Inescapable Birthright

Author's note: This is the next one of the spin-off series that continues from "Pawn En Prise" , "Outside Pawn" , and "Breached Defenses" . I may be flattering myself by thinking it can stand alone, so read those first if you get confused!

Liam had read and mulled over the contents of the letter so many times in the past two days that he knew the words by heart, but as he sat listening to the crackle of the fire in its grate, he found his hands once again unfolding the scrap of paper to reveal the trembling, desperate handwriting within.

Pointless, he knew. The words had not changed, and he had no more idea what to do now than he did the first time he had read them.

And yet... That last was not quite true. He knew himself well enough to know when he needed help and advice, and even where he might go to obtain both, but the reluctance to reveal himself ran deep. It was not that he did not trust Alddyn, but if anything were certain, it was that the other prince would ask questions, and Liam did not know what he would do if his older brother did not like the subsequent answers and turned from him in disgust.

Oh, grow up, Liam! He ran his fingers through his hair and blew out his breath in a sigh. He was no longer a child. He did not need the unmitigated approval of those close to him. He, too, was an Imperial prince, and entitled to whatever his heart desired.

And surely Alddyn would not reject him so easily?

"Saints help us, I'm pathetic," Liam sighed with a rueful chuckle. His valet, busy cleaning up the remains of his solitary supper, shot him a reproachful look; Colin was rather more sensitive to the gravitas appropriate to an Imperial prince than he himself, and often grumbled -- albeit quietly -- about his master's habitual free-and-easy attitude. Liam narrowed his eyes in an answering glare, but the boy only sniffed, too knowledgeable of the prince's moods for alarm.

"Ain't no use callin' on the saints to do nothin' as we're too stubborn to do ourselves," he muttered, as though to himself.

"What was that?" Liam asked sharply.

Colin's face assumed an expression of wide-eyed innocence. "What was what, your highness?"

He wondered whether other valets used similar tones with their masters in private but doubted it. The little imp... "Talking to ourselves again, are we?" he asked with mock sweetness.

"Oh, aye, your highness. Don't mind us'n" Colin turned back to the dinner plates. The muttering resumed. "No, us'n never seen as how that letter's been jumpin' out'n yonder breast pocket for the last day or two. No, sir, never seen as how a certain prince starts writin' somethin' but tosses it in the fire instead. Nope, not us... never--"

"Are you going to take all night cleaning up?" Liam snapped.

"Just finished, your highness. Can I get you anything else tonight? A glass of wine? Maybe another quill and parchment?"

He was going to strangle that boy someday, he just knew it. "I'm fine, thank you," he ground out. Damnit, he was not going to squirm under a raised eyebrow from his valet!

"As you say, your highness," Colin replied with a bow, somehow infusing a profound sense of doubt into the perfectly respectable words and tone.

Liam gave the boy's retreating back a resentful glare. He could almost admire the technique... if it had only been directed at someone else. The door swung shut, leaving him alone with his thoughts and the feel of the paper in his hands.

He was not being stubborn. He was just...

Procrastinating. Liam shivered. A man's life may hang in the balance and I'm procrastinating.

His resolve hardened as a sudden sense of urgency gripped him. He had not formulated it in those terms before, but that was the crux of the matter, was it not? What if it was already too late? Much could have been accomplished in the two days he had allowed to pass, and Liam felt a touch of panic at the thought that he should have acted sooner.

Perhaps it was just as well that he had not sent a note to Alddyn asking for a meeting, Liam thought as he tucked the letter away again and rose. Not only would such a formal request have sounded odd and put Alddyn on his guard, Liam was now glad he did not have to battle the anticipation it would have built. He would simply drop by his brother's rooms tonight. Right now, in fact, before he could change his mind, and damned to the consequences.

Liam barely noticed the walk to his brother's chambers, nodding in automatic greeting to those he passed. Before he knew it, he was knocking on the solid oaken door of the other prince's suite.

It opened to reveal a liveried servant, who bowed on recognizing him. "Your highness," he murmured.

"Is Prince Alddyn available?"

"One moment, your highness."

The man disappeared, leaving the door partially ajar, enough for Liam to make out the sound of laughter drifting from an inner room. He grimaced. Apparently his brother had guests. For a moment, he considered withdrawing, but just then, he heard Alddyn's voice saying "Of course! Send him in!" and the servant was back, opening the door with an inviting gesture.

Liam gave a mental shrug and entered. The voices came from Alddyn's study, which meant that he couldn't have been entertaining a great many people, and as he stepped within the entryway, Liam realized that there was, in fact, only one other present, and one he was glad to see.

"Liam!" Alddyn greeted, waving him inside and crossing the room to clap him on the shoulder. "It's good to see you!"

"And you, Alddyn, and you," Liam said, clasping hands.

"Hello, Liam." The other guest had risen as well, and gave him a warm smile.

"Hello, big sister," Liam replied with a grin, accepting her hand and bowing over it with elaborate care.

Princess Yvette laughed at his show of gallantry, tossing her head and making her brown ringlets dance. "As charming as ever, aren't you, Liam?"

"Always, your highness."

"Sit, sit," Alddyn directed him to one of the chairs gathered around the low table in the middle of the room. The servant pressed a cup of spiced wine into his hand. "How's your mother?"

"Er... Well enough, I suppose. Last I heard anyway," he said, raising his glass and inhaling the rich aroma before taking a sip.

"You haven't been to see her?" Yvette asked, her voice carefully neutral.

"I do go... But you know how she is now," Liam said, uncomfortable. He never liked discussing his mother; it was not that he did not love her, but the scandal surrounding Imperial Consort Kendal's virtual imprisonment and seperation from her sons made the topic distinctly awkward. He had hated the way the courtiers had whispered about it behind their hands when he was a child, falling silent the moment they noticed his presence, and had learned not to speak of it himself. It was a reticence that he had carried through the years. "Uh, how is her Imperial Grace Reneti?" he asked to forestall any further questions.

"As well as ever," Alddyn said. "She asked about you the other day. Said you hadn't been to see her as often as she could wish."

Liam smiled. He had a fondness for Alddyn and Yvette's mother Reneti, who had semi-adopted him that first summer after he and his older brother Jaiden had been removed from their mother's care. It was thanks to her kindness and intervention that he had grown so close to Alddyn and Yvette and had not spent his childhood in the same loneliness that had so embittered Jaiden.

