Amara waited for his response but didnt receive one. She cursed herself for giving in to her bluntness with such an unpredictable creature.

It didnt matter. Even if shed somehow displeased him, he would soon remember that if he wished to complete his blood ritual here, he needed her help as much as she needed his.

It wasnt very long before Cleo entered the room, flanked by two of Amaras guards. Her cheeks were red, her gaze furious. Her gown was tattered, and there were smears of dirt on her face and bare arms.

You fought against my guards? Amara asked, raising a brow.

When treated with such disrespect, Id fight anyone, Cleo replied tightly.

Amara shifted her gaze to the guard. Where is her subordinate?

Hes being detained in an interrogation room, the guard replied.

No need for that. Put him with the other prisoners, but dont harm him. Not yet, anyway.

Yes, empress.

Leave us. Close the door.

The guards eyed each other, and Amara noticed that they both had fresh scratches on their faces. Are you certain you dont want protection? one asked.

Do as I say, Amara said through clenched teeth.

Yes, empress.

They left and closed the door.

Amara sat down and poured herself another glass of wine. Id offer you some, Cleo, but Id be afraid youd try to break this bottle over my head again. She paused to take a sip from her full goblet of sweet wine. Have you come to apologize for that and to beg for my mercy?

No, Cleo replied simply.

Id come to think you were dead, buried under a snowdrift near Lord Gareths villa.

As you can see, Im very much alive.

You certainly are. Amara watched her over the edge of her cup. Several of my soldiers were murdered the night you escaped. Was that your doing?

Will answering that question truthfully earn your respect or have me thrown in your dungeon?

Its a pit, actually. Quite effective. And that depends entirely on your answer.

Fine. Cleo nodded. I needed to defend myself. So, yes, I killed them.

With a bow and arrow.

Just the arrow. I confess I have yet to master the skill of archery.

How were you able to kill men twice your size with just an arrow?

My appearance leads men to believe Im harmless.

But youre far from harmless, arent you? Amara couldnt help but smile as she leaned back in her chair, took another sip from her glass, and regarded the girl before her, who had surprised her with her thirst for survival at any cost. You dont look like a royal anymore. Your dress is torn, your hair is tangled. You look much more like a peasant.

Looking like a royal takes both time and attendants to achieve. Lately, Ive simply been trying to survive to see the next sunrise and, of course, fight against your guards when they try to drag me around like a rag doll.

Something about this meeting, about Cleos bravery in coming to visit an enemy without a trace of fear in her eyes, had quickly gained Amaras respect. I made you an offer of an alliance when we last spoke. I believe you already gave me your answer to that. She gingerly rubbed the back of her head, which had healed, save for the memory of the wound. I was very angry with you for your response, since I thought we could make a good team.

We still could, Cleo replied readily.

How unsurprising that the girls mind had changed since losing everything she once valued.

Apologies, Cleo said a moment later, but Ive been traveling so long my feet feel as if they may drop off of my legs if I dont sit down immediately.

Amara waved a hand at a nearby chair. Please.

Cleo sat down heavily. Im not here to waste any more time. Your words the last time we spoke may have been encouraging, but your actions have never given me much hope for an alliance between us. Do you really blame me for how I reacted, no matter what I was promised?

I appreciate your bluntness. No, I suppose the longer Ive had to think about it, the less I blame you for nearly shattering my skull. She smiled tightly. I believe I would have done the very same thing had our positions been reversed.

Im sure you would have.

Amara absently swirled the wine, looking down into its depths. I was never your enemy, Cleo.

You wanted to possess the Kindred and were willing to do whatever it took to claim it.

True. Amara considered her for a moment. You proclaimed Magnus king during your speech to the Paelsians, despite his family stealing your throne. Why?

Cleos expression shadowed. Because I hated his father for giving Mytica to you so easily. The Limerian people werent ready to accept me as their queen yet, so I presented them with a slightly less distasteful king than Magnuss father.

So its not because youd fallen in love with him.

Amara, you want me to be blunt? Ill be blunt. Politics and love should have nothing to do with each other. Do you disagree?

I dont disagree. She regarded the blond girl for a moment in silence. Why are you here, Cleo?

Because Ive heard that you dont trust men"any men. Yet it seems to me that youre surrounded by them. Very few women hold important positions in this world, other than being the wives or mothers of important men. I believe that should change. You control a third of the entire world now, a fraction that is sure to grow over the years and decades to come. I believe you will need help with that.

And youre offering me that help.

Cleo raised her chin. Thats right.

Or . . . perhaps this is just a ruse to distract me.

Distract you from what? Cleo said evenly.

From demanding your head. You march in here like you have any right to be within ten paces of me. Are you that desperate now, that you would risk so much by coming here and expecting me to be kind?

