Realm of Light - Deborah Chester [147]
“There was no abduction. Kostimon placed her in my protection,” Caelan said coldly. As he spoke, he cast a glance at the two guards. They were still alert, watching him closely.
Tirhin moved away, and Caelan was not able to seize him. He could sense Exoner calling to him. The sword was practically glowing in its scabbard from their proximity to the realm of shadow.
Grim determination reawakened in him. He had to get that sword.
Tirhin kicked aside the wine cup and went to stand near the fire. He shivered, then moved restlessly back toward Caelan.
“Well?” he demanded. “You’ve had time to think up a lie. What is your hold on the lady?”
Caelan frowned, not sure what he wanted. Feeling the conversation was pointless, Caelan answered with the simple truth. “Love.”
“Love?” Tirhin said the word as though it were foul. “She loves you! How could she?”
Caelan said nothing.
But Tirhin seemed to read everything in his face. He scowled. “This is absurd. You have enspelled her.”
“I am only an ex-gladiator,” Caelan replied satirically. “What powers do I possess?”
“Plenty of them, from all accounts. Your speed, your prowess, your ability to heal, your way of reading a man’s mind. Agel has told me of the Traulander religion, of the special gifts and spells that can be performed.”
“There are no spells,” Caelan said, wondering what lies Agel had fed into this man’s mind.
“How earnestly you say that,” Tirhin said with a skeptical laugh. “You were always such a literal fool, so honest, so upright, so faithful. But now you think you can take everything from me, just because of Elandra. You think her favor will make you a great man. But you are wrong!”
“The men are already calling you Majesty,” Caelan said, trying to provoke him. “Did you crown yourself today?”
“Damn you!” Tirhin glared at him with clenched fists. “Taunt me again, and I’ll cut out your tongue.”
“Before or after you cut off my head?”
One of the guards growled a warning and reached for his sword.
Tirhin waved him back. “I don’t need you. Keep away.”
“But, Majesty, he is dangerous—”
“Get out, both of you! If you won’t obey me, I won’t have you with me.”
“Better let them stay,” Caelan said softly.
Tirhin jerked around to stare at him. Whatever he read in Caelan’s eyes made him blink. He stepped back and glanced at his guards. “Very well,” he said. “But keep quiet.”
Caelan started over. Tirhin was a man on the edge. Whether pain or fear drove him hardly mattered. He was half-mad, fevered, far from being in control of himself or his men.
“Elandra will not marry you of her own free will,” Caelan said, still speaking softly. “Has she told you that yet?”
Tirhin’s face turned bright crimson. Hatred gleamed in his eyes. He was breathing hard, but he did not answer.
“Is an alliance with her the only way your chancellors will let you be crowned?” Caelan asked. “Imperia politics are so complicated. How much easier it all seemed when you thought the Madruns would slaughter both Kostimon and Elandra in their beds, leaving your succession a clear and simple matter. Did Kostimon accuse you of treason before he died? Is that why the Lord Commander of the army still hesitates to give you his allegiance?”
“The Lord Commander is here, damn you,” Tirhin breathed, staring at him in fascination. “He came to me. He brought the army to me.”
“But has he sworn fealty to you?”
Tirhin’s mouth trembled, but he said nothing.
“Has Lord Albain?”
“That old fool! His head will roll after yours!”
“And will that make Elandra smile at you with more favor?”
Tirhin lifted a shaking fist. “She’ll come to fear me. I don’t want her love. I want her cooperation.”
“You want her crown, and you’ll do anything to get it. The problem is, you’re about to be emperor of nothing. Imperia is doomed, and you can’t put the monsters back. Do