CHAPTER FOUR

Krayson entered the Alinwé manor while doing his best to keep trepidation out of his footsteps. The Knights of Alinwé weren't the most personable bunch, and they often gave off the same sense as scale lions watching a herd of deer for one to show signs of weakness.

"The blood mage is back," said a scrawny, half-Japaxian youth waiting in the foyer. That would be Erthyn, one of Elise's half-Aleesh wards, her first Amethyst, and the target of Moon's now-famous drubbing. "And the blood mage brought our little, lost blue he stole."

Saveen curled her lip at him but didn't stop walking. "You think you can say that just because my Sapphire's not here? She kicked your arse because she knew I'd give you worse."

Erthyn walked up with an arrogant stride. "I can say whatever I want, and there's nothing you or your knocked-up freg can..."

Saveen stepped at him, and Erthyn recoiled.

Krayson snorted and kept walking, pointedly ignoring the posturing Amethyst. Before Erthyn could gather his thunder again, a graceful and elegant half-Althandi woman swept through the foyer, seized Erthyn by the scruff, and dragged him away from Saveen. Semile, Elise's first Emerald, paused long enough to give Krayson a respectful nod before carting Erthyn into the next room for a harsh lecture about manners.

"I like Semile," Saveen whispered into Krayson's ear once they were gone.

"Not the worst of their number," Krayson agreed. "Not by far."

"She's pretty. Did you know she used to be a ballerina?"

"I was aware." He frowned. "Have you been talking with Elise's knights?"

Saveen gave a contrite shrug.

Krayson glared half-heartedly, suspicious of Saveen's intentions. He doubted they were as pure as she would like him to believe.

At the other end of the foyer was a grand staircase. It rose to a landing with a towering window of stained glass. The colorful masterwork depicted all twenty-five chromas of the mighty, a plate-armored rider with a drawn weapon on each. The dragon bound knights all flew out from the center. An enormous figure dominated the window. He stood with a hand outstretched, his golden hair blowing in unseen wind, and his green eyes boring into those of the beholder.

Krayson had come to Elise's estate many times, and he still wasn't certain if the figure was supposed to depict Inwé, Shoen, or some other Dragon Emperor of the old empire.

From the landing, the stairs split to either direction and ascended to the second story. Krayson stopped on the landing and waited beneath the ancient emperor's gaze. Saveen kept by his side, and she occupied herself by swaying to and fro before the stained glass.

"No matter where I go, his eyes keep following me."

Krayson put his back to the window and crossed his arms. "I would think that is the desired effect."

Saveen didn't take her eyes off the window as she spoke. "Now that I have you here, there's something I've been meaning to ask."

Krayson grunted.

"What's a brothel?"

He'd been half-ways prepared for it to be something like that, but it still about knocked him over. "Who've you been talking to?"

"Me? Lots of people. Why?" She looked at him and got a wicked grin. "Oh ho, so it's filthy, is it?"

"You thundering know it is. Don't lie. Otherwise you wouldn't have asked."

Saveen pursed her lips petulantly. "Drat. He's on to me."

"Was it Moon? Pacifica? Who put you up to this? Come clean, Bastion."

Saveen wilted as she sighed. "Enfri."

"I will not believe Her Majesty would encourage this behavior."

"Shows what you know. I'm supposed to tell her exactly how you worded the answer, too."

Krayson scowled. "A brothel is an establishment where people can hire professional sex workers for their services. Some have seedy reputations. Others are high-class social centers."

Saveen met his scowl with one every bit as dissatisfied. "Boo. No fun. You're supposed to stammer and try to word it as prudishly as you can manage."

"I'm on to your games, dragon. You and all the other thundering women of this empire will have to find another way to entertain yourselves."

Saveen's wicked grin returned. "While my Sapphire's on maternity leave, maybe I can make some extra coin by working at a brothel. That'll be entertaining and educational."

Krayson sputtered so hard he nearly fell down the stairs.

"There we go," Saveen sighed in satisfaction. "Enfri will want to hear about that one."

While he settled himself and straightened his red half-robe, Krayson muttered about the impropriety of dragonets. Saveen might have been older than him by three years, but in the reckoning of dragons, she was barely an adolescent. And she definitely acted like it.

"When did Enfri get in on your torturing hapless blood runners?" Krayson asked sullenly.

"Around your birthday. After Starra showed up with the..."

"We're not talking about the nymphs."

"Anyways, Enfri figured she should join in the fun. I think it helps take her mind off things."

Krayson sobered. If that was the case, he'd field all the scandalous questions he could.

