Malcolm (Book 1, The Redemption Series) Read Online Free PDF Page B

thing from you.”
    Ok, that was actually a small lie, but I don’t call my father out on it. I feel as though I’ve probably questioned him enough for one day.
    However, I did learn one thing.
    Overlord Devereaux did want something from me. I just didn’t know what.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    CHAPTER threE
     
     
    The Tribute Ball was usually the pinnacle event amongst the royals of Cirrus. Though, this year it would be eclipsed by the celebration ceremonies surrounding my marriage to Auggie. Nevertheless, everyone was looking forward to it. This year I would be allowed to attend my very first one. Most royals were able to attend by the age of eighteen, but the empress decided I shouldn’t go until I was twenty-one. Since my birthday was only a week away, she relented to my father’s plea that I be allowed to attend this year with him. He argued that if I was to oversee it the following year, I needed to bear witness for myself what the protocol of accepting tributes from the overlords was.
    “I can tell you why she didn’t want you there,” Millie grunts as she brushes out my hair, preparing to braid it for an intricate bun she plans to style it into. “She knew you would be the most beautiful woman there instead of her.”
    “Oh, Millie,” I say, rolling my eyes at her in the mirror of my vanity. “I seriously doubt the empress considers anyone her equal in the beauty department.”
    “True enough,” Millie agrees with a hearty laugh. “That woman is about as vain as they come. Watch your back, my sweet. I have a feeling the empress doesn’t relish giving up her throne just yet.”
    I feel my brow furrow. “Do you think she would do something to prevent my marriage to Auggie?”
    “That, I don’t know,” Millie says with a worried frown of her own. “All I do know is that women like her don’t like being cast aside so easily. She’s been the belle of the ball for a long time now. I can’t say I blame her for not wanting to give it all away because of some silly law that says only men can rule Cirrus. If you want to know the truth, I’ve heard she’s basically been running things since she married the emperor to give him free reign to go play whenever he wanted.”
    “Unfortunately, it was his playing that got him killed,” I say.
    “Just be careful,” Millie advises. “Remember to watch your back when you’re around the empress. She didn’t get to where she is without being smart and cunning. Did you know she was once a down-worlder?”
    “No,” I admit, “I had no idea.”
    “Her father won a lottery to go off-world and apparently made enough money to buy her a title. From what I heard, she had her eyes set on the throne from the moment she got here.”
    “Everyone says she and the emperor were actually one of the few royal couples who loved one another.”
    “Oh, I don’t doubt that,” Millie says. “But love can come because of different reasons. I think she loved the idea of being empress more than she actually loved the emperor. Being given that much power can make anyone imagine that they’re in love with the person who gave it to them.”
    “I’ve never felt threatened by her,” I say. “I don’t think she would harm me.”
    “She never thought you would be taking her place this soon either. I seriously doubt that woman thought she would have to give up her power for at least another twenty years or more.”
    “I didn’t either if you want to know the truth. If I could, I would let her keep it.”
    “No, my sweet. It’s time for a change around here, and I think you and Auggie are just the ones to do it,” Millie says resolutely.
    “Don’t let anyone else hear you say that,” I say in a low voice, “or you’ll be brought up on heresy charges, Millie.”
    “Hmmph, I’d like to see them try.”
    Vivian and Eliza walk into my bedroom then and my conversation with Millie is put to an end by their presence.
    Vivian has a dress I've never seen