Kevlin stopped before the entrance to the Keisara's Tower. He held one of Remiel's chained arms, and Gabral held the other on the far side. The prisoner had not spoken, although he seemed more and more surprised as they passed through the various palaces to reach this location.

  A pair of imperial guards, dressed in plate armor and full helms, flanked the entrance. That was unusual. Perhaps the keisara really did have viable intelligence. It appeared she was taking no chances with Remiel. That eased some of his lingering worry.

  The guards snapped salutes, which Gabral returned. "Inform the keisara that Colonel Gabral is here with the prisoner Remiel."

  "Where is Sir Kevlin?" asked one of the guards.

  Gabral scowled at the man and Kevlin suppressed a grin. "I'm here."

  The guards opened the door and one said, "Sir Kevlin, leave your sword here. I will escort you and your charge to the queen."

  As Kevlin unbuckled his sword belt and laid it in the corner, Gabral said, "I will accompany him."

  "We have orders only to allow Sir Kevlin to pass."

  Gabral marched up to the much taller man. "I am Bearer of the Mace, and the Emperor's Champion. You will let me pass."

  "Very well, but leave your weapon here."

  Gabral barked a laugh and pushed past the man. For a second, it looked like the guard considered trying to stop him, but he wisely chose not to.

  Kevlin pushed Remiel after Gabral. The three of them followed the other guard down an airy corridor draped in bright cloth, with a thick carpet running down the center. Kevlin marveled that they’d actually made it there. He had fully expected the heavy guard surrounding Remiel to deny access to the prisoner, let alone allow him to be removed.

  Gabral's authority, coupled with a decree from the keisara proved sufficient. The Sentinels and Stalwarts assigned as guards may have been surprised, but they couldn't prevent the unusual interrogation.

  At the end of the hall the guard pushed open a dark-stained wooden door carved with vines and fantastic creatures. They stepped into a surprisingly large, rectangular room, thirty paces long and half that distance wide. The walls rose a full twelve feet to a ceiling covered with a gigantic mosaic depicting a flower garden filled with a riot of colors. More fantastic creatures danced among the flowers. Nymphs and sprites and fawns and faeries and dozens more that Kevlin had never seen before.

  Gigantic floor-to-ceiling windows filled the entire wall to their left, offering a spectacular view of the Tamerlane Sea. It felt like they perched directly over the waves. Kevlin realized the tower must be placed on the westernmost edge of the palace complex.

  If he stood close to the windows, he'd probably glimpse the edge of the plateau directly below, where it fell away hundreds of feet to the pounding waves. That reminded him of the terrifying plunge down the face of that cliff with Tanathos and the heart-stopping moment when Harafin's magic arrested his fall just short of the jagged rocks.

  He pulled his gaze from the incredible view and focused on the figure seated two-thirds of the way across the room on a low couch. Keisara Fideima Tamar Tegnazian.

  She sat tall, her chin slightly raised, her golden hair falling in an intricate braid over one shoulder and down the front of an elegant cranberry colored taffeta gown. She also wore a green linen hat with a very wide brim that cast a gentle shadow across her face.

  The rest of the room was surprisingly empty of furniture. Half a dozen straight-backed wooden chairs were scattered haphazardly around the room, as if someone had hastily removed the other furnishings but didn't quite finish the task. A pair of armed guards flanked a door set in the center of the right-hand wall. Another door was set in the wall behind the keisara.

  The pretty maid Sitara stood flanking the keisara. Kevlin smiled in greeting. It was good to see a familiar face. Sitara didn't smile, but looked very solemn.

  Keisara Fideima said in her rich, warm voice, "Greetings, Sir Kevlin. Thank you for coming so quickly."

  Kevlin bowed.

  Gabral also bowed. "I took the liberty of accompanying the prisoner, Your Majesty."

  "Why would you do that when not commanded to do so?"

  Gabral looked unsure for the first time. "I felt it appropriate, given the dangerous nature of this prisoner."

  Kevlin glanced at Remiel and was surprised to see Remiel staring across the room, a look of astonishment on his face. He whispered, "Angel?"

  Kevlin looked from Remiel to the keisara. No, not the keisara. Remiel was looking at Sitara.

  She cast him a hint of a smile.

  She hadn't smiled at Kevlin.

  Kevlin grabbed Remiel's arm. "What's going on here? Sitara, how do you know this man?"

  "I'll ask the questions here, Sir Kevlin," the keisara said.

