Queen of the Night (The Revanche Cycle Book 4) Read Online Free

thought of Livia. His own sister, who he’d been tricked into believing a traitor. He’d betrayed her. He’d ordered her death, all on the strength of a lie.
    And all she ever wanted , he thought, all she ever asked of me, was that I try to be a better man .
    Carlo left the decanter where it was and went to sit by the window. He owed his sister an apology. She might not be willing to listen, and he wouldn’t blame her if she didn’t, but he’d give it to her anyway.
    And he’d be sober when he did it.
    *     *     *
    In the gardens below, Marcello Accorsi strolled serenely along the manicured paths with Cardinal Herzog at his side, both men dressed in the green and gold-trimmed vestments of their office. Gold rings dripped from Herzog’s outstretched fingers as he gestured at a pair of passing knights.
    “I don’t understand it, Marcello. Soldiers in the papal manse, soldiers in the streets? Why has the Empire taken a sudden interest in the Holy City? And why aren’t these men in the east, fighting the heathens?”
    “Precautions,” Marcello said amiably. “After all, Carlo’s quite ill. Who knows what might happen in the next few weeks?”
    “It’s turbulence. Upsetting the calm we’ve worked to build here.”
    “Turbulence is another word for opportunity, my friend.”
    As they left the gardens, passing under an alabaster arch and down a long hallway lined with oil portraits, Herzog squinted at him.
    “I think someone knows ‘what might happen,’” Herzog said in a low voice, “and I’m speaking to him right now.”
    A tiny smile reached Marcello’s thin lips.
    “Carlo’s been a good investment, but let’s face it, you can’t trust a drunkard. I think it’s time to solidify our hold here. Now, should something happen to our beloved pope, De Luca and Cavalcante are both in my corner—and they’ve each got another ten cardinals under their sway who will vote whichever way they do. Once I’m absolutely certain I have majority support from the College of Cardinals, I’ll make my final move.”
    “And from me,” Herzog said quickly, squeezing Marcello’s arm. “You know you have my support, so long as my generous affection is repaid in kind.”
    “Oh, I know. In fact, that’s why I wanted to meet with you. To share a most valuable secret.”
    Marcello opened a side door, stone steps leading downward to a vaulted tunnel. Torches crackled in the gloom, guiding the way with splashes of smoky yellow light.
    “Ah, my dearest friend, generous to a fault.” Herzog gave him a toothy smile but squinted into the tunnel. “This isn’t the usual way to the assembly hall.”
    “Away from prying ears. The news hasn’t spread this far from the Imperial borders yet, but…now brace yourself for this, but there’s been a coup. Emperor Theodosius has been removed from the throne. A military council is safeguarding the Empire while they search for his replacement.”
    Herzog stopped short, eyes wide. His expression flickered from shock to anxiety to a slow-encroaching greed.
    “His…replacement?”
    “Now you understand why I wanted to have this talk in private. You’re his third cousin by blood. More than that, you’re a highly ranked churchman, a breath away from the papal throne. An experienced leader of men. You could make a claim for the crown. You’ve already got the popular support for it, and getting more, with the right friends, would be child’s play.”
    Herzog’s lips parted in a froglike grin.
    “You and me, Marcello. With me wearing the crown, and you the miter. The two most powerful men in the world, united until the end.”
    Marcello chuckled. “Indeed. That could happen.”
    The sound of jangling metal jolted Herzog from his fantasies of power. Up ahead, a pair of Imperial knights strode toward them with hands on their sword hilts. From behind, another two soldiers marched up and closed the gap.
    “That could happen,” Marcello said, “but it’s not going