She Dreamed Her Empire Would Burn, So She Set Out to Break Four Collars novel · Chapter 20 of 24

Chapter 20: The Burning

The east wing of the palace was burning, and the fire had started in three places at once.

Nimeriel saw that from the tower window in the first minute.

Three fires, on three floors, in three rooms that nobody used.

"He lit it himself," said Ashgar.

"To burn the kin quarter," said Iven, "and say the beastkin did it. Then the legions march in to restore order."

"And the Emperor?"

Nobody answered.

Nimeriel was already pulling on her gown.

"Father's rooms are at the end of the east gallery," she said. "I'm going."

"No," said Ashgar.

"Yes."

"Then I go through the barracks first. There are two thousand kin in locked halls on that side." He caught her wrist, not hard. "Don't walk through that fire alone."

"I won't," said Nimeriel, and looked at Ru.

Ru was already on his feet with his sword belted over a nightshirt.

"I'm not asking," he said.

Brannoch took the key from the table and put it in his belt.

"Barracks," he said to Ashgar. "I'll open what you break."

Iven picked up his harp, looked at it, and set it down again.

"The bell," he said. "Somebody has to wake the city. I'll ring the great one until it cracks."

He kissed her on the way past, fast and hard, and was gone down the stair.

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