Prince and the Throne (Fedosian Wars #2)

23. Games We Play

twenty-three

Games We Play

Rodion’s men hadn’t wanted to die for the prince. Uncle used to say loyalty couldn’t be bought with silver, an astonishing thing to admit for a Guard.

Soldiers of plain sword, the men who came from the den had laid down their steel and fled as soon as the castle was breached. Sofia didn’t understand how Eugene missed the Pulyazin, but it had been the mercy of the saints because a fight between sentinels and druzhina would have been… brutal. This wasn’t to say lives hadn’t been lost, and Sofia bent down to close a young man’s eyes in the throne room of Raven. Like the others around him, he’d died looking up at the ceiling of painted saints.

“Go to them now, they wait to honor your bravery.” She fixed the hem of his red tunic, the mark of a Shield soldier, and wiped a strand of hair sticking to his young face with dark blood.

Lev walked down the long hall of white granite pillars, his boots leaving bloody prints, toward the throne of Fedosia. He pulled down the Shield banner behind the dais, then tossed the hem of his cloak before sitting on the throne.

“The last Guard to sit here was Aleksander the Wise,” he said, his voice echoing through the hall.

The room smelled of blood, and Sofia covered her nose with the sleeve of her dress, wondering if Aleksei was able to get out of the well by now. Freezing in the wet dark, imagining the worst possible things because of the threats the Pulyazin made, he must be going mad. She worried his fragile sanity might break.

Lord Fedya brought Lev the gold scepter of Fedosia and Lev twirled it like a baton. “Come here, Soful.”

“It smells like blood.” The pillars of the white hall were splattered with death.

“Open the fucken window then,” said Lev. “Come here.” It was good he was so high he wasn’t noticing the forged gold all around him, but it wasn’t so good he was a nasty drunk and he’d been drinking since they arrived at Raven an hour ago and was drinking still.

The druzhina were in the throne room as well, and not bothering to move the dead, they were stepping over them.

Isidor had apologized for his lewd words, but it was not accepted, and when he grabbed her elbow, Sofia hissed, “Don’t touch me.”

He let go and backed off, raising his hands.

“Saints watch, Lev. The Fedosian throne has never been usurped,” said Sofia.

“And it never shall be,” said Lev.

Sofia had been midway between the red dais and the entrance of the long hall when a druzhina announced, “Prince Nikolas, Your Grace.” They addressed Lev as though he was the archmage.

Dressed in all black, Niko had blood on his face, but it was a spray and not a wound. He frowned at Sofia as he passed by her, his steps not making a single sound on the polished parquet floor. Fearful for the prince, because she didn’t know if the scepter Lev had was real gold, Sofia held her breath.

“I want a physician for my sentinel,” Niko said. “Where is Baltar?”

Lev pretended to search inside his cloak, then blew a raspberry.

“Who’s hurt?” Sofia asked.

“Dominik.” The prince’s frown deepened. “Has he killed Baltar? Where is the old man?”

Sofia had seen Baltar alive and well, tending to the injured druzhina while fascinating himself with the Pulyazin alchemy, and said, “Lev, please send the physician. Dominik is my friend.”

“Have a lot of sentinel friends, don’t you, Soful?” He grimaced, but said, “Lord Fedya will see to it that he receives the care he needs.” The Pulyazin lord bowed and relayed the order to his men. Lev continued, “Now that you’re here, Prince, let’s have a word, you and I.” Playing with the scepter, Lev sat crooked on the throne, hitching a leg up on the gilded armrest. “Would you say it’s true you were sired by the ghost of Saint Neva of Guard?”

Sofia looked at the prince and nervously chewed her lip. But Niko held his own, replying, “I wasn’t there, but that was what the queen said.”

“All right then, let’s pretend as though your mother wasn’t mad,” said Lev. “That makes you a Guard, Nikolas. And I’m saddened to say, I’m what passes for an elder of our house these days. So, be good. Let’s not shed any more blood. When your men arrive at the capital, you will tell them to stand down because you would have accepted my guardianship as your elder. You will assemble the Boyar Duma , missing the Chartorisky and the Menshikov, and give me tsar regent. You will also produce for me the necromancer known as Grigori. Do those three things and you may live. Miss any one thing, and Fedosia will have one less house. That, I promise.”

