The Empress of Xytae Read online

  Ioanna had been fully prepared to dismiss any of Vitaliya’s arguments, but that last one made her pause. Vitaliya was silly, but her blessing…used judiciously, it could mean the difference between success and failure.

  “Perhaps,” Ioanna said. “But it truly will be dangerous. I don’t want to see you killed because of me.”

  “And I don’t want any more people to go hungry. It’s time I contributed to something. Besides, I don’t like the idea of you alone with just a bunch of boring paladins for company. You’ll get lonely and need someone to talk to. A real person, I mean.”

  Ioanna reached out and brushed a loose strand of hair out of Vitaliya’s face. The gesture was small but vulnerable, and Ioanna hoped Vitaliya recognized the significance of it. Vitaliya reached up to catch Ioanna’s hand with her own and pressed it against her own cheek.

  “That would be terribly selfish of me,” Ioanna whispered. “Bringing you along just for myself.”

  “You’re not, remember? I’m coming to make the fields grow. So your army of ten thousand soldiers has something to eat, so they aren’t forced to resort to cannibalism. And so the nobles don’t slam the door in your face when you come up to ask for help.”

  Ioanna gave a tiny smile. “Maybe.”

  “Oh! And you’ve got to say goodbye to Otho. He’s refusing to stay; I only just barely convinced him to not sneak off. And he won’t take a reward either.”

  “I was hoping he’d stay.”

  “I know, but he’s got people waiting for him. People and sheep.” Vitaliya’s fingers curled around Ioanna’s hand and squeezed it briefly. “How much time do you have before you need to get back?”

  “I’m not sure, honestly.”

  “Let’s hurry, then.” Still holding on to Ioanna’s hand, she began to move toward the door, pulling Ioanna along. Ioanna allowed this, though a small part of her hoped they would not encounter her grandmother or any of the paladins. Surely they would not approve of…of whatever Ioanna and Vitaliya had. Not while she was supposed to be focused on taking back her throne.

  “I met the strangest woman, earlier,” Vitaliya said. “She came with the paladins, but she wasn’t a member of the Order.”

  “That would be Aelia,” said Ioanna.

  “What? No, her name was Elyne. She was so odd—not in a dangerous sort of way, I think, just very different. Like a seer, or something.” Vitaliya went on chattering, describing the woman she’d encountered. Undoubtably, it had been Aelia. Had she changed her name in order to distance herself from the past? Orsina had not mentioned anything like that—but then, Ioanna had rather monopolized the conversation.

  They made their way along to the stables where Vitaliya said she’d already encountered Otho earlier today. As they came in sight of the structure, Ioanna saw his familiar wagon was indeed prepared for departure. Her stomach sank as she realized Otho probably would have left hours ago if Vitaliya hadn’t requested he stay, and her selfish desire to see him off personally had robbed him of daylight to travel by.

  The fact he wasn’t going to accept a reward only made her feel guiltier still. He’d gone to so much trouble to help them, and they’d inconvenienced him every step of the way.

  She supposed she could reward the Temple of Cyne once she was empress. Ioanna understood temples never turned down attention from the nobility, no matter what god they were devoted to.

  “You’re really going, then?” asked Ioanna.

  “I am afraid so,” said Otho. “I know you’d prefer I remain here, but…”

  “I will not order you to stay,” Ioanna reassured him. “I understand your people need you far more than I do. I only ask you be careful in your travels, especially with the priestesses.”

  “I am not completely helpless,” Otho said, a smile pulling at his lips. “I promise. But for your sake, I will be cautious.”

  “For your sake, not mine,” insisted Ioanna. “And if you feel you are in danger, return to Oredia.”

  “The temple in Xyuluthe will be enough to keep me safe if things should come to that. Don’t think of me. What you’re doing is infinitely more important.”

  “I wouldn’t be doing it if you hadn’t found us,” said Ioanna. “Vitaliya and I were helpless, and I’m certain the priestesses would have easily…”

  “Do not thank me; thank Cyne for guiding me to you,” said Otho. “Perhaps we will meet again after this is all done. But if we do not—”

  “Don’t say that!” interrupted Vitaliya. “You’ve got to come to the coronation at least. Ioanna, you must invite him.”

