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“Doroth Zain is your brother.”

“He is. But that does not mean he would entrust me with the Empire’s great secrets.”

Atticul’s hand is still pressing on Umbert’s head.

“It was around that time that you married my sister, wasn’t it?”

“A great honour,” Vindar says. “To join myself to the great Darek family.”

“I have been looking through Selim’s papers,” Atticul says. “I was hoping to find some record of my father’s crimes. Sadly, I have not been able to find a single document relating to them. However I have found some other things that may be of interest to you.”

“Did you, Sire?” Umbert wishes he could look around and see his father’s face. He has never heard his voice sound quite like this, hollow and strange, and it scares him.

“I found a letter my uncle Markus wrote to Selim. Much of it apology for abdicating and leaving Selim to rule. Selim never wanted such a thing, although unlike the vile, sly Markus he did his duty despite the fact it conflicted with the wishes of his own heart — but the part that would interest you, I think, it is only one line, but Markus says you suggested he abdicate the throne and live out his life on Luxoria.”

“Markus requested my council and I gave it. Abdication was not my first suggestion, but it was the only one he was willing to consider.”

“I see. I suppose you were only doing your duty.” Atticul pauses, silence hangs heavy in the air. Umbert can hear the tap of Atticul’s pipe against his teeth. Then an exhale, smoke cascades down towards Umbert, before Atticul says, ”I found another letter amongst Selim’s private correspondence. From my poor dead father, sent some moons after he left for Ceruleum in his grief when he thought Damon dead. He was begging an audience with Selim. Apparently my brother Tobi had been taken to the Forests of Amber to be forcibly wed to some heathen king and Rafus was desperate for help to rescue him. A noble cause. Tell me Vindar, did Emperor Selim grant that audience?”

“He did not,” Vindar says. “Rafus did visit Attar, hoping to see Selim. But he only spoke with me.”

“And did you give him aid to rescue my brother?”

“I did not. Tobi is bastard born. The Empire cannot be seen to condone the sin that sired him.”

“Interesting. So you left my own brother to his fate in the sly bed of a heathen? And there is more. According to papers I have seen, notes by Selim written after meetings with you, you were the one who suggested that Damon be sent to the Imperial Army. Were you doing your best to dispose of all my brothers? Of course a bastard born son, may be seen by many to have a better claim than a son of the female line, as dear sweet stupid Umbert is?” Atticul lifts his hand and slaps it down again on the top of Umbert’s head, quite forcefully. Umbert grunts. “And then there are the papers from someone called Abul. A spy in the Mortingales.”

“That name was not in Selim’s papers,” Vindar says weakly.

“No. After I read such interesting things in my uncle’s papers I requested that your own private correspondence all be brought to me too. Some of that proved extremely fascinating. Abul, the leader of the Mortingales, was always in your pay. And it seems you and he had quite some involvement in the attempt on Selim’s life and you were very insistent that Lukas be part of that raid. Were you hoping to be rid of him too? There are also some notes that you sent Kerik on a mission to Jur-Mattan. One from which he never returned.”

Vindar makes a sound, like he is about to say something. But Atticul speaks again before he can. “It matters not, Vindar. Your scheming is pathetically transparent. I know you have been purposefully delaying my request for the Lady Inez to be brought to the Rose Palace, perhaps you hope she will leave Attar. But I have this morning placed guards on all roads out of the city, charged not to allow her to leave. So, understand that it has all been for nought. I will declare your son my heir at my ascension — anything else would be poor decorum — but I will also wed Lady Inez at the ceremony. She will quicken before the festival of Marmona.”

“Your Majesty,” Vindar begins and his wavering voice sounds even more fearful, “I thank you for honouring my son, but I must assure you⁠—”

“Silence,” Atticul snaps, cutting Vindar off. At the same moment he reaches down and lifts Umbert from the floor, tight fingers around Umbert’s waist as he raises him up onto his bare lap. One arm slides around Umbert, pulling him close to Atticul’s body. The brocade of Umbert’s jerkin rubs over Atticul’s bare chest. Umbert looks down at his feet, the fine stockings and shoes he had been so pleased to wear. Atticul’s other hand grasps Umbert’s throat. He feels the press of Atticul’s bony fingers. He is frozen with fear as Atticul says, “What did my dead father do that was so sinful that he gave you my fucking sister so you could sire this Darek son for your scheming, Vindar?”

“Please, Your Majesty.”

Umbert makes a choking noise as Atticul’s fingers squeeze tighter.

From his position on Atticul’s lap, Umbert can see his father’s face. He has never seen his father so pale, skin snow white against the dark hair on his head and his chin.

Atticul takes his hand from Umbert’s throat and snaps his fingers in the air. “Guards,” he barks out.

The door to the chamber opens. Three large men with the green and gold mark of Zai on their chests step through. Each of them bows to Atticul.

“Take him to the dungeon,” Atticul says with a casual wave towards Vindar.

“Majesty, please,” Vindar says, voice full of panic now as his arms are taken by two of the guards.

Atticul leans back, shoving Umbert off his lap onto the floor. “At my ascension, there will be a royal wedding and three executions. What a marvellous way to begin my reign.”

As his father is dragged from the room, begging Atticul for clemency, Umbert looks up at his uncle.

Atticul smiles down at him, eyes flashing black. “And you, my sweet prince, you are mine now. Your mother is far too delicate to raise one so precious. I will make you my ward.”

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