"I should think she's got her hands full, taking care of Raenne and Leisha?"

"Oh, there is no doubt of that!" Alddyn laughed. "And it'll only get worse; in a few years those two will be ready for suitors, and the saints help us all then!"

"But she is never too busy for you, Liam," Yvette assured him. "Especially as you are such a favorite with the twins; in fact I'd be more worried about her pushing those two on you for an afternoon in order to give herself a rest!"

"In that case I shall certainly call upon her at the first opportunity," Liam said. "Spending time with the twins is always an... experience."

Alddyn snorted at his choice of words. "Aye, you got that right," he muttered in amusement. Raising his glass, he took a sip and regarded Liam with a slight smile. "Now then. Is this a mere social call or do you have something particular you wish to discuss?"

Liam coloured at how easily the other read him. "How did you know?"

"Lucky guess." Alddyn smirked at his scowl. "And the fact that you've been avoiding me like the plague for the past few days."

"I had to get my thoughts straight. It wasn't just you," Liam mumbled, chagrined. Alddyn had found him right after he had read the letter for the first time, and he had excused himself then with more haste than grace, and in the ensuing mental turmoil he had been diligent in avoiding company in general.

"So?" Alddyn prompted after a moment.

Liam hesitated, torn, and glanced at Yvette, hoping for help.

"Would you prefer some privacy?" she asked, rising and giving him a gracious smile to show that she would not begrudge such a request.

"Oh! No no, you mistake me," Liam said, putting up a hand to halt her departure. "It's just... awkward, is all..."

Alddyn fixed him with a thoughtful frown and, possessed of a mastery over his serving staff that Liam had never acquired, raised an eyebrow at his servant, who bowed low and departed in silence, closing the door behind him.

Now why can't I get -my- people to do that?

"I, uh, well I got this letter the other day..." Liam withdrew the missive in question and surrendered it to Alddyn's outstretched hand. The urge to add a disclaimer was strong -- no, of course he didn't know why it had been posted to him, of all people, how very curious -- but he knew he would start babbling if he gave himself a chance, and that would only serve to heighten Alddyn and Yvette's suspicions. Instead he clasped his hands together and watched as Alddyn unfolded the paper, hiding his anxiety as best he might.

One eyebrow rose at the sight of the scribbled message within. Liam saw his brother's eyes glance down at the signature, saw the startled blink and the other man's sharp look over the top of the paper. Alddyn said nothing however, but read the contents in silence, absently tapping one finger against his glass. Once, then twice, his eyes traversed the page, before he lowered it with a thoughtful hum. Without a word, he folded it back along the same creases and passed it to Yvette for her inspection.

"An odd note, to be sure," he said, leaning back and surveying Liam with a bored, hooded look. "Although not, in fact, so rare in nature as you might think. It is, after all, common enough for those condemned to death to plead their innocence even at the very foot of the gallows."

It was, but there was more to it than that. "I believe him though."

"Do you now?" Alddyn sounded half-asleep. A dangerous sign, even in the best of times. "Hence why it's so odd, wouldn't you say?"

Damnit! He should've known better than to have stated it so baldly at the outset, should've kept his own interest concealed and assumed a mask of indifference, or tried to draw the others into discussion instead. Liam grimaced. He hated sparring with Alddyn; he never won and invariably found himself in a more and more untenantable position the harder he tried.

The silence was broken by a rustle of fabric as Yvette finished reading. A look passed between the two older siblings and Liam's heart sank. He had seen them play this game a thousand times, though never before with him, and knew the devastating effectiveness they could bring to bear on their joint interrogations.

He was not surprised when Yvette launched the opening salvo with a deceptively mild "Why do you believe him?"

Liam stamped down his defensive instincts with an effort. They were his older brother and sister, his childhood support; their companionship had seen him through the most difficult time of his life and their backing and protection had never wavered, even in light of Alddyn and Jaiden's enmity. They were only trying to help, to clarify the situation before offering their advice and assistance. And surely with a bit of care he could keep them from prying too deeply into his own secrets?

He cleared his throat with a cough. "He just doesn't seem the type, that's all."

A snort from Alddyn told him what his brother thought of such a weak excuse. Yvette's answer was gentler but no less uncompromising. "Murderers very rarely 'seem the type,' Liam."

"But... I've talked to Alexei before, a few times. He just... I can't see him as a murderer."

"That boy," Alddyn said, with disdainful emphasis -- not so much a comment on Alexei's age as on his plebian origins -- "was found thoroughly drunk by the City Guard two days after the assassination, with a purse still three-quarters full of gold under his cloak and no satisfactory alibi for the time period of interest. When questioned, he freely admitted to having had a quarrel with Lord Darmos the morning of the latter's death and was not backward in expressing his anger over his treatment at the hands of his lover." He shrugged. "The whole affair seems clear enough to me."

"He never confessed though," Liam said quickly. "He never said he did it; denied it, in fact, from the moment he discovered the charges to the moment he was found guilty."

"And is still denying it, no less," Alddyn said, rolling his eyes. "The case was judged complete even without his admission. He should be grateful; the Imperial interrogators are not famous for being gentle, especially with those who lack the political alliances necessary to earn their respect."

A shiver touched Liam's spine at Alddyn's detached tone, the casual dismissal of possible torture. "There's still no concrete evidence," he insisted, refusing to give up. "No one who can place him at the palace at that time, or saw him purchasing nightshade, or... anything!"

The look Alddyn shot Yvette was one of exasperation, as though asking her aid in reasoning with a recalcitrant child. The princess shrugged. "It is conceivable that Liam is right and the boy really is innocent."

Alddyn huffed his frustration with them both. "And even if he is," he said, each word heavy with doubt, "Even if he is, what the devil do you expect me to do about it? He's scheduled to hang in less than a week!"

"Do?" Liam repeated in disbelief. "Why, get him out of course! Stop the hanging!"

"Saints alive, Liam, is that all? Why didn't you say so at once? Shall I write out an order to that effect or do you suppose my verbal consent will suffice?"

"It's not that simple, Liam," Yvette said, ignoring her brother's sarcasm. "A nobleman was murdered, and in his own suite in the palace, no less. Someone has got to be punished, else how can anyone say that justice will be served everywhere in Litha if assassins walk free in the very house of the Emperor?"

