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Chapter 319: Epilogue

Renna’s sweat was drying as she stood on the balcony of the Mage College, looking over the city of Telha. She had just finished practicing with the short blade Eryk had given her. The intense exercise was a welcome distraction from her situation.

She was in the suite for the chancellor of the Mage College. She had stood here with Eryk many times, watching the sunrise. Now he was dead, and any thoughts of him coming to rescue her were shattered. Even the small bed they had shared was losing his scent. Everything had fallen apart so fast in the last few months.

First, Eryk had left for the Hounds. Then Zyna took her to serve on the war front alongside her. She saw firsthand the destruction an avenging mage could bring to bear on his enemies. The Emperor was turning the fortunes of every battle with his incredible power. The aftermath of the battlefields turned her stomach, but she could tell Zyna was trying to harden her, to season her for what she was to become. A tool for the Empire.

Then Zyna turned against the Emperor just as she was about to defeat the fleeing Bartiradians. Renna had been paralyzed with shock as mages and legionnaires began fighting each other. The brutal battle and ensuing chaos still haunted her nightmares. At first, she didn’t understand what was happening, thinking Zyna was being controlled and that the Bartiradians had set a trap. But no, it was a bloody coup.

Initially, in the battle, she had just defended herself, but eventually she sided with Zyna. When a void attack from the Emperor pierced Zyna’s head, she went into shock. Zyna was a pillar of strength for her, a mentor. When Renna came to control her power, she imagined Zyna as a colleague and friend. Dozens of the Empire’s best legionnaires and mages had fallen on the field that day. She was swept up by Duke Octavian’s men and held prisoner.

She had been questioned extensively by the Truthseekers and had managed to satisfy them that she had not been privy to the treason, nor had she attacked anyone during the coup. She had been mostly forgotten for weeks in Duke Octavian’s camp as he treated with the Esenhem elves for peace and pressed the Bartiradians back to the border by force. She might have fled—if she had anywhere or anyone to flee to.

When Duke Octavian’s entourage returned to the capital, a triumphant parade was held for him. He professed that he had avenged the Emperor’s death at the hands of his Bartiradian killers and reestablished the treaty with the Esenhem elves, effectively ending the war on the eastern front. The great victory for the Telhian Empire had rung through the streets.

No word of Zyna’s or the others’ betrayal had circulated, nor had the identity of who actually killed the Emperor—Renna recalled that it was some legionnaire with a bow. She assumed all those who could speak the truth were now long dead or allied with Octavian. The value of her life if she didn’t cooperate was made known to her by subtle threats from those around her.

It was clear that Renna’s value as a powerful mage was the only thing keeping her alive. Too many mages had been lost in the war and the insurrection led by Zyna. Renna had been stashed here in these apartments, supplied with food and spell books brought to her by legionnaires who guarded her door. The spell books on the table were for powerful spells: immolate and tornado.

Immolate was a spell that targeted a small area, rapidly increasing the temperature and igniting everything inside. It was a painful way to execute enemies of the Empire in a public setting. The tornado spell created a swirling vortex of air that continued to grow as long as it was fed aether. It could be directed at armies if the mage was given enough time. Being forced to learn these spells was a way to make sure she was helpful in the Empire.

They thought she would be comfortable in these suites, but instead, they reminded her painfully of wonderful memories and a more carefree time. Eryk’s presence had briefly rescued her from her fate as a brood mare for one of the Emperor’s sons. Eryk had made the days bearable for her, and she had looked forward to spending time with him. Now he was dead, and so was any fantasy of Eryk rescuing her.

After being sequestered in the tower, Renna had befriended the quartet of legionnaires who guarded her. She learned Eryk’s fate from them. One of the legionnaires even got the official report. Eryk had died fighting the Boutan orcs in the western Empire. She read it nearly a dozen times, unable to believe it. Eryk had always seemed invincible to her, like Fortuna was actually protecting him.

She needed to harden herself to her reality if she wanted to survive. She watched the city below as it prepared to welcome its new Emperor. The door to the common room banged open with authority, sending a chill through her. She rarely had any visitors, but guessed her presence would be required at the parade.

