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  He leaned back in his chair and took another sip of wine. “First, I need to know what we discuss never leaves this room.”

  “We survive on discretion,” Cassius replied.

  “True. To reveal what we are would be suicide.” She wound one of her dark curls around her finger while the other hand rested over the hilt of her knife. “Who do you want dead?”

  “I’ll get to that. Second, I need to know that you bear no loyalty to the empire.”

  She laughed. “As I’m sure Cassius has told you, I was born an Alpirion slave. I have no love for the empire. As far as I’m concerned, you Deizians can return to the sun you came from and burn.”

  “I told you she would be perfect, Pontus. Why would you doubt me after all these years?”

  Her blood chilled. There was more to this meeting than she had first thought. How far did her mentor and the governor go back? “Are we going to talk in riddles, or are you going to tell me what you’re planning?”

  Pontus raised a brow at her impertinence. “The latest news from Emona is that Emperor Decius will not live to see the next full moon.”

  “If he’s already on his deathbed, why do you want me to hasten him to the afterlife?”

  “I’m content to let nature take its course with him. The person I wish for you to kill is his son, Sergius.”

  She bit her bottom lip. “Murdering a member of the Imperial family, especially the heir to the throne, is no simple task. No weapons are allowed inside the emperor’s chambers. That is, if you can find a way to gain entrance at all.”

  Cassius steepled his fingers under his chin. “You’re a clever girl, Azurha. I’ve taught you plenty of ways to kill someone without a conventional weapon. And as for gaining access to the palace, Governor Pontus has an idea for that.”

  “Oh?” This should prove interesting.

  “According to tradition, when a new emperor takes the throne, the provincial governors send gifts of tribute in honor of his coronation. Usually, things like gold, fine linen, or rare spices. But nobles have also been known to make contributions to the new emperor’s harem.”

  Azurha shot up to her feet. After the hell her master had put her through, why would Cassius even consider her for this? “Absolutely not. I refuse to be a sex slave for the emperor.”

  She was almost to the door when Cassius caught her and pressed a blade just under her ribs. “Sit down and hear us through, Rabbit.”

  Funny how quickly he could turn on her when it came to business. Every muscle in her body tightened while she weighed her options—kill them or agree to the plan. From what little she’d heard, this plan sounded like madness. She should kill them now before they coerced her into participating in it.

  You’ll never find a knot you can’t unravel.

  “Yes, please let me finish. My contribution to his harem is only a ruse to allow you close access to Sergius. From there, you can decide how far you wish to allow the games to proceed, so long as he ends up dead.”

  “And then?”

  “You will have earned the gratitude of the next emperor.”

  The air rushed out of her lungs. Just as she had suspected—this was far more than just an assassination. This was a political coup that would place Pontus on the throne as a surviving member of the Imperial Family. “You already know I bear no love for the empire. Why should I trade one tyrant for another?”

  His laughter sounded too musical to be sane. “Because if you don’t kill him, one of the other ruling families will hire someone else to do it. Sergius spent far too much of his youth studying philosophy instead of warcraft. His ideas for what he wishes to accomplish during his reign are interesting at best. Most of us consider them far too radical and fear the empire will crumble if he imposes them.”

  “And how is this a bad thing? If the empire falls, my people will be free once again.”

  “No, amidst the chaos caused by his plans, the lowest among us will be the first to suffer. That includes the slaves. Sergius is weak. From what I’ve seen, his magic is not even strong enough to maintain the barrier against the Barbarians.”

  Azurha let his words sink in. The emperor’s primary duty was to maintain the magical shield that encased the empire and kept outsiders like the Barbarians from attacking. If Sergius was really as weak as Pontus suggested, perhaps it would be a blessing for everyone if she killed him.

  Cassius released her arm and stepped back. “Listen to what he proposes, and you will see Pontus has the stability of the empire at heart.”

  “If you can help me, Azurha, I will make sure you are properly rewarded. You’ll want for nothing the rest of your life.”

  The hair on the back of her neck stood up. Her mind screamed at her to walk away. “And how long would my life be once I’ve served your purpose?”

  “I give you my word that if you succeed, you’ll live to see your grandchildren playing around your ankles.”

  The prospect of living a life of leisure overcame her hesitations. This could be her last job, the one that made her rich enough to buy a life of obscurity. “You’ll bear witness to this, Cassius?”

  “On my life and honor.”

  She snickered. “There’s no honor in you, but I know you jealously guard your life.”

  “Then are you agreed to it?” Pontus leaned forward, greed dancing in his cool blue eyes.

  She settled back into her chair. “Almost, Governor Gurges. Explain your plan to me.”

  “As I mentioned before, I offer you as a gift to the harem. As one of his concubines, you will have greater access to the palace in Emona than most members of the Imperial Family. When Sergius summons you to his chambers, you do what you do best.”

  She exhaled slowly. She wouldn’t have to become the emperor’s whore. It was all a cover. “And you think the emperor will find me suitable to summon to his bed?”

  “My dear, I’d summon you to my bed if I didn’t know how deadly you were.” Pontus stared at her as if he was picturing her naked. His cold smile made her skin crawl. “Of course, you’ll need appropriate attire for an Imperial concubine, which I will supply, as well as some instruction on how to please the emperor.”

