Emma Holloway - A Study in Ashes

Edmond dropped his arms, giving a slight shrug. “I know you as I know myself. I didn’t grow up in a palace. I’ve eaten at your tables and slept beneath your roofs, and I know what it means if the price of bread rises or the price of wool falls.” He nodded, and then his voice began to grow stronger. “I know the shackles you threw off and I know why you did it. And I share in your pride in overcoming those impossible odds. Triumph belongs to us all!”

The crowd cheered in approval and a striped scarf landed on the prince’s head, tossed by an enthusiast. He peeled it off and waved it like a flag. The scarf had become something of his unofficial symbol, and half the people there wore one.

“I know what you want me to do,” said Edmond in a clear, carrying voice. “You want me to find a way to prosperity, but you want me to find the right way, the way of justice and foresight. You want today’s dreams to sink deep roots so that in twice ten thousand tomorrows, our great-grandchildren can hold their heads high in pride.”

He wound the scarf around his neck with a flourish. “Your wish is my command, because I serve every one of you. And I ask you—the heroes of this battle—to continue to serve, not just for glory or gain, but for the love of home and Empire.”

Imogen blinked rapidly, as if chasing away tears. “I hope Father takes that part to heart,” she murmured in Evelina’s ear.

Evelina looked around, wondering where Lord Bancroft was. He’d been offered a post in the prince’s administration, but hadn’t accepted yet. After striving so long for just such a position, his hesitation showed how much the last few weeks had shaken even him. Evelina put an arm around her friend, glad to be able to offer at least the comfort of touch.

It was then she noticed that Nick was looking straight at her. He sat easily on the gray stallion, wearing the bright uniform with its gold and silver braid as if he had been born to it. But it was his eyes that arrested her, dark and smoking with possessive hunger. The look ignited her as quickly as match to tinder. Evelina dragged her gaze away, her cheeks blazing despite the cool air. She swallowed hard, her mouth suddenly dry as paper.

Edmond was still talking, his words muddling together in her distracted mind. She forced herself to pay attention. A handsome pair of eyes shouldn’t rob her memories of one of the Empire’s great moments—at least not for more than a few thudding heartbeats!

“And when I say that we must love the Empire, I mean all the Empire, for while the throne is the embodiment of human invention, heart, and wisdom, it is but one half of a timeless equation. The other half is the soul of the land itself.”

Edmond paused, seeming to gather himself. “And when I say the land, many of you say magic, and that invokes the specter of the Steam Council’s greatest injustice. Those with designs to plunder the fields and woods, the wild places and even the farmlands have long pursued a campaign of fear and superstition. They have taken what is natural and given it a demon’s face, bid us shun it, and threatened any who would call it friend.”

A low murmur ran though the crowd, but Edmond raised a hand again for silence.

“And yet the land forgave us. There is not one among you who does not know how the devas rose and defended us against our common enemy. It is past time we extend our hands in gratitude and partnership, and make room for all—city, country, factory, and field. We have been shown what the devas can do, what machine and magic can accomplish together.”

Evelina’s heart lifted. She had released the devas from their bonds, but many had stayed to help build and restore the factories in a way that wouldn’t destroy the land.

“The spirits offer us limitless power we can all enjoy. Power does not belong to a select few, or to those with gold, but to every citizen whether they are human or not. In partnership, we can raise the Empire to untold heights of achievement and prosperity!”

The people all around her began shouting approval, pumping their fists and flinging hats and scarves into the air. Evelina and Imogen cheered with the rest, pleased with their new prince, relieved to be delivered once and for all from the steam barons, and determined that so much sacrifice would never be wasted. Evelina’s cheeks were wet, but she wasn’t sure when she’d started to cry. She clapped and shouted and hugged Imogen, and then hugged the lady behind her even though they were complete strangers.

Euphoria swept her, and with it came the realization that finally she was in a world that accepted—no, needed —the balance of magic and machine she’d been trying to achieve all her life. There would be no more burnings, no more laboratories, and no more hiding. At long last, there would be harmony.

She met Nick’s eyes again and he gave a slow, sensual grin, as if he knew just what she was thinking. Once they’d had to live apart because the combination of their magic might have betrayed them as magic users, but now their powers were welcomed. The incredible beauty of the silver fire they made together was private, but it, too, would have a place free from danger. She and Nick finally had a secure future.

Even the darkness in her magic had its place. She had deeply feared that power, but experience had taught her its true nature. Evelina had needed its strength to fight, but she’d always used it to protect the ones she loved. She had failed against the dragon, but it wasn’t because she’d lacked courage or selflessness—those tests she’d passed. And they’d revealed that the darkness was her weapon, not her master.

Light-headed with elation, Evelina danced where she stood, reaching skyward as if she might suddenly start to fly. Imogen grabbed her, sharing in her bounding joy. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you this happy!” Imogen shouted above the din.

Evelina threw back her head, laughing up to the sun. “I’ve been holding my breath for so long! Hiding. And now it’s over!”

But the celebration abruptly ended when a great baying rang through the streets, as deep and haunting as an ancient bell. The cheering crowd fell silent, the only sound a collective gasp of terror.

“Damnation, what was that?” a man behind her muttered.

And then to the north the people began to move, a shuffle in the packed mass becoming a wedge of clear space. An electric prickle announced the presence of magic, and the silence around her rippled with anxious whispers.

Then she saw the massive red-eyed hound padding through the empty avenue between the people, heading straight for the prince with a determined but unhurried step. But it stopped beside Evelina a moment. The dog regarded her steadily, and once more she recognized the ancient power within it; the spirit of the moors had found a vessel in the laboratory’s prized creation.

She heard Imogen’s intake of breath, and put a hand on her friend’s arm. She wasn’t sure what the dog would do if someone startled it with a scream.

So we meet once again, sister , it said. This time, there was mischief in its expression, almost as if it enjoyed watching the humans squirm.

“Why are you here?” Evelina asked it, startled that it had called her sister. Yet it was true that those of the Blood, like her and Nick, owed much to the spirit realm. If nothing else, their magic was related.

To greet the one who would be king, as he has acknowledged us. We have waited many a year to breathe the air of a just reign .

Evelina could smell the grassy wilderness of the moors as the words sounded in her head. Suddenly she was back there under that vast, open sky. “You protected him in the battle.”

The land owes fealty to its king. Besides, he grew up in our neighborhood . With that, the hound trotted forward, its shoulder brushing her hand as it passed. The fur was as warm and soft as any dog, but left a tingle of magic behind.