46 Aid (1/2)

”You shouldn't casually open notes intended for me.”

Elya's face burned in shame at Nikolai's reprimand, but gritting her teeth she met his gaze, trying not to appear too embarrassed.

”While in this case I don't have any issue in you learning what this note contained, my concern lies with your safety, actually.” He explained calmly, stern and uncompromising. ”Some of what I receive is protected with various magics which could harm you.”

”I'll be careful in the future.”

”I don't want to imply we should share everything. Everyone has secrets after all.” His eyes flashed with a terrifying depth as if they were able to see through the world. Elya's breath caught at the gaze she could only describe as ancient. ”So I would expect you to extend the same courtesy to me.”

”I understand, but right now this is critical.”

Nikolai read the note again, brows furrowing in concentration. He'd calmly accepted her invasion of his privacy at first, writing it off as a wife's prerogative. But when he discovered she'd just torn the seal with her bare hands, he'd lectured her for a long time.

”You didn't know about this?” Elya asked, gazing at her fiancée's flat expression.

”The content or delivery?”

”Both.” She frowned. ”Either. I just want to know.”

”The Shades made me suspicious of course. There are few competent practitioners of Dark Magic outside of VIlina although I thought the 2nd Corps was wiped out.” He sighed and leaned back in his chair, weariness apparent on his face. ”Raising a Shade is not an easy task. Despite how easily we defeated them, they are horrifying beings. They were responsible for hundreds of assassinations during the war. The western Legions were almost crippled by the loss of so many officers. Whether they were poorly controlled or just incompetently handled, we faced them under sunlight where they can barely use any of their powers.”

Elya shivered at the explanation. She'd heard of the crippling losses at the beginning of the war, although the reasons behind it had been suppressed by the Ministry of War.

”And the note itself?”

”I'm surprised any of Zivon's agents would willingly expose themselves, even in an urgent situation.” Nikolai took a sip of tea, sighing in pleasure at its warmth.

”You knew they were here?”

”Not exactly. I'd actually sent a letter a few months ago, asking for more agents to be sent here. I normally receive their intelligence through Seven. He collects them from pre-established drop locations every night.”

Seven stepped out of the shadows and gave a short bow, signing curtly.

”Even Seven has no idea who the agents are. He goes out of his way to maintain his distance.” Nikolai translated.

If he asked months ago when the marriage hadn't even been proposed, it meant there were other reasons the Ministry of the Interior needed to keep track of activities in Konstanz. Coupled with what she knew, Elya could only come to an absurd conclusion, one based on rumours and so baffling she couldn't help but ask incredulously. ”Is the Son of Heaven planning to start another war with Vilina?”

Nikolai's gaze flickered to the Hand, and he seemed to be in deep thought, considering his words carefully.

”The Emperor wants to keep his options open. While no one expected Nostrum to gain power so easily and start a war, the Senroan intervention stopped the Empire from invading too far into Vilina.” He explained carefully.

”It's why we stopped after Sieradz. I was there as well Nikolai.” She reminded him.