  "Of course. It's just, I'm surprised the prisoner seems to know Sitara. It could be important."

  "I said I'll ask the questions. Be silent until commanded to speak, or I'll have you muzzled."

  Why would she insist he deliver Remiel only to start threatening him? It usually took a few minutes for him to upset women enough for them to start throwing around threats of muzzles.

  Gabral said, "He's an unlearned country fool, Your Majesty. Poor manners are to be expected."

  "I will forgive the lack of manners once you answer my questions."

  "Me?" This conversation was twisting completely out of line. "I thought you were questioning Remiel."

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  "In due time. First, I demand to know who is bearer of Tia Khoa and where is the stone?"

  The last person who asked him that turned out to be mind-controlled. Not a good sign.

  "Your Majesty, I don't see how that has any relevance . . ."

  "I will determine what has relevance," the keisara snarled.

  "One more time, mercenary," Gabral hissed. "Upset her one more time, and I'll beat you from this room."

  "Answer my question," the keisara commanded in a ringing tone.

  "I'm afraid I cannot."

  "You dare defy my direct order." Her voice carried abundant threat.

  "Not willingly. Master Harafin and your husband agreed this secret must be kept." Well, hopefully the emperor had agreed. If not, hopefully Leander had an extra seat on the banished wagon.

  "Leave my husband out of this. In this tower, I rule, and you will obey my command!"

  She rose to her feet and tilted her chin up to look down at him in that imperious gesture so many women adopted. When she did, despite the shadows of the wide, plumed hat, Kevlin got a clear look at her eyes.

  They looked black.

  He hated being right all the time.

  "Answer her," Gabral demanded.

  "You know I can't." He added in a whisper, "Look at her eyes."

  "I'll do no such thing," Gabral huffed. "I know how to respect the keisara. Her command must be obeyed."

  "She's not herself."

  "You dare impugn the keisara's honor?"

  "No, listen to me. Ceren was attacked just today. She . . . well, never mind. But look at her eyes."

  "You're babbling. I knew it was a mistake to let you draw so close to nobility."

  "Listen to me!"

  "No, you listen to me. Answer the keisara, or I swear I will strike you down right here."

  It was frustrating to realize Gabral's biggest character flaw was a not pride, not platform boots he sometimes wore to pretend he wasn't so short. It was lack of imagination.

  He just couldn't think of anything new, but had to keep coming back to the tired idea of killing Kevlin. It was kind of tiring.

  Kevlin wanted to shake Gabral and beat some sense into him, but getting into a fist-fight in the keisara's apartment would be a bad idea. How could Gabral not see the truth?

  The keisara sat gracefully back onto the low couch and waved to one of the guards, "Bring my dear cousin Miren to me."

  One of the guards saluted and exited the room. The keisara seemed content to wait, so Kevlin used the delay to try to think of a course of action. How could the enemy have struck here in the very heart of the palace?

  He needed his brothers.

  Kevlin tried the ethereal link he sometimes felt with his brothers, but felt nothing. Why now? He'd connected with them last time.

  The connection was sporadic, but there had to be a way. He doubted the keisara would allow him to withdraw and summon Harafin and a legion of Stalwarts to help. He cast his thoughts back over every time he'd connected with his brothers.

  Every time, he'd had magic. That was depressing. The connection must be limited just like his connection with Tia Khoa.

  He needed magic.

  The thought set his hands shaking. Of course he needed magic. He needed all the magic he could get. He deserved it.

  No. He fought to control the sudden craving that undermined his will and distracted his thoughts. He did need magic, but just a little.

  How could he get some? Harafin was far away, in counsel with the emperor on the far side of the Great Dome. It would take them half an hour to get here if they ran. He had no idea where Leander might be.

  "Consider your actions carefully, mercenary," warned Gabral. "Choose your loyalties."

  Gabral had the Mace. He had magic. "I need magic," Kevlin hissed. "Give me some, quick."

  "You can use magic?" Remiel asked.

  "Shut up or I'll break your jaw."

  "As if I'd give you magic," Gabral sniffed dismissively. "You think I'd knowingly endanger the keisara?"

  "I need it to help her. Can't you see, she's under duress?"

  "You're insane. I will not bow and scrape to you like everyone else. I know how unstable you are."

  "Just do it," Kevlin hissed. "This is important."

