Sayana drifted in darkness for an indeterminate period. She woke to the scent of industrial cleaners and the hum of scanners. Sitting beside her bed was Ethian. “Ethian?” She was surprised to see him there.

“Mother.” Ethian’s voice was full of relief. “Father said I could sit with you for a while. I am to report to him as soon as you are awake.” He squeezed her hand. “Please do not scare me like that again, all right?” 

“No promises.” Sayana gave him a faint smile. 

Ethian groaned, kissed her forehead, and hurried out of the room. A doctor came over. “You’re a very lucky woman, Lady Sayana,” she said. “That frenzy of attacks nicked one of your major arteries and punctured a lung, among other points of damage. We got to you in time though, so you survived. Might I suggest not antagonizing your fellow courtesans?” 

“She’s insane.” Sayana shuddered. “There’s no telling what would cause her to snap. I didn’t do anything to antagonize her.” 

“I see.” The doctor checked her scans. “You’re recovering well. We’ll still want to keep you here overnight to make sure the transfusion worked and there are no issues with that. You lost a lot of blood, and we had to use three units of replacement to fix that. If you’re still feeling better in the morning, we’ll return you to the wing.” 

A few hours later, Karis arrived. He came over to her side. “How are you feeling?”

“A little sore, a little light-headed, but other than that, I seem to be all right.” Sayana reached out and he caught hold of her hand.

“I am moving up the announcement. I cannot risk losing you again,” Karis told her.

“Things may get hostile in the wing.” Sayana was not looking forward to that. “So please give me a few days to recover before you do.” 

“I have told the council that I am going to marry you, but I made it clear if it got out to the court, I would execute them all for risking the life of my empress.” Karis gave her a serious look. “I wanted them to know why I was so worried about you, and why I am going to have Angharad executed for treason instead of leaving her locked up or returning her to the wing.”

“I would not be safe around Angharad.” Sayana shuddered.

Karis put his hand on her cheek. “I will leave you to rest. I just wanted to be sure myself that you had not taken any lasting damage.” 

“No, and I will be ready when you announce it to the court.” Sayana smiled. 

“I will do that next week, so you will have some time to prepare. I had better tell Lidia to move up the wedding plans.” Karis kissed her and left.

The next day, Sayana returned to the wing. “Sayana, you’re back.” Marin smiled with relief. “We were worried about you.” 

“No lasting damage, other than I’m going to be hyper paranoid for a while.” Sayana laughed. “The doctors did their jobs very well.” 

“I am glad to hear it.” Arken came out of his office. “I know the emperor was concerned.” 

“Is there any word on what he’s going to do to Angharad?” Sayana already knew but she wanted to know if it had been done already. 

“He had her quietly executed yesterday afternoon.” Arken confirmed what Karis had told her. “Her body, along with Rhys’, have been taken to the traitors’ graves and buried there.” 

“At least Angharad is with Rhys in death even if they couldn’t be together in life.” Zarina sighed. “I can’t say I’ll miss her. She was a psychotic pain.” 

“But why would he have her executed if Sayana survived?” Ji-Hye looked confused. 

“He found out she was the one who set Rhys on Ethian.” Arken told the women the rest of the story. “She ordered her servants to carry a message to Rhys, and the emperor found it. Angharad felt Ethian was standing in Rhys’ way of being made heir and told him to kill Ethian. He counted her as guilty of treason for the attempted murder of Ethian as he did Rhys.” 

“Why would Angharad think Ethian was in Rhys’ way? There’s nothing that special about Ethian, no offense, Sayana.” Renate looked guiltily at Sayana. 

“None taken, Renate.” Sayana smiled at the other woman. “I might think Ethian is very special, but every mother thinks that of her child. Truth be told, Ethian is similar in temperament to Fallon, from what I understand. There isn’t anything really unique about my son.”

“She lost her mind when her world didn’t fit her reality,” Zarina commented. 

