Elliza sat opposite Alex, who was tucked between Lisril and Rosslln.
The women bundled close to him, each with an arm around him, protecting him from the cold. It was a long ride; they had started before sunset and would only arrive at midnight.
The Ecleziarchal palace was some distance outside the city, situated on the cliffs overlooking the sea. The church and throne worked hand-in-hand, and the parliamentary votes of the clergy had proven invaluable.
She needed to maintain good relations with the church if she was to rule effectively. Or as effectively as she had been.
Alex was smiling at her, Lady, but he had a beautiful smile. She wondered if he hadn’t divined her intentions. It was possible, he was canny, or perhaps humanity had conceived some method of mind reading. It wasn’t out of the question; Dyrantoro produced miracles as readily as tradeswomen brought forth pots from clay.
No point worrying about it. And if he could read her mind, she didn’t want to give him an impression of weakness.
She shifted in her seat, a little cold; it would have been nice to join their huddle, but she held herself back. She had been getting too comfortable. Perhaps she should have ridden ahorse instead of in the coach. Too late for that now.
“Alex,” she said at last. “I know I’ve encouraged a certain level of familiarity. But my aunt won’t be so welcoming.”
He nodded. “I’ll be cognizant of that and try to stay away from anything too out there.”
“Good,” Elliza said, “I’m glad to hear it. I’m sure the two of you will get along splendidly.”
The coach slowed, and Elliza led them out into the courtyard. The Ecleziarchal palace was, of course, not so grand as the Imperial Abode. More walled manor than castle it was, regardless, a structure of natural marble, the courtyard kept clear of snow.
Alex joined her in the biting cold of the night breeze, his women falling in behind him, and took her hand, offering a brief squeeze as a woman dressed in the white and gray of a deaconess approached them.
The woman fell to her knees on the cold, hard-packed ground, hands splayed out before her, forehead touching the dirt. “It is an honor to welcome her Magnificence and her guests. Her Eminence the Matriarch awaits you in her offices; please, allow me to escort you.”
“Of course,” Elliza nodded, “please, lead the way.”
The woman stood, head bowed, “yes, Magnificence.”
The Deaconess turned, leading them in and up; her aunt’s offices were situated on the fourth floor of the building, in a turret jutting out of the right side of the manor house.
The Deaconess opened the door and ushered them into the richly appointed space. A thick plush rug of red and gold covered the floor, a high fire burned in the hearth around which sat furniture intricately carved with swirling patterns and capped with ivory carved into animal heads.
Opposite them, her aunt looked out a window of small murky panes set into a crisscrossing pattern of metal bars. In a fairer season, she would have been looking out over her cattle grazing in the church’s pastures.
In this season, however, the cattle had been driven south to more mild climes.
Her aunt turned, adorned with rich yellow robes, a smile on her wizened face. She nodded to the Deaconess. “Your effort is appreciated,” she said, “leave us.”
The Deaconess bowed and backed out of the room, leaving them alone, and the old woman crossed the room, arms outstretched.
“Elliza,” she said, “wonderful to see you, though I wish the circumstances were better.”
Elliza hugged her. “I’m happy to see you, too, aunt Jezzel, regardless of any troubles we now face.”
The older woman broke from the hug, wrapping an arm around Elliza’s shoulder. “I recognize Lisril,” she said, leading them to the seats arranged around the fire. “But why don’t you introduce me to your new companions?”
“Yes, of course.”
Alex sat, and Lisril and Rosslln took their places at his flanks.
“This is Rosslln,” Elliza said, gesturing to her friend. “We’ve only known each other for a short while, but she’s proven gallant and brave.”
Her aunt bowed her head. “High praise,” she said, “and I know Lisril has high standards of companionship, so it must be true. And speaking of.” She turned expectantly to Alex.
“Yes,” Elliza said, “this is Alex; I intend to make him my husband.”
Elliza watched the older woman intently, but she remained frustratingly impassive, reaching for the pitcher on her table, which Elliza knew would contain mulled wine, her aunt’s favorite winter drink.
She poured a cup, sipped from it, and set it down. “I suspected you would come to me with such news one day soon. But admittedly, I hadn’t expected the news today, nor that the man would be Dyrantoro.”
Elliza took a steadying breath; her aunt’s lack of reaction was worse than any anger she could bring to bear. It was a skill to which all highborn women aspired, but of which few achieved such mastery.
“He’s a good man,” she said, reaching across Lisril to take his hand, “doughty and loyal.”
