Page 29 of Insolence (Eisha’s Hidden Codices #1)

Elodie

E ncountering her when I’m not expecting it is always a shock to my system. And that’s when she’s not screaming into what she apparently thinks is an empty room.

It’s her regal beauty. Her slightly-too-broad forehead and the way her chin and nose taper to delicate points. Those blue spinel eyes nearly stop my heart whenever they land on me.

Her dark hair, such a deep brown it’s nearly black, is normally impeccably styled. Tonight it’s tousled and frizzy, giving her a feral edge that aligns with the agitation in her aura.

“Bad night?” I ask.

Her hand flies to her sternum, her breath catching in her throat. The very next second she clocks that it’s me. Her expression shifts to one of unconcealed fury.

“Sorry.” I sip my tea. “Shouldn’t have said anything.”

“And then what?” she snaps. “Dive under the table and hide until I go away?”

Aggravation flares, reassuring in its familiarity. I set my mug down and regard her. “Are you angry with me, Tiss?”

“So you are speaking to me today. It’s a miracle,” she scoffs, her hand dropping to smack the top of her thigh. Eyes blazing, aura flaring crimson, she flounces toward me.

Nope, we’re not doing this. Not if she’s going to come at me this way.

I spin on my bench and stand. Without a trace of sarcasm or humor, I say, “I understand you’re having big feelings that are difficult to deal with. But this isn’t how to manage them.”

That stops her in her tracks. Gives her something to consider.

And she does. For all of half a second before her face darkens.

“‘Angry’ doesn’t begin to encompass it, priestess.

I’m exasperated with you. With this whole terrible place, in fact.

Lecture me on my ‘big feelings’ all you want, but you’re the one who can’t seem to decide whether you want to hate me, seduce me, or ignore me on any given day.

And now you’re hiding in here like a child. ”

Her indignation travels along our connection, careening through the protective bubble of my aura. Hitting like a blow to the solar plexus.

Damn it. I wince, my breath hissing . “I— Wow.” Casting about for somewhere to start with it all, I finally motion between us. “I really can’t do this anymore.”

“You can’t do what, exactly? What is this ?” She mimics my gesture.

“We’ll be working together from now on. I will be cordial and polite to the best of my ability, and believe me, I’m flattered by your attention—”

“Oh, gods.” Her head falls back. “You cannot be serious.”

“—but there are certain things I won’t be able to discuss. Things… energy between us I definitely can’t act on—”

Her sigh is exaggerated, eyes rolling.

My hackles rise. “I’m not going to argue about boundaries with you anymore, Tiss.”

“I’m not arguing! This isn’t what I wanted to— You know what, priestess? You’re insufferable .”

“And you’re fucking exhausting!” My voice carries in the vast room.

Anyone else would have flinched. Backed off. She only studies me. “What in the hell sort of secret are you keeping ? Somehow I feel like it affects me.”

“I’m not keeping anything from anyone!” But I can’t help the tremor in my voice. “Even if I am, I don’t owe you information.”

“Right. Well, whatever it is, it’s big,” she snaps. “Something has you utterly terrified, and I think there’s more to it than the Sisters finding out about ‘misconduct.’”

“Leave it alone, Tiss.” The connection between us shivers, wrenching from a place behind my navel. My posture goes stiff. There’s a sensation like ice water spilling down my spine.

I can’t tell which of us it’s coming from.

“ Why ?” She flings one arm out. “What are you so scared of? And what is this… this tugging ?” Her free hand goes to her abdomen. “It’s always in the background when you’re around, yanking between us like a tether.”

My nose and lips go cold, and my cheeks tingle as the blood drains from my face. The floor seems to tilt, forcing me back a step.

Her eyes flash to me. Her next words are a reedy whisper: “You feel it too, don’t you?”

“I said. Leave it. Alone .” There’s no mistaking the warning in my voice. “And it’s not so much secret-keeping as being privy to information that puts me at risk. And is frankly beyond your purview.”

“Yeah, I’ve been getting a lot of that tonight.”

Before I can respond, she spins and storms back across the refectory. With a groan, I jog to catch up, but I’m not fast enough. Glare brimming with spite and loathing, she slams the door so hard behind her the candle flames gutter in the ancient chandeliers.

“Goddess save me.” I lean against the closest table. This is quickly becoming more of a disaster than it already was.

In spite of the lies I keep telling myself—that I will remain in control, that I’ll keep our interactions straightforward—I’m actually just stumbling blindly from moment to moment. Still half in shock this is happening to begin with.

I have approximately five minutes’ peace before the door flies open again. This time it’s Sadrie.

Spine straight, she struts toward me. “Would you like to guess why I’m here?” She stops short of my bench. If her aura’s anything to go by, she’s fuming almost worse than Tiss.

“I don’t need to guess. Nice to meet you, by the way. Formally.” I raise my half-empty mug.

“Likewise. You know, Lady Elodie, it’s too bad you couldn’t stay after the lottery.” She has the audacity to cock her head and tsk . Mock concern creases her forehead. “Pity. We could have shaken hands and exchanged pleasantries. Talked ungovernable birds and the like.”

Really? You too? I turn to face her, slinging my legs to the other side of the bench. Mustering every speck of patience I possess, I say, “How may I be of assistance, Sadrielle?”

