Page 13 of Lies That Bind
“Oh, I’m sorry, Empress, here.” She spooned more creamed rice onto my plate to make everything milder.
A few moments later, Kohen laughed at me when I used a torn piece of flatbread to sop up some lentils, and it wound up in my lap.
“Shut up, I’m still learning,” I scolded him under my breath.
“Nani, she saidshut up,” the little girl tattled on me, and I winced.
The grandmother, who I had learned was named Chara, tried to hide her smile. “She did. I’ll have to make her do dishes for that.”
The little girl burst into laughter, followed by the whole table.
“I will if you want me to,” I told her seriously. I wasn’t above doing dishes, especially if that was the house rule for cursing. Though I didn’t technically think ofshut upas a bad word.
The grandmother shook her head, trying to hide a smile. “I wouldn’t dream of it, Empress.”
Kohen watched me with an expression I could only interpret as adoration. I squirmed under that gaze because I felt it on my skin like a physical touch.
“Here.” Kohen reached out and put his fingers over mine, showing me how to scoop up the food with the flatbread. “Like this.”
My heart hammered in my chest as he brought it to my mouth, and I took the large bite.
“There are less dishes with no utensils,” I said through my mouthful, and everyone was laughing again, including myself. How could I laugh when my father was dead? When I’d been grieving just this morning? It was these people, I decided. This humble home and the hospitality gave me a normalcy I’d craved my whole life. We tucked into our meal, and I allowed myself for just an hour to forget all of the seriousness waiting for me back home.
The food was amazing, but beyond the food, the company was the best. People took turns coming inside to greet me and introduce themselves. Some even brought small handmade crafts in the shape of my firebird creature. It filled up a part of myself I hadn’t known was empty. I was so grateful we’d stopped here.
The next man who approached us I recognized as the one who had put the little girl on his shoulders on the roof. He bowed to me with prayer-clasped hands and then faced Kohen. “Prince Badshah, if I could have a private word with you?” He was a sturdy man in his forties, with scars and sun damage to his skin. If I had to guess, I’d say he was an embersmith.
Kohen met my gaze, and I nodded.
“I’m sorry, but I cannot leave the empress’ side. Whatever you have to say to me, you can say in front of her,” he stated.
I peered at Kohen in surprise.
The man swallowed hard and nodded. “People in Nimra are saying things I thought you should know.” He wrung his hands together nervously.
Nimra was the capital of Imbria.
“What are they saying?” Kohen asked.
The man eyed me apprehensively, and I braced myself. I had a feeling I wasn’t going to like this.
“They are saying that now that the emperor is… no longer living… they want to gain independence again with you as our leader, as our king, like your father once was.”
I stood so fast my chair skidded across the floor. The man bowed his head deeply.
“No offense was meant, Empress,” the man muttered at my reaction.
“Gain independencehow?” I asked him. “War?”
Could we handle a war with Imbria and Luska at once? We’d done it before, but it would put a huge strain on our resources, and it had been decades.
What he’d said was treason. And Kohen leadinglikehis father? That would make him a terrorist, too. I watched Kohen’s face for any sign that he approved of this plan, but he appeared as shocked by the news as I was.
“My Empress…” The man bowed even deeper. “I’m merely a messenger, just sharing what the rumor is. I do not agree with their plan, but I thought you should know.” He held out his hands in submission.
“I think it’s time I leave,” I told Kohen and everyone present.
The little girl was slumped over on the table, head cradled in her arms, fast asleep. The grandmother appeared dismayed that the night had ended this way. I was sorry it had as well.