“I don’t know where Grigori is,” said the prince, not denying he was a necromancer, and the expression the boy wore, he’d known it to be true. Many things went through Sofia’s mind but now wasn’t the time for doubt.

“That’s unfortunate for you,” said Lev. “You and your mother knowingly sheltered a necromancer, and because of that sin, Vasily Apraksin, Semyon Skuratov, Bogdan Menshikov, and countless other Fedosian lives were lost. Though I find your house responsible for their deaths, I’m being immensely merciful because you are a kid. I presume it wasn’t your doing but the mad queen’s. However, if you don’t find me Grigori, it will not go well for you or your men.

“Today, I’ll send the physician to your wounded. Today, I’ll allow you to gather your thoughts. But if you know where Grigori is and don’t tell me, I will hang everyone you know in the garden where you can see from your window. Are we clear, Nikolas?”

“He…” Niko winced as though it hurt, and his nose bled. With a gloved hand, he covered his mouth. “I don’t know where he is.”

“If you know where he is, tell him,” Sofia chimed in because the look Lev had just then reminded her of the archmage. He’d gained cruelty, her brother, that he hadn’t possessed before his journey eastward.

“I can’t,” the prince whispered, closing his scarlet eyes. He was about to break down, so Sofia went to him and took his hand. She didn’t care about the etiquette, there was none left anyway.

“We’ll find him, Lev.”

“You speak a lot, Soful.”

“Don’t turn into Uncle. You’re better than him,” she said.

Blond brows furrowed, and the gold flaked eyes underneath regained something resembling awareness, but then Lev scowled it away. “Come here, nephew.”

Niko stood frozen because only now it occurred to the child it may have been an unwise thing seeking Lev out. Sofia stole a look at the gold scepter on Lev’s lap. Though she’d never seen Niko hold it, it could not be real, could it?

“The prince agrees, Lev. May I take him to his quarters? He’s a child,” she said.

“Come here, nephew,” Lev repeated.

The room had fallen silent, and Fedya’s dark eyes trained on the prince, his head crooked. “His Grace asks you to approach, Nikolas of Shield.”

Sofia didn’t know how Lev had obtained the devotion of the northern lord, whether it had been a miracle or a trick, but reverence it was, true and genuine. The company Lev kept wouldn’t question him, ever, and that was how the archmage’s delusions of grandeur began.

All eyes on them, Sofia nudged Niko forward. The prince was covered from neck to toe, and the boy knew, hopefully, not to touch Lev.

“Yes, Uncle.” Niko stepped forward.

“Kneel for me, nephew.”

Niko obeyed, taking a single knee in front of the throne. Lev straightened in his seat, and Sofia tensed when he reached with the gold scepter, but Lev touched Niko on the shoulder with it, resting the gold on the thick black cloak.

“Thank you, Prince.” Lev rose and he touched Niko’s crown as he walked by him—many rings, none gold.

Sofia exhaled, releasing the bottled anxiety. How did the prince live his whole life like this? She found pity for him. No wonder the queen locked him away. No wonder he could never be in the same place as the archmage. Uncle couldn’t have worn more gold had he been made of it.

“Aleksei of Shield, Your Grace,” a druzhina announced.

Niko got up and turned to the door. Sofia twirled and sprinted, blowing by Lev and flying into Aleksei’s arms.

“You’re all right,” he whispered.

They were surrounded by those who increasingly felt like enemies, including Lev, so she quickly collected herself and gave Aleksei the space to look stern and composed.

“Prince,” Aleksei called.

To Sofia’s relief and Aleksei’s as well, Niko responded with, “Cousin.” He came to Aleksei and immediately crumpled, turning into a child holding back sobs.

“It’s all right,” Aleksei said. “It’ll be all right.” His scarlet gaze narrowed at Isidor who was speaking with his lord by the red dais.

“Good that you’ve joined us, Aleksei.” Lev stepped to a song in his head and played with the gold scepter of Fedosia. “I will be tsar regent till the prince becomes of age. Assemble the Boyar Duma .”

