milady.”

Khalad shut the door behind us, briefly pressing his ear against the door. Then he prowled the room, carefully tapping at the walls.

“Why all the secrecy, Khalad?”

“We need to go into the city,” the forger said quietly, pitching his voice lower. “I tried to earlier, but the guards stopped me under Tansoong’s orders.”

“The old man might not be as accommodating as we thought,” Kalen growled. “Didn’t they promise to allow us to search?”

“Sure—eventually, once the savul has been neutralized. Sorry, Tea, but the sooner we can get to that daeva, the sooner we can search.”

“I’d have done it already if I knew where it was,” I said. “Or if I could control the azi to search for it. But how certain are you that the Heartforger is in the city?”

“Master keeps a small house in Santiang.”

Zoya stared at him. “Why didn’t you tell us?”

“It slipped my mind,” Khalad admitted. “He treats patients as a regular physician would, without using any magic, so he’s never gotten into trouble.”

“Do you know where this house is?”

“No, but I can find it.”

“Let’s give ourselves a few days to assess the politics in the palace first,” Zoya suggested. “I do not want to have to fight my way out of another kingdom so soon. We’ll need to ferret out more information about this Shaoyun fellow. It’s a long shot, but at least it’s a lead. Besides, I was never one to do things halfway.”

“No, you don’t,” Shadi said serenely, and Zoya blushed again.

? ? ?

It was difficult to find answers from the servants using only gestures and the most basic Daanorian I knew, but I finally found the gardens where Emperor Shifang was giving Princess Inessa the royal tour. It was an immense field, with each bush carefully clipped and tailored so none were out of place, and much of the shrubbery was shaped into different variations of dragons. The emperors of Daanoris, I thought, had a particular and peculiar fetish.

I felt Fox’s irritation. My brother leaned against a tree, glowering. Princess Inessa’s heartsglass told me she was bored, though she sent enthusiastic nods and wide smiles her fiancé’s way. She maintained a death grip on her collar and frequently snuck glances back at Fox to reassure herself she was not alone with the emperor.

I could understand his impatience. Every day we lingered, the chance of Prince Kance dying increased. Not for the first time, I cursed the barriers. Without them, we might have found the old forger by now, broken Inessa’s engagement under the threat of the azi, and left.

“Tell me more about Daanorian empresses,” Inessa said sweetly. “Were they brave fighters? Did they take command of armies?”

“They were as able as men,” came the proud response, translated through Tansoong. “Emperors are selective when it comes to wives. Should a ruler become incapacitated, they take over in his stead and command the same obedience. When Emperor Hansun fell dangerously ill, it was Empress Kalka who led the army to victory against Tresea, with only six hundred men against their thousand. And Queen Meili successfully conquered Arhen-Kosho when she married the sickly Emperor Jien, losing that kingdom only after her death. All young, blushing innocents before their marriage—as is required of them, naturally—yet with the courage of the gods in their blood. And with you by my side, my love, we shall lead Daanoris into further greatness.” He took her hand and kissed the inside of her wrist. Chagrin surged out at me from Fox’s end.

Where’s Likh? I asked quietly.

I think Inessa took pity on him and sent him to his room was the terse response.

You know, if you’re really bothered by this, you should speak up.

Who said it was bothering me?

You’re not as good at hiding your emotions as you were before I first drew the Veiling, Fox.

He scowled at me. That’s none of your business.

That’s never stopped you before.

I don’t like it, all right? It’s one thing to be engaged to Prince Kance, and it’s another to be betrothed to an emperor from another kingdom she knows nothing about! I saw the way he eyes her. She isn’t a person to him—she’s just another expensive ornament to display! I’d like to strangle that royal neck!

We’ve been in the Daanorian palace for barely a day, Fox. Let’s not set the fastest world record for bad manners.

I’m not going to lose my temper in front of her. I’m just…I’m just…

You’re what?

I don’t know. Nothing. It was not like Fox to sound so helpless, and my heart went out to him.

I could have told Fox to forget her, that Inessa was capable of handling herself or, failing that, her choices were her own to bear. But living inside his head and being more susceptible to his emotions changes one’s perspective.

Talk to her. She’s as scared about this as you are. You can’t be this dense.