CalledtoPower by Viola Grace Read Free Book Online

out, and it meant a lot to have people she trusted around her. It wasn’t family, but it was as close as she was going to get.

Chapter Eight
    Ikatti cleared his throat after Perinio had tried all of the food. “Why does that guard eat first?”
    The men turned to her to see what she was going to say.
    “Men that size you have to feed before you end up on the menu. It is just good sense.”
    Perinio laughed and bent his head to his meal. The contamination he had tasted the night before wasn’t toxic, it was an ovarian stimulator. He had briefed her once they were in her rooms, and she had not been surprised. If she was the last of the only bloodline that could sit on the throne, they wanted her to begin producing as many children as possible.
    They ate breakfast, and while she enjoyed a cup of yip—the local morning beverage of choice—Ikatti got down to business.
    “Your interview with your grandmother is scheduled in one hour, and after that, nobles will begin bringing gifts and those who have a male to offer you for breeding your heir.” He winced as he said the last words.
    She raised her hand. “It is fine. I was expecting it, though I thought there were some beneath me on the bloodline. I will attempt to bring in my heir within a year.”
    Dorium raised a brow, and she fought her blush.
    When he knocked on her mind, she answered, Well, you made the offer.
    I know. I just wasn’t aware that I was on the clock.
    Being consort to an Empress is hard work, are you up to it?
    I am if you are.
    Passive aggressive. She mentally stuck her tongue out at him, and he choked on his yip.
    The silent banter was fun, but she was glad that he always knocked before beginning a conversation. It would be odd to have someone cracking into her mind whenever they wanted to. Her defences would kick in and that would not be a subtle thing.
    She sipped at another cup, and when everyone had eaten their fill and they were all looking alert and ready for a stressful day, she had to ask, “Where did you all sleep, Dorium?”
    “Ikatti had rooms next to yours arranged for us. We slept in shifts and are now ready to serve, Empress.” Dorium inclined his head respectfully.
    She sighed. At the Citadel, she had had a title that nobody used, and she had enjoyed it. On Vexa, she had an unwanted title, and it was pinned firmly on her when she wanted to hear her own name just once to let her know she was still inside the new empress.
    Syrella nodded to everyone, “Well, it is time to get my father back. Shall we?”
    She got to her feet, and they all rose. Her collection of guards escorted her to the throne room, and it did not feel as alien today as it had the day before.
    Her throne hummed happily when she swept her gown out of the way and took a graceful seat. The glow coming from the throne was a happy lavender with an occasional wandering green, and it was so soothing that she was immediately at ease.
    The court was holding its breath, and Syrella knew why. Her grandmother had entered the room just as Syrella sat down.
    Lady Algiatha Nevic had her head up with pride and it suddenly struck Syrella that her grandmother didn’t know how little Sy valued her opinion.
    When Lady Nevic made it to the base of the throne she stood confidently. An unbelieving hiss rolled through the crowd, and suddenly Lady Nevic was a little less smug.
    Ikatti announced her, “Lady Algiatha Loesh Nevic, Your Imperial Highness.”
    Sy straightened, “Lady Nevic, I hear that you have possession of my father’s soul stone.”
    Her grandmother paled, “I do, Syrella.”
    “With the Day of the Dead approaching, I would like to have it. As you can imagine, a life without the soul of my father at my disposal has been difficult.”
    Algiatha’s hand made a slight motion to her pocket. “I am sure it was, but he was my son.”
    “Not your only son, and the way of the Vexar has been to hand the stone to those who need it, to the children of those who have passed. Do