“Understood,” Aleksei said. He had placed Niko behind himself.

“You’re the elder of your house now, I suppose. Funny how that worked out,” Lev said. “It’s probably best the Shield forces remain at the border. If they leave the Narrow, Elfur will come pouring through it.”

“Agreed,” Aleksei said.

“When the sentinels and the red legion,” Lev smirked, “return from Seniya, there will be no trouble. Lest they risk the prince’s life needlessly.” Lev stopped fidgeting and looked at Aleksei. “You will bring me Grigori, alive, and your prince will remain in the same condition.”

“Give me time, I need my men,” Aleksei said.

“Reasonable request. You have three days.”

“Lev,” Aleksei frowned, “Fedosia is enormous. I need more time.”

“God created all that is, was, and shall ever be in seven days. The savior conquered hell in three. You have three days to produce Grigori. After that, your prince shall lose a limb for each day you’re late.” Lev pointed at Aleksei with the scepter. “Listen, simpleton, if you think you can buy time till the stragglers arrive from Seniya, you must think I’m as stupid as you. If the red legion crosses the Krakova bridge and you haven’t delivered Grigori, the first thing I will do is cut off your cousin’s head, with a dull saw so it hurts.” Lev spun and sauntered back toward the throne. “Fuck you, and your house. Go fetch me the necromancer you fed, or I’ll kick in your teeth, Aleksei, quite literally, so you’ll be better at sucking cock.”

“Oh, and by the way,” he twirled, “I want Grigori alive, alive, ALIVE, do you hear? If I can’t question him, there is no deal, so don’t bring me some black bones or a face bashed in so badly it’s unrecognizable. Grigori, alive, that’s the deal. The next I see you, which will be within three days, you will have the necromancer for me, and until then, I’ll hold onto your prince, and Soful will stay with me as well. Now, piss off, red dog.”

“Three days,” said Aleksei. “If he’s in Krakova, I’ll find him.”

“Nope,” said Lev. “I don’t care if he’s on the other side of Fedosia or the bottom of the Zapadnoi Morye. That’s your problem, not mine. Three days, wherever he is.”

“Lev, I want to speak with Aleksei,” Sofia said.

“If that’s how he wants to spend his time, what do I care? I’ve been itching to kill off the Shields anyway.” He pitched the scepter at a marble pillar, making a boom as though a cannon had gone off, then plopped onto the throne, and yelled, “Wine!”

Sofia had never been to the prince’s bedroom. His bed was narrow and against the wall, the size meant for a child, and above it was a collage of hundreds of saints pressed on silver leaflets. There was blood on the floor where Dominik had been lying, and Niko sat on a little stool praying to the wall of saints.

“Baltar says he will be all right,” Sofia comforted the prince. She’d brought a bucket of water to clean the floor and got to it. Many of the servants had perished during the assault, Raven was still in disarray, and she didn’t want to bother people over a thing she could do herself, but the smell of blood was potent enough to taste the copper.

She got up from the floor to open the window, realized Niko’s windows didn’t open, and cracked the door.

“Who will be all right?” Niko asked.

“Dominik,” said Sofia, wringing a bloody rag into the bucket. “Isn’t that who you’re praying for?”

“No. Should I?” The prince frowned. “But they don’t listen.”

Night had claimed the city, but Aleksei hadn’t returned. Sofia whispered, “Pray for your brother.”

“Many of the soldiers didn’t fight. They ran away rather, and I hear now they’re looting my city.”

“I don’t claim to know what inspires loyalty, but I suspect it might be a thing that takes time,” then she thought of the Pulyazin addressing Lev as His Grace, “or a miracle. Don’t take the traitors to heart but many also died for you, Niko, and if they have living family, it’s customary they are compensated.”

Sofia peeked out the door and gave the dirty bucket to a druzhina posted there. Then she went to the washing table to clean her hands.

“Niko, do you want tea?” she asked.

“No, I want a soul.” The boy cried, upset at his wall of saints.

“Hush!” Sofia rushed to close the door, then went to the prince and whispered, “Don’t say such things with Lev around. He will kill you… is it true what he said about Grigori?”