  “My coronation may be held at the point of a sword,” said Ioanna. “If that is the case, we may not have time to send out invitations.”

  “Ohh,” sighed Vitaliya. “That’s too bad. You’ll have to hold a second one, then. Afterwards. A proper one. And invite everyone, from everywhere.”

  Ioanna tried to imagine this but found she could not visualize it with any clarity. Like the plans her grandmother and the paladins had laid out, it all felt unreal and abstract, nearer to fantasy than reality.

  Otho was hugged quite tightly by Vitaliya, and clasped Ioanna’s hands reverently before climbing into his wagon. With only a soft shake of the reins, he set off down the hill in the direction of the road.

  Ioanna and Vitaliya stood there watching until the wagon disappeared from view.

  Back in her grandmother’s study, Ioanna stared down at the map of Xytae and the path marked upon it with little silver pieces. Nearly all of the places marked were locations Ioanna had never visited before, and she was a bit dismayed to see they would be avoiding every major city in the region.

  “Orsina and Vel will accompany you on your journey, and serve as your bodyguards,” explained Knight-Commander Livius. “I will be returning to Ieflaria, to gather the rest of the Order and meet your forces in Nassai.”

  Her forces. Even now, the term felt strange. She still could not imagine anyone swearing allegiance to her. What if she arrived in Nassai with only her guards and a handful of farmers? It would be mortifying.

  “As for Princess Vitaliya, she may remain here, or I will have her escorted home,” continued Grandmother Irianthe. “I believe the latter would be the most prudent course of action.”

  “I think it might be better if Vitaliya accompanied me, actually,” Ioanna said. “I discussed the matter with her, and—”

  “Ioanna, don’t be ridiculous,” said Grandmother Irianthe, surprising her with how irate she sounded. “There’s no place for a girl like her in a military procession. At best, she’ll be an unnecessary distraction.”

  “She may not be a warrior,” said Ioanna, fighting down her annoyance that, even now, her grandmother’s inclination was to dismiss anyone who could not swing a sword. “But I’ve seen firsthand what her blessing is capable of. She has Eyvindr’s magic—something our people have been forced to do without for far too long. I believe her presence will help us appeal to those who might otherwise be inclined to turn us away out of fear.”

  Grandmother Irianthe was obviously unconvinced, but Ioanna glanced away from her long enough to see Livius looked very curious. Perhaps if she could win him over to her side, her grandmother would back down.

  “There is no strategic advantage to be gained by bringing her with you,” said Grandmother Irianthe in a clipped tone, and the lie was so blatant that it nearly knocked Ioanna out of her seat. “Enough of this now. We have far more important—”

  “You’re lying to me.” Ioanna pressed her hand to her forehead to ease the pain. “You don’t think that at all. I’m not going to turn away one of our few advantages unless you’re able to give me a proper reason.”

  The atmosphere in the room shifted instantaneously, and Ioanna saw Vel’s hand go to his sword before Livius shot him a sharp glare. The paladins were on her side after all.

  “I will not discuss this matter in front of an audience,” said Grandmother Irianthe. “And you may thank me for that.”

&nbs
p; “What are you afraid of? Vesolda? You think they’ll turn on us if their princess is killed or harmed in a Xytan battle?”

  “You’re only proving me correct,” said Irianthe. “Can’t you see it? She’s already become a distraction. A liability. Leave her here or send her back to Bergavenna. You can call her back when you’ve taken Xyuluthe, and then I don’t care if you make her empress consort! But until then, I won’t allow thousands of lives to be lost because of your infatuation!”

  For one brief, awful moment, Ioanna imagined slapping her grandmother across the face. The impulse left as quickly as it had come, but the sick, guilty sensation in her stomach remained behind.

  “I do not agree with your assessment,” said Ioanna, fighting to keep her voice level. She thought of the way her mother nearly always remained calm no matter how nobles and advisors pushed at her. “And the fact remains that many of those we solicit will not wish to support us unless we have something to offer in return. Something immediate, not distant promises. Vitaliya’s blessing is extremely powerful, and our people are hungry. It could mean the difference between success and failure for us.”

