Spy's Honor by Amy Raby

Author:Amy Raby
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Group, USA
Published: 2013-08-14T04:00:00+00:00

22

For the first time, Janto entered the north dome of the Imperial Palace, the home of Emperor Florian’s personal chambers and offices. This area was certain to be salted with wards, but he was less concerned about tripping one than he had been before. With Mosar conquered and most of his family dead, part of him almost welcomed the opportunity to use his poison pill.

So far he seemed to be getting off easy. No wards yet, and with so little traffic, these hallways were easier to navigate invisibly than other areas of the palace. Legaciatti guarded most of the doors, and probably some of the rooms beyond those doors contained reams of useful intelligence, but finding a way into them would not be without challenge.

Around the corner, a pair of voices broke the silence. Janto moved toward them.

“He’s not back yet,” said one man.

“But I’m on his schedule,” replied another.

Janto turned the corner and saw Augustan Ceres, accompanied by one of his officers, speaking to a door guard.

“He’s running late,” said the Legaciattus. “You can wait in the anteroom.”

Augustan nodded and, along with the officer, headed toward a side room. Janto followed and was delighted to discover the anteroom had no door. He didn’t enter but hovered outside, in case the arched entryway was warded.

Augustan and the officer took seats, looking irritated.

The officer spoke in a quiet voice. “You think he’ll give us the ships?”

“Can’t imagine he wouldn’t,” said Augustan. “There’s still a Mosari fleet out there, and he won’t want anything to happen to his precious niece.”

The officer snorted a laugh. “What’s the word on her? She break yet?”

Janto blinked, confused but interested. Augustan and the officer had to be referring to Rhianne, but what was this about her breaking?

Augustan shook his head. “He had her whipped yesterday, but she’s a stubborn bitch. Not giving in yet.”

Stubborn bitch? She’d been whipped? Surely Janto had heard wrong or misunderstood. They could not be talking about an imperial princess. They were speaking softly, and he could have missed something. Maybe they were talking about a hunting dog, or a horse.

Or maybe they weren’t. What in the Sage’s name had been going on here while he’d been hiding away, mourning his parents and his conquered land?

“He’s going about it all wrong,” said the officer.

“’Course he is,” said Augustan. “She’s thoroughly spoiled. Forget the wedding—just sign the marriage papers and throw her into my cabin on the Meritorious. I’ll make a wife of her. I’ll have her on her knees on the quarterdeck before the voyage is over, sucking my cock and thanking me for the privilege.”

Janto stiffened. He didn’t know how he would do it, but somehow he was going to kill that man. His fingers twitched, wanting to wrap themselves around Augustan’s neck and crush it.

Yes, muttered Sashi darkly, picking up his thoughts. Kill.

Later, said Janto, coming to his senses. That man was a war mage, blessed with preternatural speed and strength, as well as the gift of anticipation, which allowed him to sense blows before they landed.

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