She straightened her spine to face the intruder. She froze in place; it was Mage Ona. Her sleek black hair was pulled back tightly, and her piercing blue eyes scrutinized Renna. “I’m surprised they haven’t already hanged you,” she said mockingly. Zyna had warned Renna that Ona had acquired a potent amulet that amplified her charm abilities. Since that time, Renna had trained in both mental and magical defenses.

She was surprised that Ona was alone and couldn’t help retorting with a stinging comment. “Where is your brother? Doesn’t he hold your leash?”

Ona wove a spell form with one hand, and a dagger of ice condensed in her fingers. Anger was clear on her face as her veins bulged and the tendons in her neck strained. It was no secret that her twin brother, Cashius, abused her. Her treated his own sister like he treated all women. “I am no longer tied to him,” Ona said icily.

Renna didn’t back down, and they stared at each other for a long minute. Ona and Cashius had tormented Renna since she had arrived at the Mage College, but now Renna was more powerful than both of them combined. They couldn’t accept that someone outside of the First Citizens had more raw power. A realization washed over Renna: Ona was a First Citizen! She wore the ceremonial brooch that indicated she had been raised. Ona smirked in victory. The condensed ice blade clattered onto the floor, but it didn’t shatter.

Renna wiped the shock off her face. “Why are you here?”

A malicious smirk formed on Ona’s face. “I am to ensure you cooperate during the coronation and walk diligently by Emperor Octavius’s side.”

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“What? Why would I do that?” Renna’s mind raced. Why would she be given such a position of honor?

“Because you are to be my uncle’s next wife,” Ona said gleefully. Renna felt the threads starting to invade her mind and she began the fight for control.

Renna fought back and forced out, “Duke Octavian is married.”

“Not any longer. Calvia is dead,” Ona said neutrally as she split her focus. “Calvia died by an assassin’s blade ten days past,” Ona added without remorse for her aunt.

“Why me? Why not you?” Renna said as she started to sweat and considered taking drastic action. Her sword was not far away, but two unfamiliar legionnaires stood by the door, probably Ona’s guards. She could just run and jump off the balcony and try to fly to freedom.

“Me?” Ona laughed a little too maniacally. Maybe the offer had already been made or suggested. “No.” She fingered her First Citizen brooch. “I am tired of being told what to do. You, however, do not have a choice!”

Ona pressed her will upon Renna, and she was much stronger than she remembered. Still, Renna kept her wits about her and focused. Her hand slid down to her thigh as her entire body perspired, soaking the thin fabric of her exercise clothes. She had one of the blades Eryk had given her strapped to the inside of her thigh. She wouldn’t become a mindless puppet. She would kill Ona—or herself.

“Enough!” An authoritative voice echoed, coming from the stairs. Duke Octavian strode into the room, his authority emanating from him. No, not from him, but some artifact Renna couldn’t place. She had met him a few times and had never been impressed before. Something was enhancing his aura. Three Imperial legionnaires in their shiny breastplates stood guard and were silent as their future Emperor approached Renna. His heavy red and gold robes flowed around his regal stature. Maybe it was the robes …

Her heart raced as he approached and stood before her. Ona’s tendrils retreated from her mind, allowing her to breathe more easily. “Do you love your Empire?” he asked, studying her.

Renna stumbled over her words. “I … I love the people of the Empire, yes.”

A wide smile spread across Octavian’s lips. “Good. The Empire has need of your services.” Renna was wise enough to remain silent as Octavian paced in the common room of the apartment, pretending to inspect things. She was sure this encounter was orchestrated. Maybe this was the alternate plan after Ona had failed to control her.

“The Empire is besieged, Mage Renna. It will fall without a strong hand to guide it through these troubling times. I am that hand, Renna.” He made eye contact with her. His black hair and beard framed his angled face. To her, there was nothing attractive in his features, but some influence made her respect his visage.

“Did you know the goblinkin have surged from the Endless Dark and established two cities at the base of the Dragon Spine Mountains?” he said softly.

