Page 145 of The Infernal Battalion

“It doesn’t matter,” Raesinia said, a bit louder than she’d intended. “Because it’s off. The engagement, the marriage—it’s all off.”

Marcus stopped, looking like she’d shone a lantern full in his face. “Off?”

“Canceled. Crossed out. Not happening.”

“But...” Marcus swallowed. “Dorsay said...”

“Dorsay doesn’t know. We left Borel almost as soon as I worked it out, and the courier ships are faster than anything else afloat. He hasn’t gotten the news yet, though I’d wager there’s something in the mailbag for him.”

“Isn’t that going to be... bad?” Marcus said. “If the marriage was the price of this alliance, then can we still trust the Borels?”

“We found another way to convince the king.” Raesinia couldn’t help grinning.

“How?”

“Financial fraud and complex derivatives, mostly. It’s a long story.” She took a deep breath. “The point is, Marcus, that I am not going to marry the Second Prince of Borel. Not now, and not ever.” She stepped forward. “I thought that I had to choose between loving you and saving your life. Between political expedience and personal feeling. You know what I decided?”

“What?” Marcus said, looking a little overwhelmed.

“The hell with that. I’m not giving up any of it. Not without a fight.”

“Um. Good?”

He’d been retreating in front of her, she realized, and now he was backed against the bulkhead, hands raised as though she had a sword at his throat. Raesinia grinned and pressed herself against him, kissing him furiously. His arms went around her waist, pulling her close, and this time he didn’t push back.

“I hate to be the one to say this,” he murmured, his lips brushing her ear. “But Duke Dorsay is waiting for us.”

“I know.” Something in Raesinia’s body ached in unfamiliar ways, deep and sweet. It was more effort than she was prepared to admit to pull herself away. She was breathing hard. “Sorry.”

“No, um, need to apologize,” Marcus said.

“There was... something.” Raesinia tried to force her mind back outside this room and away from the body standing so temptingly close. “You wanted to talk to me. About why we need to go to Vordan City.”

“Right.” Marcus took a deep breath. “I told Duke Dorsay it was because Vordan City and the palace are the symbols of the legitimate government and if Janus takes them he may win the support of the people. And that’s... true, probably. But there’s more than that.”

Raesinia cocked her head, waiting.

“It’s not just Janus we’re up against. There’s some kind of demon involved. The Beast. Winter Ihernglass is on his way back to Vordan City, and he has some kind of a plan for stopping it.” He shook his head. “It might be the only chance we get.”

“The Beast? Like the Beast of Judgment, from the Wisdoms?”

Marcus shrugged. “Your guess is as good as mine.”

“Who told you all this?”

“Talk about a long story,” he muttered.

“The short version,” Raesinia said.

“Janus did.”

“Janus,” Raesinia deadpanned. “Who has declared himself emperor and gone to war against us.”

“We think the Beast is controlling him somehow. It explains a lot.”

“And you trust him?”

“I... don’t know.”