New Rome

48. Cutting Hearts

Graesen read through the latest statistics from Amen's capital – collected by his spies there. The oblivion he was pumping into their economy, in deadly secrecy, was working brilliantly. The empire's health system was overwhelmed, unable to support those suffering the addiction, and their work force was being culled. The capital was weakening. Good.

But he needed the contamination to spread. Amen's empire was much larger than one city. Now was the time to expand – to weaken the empire's northern territories that it relied on to supply the war effort. Graesen scratched his wrist, picking at a scab there. This would affect his own people. Humans were being used as cannon fodder on the front line, he'd be putting them at risk by destabilising the north. But it was part of the bigger picture.

To save more human lives, the empire had to fall. Sighing heavily, Graesen rose to his feet and headed to the sideboard. He needed a drink. A red light started flashing from the control panel on his desk, the glow bathing Graesen in a scarlet light. He stopped what he was doing and dropped quickly to his knees. Think of the devil and he shall appear...

The Emperor of Amen appeared in the form of a hologram. Graesen rested his forehead against the floor.

"Oh Great and Powerful Emperor," he intoned respectfully in Amenian - hiding his hatred behind a servile mask.

**

"Layala, I have no desire to speak with you," Kaze informed her as he attempted to walk away. She pursued him down the corridor and tugged on his elbow.

"You would shut me out completely for her sake?" Layala questioned- her voice thick with emotion. Kaze hadn't shown up to the last three study sessions. "Have you forgotten the years of friendship we've shared?"

Kaze stopped trying to leave and finally turned to face her.

"I have not. But I fear you have. You have expressed your feelings for me and I have made my answer as clear as I can." He glanced around them nervously – aware that she still had a grip on his arm. He didn't want Arly to see them and misunderstand.

Layala jutted out her chin, her expression defiant. She'd loved Kaze for years. She'd endured his indifference before, because at least he'd been indifferent to everyone, but she couldn't abide him choosing a girl like Arly.

"Cast Arly aside," she uttered her words slowly, "or I will share words with your new father."

Kaze stiffened. He stared at Layala as if he was seeing her for the first time. Layala's grip tightened on his sleeve. "How do you think Prince Kai will react when he discovers your relationship? Arly is his daughter and you his son – he will have to prevent it. He will be horrified and I will make sure he knows who to blame. He will learn that his daughter is a snake in human skin."

"And I shall tell him that the blame is all mine."

Layala frowned, her lips pinching as if she'd sucked on a lemon.

"You would not deny it? You would not deny your relationship with her?"

Kaze's expression was fierce.

"Deny it? To deny loving Arly I would have deny myself a soul. I would defy the world for her. Tell our father, if you desire – you shall gain nothing from it. I will endure the Prince's anger and I shall shield Arly from it."