They hadn't been waiting long. The knight waiting at the foyer was supposed to be the one to announce his presence to the lady of the manor. Seeing as Erthyn remained as much of a prat as he'd been from the start of his tenure in Shan Alee, Krayson was forced to wait until Semile or someone else fulfilled Erthyn's duties.

Since their arrival in New Sandharbor, the Knights of Alinwé were a mixed bag of consequences. They often rode their dragons in support of the Arcane Knights at Elise's behest. The city was open to them for the most part, and there'd yet to be a significant incident of note. No one could doubt that Elise's knights were here to safeguard the Aleesh people. There was just some debate as to which of the Aleesh people they considered to be Aleesh.

Elise didn't seem to have a particular fondness for shifters, but she accepted them. There were several among her knights, even. Elise protected shifters as much as she protected anyone. So long as they bore the green and gold. Elise made no secret of how she was against the acceptance of other races of humanity into Shan Alee. She believed calling them Aleesh was an insult to the countless victims of Althandor's secret genocide. Shan Alee should be a land ruled and populated solely by the people who suffered beneath the directives set down by the Queen Founder after the old empire's end. A safe and secure land of their own that could be claimed by no other, where Aleesh culture could thrive. That was the least of what was owed to those persecuted by the Five Kingdoms.

It galled Krayson to think, but he saw her point. Thunders, he could see himself agreeing with her.

If her views ended there, Krayson would see no reason to keep Elise interred in her current form of incarceration. Unfortunately, her vision of what Shan Alee should be did not include a protected isolationism. Elise wanted expansion. Conquest. Her hatred of Althandor and the Highest King was becoming legend, and there was no doubt in Krayson's mind that Elise would burn the Spired City to the ground if given the chance.

Elise had been given that chance before, and she took it. For that, Krayson would never forgive her. But, he could work with her. He would do whatever it took to fight the demons, even siding with a monster.

As he waited, Krayson became aware of a soft tread descending the stairs, and of how Saveen's back went rigid as a pole.

Krayson had known Elise's First Knight for some time before learning Cardin was half-Aleesh. A ruffer gang leader, saloon owner, and information broker, he never seemed like he'd ever be more than a street kid scrabbling to make a life for himself in the Spired City. Until Elise's return, then Cardin had the magic that'd been taken from him by the blood runners returned. He was now a sorcerer again, revealed as Elise's former apprentice, and her loyal soldier in her vendetta against Cathis.

"Hey there, love," Cardin said quietly. "Been well?"

Saveen swallowed and didn't turn towards him. "You can't call me that. I have a bond, and it's not to you."

"I've seen your Sapphire," Cardin said. He came down to the landing and stood just out of arm's reach of Saveen. "She suits you. Enough so, I regret missing my one chance to be yours."

"You had more than the one," Saveen replied.

Krayson watched the exchange out of the corner of his eye. He'd gotten over his initial aversion to romantic relationships between dragons and humans, but there was plenty more than that about Cardin and Saveen that made his eyes go squinty. Foremost of all his reasons, Cardin didn't treasure Saveen as much as he valued his crusade against House Algara. The Bastion deserved better than to play second fiddle to vengeance, so Krayson was pleased she rebuffed Cardin's overtures.

Cardin was still a young man, but older than either Krayson or Saveen. He was half-Nadian. His accent was something between that of Drok Moran and the Spired City. His skin was a little lighter than most Aleesh, his nose a bit more prominent, his hair a shade closer to brown, but his eyes were as green as they could get. Cardin's trademarks, however, were the battered fedora that never seemed to leave his head and his irreverent personality.

There were other things Krayson knew of Cardin. Krayson remembered a memory of what once was, seen in the web of Fate. Krayson had seen a young child in chains as he glared defiantly at the king who'd just taken away all he ever loved. He couldn't forgive Cardin for his part in the destruction of the Order and the Sanguine Tower, but he couldn't hate him, either.

Saveen needed a rescue, so Krayson turned to face Cardin.

"Has Lady Elise been informed of our arrival?" he asked.

Cardin glanced his way before looking back at Saveen. "Aye, Blood Runner. Semile sent word up."

That hadn't drawn the same ire as it had the first couple months. Cardin and the other knights were prone to violent outburst when Elise was addressed as "lady" and not as an empress. The reality of Elise's place in Shan Alee was finally sinking in, though in Krayson's opinion, Elise was being given more consideration than she deserved.

Cardin cocked his head. "Follow me. I'll take you to her."

