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I had expected such news, but hearing it was disheartening.

“The news about the destruction of Vaida spread quickly, and on the heels of your marriage to Adrian, some of your people believe he broke his promise to protect them.”

I glanced at Killian, who had once assumed the same.

“And the Sanctuary of Asha is not helping,” Gavriel added.

My gaze snapped back to him. “The sanctuary?”

“You’ve a priestess there who claims Asha has sent their salvation.”

Despite the strong presence of goddesses within my life, in the lives of everyone in Cordova, I had never been religious. I could not fathom worshipping anyone who had taken my mother from me so young, but I would be stupid if I did not acknowledge either of the goddesses’ power. And true power it was, because it was strong enough to have created Adrian.

“Have you heard this?” I asked Killian, who shrugged, then shook his head.

“A few whispers here and there,” he said. “Nothing more. I certainly have not seen any evidence that it is true.”

“You don’t need evidence when people have faith,” I said. The mere fact that anyone would believe the priestess or trust the veracity of her words was dangerous—especially to my rule.

“How do we know this isn’t some falsehood spread by the priestess?” I asked.

“We don’t,” said Gavriel.

“Find out,” I said.

“As you wish,” he said. “Anything more, my queen?”

“Return to Lara tomorrow,” I said. “Tell the court my father has decided to extend his stay in Revekka.”

I thought about embellishing, adding that King Henri had missed his daughter too much to stay only a week, but I could not manage to speak the words.

“My loyalty is to you, my queen.” Gavriel bowed, accepting my orders, and left.

With Gavriel’s departure, I remained silent for a long moment, considering his words. I’d known returning to Lara would not be easy, given how I had been treated upon my departure, but this certainly complicated my plans.

“With rumors of the salvation of Asha, what of Nadia?” I asked Killian, my voice hushed.

Nadia, my maid, the woman who had helped raise me, was a passionate follower of Asha, and I could not help hearing her voice as Gavriel’s warning played through my mind.

Asha is our savior, she would say.She will send our salvation.

When?I asked.After we are all dead?

Insolent child, the goddess gave you life!

My mother gave me life, I said.She died for me too.

When Killian did not answer, I met his gaze. I knew what he would say before the words left his mouth, and yet I could not protect myself from the pain, the heartache, of knowing she would never choose me.

“Nadia loves you,” he said. “But she loves her goddess more.”

I might have flinched had it not been for a bell signaling, sharp and frantic, so loud it echoed in my bones.

“What is that?” Killian asked, and though I had never heard the sound before, my heart raced with it, frenzied and panicked.

“Something horrible,” I said, a sudden lump forming in the back of my throat.

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