"Justice? You're just using him as a scapegoat!"

"Whereas you would allow a possible murderer to walk free?"

"He is not!" Liam snapped at his brother. "I know him! I--" He saw something flicker in Alddyn's eyes and faltered. "A-A little. We... we've talked some..."

"Some, is it?" Alddyn leaned over and plucked the letter from Yvette's hand. "Enough for him to put all his hope and desperation into a letter to you? Enough that you should believe him so explicitly and against all reason?"

Liam's mouth went dry. He dropped his eyes, unwilling to face the other's scrutiny. He hadn't meant to give away so much, but how could he salvage the situation now?

"Perhaps," Alddyn said into the ringing silence, "perhaps if you were now to tell us something of the truth, of why you're really here, we may be able to help you better?"

The quiet tone cut, reminded him that it was not their lack of support but rather his own reticence that hampered their combined efforts at finding an acceptable solution. But how in the name of the saints did one go about telling one's older brother that... Liam shied away from the words, unwilling to form them even in his own thoughts. It occurred to him that he could still back out. Tell them that it was nothing, a momentary lapse of reason that had led him here. They might not believe him, but they would also be unable to press the issue any further, and he would be free to leave.

Except that Alexei...

A hand brushed his shoulder, and Liam looked up into the concerned gaze of the princess. He suddenly wished that he could speak to her alone; for all of her unyielding loyalty to Alddyn -- or perhaps because of it -- Yvette was not one to mince words with the other prince, nor to shrink away from incurring his displeasure. She was the only one Liam had ever seen, outside of perhaps her Imperial Grace Reneti, who could stand up to Alddyn and speak her mind with a candor untainted by either fear or ulterior motivations. If he could be sure of her reception...

And then, in the heartbeat it took for these thoughts to pass through his mind, something extraordinary happened. Her hand squeezed his shoulder in reassurance, and her lips quirked into a small, wry smile. It was a private thing, an expression meant only for the two of them, and while there was speculation in her eyes, there was also acceptance and warmth, and a spark of merriment that poked gentle fun at his own discomfiture. A moment later it was gone, and Yvette withdrew her hand as though nothing had happened, but the bubble of hope she had planted remained, lodged somewhere under his breastbone and sending out little tendrils that he barely dared to acknowledge.

Liam drew a deep breath and thanked her with his eyes. He had wondered before how much Yvette knew of his secrets, but neither had ever broached the topic. Now he knew that while she might not know anything concrete, she had guessed enough to infer the rest, and was still on his side in spite of it all.

Alddyn was regarding them with narrowed eyes, aware of the silent exchange of signals but unable to decipher their meaning. He raised an eyebrow at Liam.

Time for the moment of truth. At least he had an inkling of how to start now.

"Do you remember the night I turned sixteen?"

Alddyn frowned at the non sequitur as he cast his mind back. A smirk formed. "Why yes. It was a rather memorable occasion, as I recall."

Yvette rolled her eyes at his tone and muttered something that sounded like "Boys!" under her breath.

"I'm sure Madame Rosaline's house was never the same afterwards."

Despite the seriousness of the situation, the familiar banter brought a weak grin to Liam's lips. To mark his brother's sixteenth natality, Alddyn -- in the role of solicitous older brother -- had undertaken to "introduce Liam to the wonders of manhood" by arranging a rowdy night out with a select coterie of young lords from court. The celebrations had involved more wine than Liam thought some of the others should've been allowed access to, and the final act and seen the entire party -- some so drunk they could barely stagger in a zigzag -- at the door of Madame Rosaline's Lotus House. The establishment was reckoned one of the finer venues of its sort in the city and therefore fit entertainment for Imperial princes and their friends. Liam still remembered his startled reaction to the elegant furnishings and soft lighting, the melodic flow of female voices and Madame Rosaline's insistence that none of her young ladies should have to put up with any lord too inebriated to be suitable company.

Thinking of his own embarrassment and anxiety at the time, Liam fought down a blush and ignored Alddyn's amused look. "You know I spent the night with Loreen?"

"Was that her name?" Alddyn shrugged. "All right. I also know that you've been back to see her a time or two since. What of it?"

"Well... we never... that is... uh, she likes discussing art techniques from the early period of the first Empire," Liam blurted in desperation.

Alddyn blinked at him as though he had suddenly grown an extra head. "Uhm... all right..."

Saints alive, surely that was explanation enough?

"I believe what Liam is trying to say, though not very coherently," Yvette said, rolling her eyes at his grateful look, "is that he and Mistress Loreen prefer to pass their time together in intellectual conversation rather than more carnal pursuits."

"Meaning...?"

"I never slept with her. I-I don't like... I mean, I prefer..." Liam gestured helplessly to the letter in Alddyn's hand. "That is... Alexei and... er..." He trailed off in uncertainty at his brother's incredulous expression.

The ensuing silence lasted for perhaps five heartbeats, though Liam could've sworn they stretched for an eternity. Then, very carefully, Alddyn placed the letter on the table. The quiet control of his voice made Liam wince, hinting as it did at the effort behind the calm. "Are you telling me... that you favor... male companionship over that offered by the gentler sex?"

"Y-Yes..." Liam dropped his eyes to the table at the whisper, catching his lower lip between his teeth. He didn't dare look up, couldn't bear the anger and disgust he was sure he would see in his brother's face.

"I see... And does anyone else know of your... inclinations?"

"N-No..." At least he didn't think so. He had always been careful, the few times he had sought such company in the city, to conceal his real identity, and he had never patronized the same establishment twice. "Well, Loreen obviously, and..." He glanced at Yvette for confirmation.

"You knew?" Alddyn asked her, his voice sharp.

"I guessed," she replied, serene as the summer sky. "After all, someone had to speak to Madame Rosaline beforehand, so that she might choose and prepare one of her girls for the prospect."

"You what?" Liam yelped. He hadn't known that! No wonder Loreen had seen through his drunken masquerade with such ease, and had listened to his stuttered explanations without batting an eyelash! He flushed at Yvette's raised eyebrow and dropped his head into his hands. "Sweet saints above, you might have warned me..." he moaned.