“I can’t talk about him.” He shook his head.

“Why? Can he hear you?”

The boy punched his own head and startled Sofia. “Always here,” he said. “Always here.”

She looked into his eyes, and he didn’t appear to be redlining. She didn’t know if the… soulless redlined or even counted as a Shield, but those questions would have to wait till they weren’t in earshot of druzhina.

“Have tea,” she said, and got up to bring it.

The door opened and jolted them both. Sofia never thought the day would arrive she’d be afraid of Lev, but here it was. It wasn’t Lev, though, but Aleksei returning.

She embraced him and felt better as though no trouble could exist in the world while she was in his arms.

“The sentinels arrived,” Aleksei spoke with Niko while he held her. “Give me command, Niko.”

“Eugene?” the prince asked.

“Yes. He’s huffing and puffing trying to get into Raven. I need command, Niko. Eugene can’t find Grigori. It’s my city. Also, our situation is delicate, you realize. I can’t have Eugene instigating a fight with the druzhina. They’ll kill you the instant trouble starts.”

“I’m jailed here?” Niko asked.

“Niko.” Aleksei let go of Sofia and approached his brother, taking a knee before the prince. “Trust me to handle this and give me command.”

“I can’t.” The prince’s voice had grown so quiet it was hard to hear a foot away. “I’m sorry.”

“What’s the matter, Niko?” Aleksei held his face. “Tell me.”

He shook his head, crying. “I want to see Eugene. Please send him to me.”

“I can’t.” Aleksei rose. “It’s not my castle at the moment.”

“If I send him a letter, will you take it to him and not read it?” Niko asked.

“Yes.”

“Promise?”

“I promise.” Aleksei cupped his brother’s neck. “Don’t cry, brother, it’ll be all right. That, I also promise. Lev knows we will eviscerate him if he harms you. Fedya can’t help. This isn’t his home. Now it’s just a matter of who gets what piece of land, which title, not who dies, all right?”

“I love you as a brother.”

“What do you mean as a brother? I am your brother. Now, write the damned letter. I need to have a word with Sofia.”

They stepped out into the corridor where it was dim and smelled of blood. Druzhina were down the hallway because this was a dead end, but not right outside the door. He pushed her against the wall and kissed her.

“Are you all right?” he whispered.

“Yes. How are you to—”

Their mouths met again, exchanging familiar greetings and sharing the same air. He wore his sentinel gear, and the exoskeleton tugged a few strands of Sofia’s hair as they got tangled in the metal, but she didn’t mind it, and pulled him closer and tighter, squeezing him with all her might.

He held her nape and whispered into her ear, so soft even the shadows wouldn’t hear. “I’ll be taking Niko and leaving Krakova tomorrow night. Will you come with me?”

“What?” Sofia breathed. “What happened to…”

“They are listening.” His eyes flicked to the druzhina at the end of the corridor. “I love you,” he said much louder, kissing her, and pressing against her. “Please tell me yes.”

“What happened to finding Grigori?” she mouthed. It occurred to her the Shields had surrendered Raven too easily, but she’d hoped for… peace, nonetheless. Three days was an unreasonable demand in the vastness of Fedosia. Perhaps Aleksei would have considered had Lev been more sensible with his ask.

“How the fuck do I know where he is?” he asked.

Yeah, he wasn’t wrong. Sofia nodded. “I’d follow you anywhere.”

“I’ll see you tomorrow. Stay with Niko and make sure he’s in his room tomorrow at midnight, but don’t tell him anything till you have to, yeah? He talks way too much.”

They stood in the dark hallway, their foreheads touching, and Aleksei caressed her cheek. The moment passed, and he took a step back. “Niko, letter?” he hollered.

The prince peeked out of the room with an envelope in his hand. “You promised,” he said.

“I did.” He took the envelope and tucked it under the new vambrace he had. The alchemy on it was the same as any other sentinel, missing the Durnov symbols.

“Be careful,” Sofia said.

“Of course, my lady.”

Sofia nodded, and together with Niko, she watched as Aleksei’s long strides carried him away. “All right, then.” She patted Niko’s shoulder. “Now let’s have tea.”