  “Which you will supply, too, I assume?” She ground her teeth together.

  “In theory only, naturally, unless you would like hands-on instruction.”

  “I’d prefer not.” She turned to her mentor and searched his face. “Why did you choose me? Surely you know other female assassins.”

  “Because you’re the one person that could carry it out, Rabbit.”

  Could she pretend to be the emperor’s whore? Flashbacks of the pain and humiliation she suffered at the hand of her former master filled her mind, of her bleeding wrists bound above her head while he and his friends look their liberties with her. She belonged to no man now and never would.

  Anger warmed her blood, and she swallowed the lump of doubt caught in her throat. She could easily kill the next man that tried to take advantage of her. Let them offer her to the emperor. His blood would stain his sheets before the sun rose.

  “When do I leave for Emona?”

  3

  Titus Sergius Flavus had grown tired of their prattle over an hour ago, and yet they still pestered him like flies around a horse. Apparently, the Legion’s duty to act as his personal bodyguards did not extend to protecting him from his advisors.

  “Your Imperial Majesty, you haven’t decided what to do with the soldiers on the northern frontier,” one of them nagged. “The barriers have weakened since your father’s death, and the Barbarians’ airships are gathering at the borders. If the barriers fall, how will they defend us?”

  He leaned against the door to the small chamber off to the side of the throne room, then took a deep breath. In the two weeks since his father had died and left him emperor, he hadn’t gotten a moment’s peace. Not even a few hours to himself to grieve. Someone needed to run the empire that covered most of the planet, to sit in the throne that had been a symbol of
power for the last three centuries. “Fine, send them two loads of ore so their smiths can create the extra weapons they are requesting.”

  “Ore?”

  “Yes, ore. They have smiths travelling with them, and the barbarians don’t have the means to use the ore against us if they capture it.”

  The older man’s confusion melted as he understood the emperor’s reasoning. “Excellent idea, Your Imperial Majesty.”

  Titus closed his eyes and counted to ten. He needed to appoint new advisors, men who would help him carry out his plans for the empire without question rather than requiring him to explain everything like four-year children. “If that settles all the matters you deem important, I wish to remain undisturbed for the rest of the day.”

  He slammed the door shut behind him before they could reply.

  Laughter sounded behind him, and his body tensed when he realized he wasn’t alone. Who had managed to sneak past the Legion?

  “They’ll hound you until you go mad if you let them, coz.”

  His jaw tightened as he turned around. “How nice to see you again, Pontus. Please be brief with your pleasantries.”

  “Of course, Your Imperial Majesty.” Pontus bowed low in an almost mocking manner.

  “We’re not in the main throne room. There’s no need for this pomp and ceremony, especially among family. I take it you’ve already paid your respects to my mother?”

  “Yes, my poor cousin was quite beside herself in grief.”

  As I might be, if given the opportunity. His father had been the picture of perfect health until the last new moon. A mysterious illness had consumed him and left him a hollow shell of a man within a matter of days. Titus had spent hours at his father’s side, channeling his magic into his father’s body in hopes it would heal him. But there were some things magic could not heal, and not even the combined efforts of the strongest healers had been able to restore him in the end. Death took him before they could prepare for it, leaving a stunned empire in its wake. “I appreciate your concern.”

  “I will not burden you with political matters at this time, Sergius. I come bearing gifts from the Provence of Anicium in honor of your coronation.”

  “You can leave them with my steward, Varro, with my thanks.” He kept walking straight for the door to his private quarters until a flicker of blue caught his eye.

  A woman clothed in sheer indigo silk stood in the shadows. The way the material clung to her curves left little to the imagination, but his gaze didn’t linger there. A thin veil concealed most of her face, allowing only her teal eyes to shine through. Was it possible for someone to have eyes that color?

  “I thought I would personally present this gift to you.”

  “What do you mean?” Surely she wasn’t a gift for him. He licked his lips, and his cock stiffened. He hadn’t touched a woman since Lucia died, yet somehow, the mere sight of this woman managed to awaken desires that had lain dormant for the last two years. The change alarmed him enough to where he took a step back.

  “I thought she would be a nice addition to your harem.”

  “I don’t have a harem.”

  Pontus laughed. “Every emperor has had one, even your father.”

  She flinched when Pontus ran his finger along her arm, and her eyes widened. Titus could almost imagine her grimacing behind the veil. Anger burned through his veins that she’d been forced into a situation she obviously abhorred. “Maybe I should be the one to change things.”

  “Nonsense, coz. Just remove her veil, and I believe you will enjoy your Imperial privileges.”

  “I don’t want anything you’ve sampled.” The thought of Pontus offering his used goods disgusted him almost as much as trading a woman like a cow.

  “No, I haven’t touched her, although I’ve been tempted. I concealed her beauty under the veil, as is the custom for all the emperor’s concubines, so that no one will lay eyes on her but you.”