Kindness is not something I expect from you, Amara. If you spoke to me with kindness today, Id assume you were lying. Very well"what can I do to prove my worth to you?

Amara considered this carefully. Information. Tell me something I dont already know that may adversely affect my reign as empress.

Cleo chewed her bottom lip while Amara waited as patiently as she was able to. Then the girls aquamarine eyes rose to meet hers.

Your brother Ashur is alive. Cleo took a moment to observe Amaras shocked expression. I take it he hasnt arrived yet.

Amara chest tightened at the possibility, but her eyes narrowed on the princess. Impossible. Of all the lies you could tell, that was not one that will serve you well. My patience with you is finished. Guards!

The door opened, and Amara was surprised to see Carlos, not a regular guard. Empress, Im here to announce that there has been another arrival at the gates, he said.

She frowned. Send them off. I dont want to see another unexpected visitor. And take this deceitful creature away. Put her with the others while I decide how I want her to die.

As you wish, your grace. Carlos hesitated, but only for a moment. But I think you should see this visitor.

Whoever it is can wait.

He wont wait, your grace. Carloss gaze turned to his left before he immediately fell to his knees, bowing his head.

And then Amara watched with utter disbelief as her dead brother walked into the room.

CHAPTER 28.

CLEO.

PAELSIA.

Amara stared, still and silent, at Ashur for so long that Cleo thought shed turned to stone.

Sister, Im sure youre surprised to see me, he said before turning a raised black eyebrow to Cleo. And here you are as well.

Yes, here I am, Cleo confirmed, her heart pounding hard. I seem to have beat you here.

You did. Then again, I didnt rush. I needed time to think.

How odd. Thieves are usually in much more of a hurry.

He frowned at this. Im sure they are.

Emperor Cortas, what would you like me to do with the prisoner? the guard asked.

Prisoner. Cleos gut wrenched at the thought that her journey would be cut short before she had a chance to make any difference. She had to think, to figure out a way to deal with this outcome. Manipulation was her best weapon. She needed to gain Amaras confidence, to get close to the most powerful woman in the world so she could help to destroy her.

I want you to" Amara began, then frowned. Did you say emperor?

The guard ignored her, his attention fully on Ashur. Emperor?

Leave us to speak in private, Ashur told him.

The guard left, bowing all the way out of the room.

Ashurs gaze returned to his sister. It seems now that our father and brothers are dead, Im next in line to rule. You know very well I never wanted a responsibility like that, but I will do what I must. When she didnt reply, he continued, Nothing to say to me after all this time apart, Sister?

Amara now shook her head slowly from side to side. This isnt possible.

Cleo wanted to bite her tongue, to keep from saying anything that might draw attention to her and remind Amara that she wanted her dead.

But she couldnt help it.

Its very possible, Cleo said with a nod. Ashur is alive and well. It was a surprise to me too, but Im sure its a bit more of shock to you. After all, you did murder him in cold blood, didnt you?

Clearly, I didnt, Amara said, her words crisper and harder-edged than Cleo would have expected, considering how stunned the empress appeared to be.

You did, Ashur confirmed, absently stroking his chest. There was no mistaking the pain of the blade as it slid into my skin and bone. The cold look in your eyes that Id seen cast upon others in our lives, but never before upon me. The horrible sensation of betrayal that broke my heart just as you sliced into it without any hesitation.

How? Tell me how this can be!

Let me assure you that I am not here for vengeance of any kind. Despite your harsh and questionable decisions, I do understand it all more than you might think. You are not the only one in our family who was cast aside by our father for having differences that made us unacceptable.

Elan was different, she whispered.

Elan looked at our father like a shining god standing before him. I suppose that pardoned many of his imperfections.

This is actually happening, isnt it? Amaras eyes filled with tears. You wont believe me, but Ive only regretted one of my decisions: what I did to you. I was angry, I felt betrayed . . . so I reacted.

Indeed you did.

I wouldnt blame you if you wanted me dead.

I dont want you dead, Amara. I want you alive and well and willing to see everything in this world more clearly than youve ever seen it in your life. The world is not an enemy to be conquered at any cost, whatever our madhosha might have you believe.

Our madhosha is the only one who has ever believed in me. Shes guided me and been my most valuable advisor.

So it was she who advised you to end my life.

Amara twisted her hands. But it was I who acted on such advice. For a while, I thought you would be on my side through everything, but you chose that boy . . . that boy with the red hair . . . after becoming enamored with him after what? A month?

Nic, Cleo said, her throat constricting. His name was Nic.

Ashur sent a deep frown toward her. What do you mean his name was Nic?

Cleo commanded herself not to cry. She refused to show any weakness here, unless it might serve her in some way. She wanted to hate Amara the most, to have that hatred fuel her, strengthen her, but all she wanted to do right now was hurt Ashur.