The Catalyst

Chapter 34

Tessa managed to get some sleep, though it was haunted by many things – Matt driving his sword through her, Jaden and Kristine Fairlocks listing her sins with judgment and disappointment in their eyes, Myzian forcing her to share his bed, and a red-eyed dragon clawing at her in a final flourish of her subconscious. As it turned out, the dragon was the least frightening.

The afternoon was spent bathing, selecting gowns of silk and lace, and getting ready for dinner with Veronica. A team of makeup artists and hair stylists saw to some final touches as they sat together in the queen's chambers. The young woman proved as insufferable sober as intoxicated, with all her shallow gossip about other nobles' romances, and unasked-for tales of Amary's prowess in the bed sheets.

In a rare silent moment, Veronica gave Tessa a sidelong glance with mischief in her green eyes. Then she addressed the hair stylists, "Leave us! Now."

Veronica got up and shooed away the remaining stylist even as he struggled to secure one last pin in her auburn waves.

"I said now! Are you deaf?" He had no choice but to slip out the door as Veronica nearly slammed it shut in his face. She turned to Tessa and grinned. "I want to show you something."

Veronica excitedly darted to an ornate chest at the foot of her bed. Tessa tilted her head to watch as the young queen slid a small key from inside her corset, unlocked the chest, and lifted the lid. Her hand came away with something small enough to fit in her fist. Veronica sat back next to Tessa and leaned closer. Her uncurling fingers revealed two small vials containing a clear liquid.

"It's called sin. You should take it with me! It will make you feel good, relax you."

"I don't think so," Tessa said.

"Oh, come on! It's amazing. Amary brought it from Azuria. It's really popular down there, even more popular than wine!"

Tessa's gaze lingered on the vials. "Drugs don't agree with me, they upset my stomach and make me sick."

It was a lie. The truth was that she'd never taken any drugs. Only wine and liquor.

Veronica looked disappointed. "Ah, that's too bad. Well, here you go anyway, in case you change your mind." Before waiting for an answer, she slipped one vial inside Tessa's corset, winking as she pulled away. Tessa left the vial there because it seemed less of a hassle than arguing with Veronica – she could always trash it later.

Soon after, the chamberlain came to announce dinner. So they made their way down the marble staircase, the young queen indulging in gossip until the very last moment.

"You'll meet Neros tonight. He's Emperor Shezenos' second eldest son, just a few months younger than your Myzian. He's pretty and exotic, you'll see – his mother is from the Far East beyond the Celewan Mountains." Veronica lowered her voice to a whisper. "Amary told me that he's completely, madly in love with his half-sister Zemisha!"

They entered a high-ceilinged room, dominated by a long table draped in gold and a stone hearth topped with the banner of the city – a flying heron over a background of waves. Servants were busy setting covers, lighting candles, arranging flower vases, and pouring wine into six cups. Tessa's heart skipped a beat as she recognized one of the servants, though she made sure not to let it show as she eyed the men who rose from the table.

Emperor Shezenos was in his fifties but appeared vigorous and muscular, with a full head of dark hair that greyed only at the temples, narrow eyes beneath a severe brow, and a squared jaw. Myzian formally introduced her and the emperor took Tessa's hand to kiss the back of her knuckles.

"A pleasure, Tessa Nightvale," he said in Azurian.

"The pleasure is all mine. You've come quite far away from home, Emperor."