A greedy smile played across his lips. “As you wish, my lady.”
Viper smiled back. The moment he turned away, however, she gritted her teeth, her tongue bitter with the lies she’d told him.
The fights that night went much like they had the evening before. Naki was released beforehand, melting into the streets wearing his pitmaster disguise. Viper had a feeling he would return the next morning, as promised.
Three more fighters were “killed” by the “victors”. Assuming Naki returned, all three would be granted their freedom on the morrow. Gat didn’t fight—Viper would build up the anticipation for a few days, and then have him face off against three of the other victors at the same time. Of course, he would win.
Then will they chant his name? Viper wondered. She hoped so. And if they do, will the lies become real?
She’d already bathed and scented herself in tea tree oil. Her hair was brushed with silver dust, shimmering in the torchlight. Her lips were painted the color of yellow rose. She laid down on her bed, wearing a thin silk coverlet.
A knock at the door. “Enter.”
Cadon pushed inside, and she saw the way his breath left him when he saw her, the instant desire in his eyes.
“Close the door.” He did.
“I—”
“Don’t speak,” she said. She never wanted to hear his voice again. His lies. “Come to me.”
He didn’t need further urging, striding across the space, completely at ease, removing his guard’s belt, which contained all of his weapons. It clattered to the floor behind him as he worked on the ties on the front of his shirt.
His eyes were so focused on Viper that he never saw the shadow falling over him from behind.
Cadon gasped as Piston’s strong arms pinned his behind his back. “Move and I’ll break your bones,” the Calypsian growled.
“Help! Her lady is under attack!” Cadon shouted. “Nurge!”
“Nurge has been killed,” Viper said, sliding off the bed and slipping a robe on. “We couldn’t take the chance with him, though I suspect he was none the wiser to your little spy games.”
“What? I think you’re confused, Piston is the—”
Piston’s fist crashed into Cadon’s back and he grimaced.
“At first, I thought so, too,” Viper said. “But he was too obvious and my sister too shrewd. She would never select a spy like him. No, you were the far better choice. You did well, hiding the truth behind your own feigned ignorance. And casting suspicion on Piston was a brilliant maneuver. You made one fatal mistake, however.” She paused, letting it all sink in.
Cadon’s innocence melted away, his face suddenly full of true fear. “I don’t know what you mean…”
“The message you claimed to have intercepted from Piston was far too detailed. Even you shouldn’t have known the full extent of my plot, especially if you were as dull-witted as you like to pretend.”
“I overheard you talking to Gat, I swear I never—”
“Save your lies for the gods,” she said. “Piston followed you today. You sent another bird to my sister, telling her I’d changed my plans. You fed her the same lie I fed you. How does it taste now?”
Recognition dawned in his eyes. “You’re not changing your plans.”
“Very good. Pity you won’t be a part of what’s to come.”
“My lady, I’m sorry, I’ll make it up to you, I swear it!” He was trembling now, tears bubbling from his eyes, streaking down his cheeks. Seeing the big man cry made Viper uncomfortable.
She opened the top drawer of the chest beside her bed, extracting a knife. He stared at the glinting blade, sobbing harder.
She jammed it into his heart.
The day’s training was over, and the grand arena was empty save for Viper and Gat, who sat against the newly erected wall. Months had passed since Gat had first refused to fight. It seemed like a lifetime ago.
Three of her “dead” fighters had chosen to take their freedom and leave Calyp, but she didn’t allow their disloyalty to affect the others. Three hundred and twenty-nine had returned. Every morning her army grew, so large now that she’d had to take some of the pit profits and build a large estate outside of Zune to house them all. There the best men and women fighters trained and prepared.
How many soldiers do I need? she wondered. A thousand? Ten thousand? More? Viper knew her sister’s latest dragon brood was growing. Once the dragonia matured, she might need a hundred thousand soldiers to stand a chance. Thankfully, a steady stream of prisoners continued to arrive in Zune, feeding her army.
“Your mind is full,” Gat said.
Her gaze flicked to his. He was watching her intently, as he often did. More than once he’d admitted to being in love with her. More than once she’d shrugged off his advances. I feel nothing for him, she told herself, her latest lie.
Whenever the temptation grew too great, she distracted herself with Piston.
“My mind is always full.”
“You’re impatient, I can see it.”
“Tell me, Gat, how did you end up in Zune? You’re Phanecian, a thousand leagues from home.”
“You’ve never asked me that before. Why?”
Because it didn’t matter. Because I didn’t want to know. “I’m asking now.”
“I’ve killed many people, both men and women,” he said.
He liked being clever with his words, as he was doing now. “In the pits, yes. Defending yourself, yes. But before Zune? No, I don’t believe you’re a murderer.”
His face grew sad, which surprised her. Why would he be sad to not be a murderer?
“I snuck into Calyp almost a year ago, crossing the border by night.”
“In the midst of a civil war? You must have been missing your wits.”
He didn’t laugh.
“Why did you leave Phanes?”
“I couldn’t live there anymore…”
“Did you do something? Commit some crime? Or had you jilted your lover, who chased you out, screaming for your head.”
