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He had turned this into a test of Lio’s honor, not his magical power.
Lio had walked in here unveiled, determined to deal straightly with Flavian. Now he realized his own critical misstep. He snapped a veil spell around himself, but it was too late. He must have betrayed his reaction.
Lio arranged his thoughts in an arcane pattern his uncle had taught him to use for controlling his thelemancy. It worked on his Grace instincts, too. Sometimes.
“That is not a secret, Lord Flavian.” Lio managed to keep his voice dignified. “We are all aware you danced the Autumn Greeting with Ambassador Cassia.”
“Is that the only conclusion you drew from my thoughts about Lady Cassia?” Flavian returned.
The title of lady grated on Lio’s ears. “It seems I should have specified that you focus on a secret that is fit to repeat in front of Sir Benedict and Mage Eudias. I will not announce any behavior of yours that could reflect badly on Ambassador Cassia.”
“In case you are not familiar with Tenebran law, a betrothal is legally binding and all but a marriage. There is nothing dishonorable about me spending time alone with my betrothed.”
He left the rest unsaid. But Lio heard the words loud and clear in the man’s thoughts. It is entirely dishonorable for another male to spend so much time with her, especially a Hesperine.
Flavian followed the warning with a challenge. “I am not ashamed to admit Lady Cassia and I shared a private dance after the ceremony.”
Benedict crossed his arms. “I helped them leave the crowd myself.”
Bleeding thorns, not even Benedict’s sense of propriety could avert conflict in this situation.
Lio knew there had been no private dance. Cassia had gotten Flavian alone in order to inform him in no uncertain terms that she would never share a kiss, much less a bed with him. But if Lio revealed he knew that, it would make it all too clear how open Cassia was with him.
Lio cleared his throat. “Ambassador Cassia is now a valued member of Orthros’s diplomatic service, and her conduct, both public and private, has our respect and discretion. I cannot say the same for the mortal drunkards who gossiped so much about your promise dance that their lewd rumors even reached Hesperine ears. It doesn’t take a mind mage to know what happened that night. Shall we try again with something that is actually a secret?”
“That won’t be necessary.” Flavian’s tone was dangerous. “I’m convinced of your affinity. It is clear to me that your diplomatic service has assigned Lady Cassia a mind mage for a partner. Know that she is still a valued member of the Tenebran nobility—and still my betrothed.”
Lio’s Grace instincts demanded that he declare now, to Flavian’s face, that his little human pretensions toward Cassia would die, while Lio’s bond with her would endure the test of eternity.
Lio drew in a deep breath. Holding onto the vestiges of his control over his fangs and his magic, he said, “Cassia’s path is her own to decide. She is who she chooses to be. And she has all of Orthros standing in defense of her Will over her own future.”
Flavian straightened. “She has her Tenebran allies standing ready to rescue her, should her future not turn out as she deserves.”
Any man who thought Cassia needed rescuing was a fool. But Lio need not tell Flavian so. Cassia required no help to show him that herself.
Lyros broke the standoff. “Lord Flavian, now that you are aware of the magic available to you, let us discuss what precautions we can take to strengthen your defenses. Steward Telemakhos and I would like to place wards at the perimeter. Ambassador Deukalion can enhance them with mind magic.”
“What of the Equinox Oath?” Lord Flavian replied. “It stipulates that Hesperines not take sides in Tenebran political conflicts. Do you still revere that treaty or not?”
“We do,” Lio said, “but protecting innocent mortals from unjust harm is well within the purview of Hesperines. The Equinox Oath permits us to shield your citizens from criminals. King Lucis has broken his oaths and the law. We do not consider warding a political act.”
“There are plenty on King Lucis’s and my side who won’t see it that way.”
“Hesperines are well accustomed to the chasm between the truth of the Oath and Tenebran perception of our actions. We assure you, we will do nothing to jeopardize your position with the lords who are skittish about your alliance with Orthros.”
“The Tenebran mages will notice blood magic, Ambassador. Then they will talk. Then those skittish lords will feel like lambs trapped in a pen of Hesperine making. No. I will not agree to these wards.”
Lio knew then that this fool had found his backbone at the worst possible hour of history. Flavian would not release Cassia’s hand or Solia’s crown without a fight.
AMBASSADOR CASSIA'S HAND
“Mak, I cannot stay here!” Cassia dug her nails into her palms.
Her Trial brother was a solid wall of immovable, musclebound Hesperine. “Lio is right, Cassia. The Collector was just there. They need more time to make it safe for you.”
Knight stood at attention beside Mak, clearly in agreement with him.
With magic of her own, Cassia would have stepped herself out of the Sanctuary then and there. As it was, she stood at the edge of the pavilion with Mak, trying fiercely to persuade the most stubborn Steward in Akanthia to budge. “How do you feel, knowing Lyros has just confronted death without you?”