  “Ioanna, you are about to embark on the most important military campaign of your life. What happens here will change the course of history. Netheia will look at Vitaliya and see your greatest weakness. You’re a fool if you think she won’t seek to exploit it.”

  “I will not allow that.”

  “She will not seek your permission first!” snapped Grandmother Irianthe.

  Silence descended upon the room. Ioanna looked at each of the paladins in turn, but none of them spoke. Were they waiting to see if she would bend to her grandmother’s will or assert herself as empress? Even now, her instinct was to back down and apologize. She did her best to suppress it.

  “We’re not accomplishing anything with this,” Ioanna said at last. “I’m not going to sit here and be shouted at. We’ll break for now, and when we return—”

  “Ioanna!” said Grandmother Irianthe sharply.

  Ioanna ignored her and rose from her seat.

  “Ioanna we do not have time for this!”

  “I am tired of arguing with you. Vitaliya will accompany me. This is my campaign, not yours. I am grateful for your support, but I will not allow you to overrule my choices. In an hour we will return to discuss our route through the north, and I don’t want to hear anything more about Vitaliya.”

  The expression on Grandmother Irianthe’s face suggested she was more confused than angry. Ioanna did not really blame her. Her natural inclination had always been to obey her elders, and she’d spent twenty years trying to compensate for her blessing by being inoffensive and passive.

  Ioanna exited the room quickly, not wanting her grandmother to have a chance to order her back.

  “Ioanna?” That was Vitaliya, and after a moment of confusion, Ioanna realized she’d been loitering just outside the door either trying to eavesdrop or, more likely, just waiting for the meeting to end. “Are you done? What’s—?”

  “We are done for now,” said Ioanna. “Come on, I need to be somewhere else.”

  “Did something happen?” Vitaliya frowned, obviously concerned.

  “Don’t worry,” Ioanna soothed. “It’s hardly important. Come on, I’m tired of standing here.”

  “Oh!” Vitaliya’s face lit. “Can we see Oredia? The town, I mean. I want to visit!”

  “Yes, that’s fine.” Too late, Ioanna realized this might not be a good idea after all. Her grandmother had mentioned priestesses lurking about. “No. Vitaliya, wait—”

  But Vitaliya had never been inclined to wait for anything and rushed in the direction of the garden. By the time Ioanna caught up with her, she was smiling so broadly Ioanna decided it wouldn’t hurt to spend a little bit of time in Oredia.

  Oredia was a pretty town, located in the shadow of the former empress’s estate. Many of the residents were employed by Grandmother Irianthe as servants, and even those who were not supplied the villa with everything it needed. Before her grandmother’s arrival, it had been an obscure and not terribly important location. Afterward, there’d been a little bit of an attempt by the nobility to turn it into somewhere worth visiting, but Irianthe herself had resisted these changes, saying she’d left Xyuluthe for a reason and had no intention of replicating it in the peaceful north. Now, it was practically her own personal empire.

  When they caught the scent of fresh bread, Vitaliya bolted in the direction of the nearest bakery. Ioanna was fully prepared to do nothing more than stare longingly at the baker’s wares, but Vitaliya surprised Ioanna by pulling a coin purse from her pocket.

  “Where did you get that?” Ioanna whispered. Had her grandmother given it to Vitaliya? This seemed highly unlikely, and yet it was the only explanation she could think of.

  “I stole it from your sister,” explained Vitaliya brightly. “She left it in her room, and I’ve decided I’m owed it for the trouble she’s put me through.”

  Ioanna had not realized how hungry she was until she bit into her roll. She’d been so anxious that she’d hardly thought of it.

  Her mind returned to the confrontation with her grandmother. Part of her still could not believe she’d been so assertive. And to her grandmother of all people! Guilt squeezed at her stomach. Would Grandmother Irianthe withdraw her support now? But then, what kind of empress would Ioanna be if she allowed her grandmother to dictate her every move?