Marin gazed contemplatively at the others. “I often wonder what I’ll do when the emperor announces the one who he plans on marrying.” 

“It could be you, Marin.” Ji-Hye blushed. “I’m sure it’s not me. I’ve entertained him but I’ve never been one of his favorites.” 

“You are one of his favorites, Ji-Hye.” Arken shook his head. “All of you are. You all stand an equal chance of being chosen.” 

“My bet is Sayana or Marin.” Zarina looked between the two women.

“Same.” Renate agreed with Zarina.

“I agree.” Ji-Hye tried to smile but it was obvious it was hard for her to manage one.

“I doubt it’s going to be me.” Marin blushed.

“I don’t know that he’d pick me.” Sayana shrugged. 

“We’ll see when he makes his announcement. It can’t be long now.” Zarina looked meaningfully at the two of them. 

“It is almost lunchtime ladies.” Arken looked at Sayana. “Sayana, do you think you can eat?” 

“I do.” Sayana grinned. “Doctors don’t feed you very well when you’ve been on blood replacement.” They all laughed at that. Sayana went into her rooms and called her servants. They got her changed into a fresh gown and she joined the others around the table. 

A week passed and the emperor called all his court together. He told Arken he was including the courtesans in this, and to have them dressed and ready to go after breakfast. He’d send the Imperial guards to fetch them as usual. 

“He’s going to announce which of us he’s marrying.” Zarina looked at the other women. “It’s the only reason I can think of that he’d want us at court. We’re not courtiers. We’re courtesans. We don’t belong in the throne room.” 

“It’ll be Marin or Sayana.” Renate seemed confident in that. “I’m already expecting that.” 

“I’ll just be glad to have the anticipation over with.” Sayana was already dreading how the other women were going to react to her being chosen. 

“So will I.” Marin was just as anxious as the rest of them.

“I will be standing nearby, so you will not be alone. Tremere will be with me, and we will have Imperial guards close at hand to prevent anyone from harming any of you.” Arken regarded them all seriously. “Do not show any emotion even when he makes the announcement. Save your reactions for when you are back in the wing.” 

“Yes Lord Arken.” Marin glanced nervously at the other women. 

The Imperial guards arrived, and the courtesans were escorted to the throne room. It was the first time any of them had been in this part of the palace. Sayana looked around with interest.

A short while later, the emperor appeared with his five sons. The emperor sat on one of the four thrones while his sons stood behind him on the dais. The courtiers gathered and waited for him to speak.

“It has come to my attention that some of you are still making attempts on the lives of my courtesans.” Karis looked down on the court, angry and ready to strike out. “I will not tolerate such blatant attacks on my ladies. Guards, take them now.” To everyone’s surprise, several Imperial guards moved through the crowd of courtiers and eleven of them were taken into custody. “Take them to the inquisitors.” The eleven lords were dragged out, protesting their innocence.

“Was that really necessary, Your Imperial Majesty?” someone protested.

Karis ignored the speaker. “I have called you here to answer a question you have been asking me for a year now. I intend to marry my courtesan, Sayana.” 

None of the ladies moved. None of them smiled. None of them so much as twitched. “The lady does not seem particularly excited by this announcement, Your Imperial Majesty,” someone called out. 

“She is not an idiot.” Karis gave a derisive snort at the banality of that statement. “She will not identify herself to make it easier for assassins to target her. None of my ladies are that stupid. That is why I chose them in the first place. The wedding is almost completely prepared. I know she will need time to set up her gown, so the wedding will be in one month.”

The Imperial guards closed in around the courtesans and escorted them back to the wing. They all changed into their day dresses and convened in the common room. “I knew it was Sayana or Marin.” Zarina looked at Sayana. “I was right.” 

“Congratulations, Sayana.” Marin was quiet as she stared at Sayana. 

“Thank you, Marin.” Sayana blushed at the scrutiny from the other women. “I don’t quite know what to think about all of this.” 