Saveen hung back to let Krayson take the lead. They ascended the steps to the second floor, then crossed a hallway to a second stairway up to the third. Krayson knew from his past visits that Elise's chambers took up the whole of the top floor in a sort of extravagant penthouse.

Under the terms of her surrender, Elise never left her estate. To Krayson's knowledge, she hadn't broken those terms, but he assumed she had. It was unavoidable. Keeping Elise alive made it functionally impossible to stop her from leaving if she chose to. Any seals they placed on her ether could be removed by herself or one of the other mage slayers in her service. Short of rupturing her imprint or removing her bloodsong, there was no way to keep her from casting spells.

Elise was a sorceress of staggering power. Her bloodsong was as old as the Five Kingdoms, rivaled only by those held by a select few elder bloodlines or the one now carried by Princess Pacifica. The fact of the matter was, if Elise wanted to leave, there was nothing short of killing her that anyone in Shan Alee could do to stop her.

Which led to this tense arrangement. Elise was allowed to keep the bonds she'd placed between her knights and her dragons. Her followers were allowed their freedom. She was given this estate on the edge of the city for her personal use. Until the time came when the arrangement was no longer of benefit to both parties.

Krayson just didn't know how it was beneficial to Elise at all.

They were escorted to a pair of grand, gilded doors on the third floor. Throughout the manor, knights and dragons in their human forms glowered at Krayson and Saveen. Elise had many more followers now than she began with, most of them originating from Chaya Domun. Krayson looked each of them in the face, searching for one in particular.

Cardin knocked on the door and was given leave to enter. He ushered Krayson and Saveen through and was then greeted by a stunning woman.

Draxa the Inamorata, Eldest of the ivory chroma, had originally been Cardin's bound dragon. She'd since had her bond transferred to Elise, and Krayson had never seen anyone, mortal or mighty, more pleased by their circumstances.

"She is waiting for her guests," Draxa purred. Her milky white skin was marked with pale gray stripes. She had solid black eyes, voluminous black hair, and a curvaceous figure crafted to inspire lust. "The empress asks that you stay with her through their visit, love."

Cardin tipped his hat to her. "Whatever she wants."

Krayson didn't acknowledge Draxa as he entered, though Saveen eyed her warily. After Adar was recovered from Elise, Draxa was uncontestedly the oldest and strongest dragon Elise had. Krayson would still wager gold marks on the Huntress if it ever came down to a fight.

Inside Elise's chambers, sunlight shone in through circular windows. The walls were papered with floral prints, and delicate vases filled with roses and orchids sat on nearly every available surface. As counterpoint to the natural beauty, the walls and polished wood furnishings were trimmed with silver, gold, and other precious metals. Krayson even saw blue-hued orichalcum around the windows.

The finest prison Krayson had ever seen, and he'd been in more than one.

Elise Alinwé stood in the center of the room to await them. She had one of her knights waiting with her. Elise didn't look her age, appearing as a woman in her late twenties or early thirties, rather than well over fifty as she really was. Women marked by elder bloodlines enjoyed an all but endless youth throughout their lifetimes.

Seeing her after he'd met Enfri, Krayson now saw the similarities. Aside from Enfri's Althandi eyes or the first signs of maturity about Elise's face, the resemblance was striking. They could have been mistaken for mother and daughter, or even sisters. But Elise was Enfri's aunt, the elder sister of Her Majesty's late father. Despite their familial ties and shared bloodline, their relationship left much to be desired.

Elise wore her usual brand of raiment, minimal bands of silk and metal to preserve the barest modicum of modesty. Her colors were black and red today. She didn't have the thin chains about her neck and waist she normally went with. Compared to her usual standards, her outfit was almost humble.

"What shall it be today, Blood Runner?" Elise asked. "More questions? More insults?"

Krayson didn't answer right away. He found the other person he was meant to find on this errand.

Tola Velahrai Second Summit, once Master of Huntsmen in Chaya Domun. His skin was several shades lighter than the norm for pureblooded Aleesh, and he kept his long hair woven with braids down one side of his head. He watched Krayson with naked hostility.

Krayson pulled a sealed envelope from his sleeve and approached Tola. "I was asked by your father to deliver this to you."

Tola accepted the envelope, and without breaking eye contact, he tore it to pieces.

"Have a care, my Onyx," Elise murmured. Despite the words, it didn't carry a rebuking tone. "Don't be so quick to set aside family."

"Traitors," Tola sneered. "Tell me, Blood Runner, does Ohdri Velahrai Third Summit still bow and scrape before your usurper?"

