Heart of Crystal Read online

  Heart of Crystal

  By Lauren D.M. Smith

  From the author of The Emperor’s Arrow and Enveloping Shadows comes the tale of a young woman who brings an entire kingdom to its knees in order to save her family

  Ever since her family was kidnapped, Azara, a woman of fire mage stock, has survived with a warrior’s will and the hope of one day finding them. Whispers of their fate have finally led her to the Empire, where her brother and sister are now prized possessions of His Celestial Majesty’s court. Unable to immediately negotiate their freedom, Azara reluctantly agrees to the Emperor’s suggestion: accompany his devoted magus Jin across their rival’s border in search of other fire mages while her siblings remain in the Emperor’s hands.

  Posing as married tea merchants, Azara and Jin’s masquerade begins. For a fierce young woman devoted to a heartening cause, and a man beholden to his duties, it’s an uneasy alliance—but one that quickly turns passionate.

  It’s also a dangerous proposition, for although the attraction between Jin and Azara is real, both the Emperor and Azara have ulterior motives. It’s only when Azara explores her unique powers and puts her faith in Jin that their fight for family—and for their very destiny—can succeed.

  This book is approximately 96,000 words

  One-click with confidence. This title is part of the Carina Press Romance Promise: all the romance you’re looking for with an HEA/HFN. It’s a promise!

  Carina Press acknowledges the editorial services of Anne Scott

  Dedication

  Dedicated to my husband, Curtis. He knows why.

  Contents

  Chapter One: Goodbyes

  Chapter Two: Entrances

  Chapter Three: Mages

  Chapter Four: Stories

  Chapter Five: Powers

  Chapter Six: Revelations

  Chapter Seven: Preparations

  Chapter Eight: Sails

  Chapter Nine: Cultures

  Chapter Ten: Whispers

  Chapter Eleven: Reflections

  Chapter Twelve: Words

  Chapter Thirteen: Connections

  Chapter Fourteen: Inquiries

  Chapter Fifteen: Teas

  Chapter Sixteen: Meetings

  Chapter Seventeen: Rumours

  Chapter Eighteen: Flames

  Chapter Nineteen: Directions

  Chapter Twenty: Riders

  Chapter Twenty-One: Weaknesses

  Chapter Twenty-Two: Signals

  Chapter Twenty-Three: Supplies

  Chapter Twenty-Four: Followers

  Chapter Twenty-Five: Decisions

  Chapter Twenty-Six: Spells

  Chapter Twenty-Seven: Offers

  Excerpt from The Emperor’s Arrow by Lauren D.M. Smith

  Acknowledgments

  Also by Lauren D.M. Smith

  About the Author

  Chapter One: Goodbyes

  “...and if you follow the road straight, you’ll eventually reach Pocale.” Azara pointed towards the horizon where the rutted road was swallowed by the dark smudge of trees that stood out amongst the gentle hills. The crossroads they stood at was empty, as was the scenery in every direction, making everything seem quieter in contrast to where they’d come from. “Find somewhere to settle that’s away from the borders and keep your magic hidden, and you’ll probably be okay. Small towns are good, bigger cities are not so good.”

  Turning to Fiame, Azara found her hand caught in the grasp of the older woman. Dark eyes wavering, the circles under her eyes thankfully lighter after a few days, her rough-cut hair, scratches and pink of new scars told their story. “Thank you. Thank you with every fibre of me. I can’t—What you’ve done, you’ve saved us. Both of us. I can never repay you.”

  Azara smiled while inwardly she winced. Her eyes flickered to Fiame’s son, the boy only five or so, his eyes wide though he stayed silent. She didn’t want to think about what he’d had to witness. Slavery was bad enough in most places, but it was so much worse for their kind. “I didn’t set out to save you. I’m searching for my family, and so I chase rumours of enslaved fire mages. You’re just the latest ones I found.”

  “But you didn’t leave us. You could have, but you didn’t. That’s why you have my undying gratitude.”

  She looked away from Fiame’s gaze and shifted her weight to her back leg. She didn’t want to explain that by the time she got close enough to see most fire mages’ faces, she was generally far enough in that fighting her way out was nearly a certainty. It simply made sense to break out the fire mages for the help.

  Of course, her mind also liked to superimpose her family’s faces over the mages she found whenever she did have the option to leave. Not that she could. Memories rose of running through the trees, her breath loud in her ears, the heavy footsteps and shouts of the men pursuing her sending jolts through her as her heart raced. Burning lungs, scored lines from branches too close to duck, muscles screaming from the strain, she had no time, no escape, too far to get home. She had to—

  “Azara?”

  She blinked and refocused on Fiame, who had released her hand. Azara forced a pleasant expression onto her face again as she shoved the memories of the slavers away. That had been a long time ago, and she wasn’t a scared child anymore. “My apologies, my mind went elsewhere. You said something?”

  Fiame jerked her chin over her shoulder towards where the other road took a dip into a small hollow before rising up over the largest hill in the area. “If you’re looking for fire mages, the...the people who were going to sell us said they were considering Nalbin.”

