Empire of Night (Age of Legends Trilogy Book 2) by Kelley Armstrong

Author:Kelley Armstrong [Armstrong, Kelley]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2015-04-07T00:00:00+00:00

TWENTY-EIGHT

They said all roads led to the imperial city. Of course that was true—all roads linked up with other roads and would ultimately take you anyplace you wished to go. This road did in fact become the Imperial Way, though, and was busy enough that they could follow Tyrus unnoticed.

“Oh, he’s noticed,” Ronan said when Ashyn commented.

“But he hasn’t looked back once.”

“No, we haven’t seen him look back. He’s a prince and a warrior, Ash. He’s not going to glance about like a nervous trader with a full purse. He acts as if no one would dare attack him, so they give him wide berth. But he’s fully aware of his surroundings. He knows we’re here. He’s just not going to do anything about it unless we come closer.”

“He’s in danger, isn’t he,” Guin said. She’d been riding quietly until now.

Ronan took a moment to respond. He’d become accustomed to ignoring her, and he seemed to have to struggle against that urge now. “Yes, he’s in danger.”

“Do you think the rumor’s true? That the emperor has already condemned him?”

Ashyn considered carefully. “I do not know the emperor well enough to say with certainty, but I believe that the court of opinion may have condemned Tyrus, though his father has not. That is equally dangerous. It is, however, a matter easily resolved.”

“Is it?” Guin asked.

Ashyn’s reply was firm. “It is.”

She glanced down at Tova. He walked at her side, making no effort to hide. Hounds of various types were common enough in the empire that, while his size garnered a few curious glances, he was dismissed as a rare or exotic breed. Daigo was the one who stood out, which meant that he did not walk beside Tyrus, but slunk along the buildings and long grass and any other obstacles he could find at the road’s edge. With Moria gone, the wildcat acted in her stead, watching over Tyrus.

“I don’t think we’re the only ones following the prince,” Ronan said after a moment.

At first, she thought he meant Daigo, but then she saw his tight face.

“Where?” she whispered.

“Guin? Fall back.”

“Please,” Ashyn added.

The girl did. She’d been pensive since the scene at the inn, as if finally realizing this was not some grand adventure. She wasn’t stupid. Nor as unfeeling as she seemed. Simply unaccustomed to worrying about danger—or worrying about others. She’d been a spirit for so long. How long? If girls had wed by their fourteenth summer in her time, it could be several ages ago.

“They’re on your side,” Ronan said. “Near the edge of the road. Three warriors.”

She counted to five under her breath and then swept her gaze over the other travelers. It was not difficult to spot the men. The dual swords hanging from their waists meant even on a crowded thoroughfare, no one got too close. While jostling a warrior’s sword no longer carried a penalty of death, few cared to risk the insult.

Warriors served in many roles. This trio was clearly not in the army.

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