"Boyo," Cardin warned quietly. "Our beloved is talking to you."

Tola ignored him.

"To my knowledge," Krayson said in an even tone, "Odjualla Weaver remains Her Majesty's handmaiden. However, your cousin is currently on leave after the birth of her fourth child."

There came a slight crack in Tola's facade. He masked it as soon as it appeared. "A new traitor for your ranks, then."

"Leave us, Tola," Elise commanded. "You will compose a response to your father."

His lips parted in shock as he turned towards Elise.

"Do as I say, boy. Don't promise what you're unwillin' to give, but keep your venom where it belongs."

Tola glared at Krayson as if this was all his fault and left the room. Draxa closed the door gently behind him.

Elise looked towards Krayson. "Forgive my Onyx's rudeness. He saw battle yesterday, and he's still hot under the hat from the aftermath."

"Against the harpies," Krayson said. "I am aware that he and the Inquisitor gave assistance to the Quartz Knights. Her Majesty wishes to extend her thanks for the continued aid from the Knights of Alinwé."

Elise scoffed. She stepped towards a sofa and reclined upon it. "I didn't give my knights that name. Neither did they give it to themselves, unless they've started lyin' to me. I guarantee they're too smart for that."

"Her Majesty did," Krayson admitted. "She felt it inappropriate to tell her people that the bound knights frequently saving their lives are renegades."

Elise gave an almost imperceptible smile. She looked from Krayson to Saveen, her smile fading, then back again. "I've always liked you, Blood Runner. From the day I offered to make you my Sapphire Knight. Since you gave me back my stolen bloodsong. From the start."

"I find that hard to believe. You've tried to kill me at least twice."

"Political differences. Nothin' personal."

Krayson remembered his mentor and father of the heart in Elise's clutches. He remembered her knife slicing through Father Ranton's throat. Krayson could still smell the scent of ash and char after the Sanguine Tower fell. Somehow, he kept his voice calm.

"It was personal to me."

"I suppose it was," Elise said. She took a cup of tea from an end table. "You didn't come for mail call. What's your business, Blood Runner?"

Krayson waited until Elise finished her tea before responding. "Her Majesty asks that I bring you to the Imperial Palace. She wishes to speak with you."

It was a good thing Krayson waited for her to finish the tea, because the cup dropped from her fingers to shatter on the floor.

oOo

Reyn startled back awake.

"Gods!"

She leapt from the blankets of her bed and began frantically searching her bedroom for her clothes. Starra had tossed them all about and over every conceivable piece of furniture when they undressed each other.

From where she'd lounged beside Reyn, Starra stretched her arms and gave a powerful yawn. Her fangs were more obvious than usual when she opened her mouth that wide. "Bloody hell, dear one. The point of this was to release all that uptight energy. Get back here and let me relax you some more."

Reyn was too panicked to see Starra's sultry beckoning or her seductive pose. "I was to come to Her Majesty after I returned to the palace."

"Instead, you came for me."

"Starra!"

The dratted lush of a vampire giggled and rolled around the bed, far too pleased with herself. Starra's white hair was in tangles, and her gray skin carried marks from Reyn's lips and teeth. She was an absolute vision of carnal satisfaction.

"You must get dressed as well," Reyn said as she retrieved errant garments. "The empress will want to hear the latest from Althandor."

"What do you think I've been doing since I got back? Dear Enfri's appraised of everything."

"I'm not," Reyn shouted, and she was mortified to hear how it approached a shriek.

"Nothing that can't wait for later," Starra assured her. "Nothing pressing. Just the usual arrangements for a state visit. The number of arses in the Highest Court's delegation so we can set out enough chairs. The names of the attendees. Things like that. Everything's finalized on House Algara's end, and they've already set out from the Spired City."

"Spirits save us," Reyn said on her trot from one side of the room to the other.

"They could've teleported," Starra said, disgruntled by Reyn's lack of interest in her nudity, "but His Grace wishes to do things the old-fashioned way. By train and horseback, so he can see all that's new in this corner of the world on his way."

"If they teleported here, we would have even less time to prepare."

"Prepare for what? You've already done all the hard work. I recall it vividly. A dramatic rescue in the nick of time, airships falling from the sky, a bloody god appearing out of nowhere, and your Drain friend helping us undo a six hundred year old death curse."

"His name is Darian, and you know it."

"I feel justified in my disdain for that joyboy."

Reyn couldn't exactly argue. Darian was nothing if not trouble on two legs.

