“No,” she snaps. Even as she lies here dying, she cuts her eyes at me, demanding and annoyed. “Over there.” She points toward the empress’s quarters.
My eyes follow her limp finger, and my heart plummets.
Empress Iana lays sprawled out. All around her—
Blood.
“Prince Caben,” I say, my voice unsteady. “Stay with Carina.”
He checks the receiving room, making sure we’re clear of Otherworlders before he lowers himself on to one knee beside her. Then he shrugs off his cloak and places it under her head.
“Kaliope,” Carina whispers. I stop long enough to hear her strained words. “Traitor . . .” They trail off, and I squint, trying to figure out why she’s calling me a traitor. But my mind quickly returns to my empress. I hear Prince Caben’s muffled voice reassuring Carina with mistruths as I rush toward Empress Iana.
She cannot be dead. My whole being is connected to her—through the goddesses; through the bond. I would have felt her slip from this world. I would have known the moment she was taken. I believe this with stone conviction.
As I reach her, I notice the rise and fall of her chest, and I drop to my knees. “Goddesses, thank you.” I lift Empress Iana’s head and place my palm underneath, giving her support. I search her body for wounds, but there are none. The blood soaking the floor isn’t hers.
Her eyes blink open. “Protector Kaliope,” she whispers.
I nod, my head nearly bouncing off my shoulders with relief. “You’re not mortally injured, empress. But can you tell me where it hurts?”
Shaking her head against my palm, she says, “They do not need to kill me as they know I’ll be dead within days, anyway.”
My breath knots in my chest. “What are you saying?”
“The crystalline relic . . .?
?? She pauses, gasps in a breath. “It’s what protects Cavan and blesses us with mercury—it’s what bonds the Nactue to the empress. Farrah bestowed it to the first empress, infusing her life force inside. Every empress to follow shares her life force with the crystal. If it’s not returned to Cavan—to me—then our country will fall.” Her warm amethyst eyes glisten, and she averts her gaze to the alter that held the relic. “And I with it.”
Shaking my head, I say, “No. The goddess wouldn’t allow that. We’ll take you to the temple and pray. We’ll pray damn hard. Farrah won’t allow you to die. She’d never let the Otherworlders conquer—”
“Protector,” she says, halting my hysterical rant. “They have already conquered.”
What she says is true. Shouts and clangs from the battle raging outside the palace rings in my ears. I look around, searching frantically for a way to save her.
Councilor Herna rushes into the quarter, a unit of protectors trailing her. The protectors check and secure the rooms, and Councilor Herna advances toward us. “Empress,” she says, kneeling next to her. “The full evacuation has been ordered.” She takes the empress’s hand as the rest of the Cavan Council enters the room. “We must move you. It’s time.”
“I won’t leave until I know my people are safe,” the empress says.
“Protector Kaliope.” Councilor Herna looks at me, and I meet her dark eyes. “You’re to help oversee the evacuation and make sure Cavan and the surrounding cities cross into Laryn.”
My pulse jumps against my veins. “But I’m a Nactue. I and the rest of the Nactue should be the ones to escort Empress Iana to—”
“Most of the Nactue have been slaughtered,” she blurts. “And the other few—taken. I’m sorry, Kaliope, but look around. We don’t have much time. The Otherworlders are invading all of Cavan.”
Lilly and Willa. My chest tightens, and I force a sputtering breath past my lips. I glance over to Carina, her life fading, and assure myself the rest of my Nactue are still alive. They have to be. Lilly and Willa have been captured—but they’re still alive.
Then Councilor Herna’s words drive deep into my heart like a knife.
My mother.
The Otherworlders are capturing citizens—taking slaves. The ward will be of the first to be evacuated. My father should be safe. But my mother’s alone with no protection.
“I’ll contact the army leader and move out with them.” I stand, already reaching for my transmitter and turning to leave when the councilor waves her hand, stopping me.
“Our communications have been shut down. Our army has infiltrated the city and is already moving people out. Help with the evacuation and then meet up with Commander Corvin at the west border. Once you see your convoy safely to Laryn, we’ll meet at King Dallion’s palace.” She inhales a sharp breath. “We’ve already arranged sanctuary there.” She glances toward the hallway, a frown drawing the corners of her mouth down. “Send Prince Caben in on your way out. He’ll travel with us to Laryn.”
Tucking my transmitter back into my harness, I nod once. “Yes, ma’am.” With one last look at the wilting empress, I bow my head, and hurry from the room.