  She looked around, realizing she’d lost track of Vitaliya. Panic rose in her chest as she remembered her grandmother’s claim that she’d twice driven priestesses of Reygmadra from her lands—but then she caught sight of her a minute later, near the banks of the river, investigating some wildflowers.

  “Don’t fall in,” Ioanna called because Vitaliya’s sandals were already sinking into the soft mud, and Ioanna could easily envision her losing her balance. “Vitaliya—”

  “I’ll be all right!” But just as Vitaliya said this, she stumbled, and one of her feet landed in the water. “I’ll dry!”

  When Vitaliya returned to Ioanna’s side a few minutes later, the edges of her skirt were soaked and muddy. But Vitaliya hardly seemed to mind.

  “You seemed upset when you came out of the meeting,” observed Vitaliya after a period of peaceful silence. “Is everything, you know, all right?”

  “Oh.” Ioanna shook her head. “It’s just my grandmother. Someone’s told her your bed wasn’t slept in, and now she’s cross with me. She doesn’t want you to accompany me when I go to gather supporters.”

  “I’m not that bad!” Vitaliya puffed up a little like a bird attempting to intimidate a predator. “I’m a princess of Vesolda, and if I’m not good enough for her granddaughter, then nobody is!”

  “I don’t think her objection is personal. I think she just doesn’t want me getting distracted right now. By anyone or anything. She said she didn’t care if I make you empress consort later—”

  “Oh! Don’t threaten me!”

  Ioanna elbowed her. “Are you even listening?”

  “No, I’ve died of shock. Did she really say that? And in front of the paladins?”

  “I’m afraid so. Iolar knows what they must think of me now.”

  “Did you tell her I only met you a week ago?”

  “Stop harping on that! I’m trying to worry.”

  “You’ve been worrying since the moment we left the palace!” Vitaliya reached forward with both hands and clasped Ioanna’s face. “Please. Please stop for just one moment. I’m not going back to Vesolda, and I’m not staying here and sitting on my hands while you ride around gathering up an army! Even setting aside the fact you need someone to talk to, so you don’t get lost inside your own head, there’s people starving who need my help.”

  “I told her you’re coming with me.” Ioanna turned her face back toward the river, and Vitaliya’s hands fell away. “I’m not arguing it with her anymore. This is how it is.”

  “Good! She’s been ordering
you around since the moment we got here. Someone should remind her she’s not empress anymore.”

  “Don’t be angry with her. Grandmother Irianthe has been very good to me. She didn’t need to shelter us or allow the Order to stay on her land. She could have handed us over to Netheia easily. I don’t want you to dislike her just because we had a disagreement.”

  “Your standards are too low,” asserted Vitaliya, leaning in to rest her head on Ioanna’s shoulder. “Next you’ll be saying Netheia was a good sister because she never tried to knife you in your sleep.”

  “My grandmother has been through a lot. And she realizes Xytae can’t go on the way it’s been. Nobody else in my family has managed to admit that.”

  Vitaliya did not reply, but the warmth of her body pressed against Ioanna’s side was reassuring. And yet, for some reason, Ioanna could not relax. Despite the beauty and peace surrounding them, she felt uneasy and unsafe.

  Priestesses? Could it be more priestesses? Instinctively, Ioanna brought her hands up to hug her upper arms and glanced around. But there was no one near.

  “Ioanna?” Vitaliya’s puzzled voice cut through her disoriented haze. “What’s the matter?”

  She’d felt the same way when she’d first sensed Acydon. Something was wrong, something was here—

  Her fingernails dug into her skin. Moments later, Vitaliya was pulling her hands away, stopping Ioanna from injuring herself further.

  “Ioanna!” Vitaliya wasn’t confused anymore; she was just afraid. “Ioanna, what’s the matter?”

  “I don’t…” Ioanna continued to look around, but all she saw was Oredia, the river, and the familiar road that cut through the middle of town. “There’s something here.”

  “What kind of something?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “Let’s go back, then,” urged Vitaliya. “I’m sure the paladins can—”

  “Yes,” said a new voice from just behind Ioanna. “You should go back.”

  Vitaliya yelped in surprise and jumped backward. Ioanna spun around and found herself staring up at a very tall woman.