Empire of Night by Kelley Armstrong Read Free Book Online Page A

to be of no threat. One that bears royal blood.”
    â€œYou wish me to accompany it?”
    â€œSending your older brothers would insult Alvar, implyingthat they are speaking for me. Sending you says I take the threat seriously and wish to open direct negotiations between myself and Alvar, and send you to arrange for them.”
    â€œYou said he would not negotiate,” Moria said.
    â€œHe won’t. But it is only right for me to attempt it. I will send a convoy with my son and with the Keeper of Edgewood, presuming she wishes to go.”
    Now Moria straightened. “Yes, I do.”
    â€œYour sister, too, if she wishes. You brought Alvar’s message, so you will return it. He sent you here accompanied by his son. I will send you back accompanied by mine. It is an honorable move. When you reach Fairview, you and Tyrus can accomplish what my spies could not.”
    â€œAssess the situation,” Tyrus murmured. “Confirm that the children and villagers live, determine where they are being held and how one might free them.”
    His father smiled. “Precisely.”
    Emperor Tatsu had asked Tyrus to walk Moria and Daigo back to their quarters. As they crossed the palace grounds, she began to wonder if Tyrus had agreed only because he could not refuse. He’d been silent since they left the emperor’s quarters.
    When they reached the gate between the court and palace grounds, she said, “I can find my way from here.”
    He brushed off her words with a distracted wave, following beside her but still not speaking. Daigo bumped her hand, as if in sympathy.
    Once they were out of the guards’ earshot, she said, “I’m sorry.”
    He glanced over then, and it took a moment for his eyes to focus, as if he’d been lost in some other realm.
    She continued, “I broke every rule of decorum, speaking to the emperor like that. But you were the one I hurt by digging us both into a hole. I don’t blame you for being angry.”
    A faint smile touched his lips. “I think you’ve spent too much time with—” He bit off the sentence before saying Gavril’s name. “If hearing you speak your mind upset me, I’d hardly have lasted a day in your company. I expect no less. I’m not angry, Moria. If I was, you’d know it. You don’t need to search for nuances with me. If it seems as if I’m thinking, that’s truly all I’m doing. Thinking about what my father said about the children and the villagers. And thinking of the trip to come, and whether he may be underestimating his enemy.”
    â€œYou fear it’s not safe.”
    He hesitated, then said, with obvious reluctance, “I do.”
    â€œYour father wouldn’t put you at risk.”
    â€œIt’s not me I’m thinking of, Moria. Yes, you can take care of yourself. But you are a Keeper and unnecessary risk is still unnecessary.”
    â€œYou think that sending me is unnecessary.”
    â€œYes, I do. I’ve been quiet because you’ll not appreciate my saying so, and because going along is what you’ll want.”
    â€œI must go. Your father insists.”
    â€œThat doesn’t make it easier,” he said softly.
    She nodded. “You ought to go back to your quarters and prepare.” A wry smile. “You’ll be stuck with me soon enough.”
    His gaze met hers. “There is no one I’d rather be stuck with.”
    Moria tried to drop her eyes. She knew that’s what she ought to do. Shyly look away. But it was all she could do not to move toward him, to take that first step herself, see if he’d reciprocate, if he’d reach out and—
    â€œIt grows late,” Tyrus said, backing up. “You’ll need to speak to Ashyn quickly. We depart at dawn, and my father brooks no delays.”

SEVEN
    M oria was gone. She’d mumbled something about possibly spending the evening with Tyrus but had