“Well, you already know Tiss is in a tizzy.”

“That seems to be her permanent state tonight, my dear. I don’t know what to tell you other than good luck.”

Sadrie’s stare is accusing. “She swept upstairs in a righteous huff just now. I can’t calm her down.”

“And? Is that supposed to concern me?”

“I’m not entirely sure what just happened between you two, but she’s worked up worse than I’ve seen her yet, which is saying something.

Considering she came to me this morning wearing her heavy boots and trying to convince me to leave with her, I wouldn’t put it past her to pull such a stunt right now. ”

My bravado immediately dissolves. “Leave the temple ?” I shoot to my feet.

“Thought you might be interested.” She shrugs.

“It’s going to be a serious problem if she leaves the temple grounds, Sadrie.”

“Oh, I agree. Now will you please get out there and do”—she waves a hand, fingers wiggling—“whatever it is that has her so enthralled with you, and talk some sense into her?”

If she hadn’t already caught me and Tiss fooling around, I’d have some choice words. As it is, I’m eliminating the distance to the door before she’s finished talking.

Once inside the atrium, I come to an abrupt halt. A dismal feeling settles over me. The sight of thirty or so veiled, black-clad women tends to have that effect.

It was the reason behind my hiding in the refectory all this time. And this year’s group is the smallest since I’ve been here.

I will never get used to seeing them like this.

Again I think of the birdcage bursting open at the lottery. Finches breaking free earlier than Deirdre’s meticulous plans ordained. Eisha remaining ever silent.

Like the finches still lining up on my balcony railing every morning, I can’t help but wonder what it means.

At least Maida and Cordelia are easy to spot amid the sea of black. As are the sisters’ red robes—a blessing all its own. I’m scanning the crowd, trying to figure out a way to slip upstairs without Deirdre’s eager little lackeys noticing, when—

“Where have you been hiding all night?” Ghisele’s voice comes from behind me, laced with a simper.

Right. I forgot . I too stick out thanks to my buff sweater.

She slinks around in front of me, mischief evident in her slippery smile. “I’ve been missing you.” Her eyes skim me, from my heeled boots to my braided hair. She rests a hand on my arm.

She enjoys when I play up my femininity. I’m still me though, which is the part she sorely underestimates.

“How many times do I have to tell you not to touch me? Especially in public,” I growl, snatching the hand and tossing it aside. “You know better.” I glance around us.

She snorts. “There was a time you quite liked my touch.”

“That time is over . I grow weary of reminding you.”

“Is this about that precious little neophyte?” She lifts her gaze across the atrium. Trains it on Tiss crossing the fourth-floor walkway toward the staircase.

Sure enough, she’s wearing warmer clothes and suspiciously sturdy boots.

“She’s all right, I suppose.” Ghisele taps her bottom lip with one finger. “But I guarantee she won’t be as much fun as I am.”

“Red, Ghisele.” My eyes are still on Tiss as she descends to the third floor, looking like she’s in a terrible hurry.

I shift, turning my full attention to my apprentice.

“You don’t need to be so condescending to someone whose place you were in a year ago.

” I step back, putting space between us.

Drop my voice to a murmur. “Furthermore, whatever happened between us is just that—between you and me. It has nothing to do with anyone else. Which you also know.”

She gives a smug little shake of her head, jutting a hip at me. “ If you say so ,” she singsongs, turning to walk away. Her skirts swish with the swing of her hips.

Goddess preserve me. I am surrounded by brats in this godsforsaken temple .

Shaking my head, I start across the atrium to meet Tiss at the ground floor landing. When I get there, Cordelia’s already waiting, hands on her hips.

Tiss’s head jerks back when she sees me. “I don’t feel much like talking anymore, Lady Elodie.” Hatred winds up our bond, seizing my guts with a wrenching twist.

“Thanks be to Eisha,” I sigh. “Me neither.”

“Lady Elodie,” Cordelia says, “will you please reason with her? I think she’s lost her mind.”

Tiss sneers. Vein throbbing in her neck, she looks past my shoulder. “Traitor,” she snaps as Sadrie walks up.

“I was trying to help! You have me worried sick.”

“Feel free to stop ‘helping’ at any time,” Tiss mutters.

“How about we go for a walk outside?” I venture, ignoring the other two staring at me like I’ve offered to toss her off the side of the mountain myself.

“If you insist on leaving, I won’t try to stop you.

I’ll even let you know the guardsmen aren’t at the arch anymore.

But I do need to show you something first.”

Tiss isn’t expecting that. Her eyes bulge. “What’s the catch?”

“No catch.” I turn to the other two. “You ladies should come too.”

“I’m not getting into trouble because she’s having a crisis,” Cordelia says.

“Nobody’s getting in trouble for being outside and looking.”

Skepticism emanates from Sadrie. “Why? Looking at what?”

“It’s difficult to explain. Better to show you.”

“Eh, why not?” Cordelia shrugs. “Now I’m dying to know what’s so important.”

All three of us turn to Tiss. She bites a thumbnail that’s already been chewed ragged. “ Fine . I’ll look at whatever nonsense you’re on about. Then I’m leaving.”

Sadrie’s posture slumps, her aura glowing a mournful blue . No surprises there.

“As you wish.” I start toward the cloakroom.