“I wouldn’t know what to think about it either.” Zarina smiled at her. “At least you’re not as arrogant as Lynet.”

“Starflare, I hope not.” Sayana grimaced. “I like all of you. I’d rather not treat you as vilely as she treated us.”

“The stylists will be here soon to go over plans with you ladies.” Arken came into the room. “How are you feeling, Sayana?” 

“Nervous,” Sayana admitted. “Very nervous.”

“The guards have been doubled again on the wing.” Arken glanced at the door. “The servants are being double and triple checked. No one is getting in here without being recognized and approved.” 

“Is Lord Tremere listening to the court gossip?” Ji-Hye looked at Arken.

“He is.” Arken looked around the room. “I wanted to get back in here and check on you ladies. I hope none of you are going to take the emperor’s choice out on Sayana.” 

“It’s not her fault the emperor chose her.” Marin was calmly reasonable, as she usually was. “She didn’t ask for this. I have no plans on treating her any differently.” 

“Same.” Zarina smiled. “She’s still Sayana. She’s not lording it over us that the emperor chose her.” 

“I wouldn’t dream of doing something like that.” Sayana looked at the other women. “We’re friends. At least I think we are. You don’t treat friends that way.” 

“Which is why you’re a much better person than Lynet and Angharad.” Renate smiled. “I have no problem with the emperor’s choice. I think you’ll make a brilliant empress. You’re far cleverer than me.” 

“I don’t think I’m cleverer than you, Renate.” Sayana blushed. “You’re the one who speaks five different languages. I only speak one. I just think I’m knowledgeable in different things.” 

“Renate’s right though, Sayana.” Marin smiled. “You’ll make a great empress. Far better than Lynet ever was.” 

“I should hope I’ll be better than her.” Sayana laughed. “At least the emperor wants to marry me.” 

They all laughed at that. “There shouldn’t be any problems of him ignoring you and causing scandal in the court.” Ji-Hye looked thoughtful.

“Well, not that kind of scandal.” Zarina flashed a wicked smile. “The kind they’re going to cause is likely to make us all blush.” 

“Zarina,” Sayana protested, blushing hotly. “We aren’t exactly teenagers.” 

“No, but I’m sure the emperor has plans along those lines.” Zarina’s grin grew wider. “I’d say you can expect another child or two before you’re out of childbearing years.” 

“I wouldn’t mind that so much,” Sayana admitted. “I enjoyed raising Ethian.” 

“And these children you wouldn’t have to worry about losing them when they reach a certain age or having to send a daughter off to the courtesan academy.” Marin smiled wistfully at the thought.

“That is a relief.” Sayana’s smile faltered. “I do wish my brothers and my sister could be at the wedding though.” 

“What are your brothers and your sister’s names?” Arken pulled out his pad. “And what are their professions?” 

“My brother Kallam is a courtesan from Atania like me.” Sayana thought of her siblings and smiled at how pleased they’d be to hear of her wedding. “Adjira and Eon are scholars.” 

“Adjira? Ethian’s scholar teacher is named Adjira.” Arken frowned. 

“Did she come from Atania Academy?” Sayana already knew the answer to the question but had to act like she didn’t. 

“I believe that is the academy the emperor said she was from.” Arken checked something on his pad. 

“Then Ethian’s scholar teacher is likely to be my younger sister.” Sayana contrived to look hopeful. “Adjira is not a common name on Atania.” 

“Well, we will double check and if she is, we have your sister sorted for inviting her to the wedding.” Arken smiled. “Was your other brother, the other scholar, also at Atania?” 

“I don’t know where he is now.” It was Sayana’s turn to frown. “He was planning on traveling. Adjira might know where he is now though. Or at least know a way to reach him.” 

“We will check with her then.” Arken made a note on his pad. “As for your courtesan brother, he may be more difficult to bring to the wedding. Especially if he is out with a patron. She may not be willing to let him go to his sister’s wedding, even if that sister is marrying the emperor.” 