Lisril reached past her, pouring herself a steaming glass of wine, looking not unjustifiably pleased with herself.
“And have you discussed your forthcoming engagement with m’lord?” Jezzell asked.
Elliza glanced at Alex. “We’re discussing it now.”
Her aunt chuckled, shaking her head. “Ah, to be young again.”
“You could be,” Elliza said, “the Dyrantoro have discovered the fountain of youth.”
Alex laughed. “I thought we were avoiding difficult subjects.”
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“I’m the Empress.” Elliza crossed her arms over her chest. “I’m allowed.”
Lisril coughed into her glass, shaking her head, though she said nothing.
“It’s the truth,” Elliza said, “Alex is older than you.”
Jezzel pursed her lips. “Is he now? He certainly looks vibrant for a man in his hundreds.”
Alex patted Elliza’s hand. “I promised Eli no hard subjects.”
Elliza gave him a playful slap on the chest. “Oh, go on,” she said, “you have my permission.”
He grinned. “Alright, fine, I’m nearly two centuries old by your calendar.”
Her aunt’s brow rose a fraction. “Quite a claim, are all men of your country so long-lived?”
He tilted his head, one eye shut tight. “In a manner of speaking,” he said, “Yes, but no man of my age is quite as vital. The usual methods leave people somewhere in their forties, about a hundred by the Nyxian calendar.”
“But not you?”
“It’s a long story, but I ended up needing more intensive treatment; it’s not actually meant for life extension. They essentially rebuilt my body.”
“Rebuilt?”
“Yes,” he said slowly, “they used- ah, well, the building blocks of my body and combined them with infinitesimal mechanical devices designed to undertake complex tasks. Then they put me in a medically induced coma and Ship of Thesisd me over the next six months.”
Jezzel’s toe tapped. “You said this wasn’t a means to restore your youth? So why was this necessary?”
“Uh.” Alex scratched his head. “The short version is I got hurt and couldn’t walk properly.”
“It sounds like you took quite the risk.”
“I did,” he admitted, “but a calculated risk. The technologies weren’t completely new; this is just a new application.”
Her aunt considered him a moment more before turning to Lisril. “You find this to be likely?”
Lisril looked at Alex and laid a hand on his thigh. “My husband has withheld information from me. But I’ve never known him to lie.”
He kissed her cheek, and she raised her hand, tangling her fingers in his hair, and pressed her forehead to his.
It was a beautiful scene, and as he closed an arm around Rosslln and laid his cheek on the side of her head, Elliza turned expectantly to her aunt.
The older woman closed her eyes and heaved a quiet sigh. The truth was, though Elliza presented her intent to marry him with bravado, the fact was, she needed the church’s support, especially if her partner was to be Alex, a Dyrantoro.
It shouldn’t have mattered, and for another woman, it wouldn’t. But she had more considerations to contend with. She was happy with him, but her happiness was secondary to her duty to her Queendom.
Her aunt drummed her fingers on her knee for a moment. Then waved a dismissive hand. She would consider it for later, and for that moment, the matter was settled.
“I’ve received inquisitor Iiandere’s reports,” Jezzel said, “dark tidings, I don’t like it.”
Lisril nodded. “Aye,” she said, “it’s a cowardly thing, to attack a man when you mean to injure a woman.”
“Yes,” Jezzel said, a smile pulling her lips, and she turned to Rosslln. “But I was pleased to read I would be in the presence of a hero.”
“Oh,” Rosslln mumbled, ducking her head. “No, it was nothing.”
“Young lady,” Jezzel said sternly, “false modesty is as much a sin as the worst boastfulness. You have behaved admirably; take it with grace and humility but do not lie.”
Rosslln flinched and nodded. “Yes, forgive me, your Eminence.”
“You are pardoned,” Jezzel said, “now, I understand you come from- humble origins.”
“Ah, yes, I-”
“Have you sought absolution?”
“Well….”
Jezzel nodded. “As I suspected. There is a confessional on the first floor, use it.”
“Your Eminence?”
“Now! And see to it you live an honest life from this moment.”
“Yes!” Rosslln jumped to her feet and scurried out the door.
Alex watched her go and turned to Jezzel. “She was hungry.”
“That’s no excuse.” The older woman sucked on her lip and sighed. “If I could end hunger, I would. Yet, it wouldn’t do away with wickedness.”
He was silent for a long moment, staring down at his hands. “I’ve asked Eli to let me develop Nyx’s exoplanets. I can provide food if you can distribute it.”
“Have you? Well, I could hardly say no to such charity.”