  Azara’s eyebrows rose. “Nalbin? Not Shi Guo? I’ve heard the Empire is always on the hunt for fire mages, and that the emperor himself collects them.”

  “No, they definitely said Nalbin. I’m not sure if that’s of any help to you, but if there’s anything I can do for you...”

  Fiame was still fragile, still scarred mentally and physically, so Azara had to tread lightly. It didn’t help that Fiame’s husband hadn’t survived the fight with the slavers so she was left alone with her son. Azara hoped she would eventually be able to live with what had happened. “I hadn’t heard that rumour, and I’ll keep it in mind. If things don’t work out in the Empire, I’ll see about Nalbin next. They do border each other. As for what you can do for me, there is one thing.”

  Fiame leaned in, face tight, eyes brighter than ever. Azara flicked her gaze over to the boy then to his mother. “Raise him right. Teach him to be strong and how to protect himself. Raise him so he doesn’t have to, but that he can if necessary. As much as you might want to forget about it, train him to use his powers. Too much is lost because we try to suppress our powers for safety.”

  The older woman opened her mouth and glanced at her son. After a few moments, she nodded. “I can teach him in secret. It may be dangerous, but it could protect him in the future.”

  “Power untaught is more dangerous.” A sudden thought had Azara digging in one of the side pouches of her pack. She pulled out the small tinderbox and handed it over to Fiame, who stared at the thing, her forehead creased.

  “Why—”

  Azara didn’t let her finish. “It’s for starting fires. Of course, an ordinary woman and her son travelling would need something like this for the cold nights or so they can have hot food.”

  Fiame’s eyes widened, a faint smile pulling at her lips. Azara answered with something stronger, glad she’d caught on. “Now, you’d best get going. You should be able to get through
the forest before dark and you’ll just be a day’s walk from Pocale.”

  “You’re sure you won’t come with us?”

  “No, I need to keep moving. It’s better for me in case anyone survived and is looking for revenge. They’ll focus on me, and having us split will make it harder for them as well. As I said, I’m aiming to see if the rumours about the Empire and emperor are true. You’ll be safe enough once you’re in Pocale. They don’t hold with slavery. You’ll get outsiders who will try, but it’s rare.”

  “Unless you’re a fire mage.” Fiame’s words were bitter as she clenched one hand into a fist.

  Azara grimaced. She couldn’t deny it, not when her entire village had been taken out. Even being in the heart of Pocale hadn’t saved any of them. No one had escaped. No one except her, and in her own way, Azara hadn’t escaped anything. She’d heard enough from the two people from her village she’d found to know what her fate could have been.

  “But no one will know you’re a fire mage. After all, what fire mage needs to carry a tinderbox?”

  That got another ghost of a smile out of Fiame. She glanced up at the sun, hanging directly over them, and down to her son. Only then did she look back at Azara. “Be safe, and know neither of us will ever forget you.”

  “I won’t forget you. I wish you every bit of luck for your future.” And she meant it. Azara always hoped that the people she freed, especially the children, could have the kind of life she’d lost when the slavers had attacked. It was nice to think there could be children of fire mages living ordinary lives.

  She lifted a hand as Fiame and the boy walked off, watching them trudge away. Azara lowered her hand and decided that was enough being sentimental. She still hadn’t found her family, hadn’t heard a rumour about them, and until she was able to save them, she couldn’t stop searching. She’d been a girl when they’d been taken. But things were different. She’d had over a decade to get stronger, and now she could protect what she wanted to protect. No one would take people from her again.

  Hiking her pack higher, Azara turned away from the road to Pocale and towards the one that snaked its way to the Empire.

  Chapter Two: Entrances

  Running her gaze around the room, Azara had to admit she was impressed. Red columns marched in orderly lines that separated the seating areas from the main walkway. The ceiling was a mass of intricate green, red and gold tiles, while behind her silk-cushioned chair was a cloth painting of a flock of white birds. There was a low buzz of voices, a few people seated in chairs away from her, some glancing at her. She was the only foreigner so she didn’t blame them. It had certainly taken her long enough to get here.

  Azara reached up to pat her head, checking to make sure no brown strands had escaped the pinning she’d put them through. Putting her hair up was the only way to disguise its short length. As it was, her clothes would already mark her as an outsider.

  She ran hands down her trousers, full enough to make it appear she wore skirts. It was too hot, and she envied the women she’d seen in their loose silk jackets and pants. It looked far more comfortable than her tight vest underneath her long matching coat.

  Only her white shirt was thin, the material cheap cotton. It was mostly hidden by the rest of her outfit, and with the way she went through shirts, she wasn’t about to waste her money on anything more substantial.

  And it had taken half of the money she’d looted while freeing Fiame along with several weeks to get into the palace. She’d known it wouldn’t be easy to get an audience with the emperor, but she hadn’t expected to have to pay quite so much for bribes and appropriate papers. Especially since she was presenting herself as a slave dealer, one who specialized in mages.

  Another official was escorted in. The four guards in their dark uniforms, two holding bayonets, while the other two carrying the curved sabres common here, watched everyone. The huge floor-to-ceiling doors remained closed. Much smaller doors cut into the red-painted wood were used by those allowed into the throne room.

