[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
He erased my name. He erased his own!"
"But people must remember. Edward's mother?"
"Died giving birth. Probably the first woman to do so for hundreds of years."
"Courtiers!"
"Can be silenced. Permanently."
"And yet you know all this, he said accusingly.
"What am I, Jack? A seer. It's why he sought me out. To confirm the prophecy.
The younger brother shall rule the Empire as it should be'."
"As it should be? Should? What sort of hellish vision of should do you "
Younger brother.
"Oh God."
Warily, Angelica asked, What?"
"Did it say whose younger brother? This prophecy. Did it mention an older
brother?"
She shook her head, frowning. That's all it said. His previous seer was the one
who made the prophecy, I just confirmed it."
Jack shook his head slowly. Empress, he said, you signed your nephew's
death warrant."
"What? No. Edward was an only child. He was killed because he was such a
threat to the Empire."
"He wasn't an only child. Jack's voice sounded hollow. He had a sister. An
older sister. He told me. A half sister. Illegitimate. Empire wasn't supposed to know
about her. She died not long after his assassination."
Angelica's face was appalled. He was a younger brother?"
Cat Masters Empire 3: City of Lust 55
"The prophecy was about him. The Emperor discovered the sister and had them
both killed. And Edward's wife. And quite probably anyone else he suspected of
knowing about it. He cocked his head. Except you. Must be love."
Her face was ashen.
"You sent your nephew to his death with that prophecy, Empress, he said.
Remember that."
Chapter Six
She stood for a long time by the windows overlooking the city. Through the
reinforced glass she heard the drone of air traffic, the thump of music playing far below,
the occasional raucous squawk of a seabird. She felt the heat of the sun. The city lay
spread out before her, a tangle of buildings bristling high into the sky, obscuring the sea
beyond. She'd seen it many times through the eyes of others. Knew it exactly.
She could barely remember the last time she'd actually been physically present in
the city.
"You should rest, my lady, said Santos behind her.
"I'm fine, she said distantly.
You sent your nephew to his death.
She'd always liked Edward. Intelligent, quick-witted, unexpectedly kind, he was
virtually the total opposite of his despotic uncle. His pretty wife, Annique, had become
a friend too. Their defection had devastated her, even knowing as she did that it was
the right thing to do.
"I wish I'd come with you, she'd said during an infrequent communication with
Annique.
"I wish you had too. But Edward says you're needed where you are. You can
misdirect the Emperor. And tell us his plans."
"He doesn't share many of them with me."
"But maybe you'll see something in a vision?"
"Maybe. I'll tell you if I do. Are you both well?"
Annique giggled. So well I can't believe it. You've got to keep this secret, okay?
You can't tell anyone. But I'm pregnant."
Cat Masters Empire 3: City of Lust 57
"Annique! That's wonderful news! Edward must be delighted."
"He is, Annique said doubtfully, but he's also nervous. He thinks someone
might use me against him. I can take care of myself, but not when I have the baby to
worry about."
"I won't breathe a word. Won't even think about it."
"This child, Annique said fiercely, will be born free. To a world where the
Empire is a thing of the past. Something to learn about in history lessons."
"To a father who's a worldwide hero, the Empress teased, and Annique
laughed.
"To a new world, she said passionately. Then, after a hesitant pause, There will
be a new world, won't there? For us all. We will win this war?"
The Empress sighed. She'd tried, so often and so hard, to see the outcome of it all.
But the future refused to be shown on demand. The more she tried, the less she saw.
"We will win, she said. There will be a new world for your child."
But there wasn't. Neither a new world, nor a child. Annique had been
assassinated on the same night as her husband. The story put out by the Empire was
that the Prince's own guard had turned on him, and his wife who was traveling
separately, as they journeyed to peace talks with the Empire. His followers had been in
such turmoil following the deaths that the whole Independent movement had broken
up.
Angelica knew the real story. Edward trusted his Royal Guard more than
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]