The Princess, page 32
He and his guards soon left the palace itself behind, taking one of the many wide crushed shell paths that led down to the water’s edge. The chill in the air, along with the overcast sky, left him wishing that he’d brought a light cloak with him. Down at the docks a few ships were moored, bobbing lightly in the quiet waters of the bay. Fabian continued on past them until he eventually spied Alekos speaking with Admiral Vulcanus, the two men surrounded by Imperial Guards. Vulcanus gestured to the ship in front of them as Alekos nodded. The vessel was noticeably larger than any of the other warships in the harbor and from what Fabian could see of the rudder, its design looked different than what he was accustomed to. When Fabian reached Alekos and Vulcanus, the two men paused their conversation. Vulcanus bowed to Fabian, while Fabian bowed to Alekos.
“I eagerly await the next set of plans, Admiral,” Alekos said. “I think that perhaps we are on to something here.”
“I agree, Your Majesty,” Vulcanus replied. “You will be the first to know when the next set of plans is completed.”
Vulcanus bowed again and bid Fabian and Alekos farewell before striding back down the docks, heading for the palace.
“What is this?” Fabian asked Alekos, inclining his head toward the massive ship.
“The Imperial Navy’s future, I hope,” Alekos answered, rubbing his chin. “Our warships did not fare well in rough seas; the raiders made that blatantly obvious. I’ve tasked Vulcanus with finding men to create a new design that will perform better on the water. There are still issues that need to be solved, but I believe things are heading in the right direction. The larger size has proven to be harder to build, but it should be able to withstand the rougher waters better. And Cassian believes that with some changes to the design of the rudder, the steering capabilities of our ships could drastically improve.”
“Cassian?” Fabian was unable to stop himself from wrinkling his nose or hiding the disgust in his tone. “He is the last person I would trust with such responsibility.”
“His involvement is being closely monitored and watched,” Alekos said, his tone stern. “Believe me, I am well aware of the extent of his treachery, but the man has a mind for building things. And I am going to use that to this empire’s advantage.”
Fabian pressed his lips tightly together. Even if he did not agree with him, Alekos was not a fool. And Fabian knew firsthand how poorly their ships had fared against the monstrous storms that had lashed the seas and the coasts when the raiders had been attacking their shores. Redesigning their ships wasn’t a bad decision, even if Fabian didn’t entirely agree with how Alekos was going about it.
“There is more I wish to talk with you about than just ships. Come, walk with me,” Alekos said, motioning for Fabian to follow him. As they continued down the docks, their guards slowed their paces, staying just far enough behind that they could keep watch over Alekos and Fabian, but not within earshot of them.
“I’m certain you’ve heard the palace gossip, but General Hesoid has confirmed that Regulus has gone missing,” Alekos said with a grimace.
Fabian frowned. He’d heard some of the gossip being whispered over breakfast about Regulus having supposedly deserted his post. His youngest brother’s brief time in the Imperial Army had been full of trouble and scandal, but still, Fabian had foolishly thought that even Regulus wouldn’t stoop so low. Clearly, he’d been wrong.
“Are there any clues to where he might have gone?” Fabian asked.
“Not yet,” Alekos answered. “He didn’t take it well when he heard the news that Aurelia would be granted the title of Duchess of Solis and would be taking over control of the duchy from Rhiannon. He appears to have run off from his post some time shortly after that. But he will be found, one way or another.”
“You are going through with it then? Letting Rhiannon have her way as far as the duchy is concerned?”
Word of Rhiannon’s intentions regarding Solis had begun spreading shortly after she had arrived for her unexpected visit to the palace. The scribes in particular had put out countless speculations of all manner of terrible things that could happen to the duchy if it was passed on to Aurelia, many of them arguing that Regulus was clearly the better choice for such a task.
“The law is on Rhiannon’s side,” Alekos said. “Provisions were written decades ago that allow Solis to be ruled by a duchess.” He paused, rubbing the back of his neck. “I only hope that I do not live to regret making such changes on Rhiannon’s behalf.”
“You do not worry that it will be too heavy of a burden for Aurelia to bear? Especially with her poor health?”
“Rhiannon will be there to help guide her. And despite the fact that she is, indeed, a woman, Rhiannon cannot be faulted for her leadership of Solis over the years. She has not always made the right decisions, I will grant that, but she has not broken under the weight of the responsibility. I do not believe that Aurelia will either.” He cast Fabian a sidelong glance. “And may I remind you that Aurelia did a great service to the empire and showed her fortitude during this whole mess with the House of Lapis. She passed on valuable information to the Imperial House, with Lycaon and Silvanus continually being none the wiser.”
Fabian bit the inside of his cheek, averting his gaze as they continued on. Aurelia had done her part to aid the Imperial House during her marriage to Silvanus, but Fabian still had his doubts. And while he didn’t agree with Alekos’ assessment of the situation, it was also clear that his father had already made up his mind on the matter.
“There is also this growing trouble in Darnic,” Alekos said, clasping his hands behind his back. “I had hoped that Remus would be able to manage it on his own, but that has not been the case. The mines continue to be the center of misfortune and supposed accidents, and there have been reports of commoners gathering in secret to spread seditious talk. But I will not have this empire upended by rabble who foolishly believe that they can somehow govern better than those that the gods have granted such power to.”
