Fallen by Roselynn Cannes

Author:Roselynn Cannes [Cannes, Roselynn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2015-10-08T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 5:

Misery’s Shadow

It is not what you are, it is what you appear to be.

– Persephone of House Galanis, Princess of Galilae

Persephone berated herself as she left the king’s chambers. What had she been thinking? She’d practically admitted that everything she said and did was a farce while simultaneously identifying herself as an empty shell. Neither was entirely accurate, yet both were closer to the truth than she cared to admit.

Fuck the gods!

Manipulating him was hard enough as things stood. What was she going to do now? She needed a plan, but where to start?

When in doubt, turn to what you know. The lesson popped into her brain automatically. What did she know to be true about General Augustine Sempronius? Not nearly enough. She forcibly shoved that unhelpful thought aside.

The simplest solution is usually the correct one, so always start with the basics. Another lesson: one that had served her well in times past. She hoped this would not be an exception. Taking a deep breath, Persephone started with what was obvious. She knew that he was a Perdoman general. Famed for being a brilliant strategist, ruthless, and creatively cruel. He’d never lost a battle and had yet to meet an army or a leader that he had not bested. Discouraging, to say the least. What else? She knew that nothing about what was presently happening in Galilae fit any of his previously used military tactics. That meant the answer she sought had to be in the differences. So what were the differences? The palace had been targeted and taken secretly. As far as she was aware, none of his innovative methods of torture or execution had been employed in the takeover. The royal family had been allowed to live and, furthermore, was set to continue as though nothing were amiss.

There was a piece missing. She just needed to find it. He’d struck bargains with Persephone rather than using more forcible means of coercion. Unwilling to believe there was any good in him, she assumed his reasons for doing so were related to whatever purpose she and rest of the royal family were meant to serve. So what purpose were they meant to serve? Persephone suppressed the impulse to huff and rub her temples in frustration since she was being monitored. She needed to think faster, but didn’t feel like she was getting anywhere.

What else stood out to her? He was gathering information about her. Mostly information about her training as far as she could tell, but tonight he’d asked specifically about her moonblood, which meant he was aware of the possibility of creating a child with her. Not exactly a revelation. But if he asked, it suggested that he meant to track it. Combined with their instructions to carry on as normal, it confirmed their plans for the family were on a long-term scale. It also hadn’t escaped her notice that he’d avoided her question about forcing silphium on her. Did that mean he intended to keep any child

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