"I didn't know for sure," Yvette told him with prim decorum, arranging her dress so that the folds fell more to her liking. She ignored Alddyn's indignant huff at being left in the dark. "I merely informed the Madame of the possibility."

"Yes, well." Alddyn gave her a final glare and turned back to his brother. "As our dear sister is frequently aware of matters to which she really has no business--" Yvette's smile held all the sweetness of the cat who'd just eaten the family canary "--I am not entirely surprised at her deception. I am, however, disappointed that you, Liam, should have entrusted your secret to women of dubious honor rather than to me, but I suppose that matter has just been rectified. Does anyone else know?"

"Loreen is honorable!" Liam objected, frowning. He had enjoyed their wide-ranging chats and had come to regard her as a friend. She wanted to open her own salon someday, and he thought she would make an exceptionally capable hostess. Not to mention that she had never given him any reason to doubt her discretion. "And no, I don't think anyone else knows." Of course, given the shadowy nature of dealings at court, it was next to impossible to assert anything with certainty. He brooded a moment on that, then worked up the courage to steal a glance at his brother. "Are... are you mad?"

"Well I'm not best pleased to find out about it like this, that's for sure, but I suppose such a thing cannot be helped now," Alddyn grumbled. "Though if you have any other earth-shattering secrets, I'd be grateful to be informed of them in a more timely manner, thank you very much."

Liam hunched his shoulders in misery. "I-I'm sorry..."

"Sorry? What the devil for?" Alddyn asked in genuine surprise. He surveyed his brother's bowed head and gave his sister a mystified look. "What's done is done, Liam. I'll get over it."

"But..." Liam looked up, confused at the concern in Alddyn's voice. "I thought... I thought you'd--" hate me "--I mean, Archbishop Torbeau says..."

"Yes? What does the dear Archbishop say?" Alddyn asked when he trailed off, his eyes narrowing.

Most of what Archbishop Torbeau said about this type of predilection did not bear repeating. "That it's a sin..." Liam said at last, opting for more diplomatic wording.

There was a beat of silence.

"Name of God!" Alddyn was suddenly on his feet, his fists clenched. Liam stared at him, taken aback by his brother's fury. Alddyn leaned across the squat table between them and jabbed one finger in his chest to emphasize his words. "Hang the Archbishop!" he roared. "You're an Imperial prince, Liam! Don't you dare let that self-righteous, pompous old two-bit cleric pass judgement on your life! As though he'd know what a sin is if it bit him on the arse! Mother of God!"

Liam sat, frozen in astonishment as Alddyn swore, condemning the highest-ranked priest in Litha to everything from boils in unmentionable places to an ever-lasting flea infestation of the crotch. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Yvette grinning at her brother's language, and bit by bit, somewhere between Alddyn telling them where Torbeau could stick his sins and exactly how many were already there, the bubble under his breastbone grew and swelled, until the brightness of it filled him to bursting and broke the dam that held his emotions in check.

"Needed a laugh, did you?" Alddyn asked dryly some minutes later as he wiped his eyes and wrested himself into an upright position once more. Liam grinned at him until his face ached. His brother sniffed and threw himself into his chair. A thought seemed to strike him suddenly, and he snapped to attention. Reaching forward, he picked up the discarded letter and waved it at Liam as though the younger prince might have forgotten its existence. "When you said you know Master Tyce..."

"Not like that!" Liam protested. "I mean we talked! And, er..." And there had been a spark of something-more-than-interest on both sides of that conversation, though there had not been time for it to mature.

Alddyn wasn't finished. "Has he threatened you? Is that why you're so determined to get him out, because he thought to reveal you otherwise?"

"No!" Liam shuddered, aghast at the very idea. "Saints alive, Alddyn!"

"He's only looking out for you, Liam," Yvette said, patting his arm.

"Alexei hasn't done anything except ask for my help," Liam insisted. "It's just that he doesn't know a lot of people at court, and no one else to whom he might appeal."

"Hmm..." Alddyn traced a finger along his upper lip in thought. "Unfortunately, as enlightening as this conversation has been, it doesn't shed much light on what we can do for him. Lord Darmos is still dead and the evidence against Master Tyce just as damning as before."

Liam's stomach dropped. He had been so sure that once Alddyn was acquainted with the whole story, he would be able to think of some way to help Alexei. To his eyes, there was nothing the other prince couldn't do once he put his mind to it, and it was disheartening to hear anything to the contrary.

"Let's assume for a moment that Liam is right and Master Tyce really is innocent," Yvette said, holding up a hand to forestall Liam's protest that he was right, "Who else would have had the motivation, time, and means to slip nightshade into Lord Darmos' wine?"

"I don't know about the time or the means, but surely there are others with the motivation to do the deed?" Liam asked.

A look passed between the older siblings. Alddyn gave an odd half-nod, half-shrug. "There are indeed those who might benefit from Lord Darmos' demise, but one can hardly accuse them on such slim pretense."

"Alexei was accused and condemned on less!"

"True, but Master Tyce lack the... consideration that these others enjoy."

Meaning that he was neither nobly born nor under the protection of someone who was. Liam ground his teeth in frustration. As for the "others" of whom Alddyn spoke... Though he hated politics and spent more time avoiding it than he cared to recount, even Liam could not dodge it all, saturating as it did every aspect of life at court. So he had a good suspicion, if not of specific individuals, then at least of which faction might so benefit. "I should think that you, of all people, should be more concerned over the abolition of Corum's river taxes?" he snapped at Alddyn. "How long do you think it will take now for Halmes to achieve its diocesan aspirations?"

A flicker of surprise, as if Alddyn had not expected him to connect the dots on his own, then his brother shrugged again. "You win some, you lose some," he replied with a slight smile.

That didn't sound like his brother. Liam glanced at Yvette.

"Halmes was always more of a distraction," she explained. "It was never a battle we thought we could actually win. In all honesty, even had Lord Darmos lived and the river levies continued, Halmes would eventually have become a diocese anyway; you simply can't completely strangle the economy of an estate that acts as a gateway to an entire province."

"At least it kept Torbeau and Arcturus busy enough that they couldn't turn their eyes to other parts of the Empire," Alddyn said. "Pity to lose the fight now, but it cannot be helped."

There was a note of almost-warning in his voice, and Liam stopped himself from asking what "other parts" he had in mind. As close as they were, Alddyn did not like to give way all his secrets to anyone, and Liam wasn't interested enough to push him further. Besides which, they had wandered off topic.

