Empress Constantina

t of the

en a dress of deep red velvet, the color of old wine-rich, serious, and very costly. A cloak of dark sable fur was placed over her shoulders. "To protect you from the weather, and fr

ft leather gloves, covering the

er colors, their metal armor shining dully in the wet light. Two hundred foot soldiers with long spears. Advisors, clerks, and ser

rt eyes and a cheek smudged with soot. His gaze locked with hers for less than a second, and he gave a tiny, almos

opened. Constantina sat across from Raymond, watching the rainy w

ed stage, his voice reaching over the quiet crowds, talking of unity, strength, and a rich future. Then he would present her. "And to s

e faces. She saw fear, curiosity, anger, and sometimes, hidden deep in a few eyes, a spark of

built on top of ancient foundations, the pull was strong. Kneeling by the fireplace, she let one drop of blood fall between the floorstones. The Earth-Song grew stronger, and the map in her mind became clearer. Th

put a harsh new tax in place, he was in a unstable mood. He sent away his he

. "Even as I talk of rules and order, their eyes move to you, waiting fo

Constantina replied, taking off her he

ell as you. Your very stillness is a rebellion. You are a blank page on which they writ

e needed to turn his anger. "And let the 'Phoenix Guard' say they fight for a prisoner in a dungeon? Here, I can be

king for a lie. "You argue for your

he said, holding his gaze. "What does the ghost f

tinue. But remember, Constantina, the closer you are to me, the more you are mine. Every town, every step, ti

side. She had to find a way to reach the Earth-Song's path before

d's manor was a falling-down, centuries-old building, and their given rooms were in the oldest part. The moment she

miners-a task meant to take much time. He left a g

rom there, a servants' stair, remembered from a childhood visit, curved down into the belly of the keep. The stone sang to her here, a clea

o the cold metal. With a groan of cent

didn't need light. The Earth-Song was a cord of silver sound pulling her forward. She walked for what felt like miles, the world abov

ed up. She stepped into t

he center, the pool. Its water was black and still like polished stone. But its surface did not reflect the cavern roof. Instead, as she came near,

. Not quite solid, woven from mist and memory. A man in the simple robes of an ancient k

the marrow of her bones. You have come to the Heartstone. I am

she whispered, her voice

ise older than crowns-that ruler and land are one. He poisons the roots. The spirit's form moved its hand, and the pool's image changed, showing Raymond's

must

ne. The Whitewood Grove. The Standing Stones of Aragon. Let the land remember its protector. The song will guide your

o I wa

ur will and your legacy into the stone. But be warned, child. As the song grows louder, so too

a guardian in a cage of your enemy's making. The stones are your al

the cavern was now a clear, strong chorus in her soul. She knew the pat

ing shorter. She slipped into her chamber just

red but pleased with his judging. He looked at her

said, which was true. Her sleep had been deep an

ride for the Whitewood Grove today. The locals are sen

e. One of the nodes. This was not by chance

powerful loyalty,"

he answered. "And I have

nt wave of warning. The fight was no longer just about politics or people. It was e

image. And the war had just