Page 10 of Lies That Bind
“I… didn’t think anyone would be outside to see me,” I told him honestly.
He shrugged. “Only one way to find out.”
I frowned. “Kohen, it’s almost bedtime. I highly doubt the people of Imbria are staying up, waiting to see me in the skies.”
Hurt crossed his face, followed by anger. “You’ll never accept them as yours, will you?”
I shifted on my feet. “Of course they’re mine. I will protect them if attacked, but?—”
“But that’s it. That’s an ally, Aisling,nota leader.” He shook his head in disappointment. “We should get back. It’s getting late,” he spat.
An ally, not a leader. That stung because it was true. Before I could say anything more, he got onto Onyx and then took off for the skies, leaving me to stew in my regret.
‘Why the hell would I fly over Imbria? They hate us,’I asked Liana as I crawled onto her back, my mind spinning with everything Kohen and I had just discussed.
‘Maybeso that they wouldn’t hate you anymore. You are their empress, after all, and this is the empress parade, is it not?’
Dammit, she and Kohen were right.
I was keenly aware that one moment might change everything. I’d been spoon-fed a certain narrative about Imbria my entire life. It was time to find out if that was true.
‘Head for the Imbrian border,’I told her, and she veered her course that way.
‘What about Elaine and the admiral following you by car? They will expect you back in Riverine at an appointed time.’
I shrugged.‘I’m the empress. I don’t ask permission to do things I want to do.’
I could feel Liana’s approval. But I should at least tell them so that they didn’t worry. Pulling the handheld radio from my waistband, I depressed the button on the side.
“This is Firebird.” I used the code name Elaine had given me. Not very subtle.
“Go ahead, Firebird.” Elaine’s voice was laced with worry.
“I have a private detour to make. There is a guard with me and I’m safe. Don’t stay up.” I then turned the radio off so that I couldn’t hear the earful Elaine was no doubt giving me, empress or not.
‘Is Kohen still trailing us?’I asked her.
‘Yes. He’s shocked you are actually going to Imbria. He’s staying out of sight for your reputation’s sake.’
I wish I didn’t have a reputation. I wish I didn’t have the responsibility and title that meant Kohen couldn’t get too close to me in public. I wished I could give it all up for him.
The last thought shocked me. It let me know I’d fallen deeper for him than I thought.
That was dangerous. I’d fallen in love with Jace, and look where that had gotten me. Cheated on.
But Kohen wasn’t like that. With Jace, things were surface-level, puppy love. With Kohen, everything felt deeper, stronger. It scared me.
It was almost midnight when we flew over the Wilds. I could feel the heat of the fire sky above us and the ember rain around us. I’d never flown over the Wilds like this. It was beautiful.
Liana glanced up at the fire sky longingly, and I felt something rush through her and into our bond. Grief, pure and raw.
I stroked the feathers around her neck, waiting for her to tell me what that was about, but she never did, and I didn’t press her. Liana had a complicated and long history. She was so old, with so many memories. I didn’t ever pry for her to reveal them.
We crossed the river that split the two sides of the Wilds, the Amersea side and the Imbrian side, and I sat up straighter. I’d never been this far. I could see lights on the horizon just outside the densely packed forest of the Wilds on the Imbrian side, and as we neared, nervousness balled in my stomach.
I’d never been to Imbria. My father had never seen it as important enough to bring me. They were a conquered people. We used them for labor and resources, and otherwise, they kept to themselves.
As we neared the small border town, Liana flew lower. I searched the ground for some sign of people, but I knew it was probably futile. It was so late, and we were still in a fragile truce. I gasped when I saw the Amersea flag at half-mast. They’d lowered the flag for my father? It was probably some of the Imperial Fleet that lived in the small mining town that convinced them to do it. But the closer we flew, the moreI noticed little specks on the rooftop of the apartment building. The specks had glowing lights…