  Too bad the fabric barely covered her naked body. Her dark nipples formed tight buds underneath the silk, and he longed to run his thumbs over them. He shook his head and stared at floor. He should not have those kinds of thoughts about a woman. Not when there were so many other things at stake. “That was very kind of you, but if you don’t mind, I’m very busy at the moment, and I’d appreciate it if you would schedule an appointment to discuss the status of things in Anicium later.”

  “As you wish, Your Imperial Majesty.” Pontus bowed again, and the door thudded closed as he left.

  It wasn’t until Titus heard the shuffle of footsteps behind him that he realized Pontus had left the woman.

  …

  Azurha waited in the shadows when Pontus left. If she wanted to complete her mission, she had the perfect opportunity to do so. She had already bypassed the Legion, gaining access to his personal quarters. The emperor’s back faced her. It would be so simple to wrap the silk veil around his throat and end his life with a quick snap. And yet, her feet remained fixed to the floor, her body frozen like the marble statues of the gods that adorned the city’s temples.

  So why was she hesitating?

  She remembered the snarl on his face when Pontus had presented her, as if it was an insult to give him a woman to fulfill his sexual pleasures. When he’d said he should be the one to abolish the Imperial tradition of having a harem, her pulse had raced. Maybe for all the Deizians’ concerns, the emperor’s studies in philosophy would make him a better ruler. A man of true nobility.

  She almost laughed at herself for thinking such things. What did a cold-blooded killer like her know about nobility? She would willingly sully her hands with anyone’s blood for the right price. But as she studied him, she wondered if he would live up to his ideals. By the gods, she shouldn’t admire him like that, especially since she’d been hired to kill him.

  He was more handsome than she had imagined he would be, with his golden hair and tanned skin. If the gods could produce a mortal child, this was what he would look like. Only his slightly crooked nose gave away his humanity. A flaw in an otherwise perfect face. She licked her lips and crept towards him, wanting to study him closer before she drained the life from his body.

  The scuffing of her silk slippers alerted him, and he whirled around. His blue eyes locked with hers. The softness of his gaze made her wish the circumstances were different.

  She lowered her gaze and saw the bulge of his erection forming under his toga. Her skin crawled. Despite all his noble words, he couldn’t hide his desire from her. He was a man, no different from her master and his friends.

  The silence, normally her friend when she worked, now rattled her nerves. She dropped into a curtsey. “Your Imperial Majesty.”

  He approached her like she was an exotic creature, and he wasn’t sure if she would bite him. Perhaps Pontus underestimated him. He seemed to have the common sense to see that some gifts could really be traps.

  His fingers lifted her chin. “Forgive me, but I didn’t catch your name.”

  “Azurha.”

  “Azurha.”

  Her knees wobbled from the way he said her name, setting her on edge even more. A lover’s caress couldn’t have been as tender. Most men spat her Alpirion name out as if it disgusted them.

  “I apologize if Governor Pontus forced you to join my harem.”

  “I thought you didn’t have a harem?”

  “I don’t.” He increased the pressure under her chin until she rose from her curtsey. “So I’m at a loss as to what to do with you.”

  The conflicting feelings that seized control of her both surprised and terrified her. She dug her nails into her palm, using the pain to pull her thoughts back to the present situation. In the past, she’d endured some sloppy kisses in order to distract her targets, but she always ended their lives before things went beyond that. This would not be the exception.

  She just needed to play the part long enough to get him alone. “You could remove my veil.”

  “I could.” His fingers continued to cup her c
hin instead.

  “I cannot remove it without your permission.”

  His thumb traced the curve of her lips through the sheer material. “Maybe you should leave it on, or I’ll be tempted to…” His voice trailed off as his body leaned against hers. The scent of sandalwood rose from his warm skin.

  “Yes?” The word slipped out of her mouth before she could stop it. She silently cursed herself for letting lust muddle her brain.

  His brow puckered as if he was thinking the same thing, and he released her chin, taking a step away from her. “I’ll have Varro show you to a room until I figure out what to do with you.”

  All the blood rushed out of her head, leaving her dizzy. “As you wish, Your Imperial Majesty.”

  He winced when she used his title. He seemed to dislike hearing it as much as she hated saying it.

  He rang a bell, and an Elymanian servant appeared from one of the corridors off the main room. The unspoiled white linen of his tunic marked his high rank in the household, but the leathery texture of his tanned skin spoke of years of hard service before he obtained his current position. “Please show Azurha to appropriate quarters.”

  Varro coolly surveyed her attire, his brown eyes missing little, and bowed. “I will take her to the harem, Your Imperial Majesty.”

  She followed Varro with a smile on her face. Pontus had given her two weeks to complete her task, but she doubted she’d need that long.

  4

  Titus rubbed his temples and watched the wax drizzle down the sides of the candles on his desk. The last few hours had proven to be more frustrating than he had hoped. So many ideas for the empire, but no clue on how to implement them. His lips rose into a rueful grin. Well, he could always impose his Imperial Will. The nobles would love that.

  A door creaked open behind him, and the unmistakable sound of his steward’s limp echoed through the room. “Thank you for bringing dinner, Varro.”

  Varro stood at attention, reminding Titus of the man’s years of service to the Legion. “You are most welcome, Your Imperial Majesty.”