"I am not giving up on Alexei."

Alddyn ran his fingers through his hair and blew out a sigh. "Face the facts, Liam! Unless the murderer himself comes out and confesses -- unlikely, I assure you -- there is little we can do to establish who was responsible for Darmos being found face-down on the floor of his own receiving room in a pool of damp wine."

"I hadn't heard that," Yvette interrupted with a frown. "Was that really how it happened?"

"From what I gather. Why?"

The princess hesitated a beat. "It's just odd, is all."

"I should say," Alddyn snorted. "If being poisoned may be termed 'odd.'"

Yvette rolled her eyes at his levity. "Yes, but more than that." She sounded thoughtful. "He must have gotten quite a lot of nightshade if it killed him before he could call for help or realize that anything was wrong..."

Alddyn leaned forward, suddenly interested. "Why do you say that?"

"Well, nightshade is deadly, as I'm sure we're all aware by now, but it doesn't exactly kill instantly. Or it doesn't usually."

"Should I even ask from whence your in-depth knowledge of deadly poisons originates?"

"Yes, I was researching which one I should use on annoying younger brothers who ask too many questions," she retorted.

Liam suppressed a laugh. Alddyn held up his hands with a grin. "Right then. Carry on."

"As I was saying. He must've ingested a huge amount to die so quickly. Only... only it would've been difficult to come by so much..."

"How's that? I was under the impression that it's fairly common."

"In a sense. It's true that almost any herbalist will probably carry it, but it would be difficult to poison someone with those particular formulations. You see, nightshade is used as a cosmetic for the eyes. It never quite caught on here at court, but I gather it's popular among the merchant classes. You haven't heard reports of their daughters dying of accidental nightshade overdose have you? Well that's because the form sold in shops contains very little of the actual herb, enough to dilate the pupils but not enough to kill. For him to have gotten such a large amount in his wine--"

"It would have had to be much more concentrated," Alddyn finished, his eyes lighting up in understanding.

"And consequently more difficult to get ahold of. Most herbalists would hesitate to sell it in its undiluted form, as it has no other application and they might be held accountable should an accident occur. The Herbalist Guild might keep track of transactions of this nature, provided it occurred recently."

"Will they let you at their books though?" Liam asked.

Alddyn waved aside his concerns. "Part of the glamour of being an Imperial prince, my dear brother, is the obligation to be at least somewhat knowledgeable on practically everything, including trade practices in the city. And although you yourself have never exercised the privilege, it is not unheard of for princes to accompany Imperial inspectors on their rounds to collect tithes and taxes."

"May I suggest a visit to the Portmaster first?" Yvette said. "It might limit the scope of the search if he can tell you which herbalists purchase nightshade at all."

"Brilliant idea," Alddyn agreed, nodding.

Liam's head whirled at the unexpected turn of the conversation and the speed with which Alddyn and Yvette made connections. It left him feeling a little left out, like a child listening to adult plans. His voice sounded young and plaintive to his own ears. "You think we can really catch the true murderer then?"

His siblings hesitated. "It might not help so much as that, Liam," Yvette finally said. "The nightshade that killed Lord Darmos may have come from outside the city, or there may be good explanations for any unusual purchases that Alddyn finds. We're not so much looking for the killer as we are looking to simply clear Master Tyce's name by showing he could not have gotten his hands on the poison himself."

"Ah. Okay."

"Oh damnit. We shall have to speak to father," Alddyn grumbled.

"Why?"

"The murder was committed here in the palace. As long as someone was punished, father could stay out of the whole affair and let justice run its course. But if we're talking about exonerating the condemned, that means that an unsolved crime occurred right under the Emperor's nose. I don't think he'd be too pleased with us if we sprang this on him unannounced."

The two brothers regarded each other with similarly dubious expressions. Tavius was not an easy man for his sons to talk to on the best of days, and he certainly didn't appreciate any who made more trouble for him; as far as the Emperor was concerned, any prince past the age of fifteen who couldn't take care of his own problems was a waste of air and space.

Yvette huffed in exasperation. "I don't know what is wrong with both of you. I've never known father to be anything less than perfectly willing to listen and offer assistance."

"That's because he's never looked at you like you're something the street cleaners forgot to sweep into the gutter," Alddyn muttered.

"He's never looked at you like that!"

"Well, no... but he leaves the impression that it's only because he's too damn polite to make his thoughts so obvious."

Yvette rolled her eyes as Liam nodded his agreement to his brother's words. "Fine then. I'll talk to him." She paused. "In fact, it might be best if I don't mention Liam's interest at all, just say that I sensed something amiss and you helped me investigate." A brief hesitation. "Keep in mind, Liam, that we might have to settle for an Imperial pardon instead of a full acquital."

Liam winced. A pardon meant that Alexei would still be considered guilty, but spared the penalty thanks to the Emperor's mercy. While it was hardly fair, he understood the necessity; such a step would mean the investigation still came to a successful close, and the Emperor would not have to deal with the embarassment of having an unsolved murder in his own palace.

"All right," he conceded. "As long as it gets Alexei out, I can deal with a pardon."

"Speaking of which..." Alddyn cocked his head to the side and fixed Liam with a speculative stare. "What were you planning on doing if we do manage to free the lad?"

A flush rose to Liam's cheeks. He hadn't put it into words even to himself, but there didn't seem to be any reason he and Alexei couldn't... "Well, er..."

"I don't need a blow-by-blow account, thank you," Alddyn said dryly. "Just your general intentions will do."

Liam scowled at his amusement. "I don't see why it would matter."

"It matters because it would be best for the boy to get out of the city. Perhaps a position at one of the country estates?" Alddyn directed the question to Yvette.

"I can arrange that," she said.

"But..."

"Liam, if you're thinking what I think you're thinking... I hate to tell you this, little brother, but Master Tyce is not and never will be a suitable companion for you, of all people."

Liam's stomach dropped. "What's that supposed to mean?" he snapped. "I thought you didn't care?"

Alddyn's eyes narrowed at his tone. "I couldn't care less if you decided to bed the entire male population of the city, but you are clearly well on your way to deeper feelings for the boy, and--"

"Will you stop calling him a boy," Liam said through gritted teeth. "You do realize that he's the same age as me?"

