Chapter 71: Shadow Beside the Throne

[The Throne Hall—Imperial Palace—Continuation]

For several heartbeats, no one moved; the throne hall remained frozen beneath the weight of Kael’s decree.

The golden lamps continued to burn, and the banners of the ancient clans hung motionless from the pillars. Even the wind that had entered with Lytharion seemed to have vanished.

Only the faint crackling of the sacred braziers could be heard.

CRACK...

Kael stood before the throne, his crimson cloak resting behind him. Veyrith remained perched upon his shoulder, black feathers contrasting sharply against the imperial red.

And before him, every noble remained silent; no one stepped forward, and no one confessed. Not a single house dared to claim responsibility.

The silence stretched across the throne hall like a funeral shroud. Kael slowly looked across the gathered houses; his amber eyes passed over every bowed head, every nervous expression, and every pair of eyes that refused to meet his.

Then he spoke.

"I see." His voice was quiet and cold. "Then you have chosen silence."

He allowed the words to linger for a moment; nothing else followed. Then Kael slowly rose from his throne.

The crimson cloak fell from his shoulders, sweeping across the obsidian steps behind him like a river of blood. The Red Wolf upon his chest caught the sunlight as he descended one step.

Then another, the nobles instinctively lowered their heads further. Kael stopped before them.

"You believe silence will protect you. It will not." His gaze hardened. "The assassins who entered my chamber yesterday are alive."

Several nobles exchanged nervous glances. Kael noticed as his expression remained utterly emotionless.

"That was not an act of mercy; it was a decision."

He turned his head slightly toward Captain Cedric.

"Cedric."

The captain immediately stepped forward and bowed. "Your Majesty."

Kael’s eyes remained upon the nobles. "Those assassins are to remain alive until they confess. I want to know who sent them."

His gaze finally settled upon Cedric.

"I want the name, the house, and the man who gave the order. I don’t care how long it takes. Question them until their courage disappears."

Cedric’s expression hardened. "You shall have it, Your Majesty."

The throne hall fell completely silent as few nobles stiffened. Kael continued. "Let them understand that the blade they carried into my chamber has already turned against the hand that gave it to them."

Cedric bowed deeply. "I will see it done."

Kael turned back toward the nobles.

"And when the truth is dragged from their mouths...the one who ordered my death will be brought before this throne."

Kael sat on his throne; his posture was calm and almost relaxed. Yet there was something frightening in that calmness because he no longer looked like a man defending himself against unseen enemies.

He looked like a king who had already begun hunting them as his fingers rested against the armrest.

"Until then...prepare yourselves."

The nobles looked up. Kael’s gaze swept over them as his amber eyes sharpened.

"Because whoever believes they can hide behind another man’s blade has forgotten something. In Qashmar...the Emperor does not need to see the hand that strikes him."

His lips curved into a cold, humorless smile.

"He only needs to follow the blood."

The nobles went pale. Lytharion, still leaning against the ancient pillar, watched Kael without speaking, his golden eyes holding something almost like pride.

Kael continued as his voice echoed beneath the vaulted ceiling.

"So hear me clearly. Whoever sent those assassins...your name will be discovered. Your house will be exposed."

His gaze became lethal as Kael leaned forward slightly.

"And your treason will be answered, this time..." The entire hall seemed to hold its breath. "...there will beno mercy."

The words fell softly, yet they struck harder than a shouted command. No noble moved, and no one dared breathe too loudly. Kael leaned back against the throne, his gaze swept across them one final time.

"Now...you may leave."

The nobles bowed hurriedly. One by one, they began retreating from the throne hall, but House Voss remained motionless. Kael’s eyes settled upon them and the faintest smile disappeared from his face.

The old lord remained standing several paces before the throne, his head bowed. Kael watched him for a long moment.

Then—

"House Voss..."

The man’s shoulders stiffened. Kael rested one hand against the arm of his throne.

"Do you have something to say?"

The Head of House Voss lowered himself into a deeper bow. "No, Your Majesty."

His voice was controlled, but the faint tension beneath it was impossible to miss. Kael studied him for several heartbeats; neither spoke, the head of House Voss bowed again, and then he turned and hurried from the throne hall.

The bronze doors opened.

KRRRRAAAAK.

He disappeared beyond them, the doors closed once more.

BOOM.

Silence returned.

Only four people remained beneath the ancient banners of Qashmar. Kael upon the throne. Lytharion beside the pillar. Grand Duke Lior and Duke Lucein.

Kael exhaled slowly; the tension that had held his body rigid throughout the assembly finally loosened by the smallest measure. He leaned back against the throne; Duke Lucein noticed. "Your Majesty..."

Kael looked toward him. Lucein hesitated before speaking. "Are you well?"

Kael gave a quiet sigh.