A wry smile. “Something like that.”
Viper cocked her head to the side. He truly was melancholy as he remembered whatever had brought him here. No, it wasn’t like any of what she’d suggested. “You’re a traitor,” she said, the truth making sense.
“In a sense,” he said. “I tried to free some slaves. My sister helped.”
“What happened to her?”
“We got separated as we tried to escape. I fear the worst.”
“What is her name?”
“Sonika. Sonika Vaid.”
The name sounded familiar for some reason, but she wasn’t sure why. Gat Vaid, she thought, wondering why she’d never asked him his surname. Both he and his sister boasted a strong name. “So you’re against slavery?” she asked, wanting to confirm her understanding of the situation. Slavery was the main focus of the marital dispute between the Sandes and Hozas. The Hozas lived for it—the Sandes despised it.
He nodded. “It’s not right to own humans like property. Which was why it was ironic when I ended up here.” He looked to the sky, as if searching for the gods.
“And made to fight. To kill.”
“At first I thought I was just doing what I had to do to survive, using what I’d learned growing up to defend myself. But then I realized I was as bad as the slavers when I killed.”
“That’s why you refused to fight again.”
He nodded. “And then you showed up, right when I thought they were going to kill me.”
The way he looked at her, at all of her, was intoxicating. And also disconcerting. Viper looked away, unable to meet his gaze. “I’m not some angel sent by the gods,” she said.
“To me you are. You saved my life. You gave me hope for a better way.”
She shook her head. “I’m just a woman. Flawed. Out for revenge against my sister.”
“I don’t believe that,” he said. “What will you do once the empire is yours, once all of your dreams are
realized?”
She hadn’t thought that far ahead, and yet the answer dropped instantly from the tip of her tongue. “Defeat Phanes. Win back the south.”
“End slavery?”
Of course. She despised slavery as much as the next Calypsian. “Yes.”
“Then I am your warrior.”
Another month passed, Viper’s numbers growing daily. She kept her distance from Gat, fearing her attraction for him would lead to a mistake. If anyone outside of their inner circle ever saw them together...
Instead, she spent more and more time with Piston, whose company she enjoyed. He spoke less than Gat, but when he did his words seemed to hold great wisdom. He tempered her optimism and bridled her impatience. He was the antidote to the poison of the snake for which she was named.
And then, abruptly, it was time again for the annual battle royale.
Where have the days gone? Viper wondered, watching as Zune flooded with travelers, growing three times its usual size during this time of year. If anything, it was even more crowded than usual, rumors of the famous Gat spreading like wildfire across the empire. A warrior of his renown was a welcome distraction from the civil war that continued to rage on the border between Calyp and Phanes.
Viper watched the human deluge pour into the city, waiting, Piston at her side.
And then she was there, surrounded by guards, riding atop a roofed litter, the silken shades tied open on the sides so she could wave to her people.
Empress Sun Sandes.
Viper strode up to meet her, offering her a hand down. “Welcome, sister. How I’ve missed you.”
Her sister smiled a radiant smile. Her face was fully healed, no trace of the injuries sustained when they’d fought for the right to rule the empire. “And I, you. I’ve heard stories about the impressive changes my little sister has wrought on the armpit city of the south,” she said.
I’m sure you have, though your little birds are long dead. After Cadon’s death, she’d continued sending birds in his handwriting to Calypso. They were full of lies. “It will be my pleasure to give you a tour before the main event.”
“Splendid. Has Windy arrived yet? I was hoping for a grand Sandes’ reunion.”
“I received a message only yesterday with her apologies. It seems she’s far too busy.”
“Pity,” Sun said, though her tone was anything but disappointed. More like relieved. Sun had even less in common with the Second Daughter than the Third. “And your guanero? Where are they? I was hoping to see some friendly faces while in Zune.”
Is my face not friendly enough, sister? “Nurge has taken ill. We’ve quarantined him as a precaution, though we’re fairly certain it’s not the plague.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.” She didn’t sound sorry.
“Piston will be at the arena; you’ll see him there.” Viper let silence fall, waiting to see how long her fool of a sister would last. One heartbeat…two heartbe—
“And Cadon?”
So predictable. “Oh yes, him.” Your dead spy. “I had sent him to Citadel to collect Windy before I knew she wouldn’t be attending.”
“How thoughtful,” Sun said neutrally. Viper hid her amusement. She would have to send a bird from “Cadon” in a week’s time confirming the story.
She changed the subject. “What of your daughters? Surely they are old enough to attend the event of the year?”
“Mm, yes. They would’ve loved to have made the journey. Whisper, however, is ill. Nothing serious, of course. Fire is training with her ability. And Raven, it seems, has grown fond of the dragons, so much so that she can’t bear to be away from them for a day, much less several.”
She fears me, Viper realized. She thinks I might attempt to assassinate her. And if so, she wants her daughters as far away from me as possible to ensure the line of succession.
In that moment of realization, her respect for her sister went up a hundredfold. Because, despite her fear and suspicions, she came anyway.