Alddyn snorted. "In years, perhaps, but if you think that boy is your equal in maturity and understanding then you are either suffering from a dangerous infatuation or a pathological inferiority complex." Liam made a muffled sound of protest, which he ignored. "Master Tyce will never be on similar footing with you in terms of social standing, wealth, or education. He will never achieve status here in court. The only way that you might be able to have any sort of relationship with him would be if you intended him to be no more than a simple amusement, a pet with whom to pass the time."

"I couldn't do that to him," Liam gasped, appalled at the very idea. "How could you even say that?"

"You're a prince, Liam. You have responsibilities. You have power, even if you don't use it, and no matter how hard you fight it, sooner or later you will enter into politics. It's part of who we are."

Anger rose in Liam at his brother's words. It was the same old argument, one he thought they had outgrown. "I'm not interested in the throne," he told Alddyn, his voice shaking with the effort not to lash out. "I don't care for power. I just want to live my own life, on my own terms--"

"It's not about what you want, Liam," Alddyn cut him off, his voice chilly. "It's about who you are, who you were born to be."

"Then maybe I shouldn't be a prince!" Liam shouted, his control breaking. "Maybe I should've been born a commoner and--"

"Enough!" Alddyn's fist came down on the table hard enough to rattle the glasses. It made Liam jump; he had never before seen his brother so angry as to resort to physical outbursts.

"Alddyn!" Yvette's voice cut through some of the haze surrounding his thoughts. There was an odd note of fear in her tone, but it was not directed at their brother. Rather, her eyes were fixed on the door, her face pale in the firelight.

In two strides, Alddyn had crossed the room and yanked open the door. He peered into the outer room a moment before vanishing. They heard him make a rapid circuit around the furniture and the opening and closing the door that led into the suite. A minute later, he was back, closing the study door gently behind him.

"Empty," he assured Yvette, who sighed in relief. Then he turned on his brother, and Liam could not help but shrink back at the contained fury he saw. "What," Alddyn asked as he advanced, his voice as cold and precise as winter icicles, "did you think you were doing, shouting something like that? Have you taken complete leave of your senses?" He loomed in front of Liam's chair, pinning his brother with the sheer force of his personality. There was a ruthlessness in his eyes, and he did not need to raise his voice to make his words cut. "After all that your mother did, after all that we have tried to teach you... Are you really so blind as to put her life on the line should someone have heard you? What do you think father would have done if he thought her treason had actually taken root in his sons?"

It took a moment for his words to penetrate, and when they did a shudder forced its way through Liam's body. He wrapped his arms around himself as though cold, no longer able to meet his brother's eyes. "That... that's not what..." He couldn't stop the shaking, could do nothing about the tremor in his voice. "I didn't... I didn't think..."

"Obviously," Alddyn growled.

Liam's chest squeezed at the disgust in his brother's tone. Guilt, and the knowledge that it was well-deserved, made him ill to the stomach. Such a childish thing, a venting of frustration, but oh, if anyone else had heard, if it was repeated to the wrong ears!

"He would've killed her," Liam whispered, pressing the heels of his hands to his eyes. "Father would've killed her."

"If she was lucky," Alddyn snapped. "If he was feeling generous! And if he wasn't--"

"Al! That's enough!" There was a rustle of fabric next to his hair, and a cool hand rested on the back of his neck. Yvette still sounded shaken, but there was no arguing with the steel in her voice. "Liam knows what he's done. There's no need to beat him over the head with it."

He appreciated her efforts, as he heard Alddyn snort and throw himself into the other chair with poor grace, but it did not erase the enormity of what had almost happened. His brother was right. If Tavius thought for even a minute that Kendal had poisoned his sons with her bitterness before they were taken from her, he would not hesitate to extract terrible vengeance. And it would not have mattered in the least that Liam had not even understood the stories his mother had told them until years after the fact, nor that he held no resentment against his father for the way she had been treated. Tavius would only have seen that one, if not two, Imperial princes had been corrupted and could no longer be wholly trusted. Under such circumstances, the easiest death his mother might have hoped for would have been to receive a little power mixed in her wine one evening.

"I'm sorry," Liam said at last, finally allowing his hands to fall onto his lap again after several minutes of silence. He didn't know why exactly he owed an apology to Alddyn and Yvette rather than his mother -- except that they had been the ones who had first taught him, amid their childish games and laughter, how to observe those around him and how to interpret what he had seen, how to know when to speak and, even more importantly, when to be silent. That he had lost control in such a spetacular manner felt like a betrayal of those childhood lessons, and of the protection they had tried to impart to their younger, more inexperienced brother throughout the years. The thought of their disappointment pierced him. "I'm sorry."

Yvette's fingers lingered on his hair -- she had always had a habit of stroking it whenever he grew agitated -- but it was Alddyn who stirred and broke the silence.

"No harm, no foul, I suppose" he muttered, though his expression was still stormy. His narrow-eyed look made Liam squirm. With an impatient shove, he stood, paced a few steps, and finally turned back to his brother. The desire to make Liam understand his point was obvious, but he forebore approaching, perhaps held back by the warning look in Yvette's eyes. Her presence, however, only halted any thoughts of physically shaking some sense into the younger man; it did not bar his words. "You are no longer a child, Liam." There was a chill, a distance, in his voice. "It is time to grow up. You cannot deny your birthright. We are our father's sons. It's no good refusing power; you already have it; you were born to it. If you do not use it, someone else will, by using you."

How many times had he heard those sentiments? How many times had he tried to argue against them? Alddyn had never put it into so many words, but the way he had teased and prodded at Liam over the years, trying to entice him to take some interest in the doings of court... and all those times when Liam had refused and dissociated himself to retreat back to his books and his music and his simpler view of life... Had he been a fool, for believing for so long that a prince who had no ambitions for ruling could be exempt from the power struggles embroiling his brothers?

That last thought jarred him, made him catch his breath in realization of why Alddyn had objected to any relationship between himself and Alexei.

"Master Tyce," Alddyn continued, his thoughts running along similar veins, "can no more defend himself against the dealings of court than he can breathe fire. If he is lucky, he will be regarded as no more than a pet amusement, not worth either the time or attention of others at court. If he is not... if he is not, then there are those who will use him to further their own ends, because they will be able to get to you through him. There are those who will hurt him, Liam, merely to hurt you. And there will come a time, when you may still care for him, but he will hate you for all that your love has cost him. Could you bear that burden, Liam? Could you look into those eyes and stand to see that pain?"

