Gilded Serpent by Danielle Jensen (top 10 novels txt) 📕

No hands. Not a single one.

“And we have our answer,” Cassius said, holding his hands out wide. “The Maarin girl, Teriana, will remain your advisor until a better route can be mapped.”

“As you say, Consul.”

“What of the matter of sending the Thirty-Seventh and Forty-First additional supplies?” Wex’s voice cut through the muttering of the senators, and all fell silent. “They’ve long been without the support of the Empire.”

“The route through the Bardeen stem is yet to be confirmed,” a voice answered from the benches, and Marcus’s heart skipped as Senator Valerius stood. “Surely we shouldn’t risk resources until it has been proven safe.”

“It has—” Marcus started to say, but Cassius cut him off.

“A difficult thing to prove in a timely fashion with Sibern falling into its coldest months. Is it not worse to refrain from resupplying the Thirty-Seventh and Forty-First when we surely are capable?”

“What is it that they say in commerce?” Valerius retorted. “Do not throw good money after bad? Surely that’s a metaphor that speaks to you, Consul?”

The room burst out in an uproar, Cassius flapping his hands until they quieted. “You speak good sense, as always, my friend. We must ensure we have all the information there is to be had before making a decision. Shall we adjourn today and revisit the matter tomorrow?”

There were nods of agreement, and then Cassius turned on Marcus. “Obviously you will remain in all comfort in Celendrial while we make our decisions. And if we deem it too dangerous to proceed without confirmation of the path’s safety, you will remain until we can be certain your life won’t be put at risk.”

Leaving Titus in control of his men. “My preference is to return straightaway, Consul.”

“We will decide tomorrow. Not before.” Cassius’s smile was cold. “I’d of course—”

“I’d be happy to offer the legatus the hospitality of my house. It will spare him traveling back and forth to Lescendor.”

The familiarity of the voice sent a shiver down Marcus’s spine, and he looked up into the crowd of toga-clad men to find his father standing, one hand resting on the railing. “If you are amenable, that is, Legatus?”

His heart was racing, but Marcus managed a stiff nod.

“Where is Teriana?” Valerius was again on his feet, his eyes fixed coldly on Marcus.

“She’s waiting outside.” And gods, but the last thing he wanted to do was tell her that despite everything they’d done, everything she’d done, that her people remained imprisoned by the Empire.

“I’d offer her the hospitality of my own home,” Valerius said. “She will be eager for news of her mother, and that is something I alone can provide. Among other things.”

“I’d prefer—”

Cassius clapped his hands. “Then it is settled. Domitius will host the legatus for his stay, and Valerius will ensure the Maarin girl is taken care of. Adjourned.”

 101TERIANA

Silence filled the hallway, and Teriana slumped down onto the bench before her knees could betray her. “He’s not going to let my people go.”

“It’s not his choice. The Senate has to vote.” Austornic said the words softly, his eyes distant, and she wasn’t certain if he was talking about the freedom of her people. Or his.

Seconds passed. Minutes. No one spoke, the boys of the Fifty-First standing entirely still, eyes watching the corridors though their minds must have been on their own futures.

Then the door swung open and toga-clad senators strode out, all of them eyeing her with interest but saying nothing. Leaping to her feet, she peered through the crowd, searching for Marcus, but he was surrounded by senators, all of them trying to talk over one another.

Then a familiar voice said, “You can’t imagine my relief to learn that you were well, Teriana.”

Focusing on the man in front of her, Teriana took a step back at the sight of Lydia’s father. “Senator,” she managed to stutter out, but all she wanted was him out of her way. To get to Marcus. To find out what the Senate had decided.

“I’m afraid I have news that will disappoint you,” Senator Valerius said, taking her arm. “It has been ruled that the path terminating in Sibern is not a viable route of retreat for the legions in the Dark Shores, and as such, your contract is not yet fulfilled.”

She swayed on her feet. “What?”

“You’ll need to return to the Dark Shores with the Thirty-Seventh’s legatus until another path—one deemed viable by the Senate—has been discovered.”

“But…”

“I’m sorry, Teriana. I know this must be a crushing blow.”

She barely heard his words, her gaze going past him to lock with Marcus’s. He was still surrounded by senators, but he mouthed in Arinoquian, I’m sorry. Then Lydia’s father tugged on her arm, leading her out of the flow of traffic.

“The Senate has agreed that you will stay with me until you depart,” he said. “And of course, I’ll be able to give you an update on your mother.”

His words jerked her back into the moment. “She’s well?”

“Quite well, I assure you.” He led her down the corridor, away from Marcus. “For her safety, it won’t be possible for you to see her. Though I’d be happy to arrange for a message to be delivered.”

A message that would say what? That Teriana had given the Cel everything they wanted and gained nothing? That all she’d endured, all that she’d accomplished, had amounted to nothing thanks to a singular word in a contract?

A scream of fury and frustration and sorrow began to boil up in her, and she clenched her teeth, her eyes burning.

“Senator.” The commandant appeared in their path. “Legatus Marcus has requested that she remain under guard at all times, even on your property, which I understand will be an inconvenience. Legatus Austornic”—he gestured to the boy—“will be in command. Address any of your concerns to him.”

“Of course.” Senator Valerius nodded at the boy. “Shall we, then?”

“Marcus,” she started to say, but the commandant interrupted. “The Thirty-Seventh’s legatus will be hosted by Senator Domitius.”

His father.

A thousand thoughts and emotions were rolling through her head, and yet