  The door in the right-hand wall opened and the guard returned, leading Lady Miren. Her hair looked disheveled, as if she'd been sleeping, and her clothes looked skewed, as if she'd been forced to don them quickly. She looked confused, and more than a little irritated.

  She took the scene in at a glance. She paused to straighten her clothes and made a little curtsy to Kevlin and Gabral. They bowed in turn.

  "Cousin, you summoned me?"

  Behind Lady Miren, the guards again took up position flanking the door. For the first time, Kevlin noticed that the guards' eyes also looked black. His frustration turned to anger. Things were about to get very ugly.

  "Gabral, we're in danger."

  "Don't try to threaten me. If you lose control here, I'll put you down like a rabid animal." He grasped the handle of the Mace. The special leather sheath that held it in place on his back melted away in its unusual way, and he drew the powerful weapon. He gave Kevlin a tight smile. "Just give me an excuse to use it."

  Keisara Fideima said, "Miren, I'm happy you came. I think you can help me with a little problem."

  Lady Miren curtsied and her smile seemed to brighten the room. "Anything. What can I do?"

  "Wait there. All will become clear."

  Keisara Fideima commanded, "Colonel Gabral, release the man Remiel and let him advance."

  Kevlin ground his teeth together in impotent rage. The situation clearly had nothing to do with questioning Remiel, and everything to do with the enemy's next strike. They'd been fools thrice over to think they had the upper hand. The enemy had remained one step ahead at every turn. They had reacted with cunning and flexibility. Now he could do nothing as Remiel was about to walk free.

  He had thought pitched battle was bad, but at least there one knew who to fight. Here in the palace, enemies skulked around every corner, with poisoned daggers concealed in their bodices.

  Leander had sacrificed his station to try to bring the conspirators to justice. Even now, Harafin met in counsel with the emperor, questioning Nerys and discussing the next steps in routing the enemy. And yet the enemy was already striking again.

  What could Kevlin do? He didn't know who to fight. If he moved against the keisara, whoever was controlling her might kill her outright. Would he then be blamed for her death just as Leander was being blamed for taking a stand against the Sentinels who blocked him from taking Nerys?

  Gabral scowled at Kevlin again, then unlocked Remiel's chains. Kevlin should have insisted on keeping the key. He might have been able to pretend he lost it, or even swallow it to delay the inevitable.

  Gabral pulled Remiel close and growled, "One wrong move and you die."

  Remiel nodded, looking honestly terrified of the diminutive Colonel. Well, terrified of the Mace anyway. Remiel cautiously advanced and knelt before the keisara.

  "I am yours to command, Your Majesty."

  "Rise."

  When he stood, Kevlin itched to clutch his belt dagger. This situation was preposterous. Remiel shouldn't be allowed to stand so close to the keisara. If he hurt her, they'd get the blame. No one would believe she was possessed. They'd have no proof.

  Keisara Fideima drew a long dagger from behind her back. Remiel retreated a step, hands raised as he began begging for mercy.

  "Shush." She reversed the dagger and handed it hilt-first to him.

  "Your Majesty," Gabral said. "I protest. This man is a known criminal."

  Even Gabral wasn't so dense he failed to see how bad things were getting. Kevlin needed to act, but what could he do? His sword lay against the wall outside the keisara's apartments and he had no magic.

  The keisara said, "Silence, Colonel." She gestured with the dagger, and Remiel took it hesitantly.

  "There," she said with a satisfied smile. "Now, Sir Kevlin, answer my question or this man will murder my dear cousin."

  "You can't be serious," Lady Miren gasped.

  "I protest," Gabral cried.

  "She's possessed," Kevlin repeated. "Do you believe me now? We have to break the spell. Give me magic."

  "Stop trying to twist the situation to your benefit. You will never command me."

  Lady Miren spun to the guards flanking the door. "The keisara's ill. You have to help."

  The soldiers made no response.

  Remiel glanced at the queen and then at Sitara. He shrugged and advanced toward Lady Miren.

  Gabral lifted the Mace and it burst into blue fire. "I cannot allow this, Your Majesty. Remiel, you take one more step toward that woman and I'll kill you."

  Remiel froze.

  "To interfere with me is treason," Keisara Fideima hissed.

  "As bearer of the Mace and the emperor's champion, I have the right. Lady Miren is not to be harmed. I will extract the information you seek, or I'll kill this man myself."

  He gestured toward Kevlin with the still-burning Mace.

  Kevlin grabbed it.

  Bad idea.