Silence descended, pensive and brittle, breathless with the ghosts conjured by Alddyn's words. Little shivers ran along Liam's spine. He blinked back tears, wondering at what point they had begun blurring his vision. The others watched him, concern for his turmoil warring with their knowledge that he could no longer afford the blissful naivete that had followed him through life. Even Yvette said nothing to soften the blow of Alddyn's speech, her hand stilled on his shoulder.

A deep breath. Another. Liam straightened, resting his head against the back of his chair. Resignation sat heavy in his chest. "It's not just Alexei then. It will be thus no matter who I pick."

"Not so." Alddyn cocked his head and studied his brother. "Not if you pick someone who is familiar with court. Someone who can take care of himself and hold his own in the political arena. It would also help," he added, with a touch of asperity, "if rather than disdaining the influence that is yours by birthright, you were to cultivate it so that you can offer a measure of protection to those under your wing." He paused, and something like speculation came and went in his eyes.

His voice when he spoke again was cautious. "Of course, it will make no difference to some; the Archbishop and his allies, for example, have power in their own right, and are unlikely to look kindly upon you or your tendencies no matter what the circumstances. I expect the only way to curb their condemnation would be to ally yourself with someone who can balance out the scales on your behalf, if you were to be so inclined. On the other hand, if they were to gain sufficient influence instead..."

Liam stared at him, unable for a moment to understand the message. Then Alddyn's meaning became clear, and he closed his eyes to quell the surge of bitterness. "You mean if Arcturus wins the throne," he said through gritted teeth.

"If he becomes Emperor, he would owe a good bit of his success to the backing of the religious orders."

There was little humor in Liam's snort. "Just say it, Alddyn. You want me to support your bid for the throne."

His brother raised an eyebrow. "I am not about to force it down your throat, Liam. If you would really rather have Arcturus in power than me, then by all means, stay on the sidelines. Or offer him your allegiance, even."

"You know I won't!" Liam snapped, suddenly impatient. He shrugged Yvette's hand off his shoulder, unwilling to bear the contact. None of this was her fault, he knew, but there was no doubt as to which prince she wanted to see named their father's successor, and he knew that she would not be an ally in this fight. He wanted to groan. Did everything come back to politics with his siblings? Was there no place in the Empire where he might be free of it? His shoulders slumped. That question had been answered already, and now he could choose to either deny the truth of that answer or live with it as best he might. "All right. Fine." He rubbed his hands over his face, wondering if he sounded as tired as he felt. "What do you want me to do?"

A moment's surprise, as both Alddyn and Yvette glanced first at him, then at each other.

"Are you sure about this, Liam?" she asked.

"What does it matter?" he replied. He tried to muster up a smile at her concern. "Alddyn is right. I need to get more involved, and... and my life will go easier with him on the throne instead of Arcturus." That was, of course, assuming that Tavius named Alddyn as his heir. Liam didn't want to think about the alternative.

"Thank you for that ringing vote of confidence," Alddyn said with a wry smile, lowering himself into his chair again and fixing the other prince with a thoughtful frown.

Liam suppressed a shiver at the expression in his brother's eyes. It was one he had seen before, but never had he imagined it would be directed at him. It was a look that didn't see him as a younger brother in need of guidance and protection, but as an Imperial prince -- a tool that might be put to good use; it was a look that transformed affection into calculation and asked in what ways and to what extent he could be used.

"Well." Alddyn rubbed at his chin, freeing Liam from his gaze. "Far be it from me to turn down an offer of assistance. To tell you the truth, there's not much that I could ask of you at the moment. Although..."

"Yes?"

"Lord Darmos had a son, did you know?"

Liam blinked at him, startled by the sudden shift in the conversation. He shot a mystified look at Yvette, but she only shrugged as she resumed her seat. A memory stirred. "Yes. Gavin, I think. I talked to him once."

"Great gods, you really do talk to everyone, don't you?" Alddyn sounded a little put out that his brother already knew about the existence of the boy. "Well nevermind. Do you know what's become of him since his father's death?"

"He was to foster at the palace, I think, though I've not seen him of late."

"That's because he returned to the family estate to attend the funeral. He will be returning shortly however, and... and under the protection of his uncle, Lord Astor. It seems that Lady Darmos does not believe herself equal to the task of either overseeing her son's newly-inherited property or his training, and has thus asked her late husband's brother for help. Lord Astor has, therefore, undertaken the governance of both during his nephew's minority."

"All right..." Liam said, cautious because he could not see where his brother was headed.

"It is not all right," Alddyn retorted, rolling his eyes. He sighed at Liam's uncomprehending look. "Saints above, Liam! That boy is the only thing standing between Astor and the full inheritance of Corum! So do you really think young Gavin is going to just make it peacefully through his years under the man's care?"

"But... surely he wouldn't..."

"Oh, I'm not saying that Astor will be such a fool as to have the boy killed right away. No, that would raise too much suspicion, and he's got time, after all. When it does happen -- and don't argue with me Liam, because it's inevitable -- when it does, it will be an accident. A tumble into a well or a tragic fall from a horse, no doubt, with Lord Astor himself being far, far away at the time." Alddyn ran his fingers through his hair. "Damn Darmos! The man might have at least made provisions in his will naming some other guardian for his estate and his son should the worst happen! Imagine being such an idiot as to leave these things to run their own course!"

Liam swallowed, unsure whether he was more appalled at Alddyn's callous assessment of Gavin's likely fate or the fact that his brother was probably right in every detail. "But... what would you have me do? I can't keep that close an eye on Lord Astor, and I certainly can't take Gavin away from his family."

"What a terrible idea," Alddyn said. "Of course not. And I don't want you keeping an eye on Astor; I see the man enough at court already that I don't need to hear anymore about him. What you can do though, is to befriend the boy when he returns. That shouldn't be difficult; he'll be lonely and afraid and in need of more support than he'll find with his uncle. You might even enjoy it; you've always been good at picking up strays. Witness your choice of valet, for instance. In any case, just pay attention to him, though nothing too obvious. If Astor suspects that his nephew might gain such a powerful protector, he'll whisk the lad away and I doubt we'll ever see him again."