"I am."

His gaze drifted toward the great bronze doors, but something about his expression had changed. He was no longer looking at the doors; he was looking beyond them.

Remembering a young woman who had once walked beside him through the palace gardens.

A girl who had laughed with him, a girl who had grown beside him, and now a woman whose eyes held nothing but hatred whenever they rested upon him.

Kael’s fingers tightened slightly around the throne.

"Duke Lucein."

"Yes, Your Majesty?"

"Keep an eye on Nora Voss."

Lucein’s brows furrowed. "Nora Voss?"

Kael nodded. "Do not allow her to leave the capital without my knowledge."

Lucein exchanged a glance with Grand Duke Lior. "May I ask why, Your Majesty?"

Kael’s gaze remained fixed upon the closed doors; for a moment, he said nothing. Then..."I saw her eyes."

Lucein’s expression became serious. Kael continued quietly. "When the assassins were mentioned... everyone in this hall showed fear; some feared punishment, some feared being accused, and some feared what I might discover, but Nora..."

Kael’s jaw tightened.

"She looked at me with hatred."

Lucein remained silent. Kael slowly lowered his gaze; his voice carried an old familiarity now. "I have known Nora since we were children. We grew up beneath the same palace skies. We shared lessons, festivals, ceremonies..."

A faint, bitter smile touched his lips.

"I knew her before she learned how to hide what she was thinking, and that is precisely why I am concerned."

Grand Duke Lior stepped forward. "Do you believe she will act against you, son?"

Kael looked at his father; there was no uncertainty in his eyes. "I do not believe she will. I know she will."

Lior’s brows drew together. Kael continued. "Nora has always been proud, and pride can be endured, but loyalty...can make a person dangerous."

Lucein listened carefully. Kael’s gaze returned to the doors. "She may never have loved Cassian Voss; perhaps she never will, but she is loyal to him."

Kael’s fingers tapped once against the armrest. "That is enough."

The single tap echoed through the throne hall as his gaze became cold. "Whatever hatred she carries toward me...if she believes I am responsible for Cassian’s suffering, she will eventually act upon it."

Lior’s expression darkened. "Then she may become another hand behind the blade."

Kael nodded slowly. He looked toward the Shadow King. Lytharion had remained silent throughout the conversation; his arms were still folded, his golden eyes rested upon Kael, but there was something ancient in his expression.

Something that seemed to say he already understood exactly what Kael was thinking. Kael turned back toward Lucein.

"Do not confront her."

Lucein raised an eyebrow. "Your Majesty?"

"Watch, let her believe she is unseen." A faint darkness passed through his amber eyes. "People reveal far more when they believe no one is watching them. If Nora attempts to contact anyone connected to the assassins...do not stop her."

Lucein bowed deeply. "As you command, Your Majesty."

He turned and walked toward the bronze doors. Grand Duke Lior remained as he looked at Kael for several moments before speaking.

"And the assassins?" Kael looked toward him. Lior’s expression hardened. "I will assist Captain Cedric."

Kael nodded.

"Thank you, Father."

Lior placed a hand against his chest and bowed. "I will uncover whoever dared to spill imperial blood."

Kael’s expression softened slightly. Grand Duke Lior turned toward the doors. Captain Cedric was waiting outside; the moment the doors opened, the captain bowed, and the two men disappeared beyond the doors.

BOOM.

The throne hall fell silent. Kael remained upon his throne. Lytharion remained beside the pillar for a while, neither speaking. Then Veyrith gave a low croak from Kael’s shoulder.

"CAW."

Kael looked toward the enormous doors once again; behind him, Lytharion finally spoke. "You know her."

He walked toward the throne. "Better than anyone in this hall, she was my fiance."

Silence, a strange silence.

Kael slowly turned his head. Lytharion had stopped walking; his golden eyes were fixed upon him. The warmth that had been there moments ago was gone.

Kael blinked.

"Lytharion?"

The Shadow King said nothing; he continued toward the throne, his expression remained calm. Kael watched him approach.

"What is it?"

Still no answer.

Lytharion reached the throne, his hand suddenly closing around Kael’s wrist. Kael’s eyes widened slightly.

"Lytharion—"

The Shadow King pulled him forward. Kael barely had time to react before Lytharion’s other arm slipped firmly around his waist, drawing him close.

Their bodies nearly touched. Kael looked up into those golden eyes; they were darker now, possessive, jealous, and ancient.

Lytharion lowered his head; his voice came quietly.

"Did you love her?"

Kael froze; for the first time that evening, the Emperor of Qashmar looked completely caught off guard. Lytharion’s arm tightened around his waist, his golden eyes never left Kael’s.

"Did you?"

Kael stared at him, and then the Shadow King whispered, "Because I find that I do not like the thought of another having been called yours."