Page 3 of Lies That Bind
With no plan, I leaned into the microphone and told the soldiers of Storm Haven the truth: “My father, your fallenemperor, was murdered last night during the Luskin attack on Riverine.”
Each soldier present removed their hand from their salute and crossed it over their heart. A gesture of respect for my father that had my throat tightening.
“But I am here to tell you that the streets of Luska will run red with the blood of their soldiers because I will not sleep until I have paid them back in kind!” I screamed, my voice rising with each word.
The soldiers shouted their agreement, throwing their fists into the air. “And this war cannot be won without Storm Haven. This base is essential to our efforts. You keep the Imperial Fleet stocked and fed. Without you, we are weak. Don’t let anyone diminish your importance.”
More cheers, and then I crossed my fist over my chest. “I have trained my whole life to take up this title. I promise to lead you fiercely and wisely until my dying breath.” The screaming was roaring in my ears as I stepped off the podium.
The general shook my hand, appearing impressed. “That will boost morale for months to come. Thank you, Empress. We look forward to your orders of retaliation on the Luskins.”
I met his gaze with a fiery one of my own. “Oh, you can count on it, General,” I told him.
I walked over to Liana, slid my leg over her back, and we took to the skies, heading for the next stop. The soldiers below chanted my name, and I couldn’t help the swell of pride that rose in me.
‘That was a good speech. You will make a wonderful empress,’Liana told me.
I thanked her and settled into the ride.
We stoppedoff at Marble Shores, Thunder Cliff, and were now on our way to Evergreen base. After that, I just had Sky Reach. As we passed over Evergreen, I felt dizzy with exhaustion and hunger. It was past lunchtime, and I’d skipped breakfast. I’d been riding for five or six hours straight, and my legs were nearly numb. It was heartwarming to see that even the small country villages came out and looked to the skies to wave at me. I waved back, no matter how tired I was, and sometimes Liana spit fire to give them a show.
When I touched down at Evergreen, I stiffly slid off of Liana.
‘I’m going to hunt. I’ll be back soon,’she told me as the line of soldiers looked my way.
I saluted them, gave a variation of the same speech I’d given Thunder Cliff and the other bases, and then followed Admiral Caruso to the mess hall. It was jam-packed with soldiers, but they gave us a wide berth. Caruso walked right to the front of the line as I followed with four guards flanking my left and right. I was beyond starving. I felt lightheaded and out of it, and I kicked myself for skipping breakfast and not having even a snack.
The admiral placed food on a tray for herself and then made one of her assistants make a tray for me. She led us to a table in the back, where a line of soldiers stood guard to keep anyone from sitting. It was weird to be segregated like this, but I’d have to get used to it. Being empress meant I was different now, no matter how much I didn’t want to be.
I tried to give a nod or small half-smile to everyone we passed, including the eating soldiers. My father only wanted to be feared, but I wanted to be a liked empress. I guess I wantedboth. With fear came some amount of respect, but I wanted to be liked, too.
The guards parted like a curtain, and then I sat down across from Admiral Caruso. Her assistant set my food tray before me, and I wondered if I would ever be allowed to carry my own food again. Was it seen as beneath my station? I hadn’t ever seen my father cook for himself or do any menial task.There are people for that, he would say. I picked up my fork and stabbed a giant potato, holding it to my lips, about to take a bite, when a familiar voice shouted behind me.
“Aisling Everhart, drop it!”
I froze, eyes wide as I spun to see Elaine. Her cheeks were flushed, a few chunks of hair had sprung free of her bun, and her gaze took me in like a mother scanning her child for injuries. A lump formed in my throat. Vespa stood at her side, watching me with a cocked head.
The guards looked back at me and I nodded that they both be allowed in.
“What are you doing here?” I asked her. The guards broke apart, and she approached me. She was wearing her Imperial Fleet uniform, complete with her lieutenant pin. I hadn’t seen her in that uniform in a decade. How the hell had she gone from Riverine to Evergreen? She must have taken a train. Where were my sisters? I had so many questions.
Elaine peered from me to Admiral Caruso. “Did you have anyone taste her food?”
I glanced back at the admiral, who appeared confused. I knew the two were friends from their time in the Fleet, but there was an air of tension between them now. Elaine walked over to me and yanked the plate out from under me. Leaning forward, she got right in Admiral Caruso’s face. “Did. You. Taste. Her. Food?”
Understanding dawned on the admiral’s face. “There was no poison found in her father’s stomach. I highly doubt?—”
Elaine simply growled, cutting her off.
“Don’t forget your rank, Lieutenant Steele. I’m your superior,” the admiral warned my governess.
It took me a minute to remember that Elaine’s last name was Steele. I hadn’t heard her referred to like that in forever.
Elaine scoffed at that. “It was your job to keep the emperor alive. And it’s been my job for nineteen years to keep Aisling alive. Who’s doing better at their job?”
Ouch.
I winced at Elaine’s sharp rebuke. I knew she would take my father’s death badly, but this was pretty bad.