She got herself dressed in record time. She then stood in front of her vanity dresser and looked herself over in the mirror. Cosmetics were redundant for a selkie, but she noticed a few places where her human face had a bit more of a grayish cast. It was the work of a moment to shift her appearance back in order.

She then noted the bite wounds on her neck and gasped in horror.

Starra sighed. "Just cover those with your hair. No one will notice. Even better, take your daily medicine. I could taste on you that you're a day behind. A little oren should start that healing in short order."

"Oren does not regenerate skin."

"It doesn't? Well, why the hell not? What exactly do you get out of it?"

"Not dying," Reyn said. "Any other benefits are of little use to me. I would stop taking it right now if I could." She went to a small drawer on her vanity, a clink of glass vials as she opened it. Grimacing, Reyn plugged her nose as she downed one of the potions and smacked her lips in distaste as the thick, slightly caustic fluid slid down her throat. She hated taking oren and hated the sensation that followed even worse.

It was like the golden light of ether that always burned inside her chest turned a lurid green. Her spells would require less ether while the oren was in effect, her body was stronger and more durable, and she was immune to a wide range of debilitating spellcraft. Reyn was also dependent on it, and if the empire's ability to produce it or the clandestine deliveries from Althandor ever ended, Reyn wouldn't survive the withdrawals.

Starra slid out of the bed and came up behind Reyn. Her agile fingers danced through the somatics of a restoration spell before pressing over the twin marks her fangs left on Reyn's neck. "There you go, dear one. It'll take a fey to notice you've been rendezvousing instead of getting yourself ready."

Reyn stood straight and took a deep breath to calm herself. Once settled, she turned around and put her hands on Starra's waist.

"I am pleased to have you home, mon trésor. I have missed you immeasurably."

Starra cocked her head to the side. "But..."

"But, I am late for my appointment with the empress."

"Understood, dear one," Starra said.

"I will give you all the attention you could want when I return, and you will also tell me everything there is to know about your Spired City paramour. I cannot bear not asking about it any longer."

The pleased light in Starra's red eyes made them sparkle. She hugged Reyn around the neck and kissed her deeply.

"As you say, dear one, but can I confess to a bit of anxiety over telling you about her?"

Reyn turned away and checked herself over in the mirror one last time. "I do not see why you would be. It is not as if you have been secretly courting the empress."

Starra abruptly turned around and took a step away.

Reyn went still and felt her breath stop.

"I didn't want you to find out this way," Starra said, and she sounded close to tears.

Reyn turned around to stare at her back in disbelief.

"All the moonlit trysts," Starra murmured, "the secrets, the lies... Enfri and I can't hide our love anymore."

Reyn scrunched up her face. "You atrocity. Are you having me on?"

"Don't be absurd, dear one. Of course I am." Starra turned back around. "As if I would ever do such a thing. Enfri is just that side of too young for me."

Reyn's eyes widened, incensed.

"And for many other reasons," Starra added hurriedly.

Reyn supposed she had only herself to blame. Her parents often warned her that panic fostered gullibility. She breathed a sigh of relief. "Who is it then? Someone I already know?"

"I believe you have met before, in fact."

"Duchess Josenthorne?" Reyn asked, taking a wild stab at it.

"Oh, I wish."

"Princess Maya?"

"Ha! I wish!" Starra picked up a dressing robe off the floor and pulled it on. "If we're playing guessing games, do try to guess ladies who aren't solely interested in men."

Reyn picked up more clothes off the ground just to have something to do with her hands. "When has that ever stopped you?"

"More times than I will ever admit to," Starra said, her tone grave. "It's the curse of noblewomen who love women. Fear of rejection is deeply ingrained in us, so we pine for the unattainable and doubt what's in front of us. Even now, us betrothed and in bed, I catch myself wondering if you're really in love with me or just being polite."

Reyn blinked in bafflement. "Etiquette in Japax must be different."

"Hush that nonsense. I'm using hyperbole to make a point." She gave Reyn a quick kiss on the lips before bustling her to the door. "Off with you now. Don't want to be late. If I'm not here when you're through, I'm at Daddy's estate."

"I will not call Lord Seifer that."

"Bloody hell, you better not!"

Once the door slammed shut behind her, Reyn found herself standing alone in her sitting room with a bundle of yesterday's clothes in her arms, wondering how she kept getting into these situations. Shaking her head, Reyn dropped the armful in front of the door and gave silent apology to the next housemaid to come through.

She walked at a brisk pace to the other side of the palace, avoiding contact with anyone else in the halls. Reyn couldn't risk being later than she already was. Luck was with her, fortunately, and she wasn't even held up by the Arcane Knights milling around the war room. Coming to the empress' chambers, Reyn gave a light knock on the doorframe.

