Page 30 of A Vow of Embers

But then I realized that this was how the temple had always been run: People were discouraged from asking questions and answers were never offered. There was a definite code of secrecy here.

Which made Artemisia knowing that I was going even more remarkable. Was there some sort of spy network that I was unaware of?

“There’s an old saying that women are only beautiful when they’re silent,” she added. That was a strange quote. It must have been Ilionian. These people could be so tiresome. She put her hand on the hilt of her sword. “But it’s very unlike you to keep quiet. No retort?”

“You aren’t worth it,” I said.

The smile slid off her face and she pulled her sword free. I had my xiphos out immediately, ready.

I had a lot of physical and emotional frustration to work out—I wouldn’t mind beating on her.

Although the prince might be displeased if I showed up for our wedding with a black eye.

But that actually made the prospect of this fight more enticing to me—that I might sustain an injury that wouldn’t be my fault and could embarrass him without breaking my contractual obligation.

And even if I lost, then I wouldn’t have to marry the prince.

It seemed like I would win either way.

“This has been a long time coming,” she said, striding toward me. “I’m going to enjoy it.”

“Not half as much as I will,” I said. “Let’s finish this.”

Chapter Eleven

Artemisia raised her blade and swung it down, and I used her momentum to push her to one side, deflecting her sword with my xiphos. I kicked her, immediately connecting, and she nearly went sprawling.

Fury raged in her eyes as she tried to regain her footing. “That was a mistake.”

“My only mistake was not stabbing you.” There had certainly been an opening but I had vowed not to harm any servants of the goddess, so I hadn’t taken it.

I knew she would not extend me the same courtesy.

“Artemisia!” a voice called from across the courtyard, and I turned to see Antiope approaching. I felt disappointment at being interrupted. I knew she was right to do so and that I shouldn’t shed a fellow acolyte’s blood, but I really did want to hit someone. “Isn’t there something the two of you should be doing?”

“We’ll meet again,” Artemisia growled at me. “And when we do? You’re not going to survive the encounter.”

I wasn’t worried. Not only because I highly doubted I would ever see her again, but I could hold my own in a fight. She seemed so sure of her skills but she had never fought me one-on-one when I’d actually been trying.

“May the goddess bless you to get everything you deserve,” I told her.

As I’d hoped, this just infuriated her more. She let out a low, threatening sound and then spun on her heel and left just as Antiope reached me.

“Thank you for that,” I said to the battle master.

“We outsiders have to stick together. Don’t you have a wedding to get ready for?”

“I’m on my way to go do that now,” I said. “Artemisia just wanted to wish me good luck first.”

At that Antiope laughed, and it was the first time I’d ever heard her make that sound. I hadn’t known that she could laugh. Then she gave me a small smile while shaking her head. “And I think I can assume that you’re not looking forward to the ceremony.”

That was an understatement. “I am not.”

“We don’t surrender and we don’t give up,” she told me. “My mother once told me that marriage is to a woman what war is to a man. You might have lost this fight but there will be others. And I have taught you to be victorious.”

“Yes, you have.” Another person I was going to miss seeing every day.

“Just be careful,” she told me. “As you’ve already seen, love is a weapon that can be turned against you.”