Swords of the Imperium (Dark Fantasy Novel) (The Polaris Chronicles Book 2) Read Free Page A

up to the edge of the square but realized quickly that finding her would be impossible in the crowd. He jogged back over to Hadassah, who hadn’t moved an inch and was still chowing down like a yokel. “Damn you! She was just here! If you hadn’t distracted me…”
    He squatted and ran his fingers through his hair. Now he’d done it. The old hag had gone insane, slipped away, and would kill the new basileus for fun. He’d be a double-regicide now. Cries and gunshots erupted in the distance. The two Polaris looked at each other and took off running.
    It wasn’t long until they came up to the wrought-iron gates of the Mitripoli, only to be confronted by a line of bayonets and muzzles. Nearby, Hecaton stood with her hands on her hips, seething. A battle line of praetorians with rifles barred the way to the palace. From behind marched up a platoon of city garrison with brightly painted shields and spears, backed by crossbowmen. Taki raised his hands in surrender. There was no escaping now.
    “Milord Principality,” Taki said. “What happened?”
    “One of them spat on my robes,” Hecaton said. “I took offense and made them pay. Now the others will learn some proper respect. Because fuck turning the other cheek.”
    “Why didn’t you wait for us?”
    “You two were having fun. I didn’t want to be a burden.”
    Taki rolled his eyes. “No, you wanted to ditch us and start a meaningless fight.”
    “Maybe?”
    “What’s the meaning of this?” Amilia Gillette said. She stood on the opposite side of the iron fence with her arms crossed and her brow furrowed. The ivory robes of the basileus contrasted with the brown of her hands and face and the silver of her hair. When she saw Hecaton, she sighed.
    “Your Grace!” a praetorian shouted. “You must get to safety!”
    Amilia shook her head. “Lower your weapons, open the gate, and resume your posts. I’ve been expecting this one and her entourage. I’ll see you inside, Hecaton Mezeta. Be a dear and wipe your feet.”
    The praetorians slowly withdrew, disbelief written on their faces. One of them grudgingly unbarred the entry and pulled the gilded doors open. Hecaton strode nonchalantly inside without a word to her subordinates.
    Taki slowly let his arms fall to his sides. They burned from being held up for so long, and he rubbed at his shoulders. He glanced at Hadassah. “Far be it from me to question the captain, but was it actually smart to bring Mezeta here? She’s gone batshit!”
    “It doesn’t matter,” Hadassah murmured. “She’s going to do what she wants, with or without us. We’re just her peons along for the journey. Now here, have some balls.” She offered her snack to Taki, who finally, glumly, took a bite.
    When they trudged into the throne room, the exchange had already begun.
    Amilia, slumped on the brass eagle throne, regarded Hecaton with a bemused expression. “And for what purpose did you assault my men?”
    “I want to escape the cycle of death and rebirth,” Hecaton said. “Material attachments prevent me from doing so. Make them go away.”
    Amilia sighed. “I’m the basileus, not the Buddha, and definitely not God. Did you really waste your time coming here to hear that? Drop the bullshit religious act. It’s self-indulgent.”
    “You’ve offended me, and I’ve lost my appetite,” Hecaton said.
    “Good. I wasn’t going to throw you a feast, anyway.”
    “Then I ask you this. Why did you make me heir to the Temple without my consent?
    “You make me sound like a rapist, and I resent that,” Amilia said. “Exarch Niketas was a fair defender of the land in his prime. However, now that we are under Imperial control, it is time for new leadership. The old man’s way of doing things nearly cost us our lives, though I don’t aim to punish him for it. But I need fresh blood to replace stagnant.”
    “Then why don’t you make one of the Triada take his place?” Hecaton asked, pacing all the while. “Or hell, just