Empire of Night by Kelley Armstrong Read Free Book Online

sparring and eschews the comforts and entertainments of the court. Her sister is equally frustrated, in her quiet way, losing herself in her studies instead. If you had sent Moria to eavesdrop on treaty negotiations, the punishment for both of you would be severe. But you sent her to prove that I was indeed making progress on the matter of Alvar Kitsune.”
    When neither said a word, the emperor pulled the low chair from his desk and sat on it.
    â€œYet that doesn’t truly help, does it?” he continued. “What concerns her immediately is not the fate of the former marshal but the fate of the children. And on that, the news is less heartening.” He turned to Moria. “I have sent spies to assess the situation. One on the very night I learned of the events in Fairview, another two days following. Neither has returned. Presumably they are dead or captured. Alvar expected them.That is the problem with fighting a man who knows me so well.”
    â€œSo what now?” Moria asked.
    Tyrus cleared his throat.
    â€œI mean, so what now, your imperial highness?”
    Tyrus sighed. His father chuckled, then sobered.
    â€œThat is the question, child. What now? Am I to rally the army? March on Fairview? Free the captives? Slaughter the rebels? I suspect that is the answer you’d like.”
    â€œTyrus already explained why you can’t do that. They’d see an army approaching and kill the hostages.”
    â€œMy son knows his battle tactics well and his politics better than he’ll admit. Yes, that’s why I cannot march on Fairview. But there is more to it. I do not prepare the army for war because I hope to avoid war. I allow the citizens of the empire to continue on their daily business because, again, I hope to avoid war. I will avoid war in any way I can, short of handing over the imperial throne. That includes the sacrifice of Edgewood’s children and the citizens of Fairview.”
    Moria’s head shot up. “Did you say . . . ?”
    â€œYes, I did. War would kill thousands. It would ruin the lives and destroy the homes of tens of thousands. Would I allow a few hundred to die to avoid that?” He met her gaze. “Yes, I would. Make no mistake, child. I will do what I can to save those children and that village, but my eye is on the rest of my empire. On stopping Alvar Kitsune and whatever sorcery he works before he captures more villages.”
    He paused, then continued, “You’ve no doubt heard Tyrus say he does not aspire to any high office. Part of thatis self-preservation, but part is this, too—emperors and marshals must make decisions that Tyrus could not. He has a good heart, a pure heart. He takes after his mother in that. He will make a great warrior someday. A great commander. But not an emperor. Not a marshal.”
    Moria snuck another look at Tyrus, but he kept his face averted. Anger flared in her as she looked back at the emperor.
    â€œYou think I ought not to speak of him like that in front of him,” he said.
    â€œYes, I do.”
    Again, Tyrus cleared his throat. Again, his father only chuckled.
    â€œYou mean well, son, but she’ll speak her mind as long as she has a tongue to do it with, and if she didn’t, she’d still speak it with her eyes. She objects because she feels I insult you. You may even feel insulted. But you will do great things, and you will live to do them, which matters more to me than that you should be suited to a throne you would never see. The empire is built on great warriors. It can always use more of those, and fewer men vying to be emperor or marshal.” He paused. “Speaking of uses for warriors, I have a task for you, Tyrus. Your first military assignment.”
    Tyrus shot to attention, his dual swords rattling. “Yes, my lord father?”
    â€œI will dispatch no more spies to Fairview. It is time to send an envoy. One they will see coming, but one that is small enough