Jonass eyes narrowed. Harm one hair on the princesss head, and I swear to whatever goddess you give a damn about, I will make you beg for death.

CHAPTER 19.

AMARA.

PAELSIA.

A single golden hawk circled above the Paelsian citizens gathering to hear Amaras speech. She stood at the open window in her chambers and looked out at the crowd of eager faces. Many were bewildered to be inside their former chiefs private compound; its gates had been locked to the public during his command over this dusty kingdom. Today they had their first glimpse of the labyrinthine city, which reminded Amara greatly of the City of Gold, only instead of precious metals and jewels, it was made from clay, brick, stone, and dirt.

Your grace, I wish you would reconsider this speech, Kurtis said from behind her. You are much safer inside, especially with the news of rebels nearby.

She glanced from the window at the ever-present kingsliege. Thats why I have guards surrounding me at all times, Lord Kurtis. Rebels are always nearby. Unfortunately, I cant make everyone see my point of view. There are those who opposed my husbands reign, my fathers reign. And there are those who will oppose mine as well. No, I will speak to my citizens today, those who would embrace me without question and the handful who doubt my intentions here. I must give them hope for the future"hope theyve never had before.

Which is a lovely sentiment, your grace, but . . . Paelsians are known savages, quick to violence.

She found his choice of words offensive. There are those who say the same of Kraeshians, she replied with growing annoyance. Perhaps you didnt hear me before. I will speak today.

Your grace"

She held up her hand, choosing to drop the smile from her lips. I will speak today, she said firmly. And no one will tell me I cant. Especially with the news of rebels, and with dissent even among my own soldiers, I need the support of these people for the future of my reign. And I will not have anyone tell me what I can and cannot do. Do you understand me?

He immediately bowed deeply, his cheeks flushing. Of course, your grace. I meant no disrespect.

The door opened, and Nerissa entered, bowing her head. It is time, empress.

Good. Im ready. Amara stroked the silk of her gown. It was the one she wore for only the most special of occasions in Kraeshia. She took it with her whenever she traveled just in case there was the opportunity to wear such a splendid piece. Its shimmering stitches and shining beads of emerald and amethyst sparkled under the Paelsian sun as she emerged from her large villa.

An entourage of bodyguards waited outside for Amara, and with Nerissa by her side, she approached the large podium on a wooden stage high above the crowd of four thousand, who were elbow to elbow in the chiefs former fighting arena.

These were her new subjects. They would hang on her every word and spread the news of her glory to all who would listen. And one day soon, they would be the first to revere her as a true goddess.

The crowd cheered, and the air itself was infused with the sound of approval. She glanced at Nerissa, who smiled and nodded, encouraging her to begin.

Amara raised her arms, and her large audience went silent.

I address the beautiful people of Paelsia, a kingdom that has endured many trials and tribulations through many generations. Her voice resonated off the stone pillars, which helped to amplify the words so that even those in the stands could hear her. I am Amara Cortas, the first empress of Kraeshia, and I bring you the official news that you are no longer citizens of Mytica, a trio of kingdoms that have oppressed you for a century, but you are now citizens of the great Kraeshian Empire"and your future is as bright as the sun that shines down upon us today!

The crowd cheered, and Amara took a moment to scan the faces, some dirty, with threadbare clothes worn down with dust and age. Weary eyes looked up at her, eyes that had seen many leaders who had made false promises and delivered only pain and suffering. Still, she saw timid hope even in the oldest of eyes.

We will tend to your land, she continued. We will make it rich again and ready to plant crops that will sustain you and your families. We will import livestock that will feed you. And as you continue to make the wine that Paelsia is famous for, the profits will be entirely yours, as I promise that there will be no Kraeshian taxes on this product for twenty years. The laws that have prevented legal export of this wine to anywhere but Auranos are hereby broken. I see Paelsia as a magnificent asset to my empire, and I want to show this by making my actions match my words. You are right to believe in me, for I believe in you. Together we will march forth into the future, hand in hand!