The tour ended at the grand arena, which now boasted seating for well over a hundred thousand spectators, ten thousand of which would pay a premium for luxury boxes with one servant per patron to accommodate their every desire.
“I’m duly impressed,” Sun said. “I had my misgivings when you asked to take over the pits. But it seems my doubts were misplaced.”
“Thank you. I only wish to achieve greatness for our empire.”
“And you have. But now it’s time for you to return to Calypso. To your home.”
Nice try, sister. Keeping your enemies close is a smart move. “Perhaps in a year or two’s time,” she said neutrally. “Though the operation has improved, there is still much to accomplish. Once I’m comfortable of my succession plan, I will certainly return home and find another pursuit to occupy my time.” Like overthrowing you and your daughters.
“I could command you, you know.”
“But you won’t.”
Her sister laughed, and it was as fake-sounding as her voice had been all day. “No, I won’t. Just as I won’t begrudge Windy her scholarship in Citadel.” So long as you think neither of us are a true threat, she thought.
“Good. Then I’ll lead you to your quarters to freshen up before the fight. This year, we have the best group of warriors yet. It’s certain to be a spectacle you won’t want to miss.”
They’d practiced for weeks, choreographing every punch, every kick, every movement, until each and every fighter could perform each maneuver with their eyes closed.
Viper watched, in awe of them. If she hadn’t known it was all a great performance, she would’ve believed it to be real. The crowd cheered each time the great Gat defeated another opponent, spilling their blood like water across the arena floor. They gasped each time he himself was nearly killed, dodging a killing stroke and taking it across the arm or shoulder or hip instead. It was a battle royale unlike any they’d ever seen, complete with various types of fighters, from brawlers to those versed in phen ru to those adept at a variety of weapons, from knives to clubs and everything in between.
It was a battle for the ages.
From time to time, Viper glanced at her sister, gauging her reaction. Unless she herself was acting, she was rapt, her eyes never leaving the field of battle. Most of the time, her eyes were glued to Gat.
When the final killing move came—where Gat pretended to snap the neck of the last opponent—the crowd was in a frenzy, on their feet, roaring their approval for the man who’d met every challenge he’d faced…or so they believed.
And then, as the champion slowly rose to his feet, they did what Viper had longed for them to do for months.
They chanted his name.
“Gat! Gat! Gat!”
Over and over again as he slowly spun in a circle, surrounded by “dead” men and women, letting the spectators’ cries wash over him like a summer’s breeze. A thrill ran through Viper as she turned once more to look at her sister.
Sun Sandes, Empress of Calyp, was applauding, too, chanting the name of the man who would one day help Viper overthrow the empire.
The next morning, Viper escorted her sister to her litter, helping her climb inside. She felt…victorious, as if she’d already won the empire. Calm yourself, she thought. It was an important step toward her loftier goals, but she had much still to accomplish. Bide your time. Grow your army. Wait until the time is ripe.
Sun looked down at her. “I want him,” she said.
Viper frowned. “Who?”
“The victor of the battle royale. Gat Vaid. I want him in Calypso. I want him to train with the guanero.”
“He’s a Phanecian,” Viper said, her mind racing. Would her sister really go this far?
“Yes, and he left Phanes to come to Calyp.”
“Perhaps he’s a spy.”
“A spy who got caught, sent to Zune, and just happened to fight his way to freedom by winning the battle royale?”
“It’s possible.”
“It’s possible t
hat I will one day learn to breath fire like my Second Daughter, too, but it’s unlikely. I’m willing to take the risk. I want him.”
“It’ll have to be his choice. Gat Vaid is a free man now. I won’t have you undermining my operation and the hope it gives the other prisoners. That hope is what makes them fight so tenaciously.”
“Fair enough. Offer Gat a position in my army. Offer him a royal stipend. Offer him whatever you have to in order to convince him to come to Calypso.”
She nodded. “I will.” Oh yes, I will.
“I won’t,” Gat said.
“Excuse me?”
“I’m a free man now, right?”
Viper nodded uncertainly.
“Then I choose to stay here. To continue to train your army. To prepare for what’s to come. I have no desire to be a spy.”
“Don’t you see? This is our one chance to infiltrate my sister’s chain of command. This could be the turning point.”
“I’m not a fool. I see the benefits. But I also know what I want, and that doesn’t involve Calypso or your sister.” The last few words lowered into a growl, and the look he gave her now resembled hot coals smoldering into ash.
A thrill ran through her, one she’d held back for months. Gods, this man. Why did I have to choose someone so…desirable?
She found herself at a loss for words, all arguments escaping her. “I—”
“You don’t own me. Not anymore,” he said. With that, he stepped forward—too close, too close—touching her cheek with his palm, running his thumb along her jawline, playing with her hair. Her mind stopped working, her heart breathing fire. “I want to savor you like fine wine. I want to drink you until I’m drunk.” His voice was tender but rough at the same time. Certain. Demanding.
He kissed her, and she didn’t refuse him—would never again refuse him.
No, he wouldn’t be her spy. He would be her champion, and together they would rule the south like dragons.
12: Gareth Ironclad