Page 166 of A Vow of Embers

Maia sighed, seeming to consider her niece’s request. “I will keep your secret. You may stay.”

Ianessa jumped up and down, repeatedly thanking her aunt. Maia laughed and it was easy to see how much they adored one another.

“You’re going to break the rules?” I asked. It surprised me that Maia would.

“Some rules are arbitrary. More like guidelines rather than something that requires strict obedience.”

I wanted to ask her what other rules that might cover, but four more racers arrived and crossed the threshold of the temple and were welcomed to the sisterhood. Then the gates were closed, letting the other racers know that they had missed their chance. Maia and Ianessa went off to welcome her soon-to-be adelphia members.

A bonfire had been lit in the courtyard and there was food and drink available. It was so different from when I had arrived—the temple grounds empty, the doors locked to keep me out.

I bided my time, waiting for an opportunity to get Maia alone again, but she flitted from person to person like a butterfly. My adelphia were enjoying themselves, drinking wine and chatting. It reminded me so much of the festival.

I looked out at the streets beyond the temple. And just like last time, Xander waited beyond the wall for me.

Chapter Fifty-Four

Ahyana came to sit next to me. “How are you feeling about being here?”

“It’s not the same.”

“Not for me, either. I feel like a different person now.” She took a sip of her drink and then said, “If I tell you something, will you keep it secret?”

I didn’t like where this was headed. But I also worried that if Ahyana didn’t feel like she could confide in me, she might do something foolish. She should have someone to talk to. “I will.”

“After the prince is named king, Rokh and I are going to run away together.”

I stifled a groan. “By the goddess, Ahyana! The temple guards will find you and kill you.”

“We won’t stay here. We could go to Sasania. Or Alodia. Or even Locris. Somewhere far from here, where we can be together. Zalira and I joined the temple so that we could live. Have a roof over our heads and food to eat. I believe in the goddess, but I’m not as devoted as Io or Suri. I don’t think I’m supposed to stay in the temple. There is another life waiting for me.”

“But our bonds. Our vows to each other. This will kill Zalira.”

Her face fell slightly. “I know. And I love my sister with all my heart, as I do the rest of you. And we will always be sisters, an adelphia. But I know where I belong. He’s my home.”

“This is all happening too fast,” I told her. “You only just met.”

“Like I told you, I feel like I’ve always known him,” she said with a shrug. I realized then that there was nothing I would be able to say to convince her otherwise. I consoled myself that I had at least until Xander was named king to come up with a way to get her to stay.

Rokh had been nothing but kind to me. He was charming and a good man. I certainly saw the appeal.

But I didn’t want her to be hunted down and killed.

“Do you know what Rokh told me about you?” she asked, interrupting my thoughts.

“About me?”

“Well, I suppose it’s about Xander. He says he’s never seen him behave this way. He thinks Xander’s in love with you.”

I ignored what her words did to me and tried not to react. This was not the first time someone had said this to me. I didn’t think he loved me. At all.

“He hates me.” It felt more like a reflex now, what I was supposed to say. It might not have been totally true, but in love with me? That was ridiculous. Unfathomable.

“Your lives would probably be much easier if you did actually hate each other.”

I shook my head. It seemed pointless to argue when she had already made up her mind.

When I didn’t respond, she added, “Whether he loves or hates you, Rokh says you’re the only thing Xander thinks about.”