Within moments, a dark-skinned Aleesh woman with short-cut hair allowed her entry.

"Goodwoman Weaver," Reyn said in surprise at the sight of Enfri's handmaiden. She stepped inside. "I was not aware you had returned to your duties."

Odjualla smiled and bobbed a curtsy. "Yes, Minister. This is my first day back from leave."

"Your new daughter?"

"With her father," Odjualla reported, beaming.

"And surely charming him with those big, green eyes." Reyn took note of the young girl sitting in Enfri's rocking chair, idly kicking her legs beneath her as she played with felt dolls. Vinri Weaver was just six years old and quite possibly the most adorable little girl to ever walk the earth. "And good day to you as well, my lady."

Vinri, always the quiet sort, smiled shyly and hid her face. Her golden head of natural curls hung about her like a halo.

"Her Majesty consented to my bringing the little one along," Odjualla said in explanation. "With the new baby, Vinri has been awfully clingy."

Reyn hummed in understanding. "Making her claim on her portion of your attention. I would not have the heart to leave her behind, either." Reyn glanced nervously about the room. "I hope I am not too late."

Odjualla gestured towards the door to Enfri's dressing room. "Not at all. We've only just finished choosing her wardrobe for the day."

"Oh, good," Reyn sighed in relief. "Might I assist?"

"I couldn't possibly ask."

"Nonsense. I know from personal experience that a handmaiden never has enough hands."

Odjualla thanked her as they went into the next room. Reyn went through first, and Odjualla delayed only long enough to remind Vinri to behave herself.

Enfri's dressing room wasn't overly large, but it could hold five persons inside before it started to feel cramped. There was a chair and side table stacked with sewing needles and threads in case last-minute adjustments were needed. Dressers and mirrors lined the walls, as did the doors to a pair of walk-in closets. A gaslight hung from the center of the ceiling, but it remained unlit while so much sun came in through glass-paned windows high up on the walls; the higher the better, because it wouldn't do for anyone outside to get an eyeful of the empress as she got dressed.

In the center of the room was a short and circular platform. Her Majesty currently stood on top of it, holding a silk garment against herself as she looked in one of the mirrors.

Enfri the Yora First Summit, Lady of Opals, Dragon Empress of Shan Alee, and current Provisional Governor of the Miracle Expanse was scowling at her reflection.

Just nineteen years old, and she was arguably the most powerful woman in the world. Inarguably the most impactful on the current political climate. Few would believe that until half a year ago, she'd been nothing more impressive than a village sky woman. Enfri was also a brilliant alchemist, a competent if straightforward diplomat, and a pioneer in the fields of both arcane and mundane medicine. A divisive figure, Empress Enfri was adored by the vast majority of her people, while outside Shan Alee's borders, her name was more often than not spoken in hushed and fearful tones.

And she was beautiful. It was especially maddening because she clearly didn't realize just how beautiful she was. Enfri could bring entire kingdoms to their knees with her smile and would chalk it up to low blood sugar. Her cascading waves of golden hair had ballads sung of it throughout the surrounding regions, and her green eyes inspired poems all the way to the Isles of Shoto. Though she'd grown up skinny and small, Enfri proved a late bloomer. She had a lovely figure, and the final year of her adolescence had brought a healthy growth spurt until she was now taller than most women of Althandor. Only by a couple of inches, but taller nonetheless. In addition, her rigorous mornings of exercise had developed into a compact frame of toned muscle.

But what truly set Enfri apart were the ink markings on her body. Colorful tattoos spun and curled all across her umber-toned skin. Each was a dragon, a skillful representation of every last one of the mighty Enfri had forged a bond for with one of her knights. Her right shoulder bore the images of Deebee the Storyteller facing her mate Kimpo the Huntress, with Adar the Ascendent beneath them both. The tattoos continued in full sleeves down both arms and both legs, across most of her back, and a few spiraling onto her abdomen. All counted, two hundred and thirty-five bonds at present. Soon to be two hundred and thirty-six once Mevek the Guardian claimed a place on Her Majesty's lower back.

Conspicuously, there was one spot on Enfri's left shoulder, opposite the image for the Storyteller, that remained untouched. Reyn often wondered why no dragon ever went there, but she never raised the question. She suspected the answer would be painful for Enfri to give.

"This is too much," Enfri grumbled as she turned with the dress pressed against her. "Don't you think it's too much?"