“I understand.” Sayana smiled. “At least I have the hope of seeing Adjira and Eon again.” 

“We will see what we can do.” Arken sent a message to someone. “I will have a word with the emperor, and we will get word back to Atania Academy.” 

A few days later, the stylists arrived. Designs were hashed out, fabrics and colors and ornamentation agreed upon, and the dressmakers left with assignments in hand. Sayana stood forlornly for a moment before the other women coaxed her into playing a game with them. They kept her distracted the rest of the day. When she finally went to bed that night, she was smiling and she dreamt of tiny feet pattering on the floors.

The day of the wedding arrived. Sayana was up early as usual. She rang for her servants. “Nervous, my lady?” Ardatha seemed sympathetic to Sayana’s mood.

“Very, Ardatha.” Sayana held up her trembling hands and just stared at them for a moment.

“We’ve asked. We’ve been assigned to the Imperial household as your personal servants even after you become empress, so you’ll still have us.” Faviola took hold of one of her hands and squeezed it gently. 

“I appreciate that fact, Faviola.” Sayana looked gratefully at the women. 

“We wouldn’t abandon you if we could help it, my lady.” Vai took hold of her other hand and squeezed it as well. Their presence soothed her.

“Let’s start with a shower, then we’ll do her hair and makeup.” Ardatha decided on what order they’d do things in. “Then we’ll put her in her dress.” 

“Yes Ardatha.” Vai disappeared into the bathroom and got the shower ready. “All set, my lady.” 

Sayana took her shower. When she was clean and dry, she put on a robe and went out to eat breakfast. Then she turned herself over to her servants. For the next few hours, they primped and polished and poked and prodded until she was ready to go. “There, I defy anyone to say you don’t belong at court, my lady.” Faviola put the last touch on her hair.

Sayana stared at her reflection. Her hair was a mass of curls tied into a knot at the top of her head. Star lilies had been woven through the curls and in a wreath around her forehead.

 Her gown was a marvel of white silk jacquard. It clung to her torso like a second skin, the sleeves coming only a quarter of the way down her arms. The skirt flared out from her hips. The front panel of the skirt was split and inside the split it was lined with silver silk. Tiny gemstones covered the bodice and the white part of the skirt, winking in the light as she shifted her position. A long train of white silk flowed behind her. The whole gown was woven with white star lilies and sunfire roses, the gems sparkling like dew on the flowers. 

“I think I’ll pass inspection.” Sayana hooked a shimmering white veil over the lower half of her face. “It will be strange not wearing this around people after today.” 

“The veil? It will be odd seeing you without it, that’s for sure.” Faviola adjusted one of the flowers before it fell out. 

“It will be nice to see your smile more plainly.” Ardatha tugged her skirt one final time and stepped back. 

“Thank you, ladies. I couldn’t have gotten this far without you.” Her servants smiled at her and bowed before leaving the room. 

Sayana took a deep breath and left her room. Arken nodded in approval. “You are stunning, Sayana. There will be no doubt in anyone’s mind that you are the empress.” 

Sayana looked at him. “I feel so strange, like I shouldn’t be here, if you know what I mean.” 

“I do, and you absolutely do belong where you are going to stand today.” Arken spoke gently and kindly to her, as he had the first day she’d arrived. “There is nothing wrong with what the emperor has decreed.” 

“You look beautiful, Sayana.” Marin came out of her room into the common area. “That gown really looks good on you.” She was dressed in her attendant’s gown, with her veil in her hand. She smiled at Sayana before tying the veil into place.

“I feel like I’m going to trip over the train.” Sayana glanced behind her. 

“Just move slowly and watch where you put your feet. You will be fine.” Arken looked at the door as six Imperial guards came in. “Here is your escort, Sayana.” 

“All right.” Sayana followed the guards out of the room. She had three following along behind her and three leading the way. They escorted her to the great hall and tucked her in an antechamber. A few minutes later, the doors opened, and three very familiar faces were shown in. All three were grinning broadly. 

