He thought, even hoped, she would strike at him with her magic. Holding her by the throat on the beach after the paragon ritual, showing the woman her blood and station meant nothing compared to his strength, had been immensely satisfying. If she lashed out now, no one, not even her father, would blame him for putting her down like a poorly trained dog. If leaving a few bruises on her throat had given him such pleasure, how great would it be to hear her beg for her life? How deep the thrill to listen to the breath leave her lungs as her skinny body broke beneath the fury of his fists?

The Three Pillars had become two. Perhaps the conversion of an island would go even swifter with one.

“My priests and priestesses shall not partake in this endeavor,” Sinshei said. Fire burned in her violet eyes. “You laid the failure of the paragon ritual at my feet despite your own ineptitude. I shall suffer no blame unfairly cast my way again. I wish you well, Imperator. This public farce is all yours.”

She turned to leave. Her extreme confidence unnerved him so. The public execution, and the planned ambush, was perfect. It was under his control. How could it possibly go wrong?

“Your father shall hear of your refusal,” he said, his words freezing her in place. She glanced over her shoulder, her long dark hair rippling like a waterfall. Her smile was a serpent’s welcome.

“Indeed he shall,” she said. “And to you, I freely give it all, Magus. All the glory… and all the shame.”

CHAPTER 41

THE NIGHT BEFORE

Thorda placed a dagger on the table to represent the execution platform the imperial soldiers had spent the last day building. Books were stacked side by side to show the positions of homes. An upside-down cup was the nearby bell tower.

“Rayan and Arn will reinforce what soldiers Commander Pilus can afford,” he said, and he pointed to an empty circle around the dagger where the crowd would be. He tapped a faded copy of poems behind the platform. “Mari, you’ll wait with Stasia in this building here along with a smattering of archers. Your main goal is to secure a vantage point for those archers, but when the fighting starts, do not hesitate to join the fray. We need the two of you spilling blood. As for you, Cyrus”—he pointed to the bell tower—“you’ll be at the very top, looking down on the execution platform. No matter how prepared the soldiers are, they cannot prepare for the magic of your Anyx ring.”

The members of his elite were gathered around the table, and they all nodded to show their understanding. None questioned him, nor remarked on the difficulty of their ambush. They were resolute. Confident. It made Thorda’s heart swell with pride.