Page 14 of A Vow of Embers

“I wish you luck with that,” Theano said with a hint of laughter, something I’d never heard from her before. “Obviously, we will not be able to host the bridal feast.”

It sounded like Ilion celebrated weddings similarly to Locris—the wedding would always begin in the bride’s home, where her family would host all of the guests, followed by a processional to her new home, where the final parts of the ceremony would be completed.

“We can host the feast at the palace,” Prince Alexandros said.

“And when will the wedding take place?” she asked.

“In two days’ time.”

“Two days?” I screeched, jumping to my feet while smacking my hands down on the table. That was too soon. “That’s not nearly enough time to—”

“Figure out how to go back on your word again?” he offered, sounding annoyed. “I know you’re Locrian, but you could at least pretend as if you have some integrity.”

“That’s ironic coming from you,” I snapped back.

Theano stood abruptly, interrupting our argument. I looked at her in surprise—I had honestly forgotten that anyone else was in the room.

“As I said, Prince Alexandros, I wish you luck in your new marriage. May it be fruitful and happy,” she said with that hint of laughter again.

The prince also stood and nodded at her. “Thank you for coming and thank you for agreeing.”

Antiope opened the door and I saw my opportunity slipping away. I had to make my move now. I forced the words out. “Theano, may I have a word alone with the prince?”

Everyone froze in place, and I felt the gaze of every person in the room on me. Asking the high priestess had been Io’s idea. She thought that if Theano would agree to let me talk in private with Prince Alexandros, he would stay put. He wouldn’t risk angering her after convincing her to agree to his terms. Neither Io nor I had guessed what those terms would include, but she had correctly predicted that her brother would get his way.

“He usually does,” she had told me.

I held my breath, waiting for Theano to respond.

She nodded. “I suppose you are about to be married and will be spending a great deal of time alone, and we all understand one another, so what would be the harm?” She walked to the door while Maia and Antiope collected their weapons.

Antiope then gestured for me to join her by the door, and I went over to her, watching as the high priestess headed outside. The temple guards quickly surrounded Theano, keeping her away from the soldiers who lined the alleyway.

“Lia, there are archers all along the roof of the temple, observing the door and windows. If you wave both of your arms, they will shoot to kill,” Antiope told me in a whisper.

I could wait for the priestesses to leave and then signal the archers. I had one glorious moment where I imagined the prince and his brothers full of arrows. It ended when I realized that the prince never would have come to this meeting without his own safety measures. For all I knew he had palace archers who had their sights set on the temple archers.

After I nodded Antiope announced, “I will be right outside if you have need of me, Lia. Just call out.” Then she shot her deadly gaze at every man in the room, daring them to harm me.

Maia gave me a tight smile and went out into the alleyway. I turned and saw that the prince’s men hadn’t left.

“‘Alone’ means everyone out except you,” I said to Prince Alexandros.

Neither man moved. They were making it abundantly clear that they did not answer to me.

After several long heartbeats the prince finally said, “Thrax, Rokh, would you mind stepping outside?”

Thrax grinned at me, as if he found me utterly amusing. “Of course. Xander, call us if you have problems handling your bride-to-be.”

I tried to let his words roll off me, intent on not getting angry again. Thrax exited the house. Rokh came over and stood in front of me. He bowed slightly and then said, “It is good to finally meet you in person, Princess Thalia. I look forward to welcoming you to our home.”

His eyes were shaped like the prince’s but they were dark, nearly black, and I again felt as if I had met him before. Was it the resemblance to the prince, given that they were related? They had the same nose, the same full mouth, the same strong jaw.

But then he was gone and I had what I’d asked for—a meeting alone with Prince Alexandros. This time I was the one who shut and locked the door.

He had retaken his seat and watched me like I was a vicious animal he had to be wary of. As if I would pounce on him unexpectedly at any moment. I returned to my own seat, unsure of how to start.

“Princess Thalia?”