Liam nodded as understanding dawned. "But others will notice eventually."

"That's right. They'll pay him more attention, and keep him from being lost amidst the droves of pages and squires and other young lordlings about court. And having your implied patronage may give some second thoughts down the road to whomever Astor approaches to do the dirty work for him. It would also be good for Gavin to learn something of how to take of himself in the meantime."

"Probably," Liam conceded. He peered at Alddyn. "Why the interest though? Why do you care about him?"

"What?" Alddyn placed one hand over his heart and feigned hurt. "Here I try to protect an innocent young boy from the nefarious schemes of his uncle, and you accuse me of ulterior motives?"

"Oh, please," Liam said. "You were prepared to let Alexei hang without a second thought."

"Yes well. I do have some appreciation of justice and fair play, you know." Alddyn paused, then coughed as he added, "Of course, having the future lord of Corum on my side would also help."

"Halmes will be a diocese long before Gavin attains his majority."

"Thank you, I happen to be aware of that."

"Corum is still important for its trade routes," Yvette said when Alddyn offered nothing more, "not just to Halmes, but to all of Griseveldt province. It's always better to have more than one string to your bow, after all."

Liam rubbed the back of his neck and shrugged. He didn't understand all the nuances, but he doubted that Alddyn ever explained all of his intentions to anyone. It sounded an easy enough task, after all, to keep an eye on Gavin. "All right." He frowned. "And you'll do your best to get Alexei free?"

"Yes, yes," Alddyn waved off his concern. "I'll look into the Portmaster's records tomorrow, and consult with the Herbalists Guild afterwards. Don't worry, Master Tyce will be on his way to one of the country seats in no time." There was a note of amusement in his voice; Liam had the sudden impression that even if Alddyn did find incriminating evidence against Alexei -- which he won't -- his brother would ensure that such evidence disappeared for good.

There was nothing he could do about his siblings' nonchalant views on the law and who was subject to it based on political influence, so he only shrugged and rose. "Thanks. And... well, just thanks, I guess." He could see the question building in Yvette's eyes, and forestalled it with a weak smile. "I'll be fine. I just need some time to think." Some time to adjust his thinking and his outlook on life. "I'll see you tomorrow at court," he finished, and made good his escape without waiting for an answer.

***

"A silver for your thoughts, my brother?"

Alddyn smiled at the familiar question, at the curious, teasing quality of Yvette's voice. It was a long-running jest between them, dating back to when they were children and had laughed together about the absurdity of anyone having to be paid to think. He lifted his glass and took a sip, completing the old couplet. "My thoughts are not for sale, as you well know... but you may have them for free." Even as he said it though, he wondered whether the words were true. How to explain the sudden melancholy that gripped him in the wake of Liam's departure? Thoughtful, he drifted to the window, gazing out unseeing at the darkness beyond. He could feel Yvette's eyes on his back, but she did not press him, and for that he was grateful.

"It is strange," he murmured at last, watching his own reflection in the glass. "For all the games we play, for all the lives we affect, for all the power we wield... I never thought I would see the day when Liam of all people should look at me with... with wariness." He stopped, uncertain how to continue. He had rarely doubted himself before, but there had been something in his younger brother's eyes earlier that evening. A dawning realization perhaps, or the merest hint of trust betrayed. It reminded Alddyn of innocence lost on the altar of bittersweet knowledge, and he could not help wondering whether Liam thought the prize worth the cost.

He turned to find Yvette regarding him with a pensive frown. Of all those who knew him, she understood him best. "What disturbs you more?" she asked gently. "Liam's discovery of your willingness to use him or his resignation at that discovery?"

Alddyn stared at her, dismayed by the question and his own reaction to it. "Do you think he will grow to hate me for it?" he asked after a moment of frozen silence.

She had never been one to spare his feelings; it was why he trusted her so, because she always told him the truth no matter how unpleasant. Sometimes because it was unpleasant. "Would it change anything of your plans even if he does?" she asked now. Then, without waiting for a reply and while he was still stunned by the bluntness of her response, she shrugged. "I think it better for him that he enter into politics now, under the advice and guidance of someone who truly cares for him, rather than later, forced by the actions of someone who does not."

It was not quite an answer to his question, but Alddyn let it go. He wasn't so sure he wanted it answered in the first place.

"I am, however, surprised you didn't ask him to keep an eye on Jaiden," she said, with an inquiring look.

"It was tempting, I grant, but I didn't want to push him too far too fast," Alddyn said, evasive. He wondered whether she knew how close he had come to just such a request.

"Is it true what they say? That you and Lord DuFey have had a falling out, and he is now supporting Jaiden as father's heir?"

How did she always manage to pinpoint so precisely that which he did not wish to discuss? Alddyn sighed. "No, it is not true. We have not had a... 'falling out.'" He paused, chewing on his lip. She waited patiently for him to continue, sensing that he was not finished. "But... but it is strange. He has grown more... distant of late. And I have seen him with Jaiden more often than in the past."

"Is he still yours?"

"I'm not sure..."

For the first time, Yvette appeared uneasy. "Lord DuFey is not a man to cross."

"I know it," he told her, a tinge of frustration in his voice. He didn't know why the mage had suddenly grown so aloof, but it was an alarming prospect. It was also no use trying to get a straight answer out of the man; he might as well try catching water with a fishing net. "Perhaps it is time to recall Zaszriel from Elrithea."

"Now? When he has finally made some inroads into the Elritheans' good graces?" She was right, worse luck. Yvette's voice turned thoughtful. "DuFey likes Liam, I think."

"One spies on mages at one's peril," Alddyn said. "I am not setting him to such a game so early."

She gave him a look of fond amusement, then rose to take her leave. "I think you will do right by Liam, Alddyn," she said, in parting, one hand reaching out to touch him lightly on the arm. "And... I think one day, when he understands better, he will thank you for it."

He sat for a long while after she had gone, watching the fire burn low in its grate. He hoped she was right, and that their younger brother would not resent him for his harsh words. He hoped she was right, too, in that he would not force Liam into a role the other prince could not play, that he would not end up destroying their mutual trust and friendship.

And as he set down his glass at last and prepared for bed, Alddyn wondered whether he truly believed she was corrected on either count.