The Empty Ones (Fantasy Romance)

38. We need to find her

By now, I know with quite some certainty that the powers the Emperor has are not related to one's mind.

If he could see what I think, or, like Paisa, sense my feelings and know when I lie, I would be dead by now.

When he visited my bed chamber, close to the morning, after the royal banquet, he was swift. It wasn't one of the days appointment by the physician but by now I know that those aren't a rule and he does how he pleases.

I think something at that gathering triggered his reaction because he repeated a few times that I belonged to him and nobody else. There isn't any need for him to repeat it. I know. It's engraved in the back of my neck. And it wasn't me who didn't want to respect it.

I am grateful to the gods, though, that the aftermath of that night wasn't as catastrophic as it could have been. A blue moon's turn passed since then, and things are calmer at court. Everybody is anxiously expecting the arrival of Paisa's baby.

Salma, by the grace of the gods, is also behaving. And I... I am left thinking how I can get to Chioma.

She is alive. That's the only good thing. The bad thing is that I know she is suffering.

"What are you thinking off?" asks Salma. We are lone. Dara avoids her service a lot lately. I don't know if out of sympathy for Bea or because I angered her too for Gods know what reason.

"Chioma. And how I can help her."

"You can't," says Salma simply.

"I found a way to bring you here. Chioma is, by status by far not so important. Yet, I don't know what I can trade her for."

"Ask your husband to give you that as a gift. Sure, it will be an odd request, but who cares."

"Salma, my husband doesn't give me any gifts. I don't think that's his way. And to request one, I need to be of use to him in some way."

"You would solve this if you became pregnant. Maybe you are lucky and Paisa has a daughter; then your child would come first. If it has magic, of course."

She is saying this as if it's easy. Well, it has been easy for her.

"Salma, don't be like this."

"I know you like her, but Paisa is your competition."

"No. What's there to win?"

"Power."

"That's not true. You miss the fact that there is a crown prince already."

"Oh, Zara, you know what they say about him. As soon as there is a worthy replacement, he will be set aside."

So, apparently,y this is a known rumour.

"But why wouldn't he be worthy?"

"First, because he doesn't want to serve in the army. And he doesn't seem to be interested in ruling at all. Have you not seen, at the few gatherings we were present, he was either bored out of his mind, left as soon as he could, or wasn't there at all."

I sigh because what she is saying is true; I just refused to acknowledge it.

"You are very observant and have a good ear for gossip."

"I have learned a thing or two from Fera." She shrugs.

I throw her a frown.

"Calm down. I won't do anything to you. But in hindsight, she was the only one holding some power in the priory. The rest of us, we were all sheep. Even Mairi."

And again, she is right. A few star circles ago, she seemed to be a dreamy airhead, but now that would rather apply to me.

"All right. So, how do you think I should go about helping Chioma?"