Renna stumbled for the right words. “I did not. I have been locked in the tower since we returned to the capital.”

He manufactured a sympathetic look on his face. “Not locked away, my child. You were being guarded from assassins and the influence of traitors. Now that I am sure they have been dealt with, you can leave the Mage College whenever you want. Your guards, of course, will accompany you for your safety.” He gestured in a circle. “The goblinkin are not the only threat. Varvao has fallen to the orcs and they fortify their gains in the Western Empire. The Adventurers Guild has sent envoys and warned that the accord has been broken with them, and they are demanding concessions. Agents from the Mitzra Brotherhood have been plaguing my attempts at peace and interfering with the excavation of Atlantium.”

Renna couldn’t help but show anger at the mention of the orcs, as they had killed Eryk. Octavian smirked and nodded at her evident anger. “Yes, the Empire faces many challenges and is sick, and I am the man to heal it. But I need your help to return the Telhian Empire to its glory.” His eyes drifted to the two spell books. “How is your progress?” he said, cocking an eyebrow in her direction.

Renna had never felt so alone before, so isolated. She knew her life might be hanging on a single poor decision. “I have almost learned the immolate spell. I can trace their patterns in the air, just not fast enough to sustain them.”

Duke Octavian smiled. “Very good! I was told you were a remarkable young woman!” He turned on Ona. “My niece may have been too hasty in announcing my intentions to you. I have suffered a great loss recently.” He held his head in sorrow. “I need time to grieve. You need time to decide if I will be a good husband.” His poorly honeyed words caused her to feel ill, but she didn’t show it. She gave him a slight, placating nod.

He made eye contact with her again. “But in the interim, I need to show power tomorrow at the coronation in front of the First Citizens and Esenhem ambassadors.” Renna’s eyes shot open in surprise.

Octavian looked displeased. “Yes, the elves will be there. I had to make numerous concessions to secure the border with Esenhem. All I ask is that you walk by my side.” He offered a manufactured smile.

Renna had no choice but to notice the malevolent smile on Ona’s face. She knew there was something else going on here. “I … I … I … can walk by your side.” Octavian smiled happily, and Ona smirked triumphantly.

“I knew you loved your Empire,” he said as he took his leave.

The following eight hours felt endless as attendants fitted her for clothes and prepared her for the following day. Some used magic while others relied on mundane means to get her ready as quickly as possible. It was unnerving because none of them spoke to her, no matter how much she tried to converse.

At noon the next day, she was escorted to the Imperial palace. She had never been inside the walls and was shocked at the exorbitant luxury throughout the structure. She was brought to a massive chamber, easily a hundred paces across. In its grandeur, it was barely a quarter filled. She knew several challengers to the throne had been dealt with, but this gathering felt—sparse.

A delegation of nine elves stood off to the side and appeared to be there as observers only. They all wore blank expressions, but their body language told Renna they would rather be elsewhere. As the ceremony began, Renna did as she was instructed and stood on Octavian’s right. When he was crowned, he became Emperor Octavius, the Justice Bearer—a pompous title for a pretentious man.

Renna tuned out the ceremonies as they proceeded slowly and tortuously. There were dozens of mages in attendance mixed in with the First Citizens. She assumed everyone here was an ally of the newly crowned Emperor Octavius.

When the crown finally rested on Octavius’s head, moderate applause erupted from the gallery. Renna was just glad this was over. Though he had promised to give her time, she was expecting an engagement announcement from the acolyte of Juno standing before them.

Instead, the acolyte of Juno began a wedding ceremony. Anger flared in her, but should she have expected anything less from Emperor Octavius? There was a brief ceremony raising Renna to First Citizen status, as an Emperor could not marry too far beneath himself.

Renna clenched her teeth to get through this. She could give in and become subservient to Octavius's whims, or she could wait and accumulate as much power as possible to herself. Then she could break free and maybe seek her revenge against those who had injured her. Certain First Citizens and the Boutan orcs who had killed Eryk were at the top of her list.

END OF BOOK FIVE

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