This was not, in fact, Safi’s first kiss with Leopold. As shy ten-year-old, she had experimented with him in the dustiest corner of the imperial library. It had not been a passionate affair, and it had not been particularly interesting. They’d both laughed afterward and vowed never to try again.

But Leopold had clearly honed his skills in the last eight years, and Safi had certainly honed her own. Were this not purely for show and if she had not hated Leopold with every droplet of her being, she might have enjoyed the kiss. He was an undeniably beautiful man, and she was a woman with needs.

She broke the embrace. “I will come to your quarters,” she whispered. Her hands were still around his neck; his lips were swollen and red. “You will have one chance to explain to me why I should trust you, and if you fail that chance, I will hand over the Truth-lens to Henrick and turn you in for a traitor.”

Leopold smiled—a brilliant smile that settled deep within his eyes. “I have no doubt you will, Safiya.” His hands fell from her hair. “But I promise it will not come to that.” He swooped down to retrieve her hat, dusting off the snow and placing it tenderly atop her head. “Let us finish our walk.” He offered his arm once more. “And let us hope that kiss was convincing enough for even the most suspicious of my uncle’s spies.”

It was not Safi’s usual Hell-Bards who escorted her from the Winter Garden and into the palace. Instead the Emperor’s dedicated eight awaited her, led by Captain Caden fitz Grieg.

“The Emperor has asked that you join him in court,” Caden said with a stiff bow. With his split helm covering most of his face, Safi could not read his expression—but she could hear a familiar warmth marking his voice.

She had scarcely seen Caden or Zander since her noosing. Caden had been promoted upon his return to Praga and Henrick kept him close. Zander meanwhile had been assigned outside the palace. He had failed to keep Iseult from claiming Owl when she’d fled, and Safi could only assume some punishment had befallen him for that lapse.

“Captain,” Safi said with a smile. “It has been a while.” She stepped into a long-legged stride, moving in a way that forced Caden to walk beside her instead of flanking.

She was Empress now, and he could hardly reject her conversation. So while the other Hell-Bards moved accordingly to fill in his empty space, he fell into step beside her. He even went so far as to remove his helm. His brown hair was matted to his head, his freckled face pink with cold.

“Have you heard any news of Iseult?” Safi’s stomach yawned at that question, but she had to ask it. Every time she saw him, she had to ask.