“Addie, Kal, Eon.” Sayana held out her arms. 

Her brothers and her sister came and embraced her. “Look at who’s moving up in the world.” Kallam kissed her on the cheek. “From an Imperial courtesan to the empress. Not bad at all, little sister.” 

“Thanks Kal.” Sayana smiled happily at her brothers and her sister. “I wasn’t expecting you to be here.” 

“My patron is a lower court lady. She wasn’t going to miss the wedding, and when she heard you were my sister, she absolutely had to bring me.” Kallam grinned. “I didn’t argue because I wanted to see you.” 

“Eon, how are you liking your studies?” Sayana turned to her younger brother.

“I love traveling.” Eon laughed. “Addie had a hard time tracking me down to let me know you were getting married. But she found me, and I hurried to the Throne World so I could be here for this.” 

“I had to pretend I didn’t know my sister was one of the Imperial courtesans.” Adjira giggled. “Because I knew it would get us both into trouble if I let on that we’d exchanged notes early on in my stay here. I was so excited to hear you were marrying the emperor.” 

“How do you feel about all of this?” Kallam looked at her. 

“Very nervous. But also very excited. I do care about the emperor a great deal, and I don’t mind the idea of being married to him. I don’t know if I’ll make a good empress though.” That was the part that concerned Sayana the most. Would she be a good empress? 

“You managed to teach Ethian a thing or two about being a good prince.” Adjira smiled at her. “And you didn’t have much to work with, from what I understand. I think you’ll be fine.” 

“Ethian?” Kallam looked at Sayana. 

“My son.” Sayana smiled. “One of the five Imperial princes. I named him after our brother.” 

“That’s such a sweet thing to do.” Kallam hugged her again. “Will we get to meet him?” 

“He should be at the wedding, so I don’t see why not.” Sayana hoped they’d get to meet him. 

“I’ll introduce you, even if Sayana can’t get away to do it,” Adjira promised her brothers with a grin. “I’ve already sneakily told Ethian I’m his aunt, though he wasn’t to tell anyone that. Now we can officially be aunt and nephew because you’re marrying the emperor.” 

Arken walked in. “Are these the siblings you talked about?” Sayana made the introductions. “You three better go take your seats. The emperor just arrived, and we will be starting soon.” Kallam, Adjira, and Eon hugged Sayana again before hurrying out the door. 

Sayana took a deep breath. “I think I’m ready for this.”

“I know you are.” Arken looked at her. “To be honest, Sayana, I have known you were the one the emperor wanted to marry for quite some time. He confided in me years ago that if not for the council, he would have married you instead of Lynet. I knew he would not be long in proposing after he found you again.” 

“I hope I can live up to everyone’s expectations.” Sayana voiced her greatest fear. 

“You will be fine.” They both heard the traditional bridal march start playing. “Here we go, Sayana.” He held out his arm. 

Sayana slid her arm into his and he led her out. The doors to the great hall opened and Sayana and Arken walked slowly down the length of the room to where Karis was waiting. He didn’t take his eyes off her. He took her from Arken and smiled at her. She smiled at him. 

The ceremony was a blur to Sayana. She vaguely remembered saying the appropriate words and then it was over. She and Karis were now husband and wife. There was some enthusiastic cheering from the courtiers as Karis kissed her. 

He removed her veil, and everyone got a look at her fully for the first time. She stood with Karis and caught a glimpse of Ethian grinning wildly with the other princes. She couldn’t see her brothers and her sister but was sure they were smiling as well. He handed her veil to Arken, who pocketed it and stepped away for the last time. The other courtesans were smiling behind their veils as well. Sayana was happier than she’d ever been. Married, with her family at her side; this was the life she’d never thought she’d be able to have. Now one of her fondest dreams had finally come true. What would come next would come. She would face it with her head held high.