  She eyed the officials, the last few weeks having taught her the difference between them and the nobles. A loose blue silk overrobe with an embroidered square featuring different birds was worn over an inner robe of white and gold.

  Noblemen seemed to wear shorter versions of the overrobe, closer to the loose jacket of the noblewomen. Those overrobes came in a variety of brilliant colours and elaborate patterns. It was a richer landscape of clothing than the more muted colours and designs Azara was used to.

  She was studying the peony pattern of the cushion on the chair beside her when soft footsteps drew her attention towards the centre of the hall. Or rather, to the official just now stopping in front of her. The woman bowed. “Honourable trader, if you will please accompany me, you are to be granted your audience with his celestial majesty.”

  Azara stood and offered a short bow back. “Thank you.” The words felt awkward in her mouth despite an ear for languages. She’d given up on learning to read or write other languages—beyond the few things she needed to pass as a merchant.

  Falling into step behind the woman, she felt the weight of the guards’ gazes on her. She didn’t pay them attention. She wasn’t carrying weapons, and didn’t except as subterfuge. Outwardly, she shouldn’t look like any threat at all.

  When her guide stopped in front of the short door, Azara did the same. “His celestial majesty will decide when your audience has ended. At that time, you will exit to the right where you will be escorted to the palace gates.”

  She swallowed a grimace. She needed to catch and hold the emperor’s attention, or all her time and effort would be a waste. Having seen the sheer number of guards as well as the military housed nearby, there was no way she could break in and break any fire mages out. It would be suicide, even for her.

  A soft ring was muffled by the heavy wood of the door. The official nodded, and her compatriot opened the door, bowing at Azara. She followed his direction and stepped through, hearing the door close quietly behind her. She didn’t have a chance to marvel at the dark marble floors, elaborately carved wooden windows or rich carpet that ran the length of the room. Her eyes locked onto the man seated on the raised dais.

  Dark eyes watched her approach, the greying black hair hidden by the red and black hat embroidered in gold and pearls, only his thin beard and mustache showing. Dressed in heavy robes of brilliant yellow embroidered in various bright colours and jewels that shimmered as the light hit them, Emperor Bao looked like he personally represented the wealth of his empire.

  Azara bowed almost in half when she reached the area in front of the seven steps that led up to the dais where his gold throne sat. She studied the pattern of the carpet while she waited for acknowledgement.

  “You may state your case.” The voice was deep, his words slow.

  She straightened and bowed again to the emperor, noting the two officials who stood by each set of stairs, their eyes on her. Guards circled the room and guarded the back of the dais she only glanced at, having expected them. “Your Celestial Majesty,” she said, trying her best to pronounce it the way the official had. “I am here to speak to you on the subject of fire mages.”

  “You have fire mages you wish to sell me?”

  “Regretfully, not at the moment, Your Celestial Majesty. I had hoped to soon acquire new fire mages that I might sell you, but wished to learn about—”

  “Lie.”

  Azara stopped speaking and turned to stare at the man who’d spoken. The official to her left held a sphere that glowed red, his dark eyes glaring at her. The emperor’s gaze also went to the man then to her. “If you do not wish to speak truthfully, I will have you leave.”

  She gritted her teeth, feeling a muscle jump in her cheek. Movement from behind showed that the guards behind the emperor were now pointing their bayonets at her. She swallowed and shoved her anger
and annoyance away. So the emperor had a mage capable of telling truth from lies. It didn’t change what she had to do, just how she had to go about it.

  “I wish to buy any fire mages off you that I may.” It was the truth, if not the whole of it. Azara risked a glance at the man with the sphere, noting with some distaste that it was made of crystal. The sphere itself remained clear, and the mage nodded when the emperor glanced at him.

  “Why? There are far easier places to acquire fire mages.” The emperor’s face was impossible to read, but he hadn’t thrown her out yet, so Azara held out hope.

  Though as she thought about it, she couldn’t think of anything she could say that would be truthful and not reveal more than she wanted to. She either had to give up or go with the full reality. One hand clenched into a fist before she caught it and she forced herself to relax. She had to appear as nonthreatening as possible or this would go so much worse for her.

  With no choice, Azara slowly exhaled to steady herself. “I’m not a slave trader. I’m searching for my family.”

  Soft rustling accompanied the emperor’s sudden lean forward, eyes alight as they looked at her. “You are a fire mage?”

  “No, I’m not.” She stared at the mage, daring him to find a lie in that. The emperor watched him as well, and despite a frown, the mage nodded. Azara felt her shoulders unknot, glad that those words had passed. While she wasn’t a fire mage, the fact she once had been might have caught the truth spell.

  “Your family are fire mages and you are seeking them? An admirable goal.”

  Azara bowed, hoping the emperor’s interest would continue to hold.

  “What is it that you wish of me?”

  She bowed again for good measure. “I would like to visit with your fire mages, Your Celestial Majesty. I would like to see if they’re members of my family or not.”

  The emperor leaned back in his throne. “If they are?”

  “I would offer to buy them from you. I have no wish to go against you or your empire, Your Celestial Majesty.”