The noise from the crowd swelled, and for a moment, Amara closed her eyes and allowed herself to soak it all in. This was why shed sacrificed so much. This was why shed done what she had.

This power.

No wonder her father had made so many harsh choices during his reign. This rush of obedience, of adoration, of awe was truly intoxicating.

Whether or not she could truly do all that she promised would have yet to be seen.

There was magic in the belief she felt from the Paelsian people. A magic so rich and pure that she wanted to bathe in it.

Your grace! Nerissa gasped.

Amara opened her eyes in time to see the glint of an arrow, and then one of her bodyguards shoved her out of the way. The arrow hit him in his throat, and he fell sputtering to the floor of the stage.

Whats happening? she demanded.

The group of rebels who threatened to be here today"theyre here! Nerissa grabbed her arm. Two more arrows flew toward her, narrowly missing her and hitting two other bodyguards.

How many? Amara managed. How many rebels are here?

I dont know" Nerissa raised her head to look out at the crowd just as another arrow whizzed by. Twenty, perhaps thirty or more.

Amara watched with shock as her army of soldiers invaded the growing sea of civilians to apprehend the rebels. The soldiers cut down anyone who got into their way, be they rebel or Paelsian. The crowd panicked and tried to escape. Chaos broke out, cries of fear and outrage ringing all around as blood began to spill.

Paelsian men drew their weapons, their faces changing from hope to hate in an instant, and they began to fight not only with the soldiers but with each other, blades slicing flesh, fists hitting jaws and stomachs.

Savages, quick to violence, Kurtis had warned.

Mothers grabbed their children, crying and fleeing in all directions.

What do we do? Nerissa asked. She had crouched down next to Amara, and they were cowering now behind the podium.

I dont know, Amara said quickly, then wanted to bite her tongue to take the words back.

Words of fear. Words of a victim.

She would not cower before rebels today or any day.

Her moment of fear quickly turned to anger. This, whatever this was, was not part of her plan. Those who wished to destroy her chance to make allies of these fierce people, whod been ready to embrace her as their leader, would pay with their lives.

Amara bolted up from her hiding spot, her fists clenched, just as someone approached the stage from behind her. She could hear heavy footsteps stomping across the wooden surface.

She spun on her heels to see two of her bodyguards fall, their throats slashed. Behind them, a shockingly familiar face.

Well, princess, I would bet a great many gold coins that you didnt expect to see me again.

Felix Gaebras held the tip of his sword only a couple of inches away from her face.

His was a face from her nightmares. Or perhaps theyd been premonitions. In these dreams, hed been trying to kill her.

Felix . . . you did this, all of this, just to get to me, she began, taking a shaky step back from the young man she thought was long dead.

He smirked. Honestly? I was simply observing from a safe distance. This was a happy coincidence. I guess there are many other rebels who want to watch your blood spill. But it looks like Im the one who gets the honor.

Her gaze whipped to her left to see three bodyguards racing toward Felix, but they were cut down by another young man with dark hair and an annoyed expression.

This wasnt the plan, Felix, the young man shouted. Youre going to get us both killed.

Quiet, Taran, Felix replied. Im reconnecting with an old girlfriend.

At the touch of his blade against her cheek, Amara looked right at his black eye patch. Your eye . . .

Gone. Thanks to you.

She flinched. I know you must hate me for what I did.

Hate you? His dark brows raised, shifting his eye patch a little. Hate is such a tiny word, isnt it?

Amara tried to see if any guards were coming to her aid, but Felixs friend Taran held them off with both the sword and the crossbow he was armed with.

Amara raised her eyes to meet Felixs and filled her voice with as much regret as she could muster. Whatever youve endured, my beast, I promise I can make it up to you.

Dont call me that. You lost the right to call me that when you left me behind to die. He touched the blade to her face again, nudging her gaze to turn to the crowd. See what you did? This is your fault. Everything you touch ends in death.

