Abisai
The entire kingdom woke wrapped in whispers and fear.
The news of my father's murder spread like poison through the castle hallways and city streets: the emperor had been found dead in his chambers.
Zabina remains locked in a secluded room. Only my most trusted men know she's there. I've posted armed guards at every door, every window, every possible exit. I don't want her to escape… or to commit another act of madness.
I haven't gone to see her. Not yet.
I need to digest all of this before I face her… and right now, I simply can't.
In less than an hour I will be married and crowned emperor.
Damn.
Rumá enters the room unannounced and gives a slight bow.
"Everything is ready."
I finish the wine left in my cup in one swallow and get to my feet. The liquid leaves a bitter aftertaste on my tongue.
"Let's go."
The grand throne room is packed. As I enter, every gaze fixes on me like arrows. Court members, nobles, clan leaders… all watching me.
I ignore them.
I won't be giving any explanations until after the coronation.
And until the very last second, Zabina will remain innocent in the eyes of the court. Not because she is, but because I'm not willing to lose her. Not even now.
The ceremony begins.
Bamylan appears at my side and clings to my arm with a serene, perfect smile, as if nothing had happened. I return the smile out of pure inertia and we turn to face the priest.
The crown descends onto my head. It's heavier than I remembered. The cold metal presses against my skull like a constant reminder of the price I must pay.
Bamylan is also crowned empress.
We turn to face those present. In a single movement, every person in the hall drops to their knees before us. The room fills with a unanimous cry:
"Long live Emperor Abisai! Long live Empress Bamylan!"
I study their faces one by one as they shout. I calculate. I mentally separate the allies from the potential traitors. It's inevitable. The kingdom is going to split in two very soon.
I'm ready for what's coming. I'll break it if necessary… and then rebuild it under my hand.
When the echo of the cheers fades, I raise my voice. The silence falls like a stone slab.
"My father was murdered last night in his chambers. We have not yet found the killer. But I promise justice."
The air grows thick, almost unbreathable.
"This afternoon we will hold a war council. The leader of each clan must attend. The ceremony is over for my wife and me — we have important matters to attend to. Please enjoy the food and drink. Lord Faguer will be happy to attend to you."
He bows to me.
"I hope you understand," I finish.
Without waiting for a response, I take Bamylan's hand firmly and guide her out of the hall.
Stema appears before me and I hand Bamylan over to her.
"Take the empress to my chambers and have her wait for me there."
"Follow me, my lady."
Bamylan grips my arm.
"Will you come?"
"Stema will take personal care of you. I'll see you at this afternoon's meeting. We'll talk properly tonight."
She seems pleased with my answer. She smiles.
"Very well, my lord. As you wish."
She follows Stema willingly, which leaves me somewhat puzzled.
I stand watching the empty hallway for a second.
That woman keeps surprising me.
I enter my meeting room where Levin is already waiting with my most absolutely trusted men.
"What's new?" I ask.
"Everything under control for now," Levin points at the map with his finger. "Reinforcements on the eastern border. Continuous surveillance. Any demon that comes out is a dead demon. The priests of the minor temple are cooperating. It seems Vacul's death convinced them that being on the wrong side is hazardous to your health."
Some of them smile.
"Good. For this afternoon's meeting I want everything as we planned. No improvisation, no signals. Every clan in its place, every word calculated."
They nod.
I lean back in my chair. Suddenly an intense burning runs through my left arm. I make an involuntary gesture of pain and clench my jaw.
"Everything alright?" asks Andram, one of the dragons consecrated at my side.
I look at him.
Then I look at all of them.
And I make a decision.
"I don't want to keep secrets from you." I stand slowly. "You're not just my guard. You're what's left of something that barely exists in this kingdom anymore — unconditional loyalty. And you deserve to know what I'm carrying."
No one speaks. No one moves.
I push up my sleeve to the elbow.
The silver marks pulse on my skin.
The silence that follows is that of people processing something that changes the scale of everything they thought they understood.
"I believe the bond from the prophecy has been created. Between Zabina and me." I pull the sleeve back down. "I don't know exactly what it implies. I don't know what's coming. But before that meeting I need to know everything the prophecy actually says, what the bond demands, what it means for the kingdom and for the clans."
Zymei signals two of the men. They leave for the library without anyone needing to say another word.
Good.
I meet Levin's eyes.
"I need a name."
He furrows his brow.
"For the court. For the clans. For the official account of how my father died." I pause and take a breath. "Someone has to publicly carry that death or Thymá will use the void to fill it with whatever suits him best."
"Are you saying that…?"
"I'm saying I don't want to catch the real killer." I look at him.
He understands. He and everyone in this room know what Zabina is and know that she is the killer.
Levin is silent for a moment.
"Tell me you understand what I'm asking of you," I say.
"I understand," he answers. "And I already have a name."
"Don't tell me yet. Take care of everything. When the time comes I'll know."
He nods.
I stand and straighten my suit.
"I'm going to see my uncle."
"Alone?" asks Andram.
I smile. The first time I've smiled all day and there's nothing warm about it.
"My uncle thinks he won. That with my father dead the board favors him." I walk toward the door. "I want to see his face when he understands he's spent years playing against someone who wasn't who he thought."
I open the door.
"If I'm not back in an hour," I say without turning around, "Levin knows what to do."
I step into the hallway and stop.
Just one second.
Today I got married. Today I was crowned. Today my father died without my ever saying what I should have said to him — and without knowing if I ever wanted to. And somewhere in a secluded chamber of this castle is the woman who killed that father, who carries my marks on her skin, and whom I hate that I cannot hate.
All in the same day.
Emperors don't have the luxury of falling apart.
So I don't.
I straighten my suit and keep walking.