Page 94 of A Vow of Embers

It was disappointing to be done weaving so quickly, but I welcomed the chance to talk to Themis one-on-one and persuade her over to Alexandros’s side. We settled into comfortable lounge chairs far from the loom.

“How many sons do you have?” I asked.

“Five. The only decent one is the youngest. He is a few years older than you. It’s too bad you’re already married. I would have liked to have a royal in the family. Maybe your older sister, if Pelias hadn’t beaten me to it. He likes to brag that he is the wealthiest man in Ilion, but our fortune dwarfs his.”

The wheels in my head began to turn. “Tell me about your youngest son.”

“He’s very kind and thoughtful. Humble. Handsome. Too good of a person for this world.”

“I would guess that, as his mother, you might be a bit biased,” I said. He sounded perfect for Kallisto but I wanted to make sure.

“Not at all. My two oldest are the most selfish, entitled brats I’ve ever known and spend money as if they have a never-ending supply. The middle two are obsessed with pleasuring themselves in every way possible. There was a year when I couldn’t get them out of the hetaera houses. I have more illegitimate grandchildren than you can begin to imagine. I know my sons and grandchildren. I’ve always had the ability to see other people clearly, which is why I’m so good at what I do. Like you. You are also a good person. Intelligent, loyal, self-sacrificing. You would be terrible at business.”

That made me laugh and she joined me. I sensed more critical stares coming from the other end of the room. “You know that my sister will become queen of Locris. Perhaps your youngest son would enjoy becoming a prince consort.”

Themis frowned at me, confused. “Your sister is betrothed to Pelias’s son.”

“Unfortunately. But things do change. The problem is that Locris is in dire need of money and I would prefer my sister marry a wealthy man that would treat her well.”

“So you see others clearly, too,” she said with a nod. “Lykaon is a blight on humanity.”

I fervently agreed. “If Alexandros were selected as king, new opportunities might arise. For my sister and your son.”

“I see,” she said, regarding me with a shrewd look. “I think I would enjoy having grandchildren that were princes and princesses. But I would not be a good archon if I cared only for my own family. Do you still think your husband can be persuaded to extend education to the girls of this nation as well?”

“I do.” I had no idea how I was going to get him to agree to it, but it would be necessary.

A little girl, probably four or five years old, came bounding over. “Grandmother! Can you read this to me?” She placed a children’s book with illustrations in Themis’s lap.

“This is Eos. Named for the dawn,” Themis said, stroking her granddaughter’s hair. “She is learning to read, aren’t you? Because your grandmother insists that you be able to do so.”

Eos grinned at me and nodded.

“Grandmother can’t read to you right now,” she said. I heard the wistfulness in her voice and realized why this issue was important to her. Not only did she want better for her granddaughters, but she wanted better for herself. “Go and ask your mother to read it to you.”

When Eos ran off I leaned forward and said, “You can’t read, can you?”

She studied me quietly for a few moments, probably trying to figure out how to respond. She must have decided on honesty, because she said, “No, and it is the greatest regret of my life. Very few people know that I can’t. The men that I employ have to believe that I am double-checking their work. I can’t let the word get out.”

“Your secret is safe with me,” I said. “And if you’d like, I could come and teach you to read.”

Another appraising look. “I’m guessing that would be in exchange for my vote for your husband.”

“You’re a businesswoman,” I said. “So I know that you can appreciate a good deal. And I do want your vote. He would be a muchbetter ruler than Erisa and Kyros, and you know it. But I offered my help because everyone should be able to read. It shouldn’t be a privilege only afforded to a few.”

She had said she could see into my soul. I hoped she saw that I was telling her the truth. She held out her hand and offered it to me. “You have a deal, Princess Thalia of Locris. If your husband agrees at the next council meeting to use the surplus to fund education for girls, then he will have my vote. And Heliodora’s as well.”

“Agreed,” I said, shaking her hand.

“Education is only the first step,” she said. “There is much to be done for the women of Ilion. The priestesses and acolytes are protected behind their walls and their faith, but that is not a benefit extended to most.”

I remembered the woman who had run into the temple, seeking sanctuary from the men chasing her. “You’re right.”

“My own mother used to say that when a man shares your bed, you can have untold influence over him.” She leaned over and patted me on the knee. “Use that to your advantage, girl.”

I couldn’t tell her that my husband would do things just to spite me and that I had no influence over him whatsoever. I had to hope he would be reasonable when it came to this because his crown might depend on it.

A sudden sharp pain burst underneath my rib cage on my right side and I doubled over. It was as if I had just been punched.