He turned to Elliza. “Though, I haven’t worked out any details.”
Elliza smiled, “I’m hardly going to forbid you from doing good works. If that were all we did with that land, it would be a worthy purpose.”
His nose crinkled with happiness. “I’m glad you approve,” he said.
Lisril poured herself a second glass and another for Alex. “A drink, Eli?”
She nodded, and with a cup in her hand, leaned back in her chair. “I take it you’ve been reading Iiandere’s reports.”
Her aunt nodded. “Yes,” she said, “with great interest. Though being closer to the investigation, you might have more details than I.”
“It’s not much in any case,” Lisril said, “But I suspect we shall have something more solid before the night ends.”
Jezzel drew her cup to her nose, sampling the bright notes of the spices in the drink. “You can’t maintain martial law in the capital forever.”
“I know,” Elliza sighed. She was preventing parliament from meeting and inconveniencing the burghers, that cost political capital. She could renew her leverage if she could show progress, but even these few days had strained her already complicated relationship with parliament and led to grumbling amongst the populace.
“I can handle parliament,” she said at last, “Aunt Jezzel, I need your help soothing the people.”
Her aunt nodded. “I’ll instruct the parishes. On that subject, I’ve received a letter from the frontier. It seems assassinations are a theme of late. A canoness has been murdered.”
Elliza scratched her eye. “Just what we need, the return of separatist murders in the west. I’ll direct the inquisition to investigate.”
“I think that’s a good idea. Perhaps it’s time we examined our options in the frontier.”
“I suppose we should,” Elliza agreed, “but perhaps we can reconvene in the palace in a day or two; I need time to think.”
“Have you considered moving your capital?” All eyes in the room turned to Alex.
“Not a terrible idea,” Jezzel said, “You would be able to better react to problems in the region. Perhaps simply spending some portion of your year in that country would be enough.”
She mulled it over; they were good points. “I’ll consider it,” she said, “I have other considerations to make before coming to a determination.”
Her aunt nodded. “Of course, it’s not a decision to be made in an instant. I have no other urgent news, especially as I’ll be visiting you soon. Perhaps we should pray before you go if your companions would be good enough to step outside and give us a bit of privacy.”
Lisril stood. “of course.” She helped Alex to his feet and led him to the door. “We’ll just be outside the door if you need us.”
They slipped out, and her aunt joined her, and for a while, they just sat.
“What do you think of him,” Elliza asked at last.
“I’m still deciding,” her aunt said. “And perhaps I’m not the one you should be asking. Now, let us pray.”
Elliza nodded, slipping from her seat and kneeling, her head bowed in supplication to the almighty as her aunt led her in prayer.
“Heavenly mother,” the older woman murmured. “We come before you in this time of tumult. Please guide us through these troubles, and grant us the wisdom to see the path laid before us. For the glory of this, your earthly kingdom, grant my niece the strength to persist and protect her from her enemies. Amen.”
“Amen,” Elliza agree, remaning where she was, sitting in contemplation, hoping the almighty might speak to her, her aunt allowing her to think.
“Aunt Jezzel,” she said softly, at last. “No one has ever made me feel like he does.”
Her aunt sighed, placing a hand on her shoulder. “You know it isn’t that simple.”
She bit her lip, sharp teeth tearing flesh, and tasted blood. “I know, but-”
“Parliament would throw a fit.”
“Parliament will object to anyone I select,” Elliza reasoned, truthfully, though it was still an excuse.
“So why give them an excuse? Why provide them a rod to beat you with and a method to reduce your regard among the commons?”
Elliza clenched her fists, the suggestion enraging her. Had she not done enough for the Commons? Had all her efforts and labor earned her no latitude?
But she knew her aunt was right. The people still had their doubts about their brothers. “They’ll accept him if the church blesses our union, and our marriage would lend legitimacy to Nyx’s partnership with Earth.”
She looked up at the older woman, who met her gaze evenly, examining her. “He seems to have captivated you,” aunt Jezzel said at last.
Elliza ducked her head but nodded. “I- last night, when I thought he might be hurt- I was terrified. It’s hard to explain; it’s just- easy. He’s so affectionate, nurturing.”
Her words seemed so terribly inadequate, yet- It was all she had. “I love him,” she said. “I think. The Almighty brought him to me; I know it.”
Jezzel was silent for a long time; eventually, she patted Elliza’s shoulder. “I’ll give fair consideration and consider your feelings,” she promised.
Elliza nodded; it was the best she could expect. “Thank you.”
“Of course; why don’t we rejoin your friends.”