Her tense gaze moved across the crowd that had gathered from miles around to hear her speak. Many Paelsians lay dead amongst the fighting, trampled by others, killed by the blades of guards or their own countrymen.

He was right: This was her fault. A moment of vanity, the desire to feel the love of her new subjects after so much pain and disappointment, and it ended with death.

Everything ended in death.

The same hawk shed seen earlier circling above the crowd squawked loud enough for Amara to hear it. Beneath the bird, someone trapped in the middle of the chaos caught her eye, a young man with unusually bright red hair whod been making his way toward the stage.

She recognized him as Cleos friend"Nic. The one Ashur had become fixated upon.

Amara watched with horror as two Paelsians grabbed Nic, ripping his coin pouch off of the loop on his trousers. Nic grabbed for it, and one of the mens knives flashed in the sunlight before he sank it into Nics chest.

She gasped.

Nics body dropped to the ground, her sight of it quickly lost in the crowd.

This was her fault, all her fault.

She frowned at the thought. No"this had been bad luck for Nic, unfortunate circumstances. But she had not murdered Cleos friend with her own hands. She refused to take the blame for other peoples misfortune.

While shed hated her father and equally despised her brothers, the Cortas family was not weak in any way. That included her.

And beyond the Cortas family, women werent weak. They were leaders. Champions. Warriors. Queens.

Amara had faced far greater foes in her life than Felix Gaebras.

She forced her voice to shake as she spoke her next words to him. Youre better than this, Felix. Killing an unarmed girl? This isnt you.

Not me? Im an assassin by trade, love. Killings what I do best.

Out of the corner of her eye, she watched his friend single-handedly fight off two more of her men. I now rule a full third of the world and control all that fortune. Do you want to be a very wealthy man?

He shrugged a shoulder. Not really.

Shed forgotten that hed been different from other men shed known"an asset in the beginning, but a problem now. Women, then. Ten, twenty, fifty girls who desire only you.

He fixed her with the coldest smile shed ever seen. And how would I know they were not cold, deceptive bitches like you? No deal, empress.

Amara summoned tears to her eyes. She hadnt cried in so long, but it was a talent shed developed at an early age. The easiest way for a woman to avoid trouble or punishment, shed found, was to feign weakness among men.

The tears quickly began to stream freely down her cheeks. I planned to free you, but they told me you were already dead, killed in an attempt to escape. My heart ached for the thought that Id lost you forever. I should have let you in on my plan, but I was afraid . . . so afraid. Oh, Felix, I didnt want anything to happen to you, truly. I"I love you! I always will, no matter what you choose to do today!

Felix stared at her, as if stunned by her words. What did you just say? You love me?

I do. I love you.

The tip of his sword wavered. But it quickly sprang back up.

Nice try, love. I might believe that if I were a complete and utter idiot. He smirked at her. Time to die.

A moment later, Carlos, whod managed to get past Taran and up onto the stage, tackled Felix to the ground. Before she even had a chance to catch her breath, both Taran and Felix were brought before her and forced down to their knees.

Nerissa returned to her side, and Amara took her hand in hers, squeezing it for reassurance that her attendant had not been harmed.

The other rebels are dead, your grace, Carlos told her. His face bled from a vicious cut across the bridge of his nose.

She acknowledged this with a curt nod, then gazed down at Felix.

He shrugged again. Cant say I didnt try.

Should have been quicker.

I like to talk too much, I guess. He gave her a wide grin, but his single eye was ice cold. It flicked to Nerissa for a brief moment before returning to her. Lets revisit that offer of the harem of beautiful women, shall we?

Amara touched Felixs cheek, drawing his face up. I am regretful about your eye. I did enjoy that eye, among other parts of you. For a few nights, anyway.

Shall we execute them immediately, your grace? Carlos asked, his sword at his side.

She waited for fear to flash through Felixs single eye, but he remained defiant. If I spare you, what will you do? Try to kill me again?

In a heartbeat, he said.

Taran groaned. You are a damn idiot, he muttered.

Her beast had entertained her for a time. He still did.