Reyn arched an eyebrow once she saw the dress the empress was considering. "Too little, I think you mean."

Enfri glanced over her shoulder. "So it was you at the door. Winds, Reyn, I thought you'd be with Starra. You don't have to be here for this."

"I would not leave you to face your aunt alone, Majesty."

"Deebee, Kimpo, Ban, and Krayson will be there, but you're right. I'll be glad to have you, too."

There was once a time when Enfri would've been reduced to a bashful, blushing mess if Reyn ever came on her in a state like this. Even half-naked and on display, she hardly batted an eyelash anymore.

"You are running short on time, Majesty," Odjualla admonished. "No more dithering. That dress will do, and it will look spectacular."

"This was never my strong suit," Enfri mumbled, but she gave the dress over to Odjualla without further argument. "I always relied on Jin for this sort of thing."

Reyn and Odjualla exchanged veiled looks.

"Her Highness did have a good eye for fashion," Odjualla offered before the pause in conversation became noticeable.

"Never rubbed off on me," Enfri muttered. She waited patiently for them to start helping her into the dress.

As it was put on her, Enfri went on about how she'd always preferred simple dresses. The plainer the better. Good and sturdy cotton in the summer, wool when the weather turned cold, and linen when she was feeling fancy. Reyn and Odjualla listened to Enfri's griping and often exchanged eye rolls behind her back.

After the dress was in place, Reyn stepped back to admire their work. She felt inspired enough to let out an appreciative gasp.

"Majesty," she said, breathless, "I have never seen a silk so lovely."

Enfri plucked at the sarong that wrapped around her hips in lieu of a skirt. "You think so? Goodwoman Dyer mentioned it was her best work. I guess I see why."

It was a two-piece outfit, backless and off the shoulder. Reyn presumed it was made especially for Enfri so to better display the full extent of her tattoos. It was a little revealing, but it was conservative in comparison to most Aleesh raiment. The silk was dyed in a vibrant gradient; magenta to violet to cyan. A bold choice, as Enfri often looked best in yellow or pale green, but her skin had the enviable ability to look good next to any color.

Reyn caught herself before she bit her lower lip. Enfri's developing abdominals were showing themselves as she twisted about to look at herself, and it wouldn't be proper to ogle the Dragon Empress.

"Let's forgo the jewelry," Enfri said. "I want to impress Elise, not dazzle her."

"I think you will succeed," Reyn said. "Shoes?"

"The gray slippers will be fine."

Reyn retrieved a pair of black ones. "These."

Enfri sighed and put them on, clearly tired of getting overruled. She gave her reflection a final grimace before stepping off the platform. "Well, at least Elise can't say anything. I've seen the nothing she wears. Just don't expect me to go outside in this. I'll be a laughingstock or ridiculed by the printsheets as a harlot."

"I disagree, Majesty," Reyn said. "Aleesh fashion is growing in popularity. Outside our borders, no less. You are a trendsetter."

She wrinkled her nose. "A what?"

"Noblewomen pay attention to what you wear so they can wear similar things."

"Ah, so that's why men have been in better moods lately. Bare midriffs were going out of style before I came along."

"You say that sarcastically, but it is closer to the truth than I think you realize."

"I've been to the Spired City, Majesty," Odjualla added. "Bare midriffs were never in danger of going out of style."

"Spirits' blessings," Reyn said under her breath.

Enfri shot Reyn a dubious frown. "I'm on to you."

Reyn shrugged as a form of response, and Enfri stuck her tongue out before leaving the dressing room. A moment later, Vinri's delighted cries at seeing Enfri in a pretty dress filled the chambers.

"Alright, I give up," Enfri said. "If Vinri likes it, who am I to argue?"

Reyn followed her out and found Vinri standing at Enfri's feet and giving her sarong a light tug to coax the empress down to her level. Enfri knelt and let Vinri whisper something in her ear. A broad smile came to Enfri's face, and she patted Vinri's head.

"The floors are sturdy enough, my lady. Don't worry." Enfri said. She accepted the guileless hug Vinri gave her before returning to her feet.

Odjualla gave farewell curtsies and asked if Enfri would rather she accompany her. Enfri assured her it would be fine and suggested Odjualla take the rest of the day for Vinri. She also warned against strenuous activity in the weeks following giving birth, recommended a specific blend of herbal tea, and needed Reyn to pull her out the door before she subjected her handmaiden to a full medical examination.

"What was it Vinri told you?" Reyn asked as they set out into the hallway.

"That the knights outside in the halls step too heavy in their boots. She's worried they'll put holes in the floor and get in trouble."

