sank into a chair. “Some things I can’t quite grow used to.” He waved toward the dinner tray on the table. “Tea? I’m afraid it’s cold.”
“That’s all right.” Isyllt poured a cup, swirled bitter black liquid around for a moment. Leaves eddied and swirled against porcelain; a pity she’d never been much for divination. After a moment she set it down again and rose to pace beside the window. “You need a proper team of necromancers.”
“I know. The Emperor has other priorities.”
She paced another circuit, pausing as she passed his chair. His robe hung open, and for the first time she saw his collar clearly. Gold wire looped and whorled around his neck in delicate vining tendrils. Tiny rubies gleamed like drops of blood. She followed the twisting lines, but didn’t find a clasp. She raised a hand, stopped before she touched him.
“What deserves such a prison?” The power of the diamond whispered against her hand, a rhythm she didn’t recognize. Something strange about the feel of it.
Asheris turned, caught her hand and kissed her fingertips. This kiss was neither chaste nor courteous. Heat spread from his lips, shivered the length of her arm. He stood, still holding her hand, and warmth lapped over her.
“What are you doing?” Her voice wasn’t as steady as she would have liked.
“What do you think I’m doing?” His other hand traced the angle of her jaw, tilted her face up.
“I think you’re trying to distract me.”
“Is it working?”
He kissed her; she didn’t stop him. The taste of his magic spilled over her tongue. The strangeness was there too, some subtle flavor she didn’t understand. She leaned in, mouth opening, free hand rising to cup the curve of his skull.
He flinched from her touch and pulled away. Her pulse beat in her lips.
“I’m sorry.” He took her left hand carefully, not touching the ring. “Not this, please. Not after…”
She looked down at the diamond, black and still now, no fire in its depths. She might demand the same of him, but the bruised look on his face stopped her. Beyond foolish, but she was tired of being alone. She twisted the ring free, slipped it into her inside coat pocket and offered him her naked hand.
“No ghosts.” That was a lie and they both knew it; their ghosts were always with them.
He kissed her fingertips, her palm, and pulled her close. The lamps flickered and died as he led her to his bed. For an hour or two, at least, they might banish them.
Isyllt woke with a start, reaching for a weapon that wasn’t there. The bed was empty and cold, and the room as well. A draft gusted over her, teasing gooseflesh across her skin and tightening her breasts.
She reached down, found her clothes where she’d left them and checked her pocket. Her ring was still there; she slipped it on, shaking her head at her own stupidity. At least the diversion had been pleasant. She pressed her face to the pillow and breathed in the scent of sweat and spices.
Isyllt rose and dressed, followed the humid draft into the sitting room, where the balcony door stood open. Rain hissed against the leaves, dripped over Asheris’s bare shoulders as he leaned out into the night. A shining rivulet snaked down his back, soaking into the waist of his trousers. He scrubbed a weary hand across his face and flung droplets away.
She bit her lip and nearly turned away. She knew that tired antipathy—she’d seen it in Kiril a dozen times, in her own reflection. But mercy was so rarely an option, for yourself or the enemy.
“Lie back and think of the Empire?” she asked softly.
Asheris turned, scattering water. In the darkness his skin was nearly purple. “I’m sorry,” he said after a pause.
“For what? Not wanting me?” She smiled wryly; it stung more than she liked to admit. “You counterfeit it rather well.”
“I’ve had practice.”
She remembered Jodiya at the ball and glanced away. She didn’t have the luxury of regrets right now.
“Are you planning to kill me?” she asked, catching his eyes.
He arched an eyebrow. “I wasn’t—should I be?”
“The Viceroy has condoned my death. It seemed like a wasted opportunity back there.”
“Ah.” He stepped inside and latched the door. Steam drifted off his skin as water dried. “I have no orders to harm you. Not yet.”
“If you want to take the initiative, now would be a good time.”
He smiled. “It would be inconsiderate to wake the house. Besides”—his smile twisted—“I’d rather test my leash