“I am to assume that I will travel to the north next?” Fabian asked.
“No,” Alekos answered, “You have already proven yourself to the people and the nobility on the field, and it is only a few short months until your time in the Imperial Navy comes to an end. I will be sending Dimitrios to help Remus get the people of Darnic back in line. You will be remaining here at the palace. There are other matters concerning you and the future of the House of Vepi that need to be attended to.”
They reached the end of the dock and came to a stop. As Fabian gazed out on the expansive dark blue waters of the bay, he felt tension creeping into his shoulders. “Such as?”
“Such as your future empress.”
Fabian’s stomach dropped, even as he silently chastised himself for the overreaction. He was crown prince. He was always going to marry a noblewoman of Alekos’ choosing one day, a woman who would strengthen and secure the Imperial line. And yet, a foolish part of him had stupidly hoped that he had many years before he was cornered into marriage.
“I have been in discussion with the dukes,” Alekos said. “Though I cannot say that, thus far, any of their daughters have impressed. Osvaldus is desperate for Flavia to be wed into the Imperial House, but I do not see her as a future empress. Though I may appease him by having Dimitrios wed her. Remus also intends to bring Oriana to Talekos soon, but I have my misgivings there as well. I wasn’t entertaining the idea of a lesser nobleman’s daughter, but I did receive a message from the islands just yesterday. Their lords appear eager to put themselves in the running with one of their daughters, Lady Ceres of Arcanum.”
“The islands?” Fabian shook his head, his brow furrowing. “I do not mean to question your judgment, but I fail to see what alliance would be had there.”
The islands in the middle of the Bay of Aegir were the home of lesser noblemen who, despite their lowly status, had blood that was almost as old as the empire itself. For centuries, the islanders had made their fortunes fishing the waters of the bay, but their wealth still paled in comparison to the rest of the empire.
“There is little to be gained as far as alliances go,” Alekos replied, “but I cannot fault them on purity of blood. I have agreed to allow Lady Ceres to come to the Imperial Palace. I do not imagine that she will be worthy of one day becoming empress, but it will appease the noblemen of the islands if she is given a chance. By the end of this winter, your bride will be chosen and you will wed the following winter. If there are any dalliances that you have decided to indulge in, they will end immediately. Is that clear?”
The empty feeling in the pit of Fabian’s stomach grew. This is your duty, he sternly reminded himself. He was to be emperor, and an emperor could not secure the future of the Imperial House without an empress.
“Yes, Father,” he said.
“Good. Now, I must meet with General Hesoid and Dimitrios about this business in Darnic. I will see you tonight at the banquet.”
Fabian bowed to Alekos, who took his leave, striding back down the docks with his guards. Fabian drew in a deep breath, letting it out slowly before pulling his shoulders back and doing the same. But as he made his way back to the palace, he found that his discontent and unease only grew. He knew who would be awaiting him inside his chambers, and the eagerness he had previously felt about seeing her had vanished.
By the time he left his guards outside the doors of his chambers and stepped into his common room, his palms had grown sweaty and his stomach had begun to churn. When he entered his bedchamber, his gaze fell on the servants’ door on the far side of the room. He could ignore her. She would eventually come to her senses and leave, would she not? Coward. The thought left a painful lump in his throat and he swallowed hard before striding over to the door. He raised his hand and knocked four times, backing away a few seconds later when the door swung open. Valeria smiled at him as she ducked through the doorway, but the brightness in her eyes only deepened the heaviness that had settled in the pit of his stomach.
“I’ve missed you,” she murmured before pulling him in for a kiss.
For a brief moment, he gave in, working a hand into her hair and slipping his other arm around her waist to draw her to him. But even as his mouth moved over hers, Alekos’ words echoed in his thoughts. He would be wed by the end of next winter. What was between them could not continue. He forced himself to pull away from her and release a ragged breath.
“I have a bit of… unexpected news,” she said, ducking her chin and tracing the deep V neckline of his dark grey shirt with one of her fingers, leaving sparks in her wake that only left him feeling even more conflicted.
“I’m afraid that I have news as well,” he replied.
“You’re the prince,” she said, looking back up at him with a smile. “You should, of course, go first.”
He forced himself to drop his hand from his waist and take a step back, putting distance between them. She went still and as he tried to look her in the eye, he found that he couldn’t, averting his gaze like the coward he was. “By the end of this winter, I will be betrothed, to the future empress of Kelnore. I… this cannot continue. I’ve let it go on for too long as it is. We’re finished.”
Her features paled and she bit down hard on her lower lip.
“You will speak of our affair to no one, and you will not sneak into my chambers again. If you do, you will find yourself in a prison cell for attempting to take liberties with the crown prince. Is that understood?”
She dropped her gaze to the floor. “Yes, Your Highness.”
“Return to your duties,” he said, stiffly waving to the servants’ door. “I have no need of you here.”