Reyn swooned. "Ugh. Too adorable."

The war room was less than thirty paces from Enfri's chambers, so it didn't take long for them to reach the armored knights, officers, and aviators coming and going. As soon as Enfri came into view, every last one of them stepped aside and pressed their backs to the walls.

"My empress," one called out, and the rest took up the second half as one. "Again and forever."

Enfri glided through them with her hands folded in front of her, acknowledging each with a smile and a nod. Reyn gave sidelong looks while she wasn't the one being paid attention to, making sure all eyes staid where it was appropriate. Always the model of discipline, the Arcane Knights didn't so much as glance at Enfri's backside as she passed.

Their destination was the reception hall on the first floor of the northwest wing. Along the way, Reyn noticed that Enfri's steps began to slow.

"Majesty?"

Enfri came to a stop. Her breaths came in an exaggeratedly even pace as her eyes cast about. "A... a moment, Reyn."

Her voice had gone weak, on the verge of trembling.

Abruptly, Enfri went to a nearby door in the hallway. She threw it open and fled into an unused parlor.

Taken off-guard, Reyn hesitated before following. She went after Enfri and found her beside the doorway, her back braced against the wall as she slid down to her backside. Her eyes were distant and stared straight ahead at nothing.

Reyn hurriedly shut the door behind her and turned the lock before joining Enfri on the floor. "Your Majesty, is it the spooks again?"

Enfri swallowed before answering. "It's not Shoen. Not this time."

"Is it the thought of facing your aunt?" Reyn asked carefully.

She shook her head and blinked back tears. "Don't let me cry, Reyn. I hate putting on eyeliner. I don't want to have to redo it."

Reyn laid her hand on Enfri's shoulder. "Majesty?"

"Every day," Enfri said. She kept her eyes forward. "Every day, I prepare for everything I have to do. My hair, my clothes, I go through all of it. I try to be what I have to be, I speak to who I have to, and I keep my voice under control. Smiling comes easy. I laugh with Ban and make fun of Krayson. I go on walks with Pacifica, I have tea with Starra, I check up on Moon and wind up giggling until nightfall, and I go flying with Deebee when I get too frustrated with empressing." Enfri unfolded her hands. "I can say her name without crying now. I can talk about what happened without falling to pieces."

Reyn felt her heart ache and held a little tighter to Enfri.

"And then, I let myself think that maybe I'm alright. I'll be able to move on. Then..."

Enfri looked down at her hands. They shook.

"I'm wrong." Enfri looked at Reyn, and her eyes were filled with the fear that she would always be wrong. "I'm not alright. I'm not alright with any of this. Ever since she swept me off my feet and spirited me away, whenever I asked myself what it was I wanted, there was never an answer that didn't include Jin."

Reyn blurted out the first thing she could think of. "Pacifica and I are courting!"

Enfri blinked and leaned back, startled. "W-what?"

The cat out of the bag, Reyn spoke at a rapid pace. "I am courting both Pacifica and Starra. The three of us have been hiding it from everyone."

Enfri squinted and knitted her brows together. "Why in the king's name would you tell me that now?"

"You asked me not to let you cry. I could only think to distract you somehow."

Utterly flummoxed, Enfri gaped like a loon. "So are... What in blustering..."

"Forgive me, Majesty. I promise I will provide details, but for the moment, let us get you off this floor."

While pulling Enfri to her feet, the empress burst into an inconsolable fit of laughter. "You... You wanted to stop me from crying, so you made up a story about courting Pacifica?"

"I beg your pardon," Reyn exclaimed. "It is no story! She confessed to me in the Imperial City."

Enfri started laughing harder, and Reyn wasn't entirely certain the truth was getting through to her.

"Your Majesty, I swear it. I will certainly catch Hell from her and Starra for revealing this."

Once back in the halls, Enfri settled herself long enough to take Reyn's arm and lean against her. "Winds and storms, I love you, Reyn. In an entirely friendly way. Not in a 'let me into your harem' way. I will want to hear how that all works, by the by."

Reyn was overcome with affection for this girl. She let Enfri lay her head on her shoulder and escorted her the rest of the way. "Harem, indeed. If anything, I am the one at their beck and call. I have discovered my limits, and that limit is two. Furthermore, being your first minister forces me to expand that to at least two and nine-tenths."

Enfri giggled. "That last tenth would be a doozy."

Reyn gasped, scandalized. "Your Majesty, not you, too!"

For now, at least, Enfri could pretend to be alright for a little while longer.