She curtsied, but her shoulders drooped and her steps were halting as she crossed the room. When she reached the door, she paused for the briefest of seconds, glancing back over her shoulder. Fabian forced himself to meet her gaze, his spine stiff and his jaw clenched as he tried to banish any hint of warmth or desire from his features, even as his throat painfully tightened. She swallowed hard, then slipped through the door. The moment it closed behind her, Fabian released a shaky breath, pinching the bridge of his nose. What they had shared was over; it had never been meant to continue. It didn’t matter how much his chest ached, or how much faint hints of moisture stung his eyes. He needed an empress and Valeria was not, and never would be, that. Put her out of your mind, he told himself. His duty was to the empire, above all else, even the wants of his heart.
Chapter 50
It was not good news that had drawn Luca back to his family’s estate in Darnic and as he rode up to the towering stone fortress, he thanked the gods that Dimitri had granted him an immediate leave of absence when he had received Remus’ grave news. He pulled Rubrum up, every muscle in his body aching and his horse breathing hard. He had pushed both himself and Rubrum to their limits to make it from Vara to their estate in Griseo in a little under three days. He swung out of the saddle and a groom came to take his horse, Luca informing him to make sure that Rubrum was cooled out sufficiently and given plenty of water. As his horse was led away, Luca pushed himself onward despite his weariness, taking the front steps two at a time.
Their company had been in Darnic for almost a month, trying to put an end to the growing resistance that had erupted inside its borders. It had been difficult for Luca, feeling as if he was turning against his own people. He was a soldier; it was not his place to question orders, but their time in Darnic only seemed to be escalating matters, not improving them. And Remus’ letter had further illustrated that grim reality.
Remus and Cato had gone down to one of the mines, not far from the estate. A band of rebels had attacked the mines during their visit, claiming grievances with Remus forcibly sending their children into the pits to die. The rebels had eventually been pushed back by the soldiers who had been stationed there, but not before Remus and Cato had both been thrown from their horses. Cato had died instantly when his head struck a boulder. Remus had escaped with his life, though just barely.
When Luca reached the fortress’ entrance, he was ushered inside by Remus’ head of household and Luca had barely been in the entryway long enough to breathe before Fiona came hurrying into the room. Her dark green gown was simple, as always, and her blonde hair looked even lighter than it had the last time he had seen her. More wrinkles and creases lined her features, but the warmth in her brown eyes was exactly the same as he remembered it.
“Thank the gods you made it safely,” she said as she embraced him.
His throat thickened. By the seas, he had missed his mother’s presence.
“Come,” she said as she stepped back. “Remus is waiting for you.”
Luca followed her out of the entryway and up a spiral stone staircase to the second level, where Remus’ chambers were located. While their home in Darnic wasn’t as grand as most of the homes in Talekos and had once been a holding that had belonged to Darnic’s kings, Remus had not missed opportunities to show off his wealth. Priceless paintings lined the walls and bronze and marble sculptures were strategically placed in front of large glass windows. Remus had even had two expensive mosaics done by craftsmen that he’d paid handsomely to come up from Talekos. One graced the entryway while the other was located on the wall just outside of Remus’ chambers.
“How is he?” Luca asked Fiona as they walked.
She sighed. “His physician insists that he will make a full recovery, but… I am not so sure.”
The tightness in Luca’s throat increased at her foreboding tone.
“I will warn you,” she said as the two of them came to a stop in front of the door that led into Remus’ chambers. “He does not look well.”
Luca nodded, even as a deep sense of unease pooled in his belly. Fiona pushed open the door, leading him through the common room, but as she opened the bedchamber door, she almost ran right into Remus’ manservant.
“My apologies, Your Ladyship,” he said as he skirted to the side.
Luca’s gaze fell on the handful of what looked like bloodied and soiled bandages under the servants’ right arm. Remus had claimed in his letter that while he wished for Luca to return to the estate for Cato’s funeral, Remus himself would make a full recovery in a matter of days. But how truthful had those words been?
“How did His Grace fare with having his bandages changed?” Fiona asked.
“He fared well, Your Ladyship,” he answered, but Luca noticed that the servant did not fully meet Fiona’s gaze.
“That is good news. Thank you,” Fiona said with a strained smile.
The servant bowed to Fiona again before continuing on his way, and Luca drew in a deep breath before following Fiona into the bedchamber. Remus was sitting up in his large bed, but a hacking cough wracked his chest. He appeared to brighten a bit when his gaze fell on Luca, but as Luca drew closer to his father, it was difficult to ignore the dull glassiness of Remus’ eyes, the whites of them appearing almost a strange yellow in color, and there was a strange yellow tint to his skin.
“Lucanus,” Remus said between coughs. “Good; you’ve arrived. Your mother was beginning to fear that you wouldn’t make the journey.”
“I left Vara as soon as I was able and rode as hard as I could,” Luca said as he came to stand at Remus’ bedside while Fiona lingered near the doorway.
“Leave us, Fiona,” Remus said, dismissively waving her away. “We have things to discuss that are not for a woman’s ears.”
Fiona stiffened but did as she was instructed. As she slipped out of the room, Remus broke into another coughing fit.
