Page 17 of Ties of Deception (Tethered Hearts)

Chapter

Seventeen

H aving met the family Pris was staying with yesterday, I was now left to my own devices at our villa in Fierro. I had only taken Flavia with me, wanting to maintain some degree of privacy. And Flavia was the one I trusted the most.

Today was the day I was going to return to the palace and force myself onto the empress’s list whether she liked me or not. I had barely slept all night with today’s plan playing over and over in my mind.

Thankfully, Ethen had discovered at least some of what would occur today, so I was prepared.

For the first time, I went completely against Drusella’s advice. Instead of wearing a dress that was grand enough to be appropriate, yet subtle enough to not attract undue notice, I chose the most dramatic outfit I could. Gone were the pale pinks and blues. I chose a deep crimson silk with gold accents. Though I kept the simple gold band from Ethen around my wrist, all my other jewelry was extravagant and glittering. I asked my maids to weave tiny crystals with thin gold wire through my hair so each wave appeared to shimmer. Finally, I added a tiara of tiny gold flowers and crystal leaves, each immaculately crafted—one of the many, many exquisite gifts given by petitioners.

I looked at my reflection in the mirror and barely recognized the confident goddess staring back at me. Inside, nerves were winding thicker and thicker around my stomach.

There were a thousand different ways this could go wrong. But I wasn’t helpless or naive anymore. I was going to fight to beat the best of them. And somehow avoid becoming the worst of them.

Only Flavia accompanied me in the litter, and she had been quiet ever since our arrival in Fierro, clearly confused about why I wanted to go back to the palace when I’d been so grateful to leave it last time. I felt bad keeping such huge secrets from her, but it seemed like the right thing to do.

I smiled to reassure her as the litter swayed gently between the horses. “Don’t worry, Flavia, I have a plan for what I’m going to do at the palace. I’ve thought about this alot, though I will appreciate your help and support. If you notice or hear any information about the other goddesses, the prince, or the empress, please tell me. I need every advantage I can get. Maybe the other servants will talk to you with looser tongues.”

She looked uneasy but bowed her head in a submissive gesture. I frowned in response. “But don’t take any risks or do anything you’re uncomfortable with.”

“It’s not me I’m concerned about, my lady. I’m worried about you. I don’t know what happened here, but you were extremely distressed last time. I’m worried about what’s drawing you back and that it’s dangerous. Your life in Yienna is just starting to become successful and pleasant. You belong there.”

I hesitated a moment, pondering her words. It would be helpful to see exactly how she viewed the goings-on with the Graces. “The way you and Drusella speak sometimes makes me think you’ve seen bad things happen to other goddesses. You both get worried so easily. Is it because you fear I’ll leave Yienna for good?”

She chewed on her lip. “I’m not meant to say anything negative in case it impacts your happiness, but I’ll share this because you need to know, and I don’t think anyone else will share it with you.” She lowered her voice even though it was already impossible for us to be overheard. “Though some Graces stay in Atos for countless decades before being retired, many do not. It’s not that uncommon for goddesses to be retired after just four or five years. And the palace can be an unhelpful draw. The goddesses who stay with their families and live simple lives tend to be the ones that last the longest and bring the most Blessings to their district.

“But many get sucked into palace politics. They abandon their families and their districts to win powerful husbands. Then they either marry officials and remain in Fierro or they become laws unto themselves—completely self-absorbed, living frivolous lives as they drift from place to place. I…I don’t want to see that happen to you. Not when…you genuinely care about the people. That is rarer than you think among Graces.”

I nodded and patted Flavia’s arm. “I understand. But it is because I care that I am doing this. Many things aren’t right. I can’t change them unless I go to the palace.”

She didn’t seem reassured. “You’re so young, my lady. Please be careful.”

The litter shuddered to a halt and a guard drew back the curtain on the door. “We’ve arrived at the palace, my lady.”

I dismounted and entered before my arrival could be unduly noted. Rather than wait for anyone to question me in the atrium, I strode straight through the marble halls to the palace gardens. Ethen was waiting near the door with three Aida men, all similarly dressed in black. He looked my way briefly and gave a subtle wink while continuing to talk with his people. I walked around the first cluster of vibrant bushes and paused to peek at the empress’s pavilion where she sat with six goddesses. From what Ethen had told me, two were friends with Charity and the other two were loyal to Constance. This was really only a competition between those two Graces—unless one of their followers decided to betray their apparent loyalty.

My mouth dried as I realized my moment had come. I buried my hands in my skirts to stop their shaking, and my damp palms slipped slightly in the silk. I wouldn’t overthink this. I’d already made up my mind. I knew what I had to do.

I walked along the winding paths crowded by beautiful flowers and bushes. I let my happiest memories come to my mind. I didn’t concentrate on how they were all in some way linked to Ethen.

I thought of baskets of pomegranates and patients leaping out of hospital beds. I thought of Flavia’s tears of happiness and a note under a golden bracelet. I thought of our fingers entwined—such a simple gesture but full of so much meaning.

The flowers around me bloomed, and I was encouraged by the trail I was making in a garden where so many happy Graces had already trod. I was ready. There would be no second chance if I failed today.

“Wait here,” I whispered to Flavia. She hung back on a sheltered bench, looking worried.

I neared the pavilion—close enough to hear the empress’s words, yet hidden behind the thick rhododendron bushes so I couldn’t be seen.

“...have all impressed me with your qualities, from your abilities to Bless others to your calm and serene natures. Any of you would make a fine wife for my son and a fine empress to our countries. My wish is that whoever succeeds me will be able to Bless all our lands and see in an era of prosperity as well as bear children that would succeed my son after his death. Of course, you would remain to guide and Bless them also.”

One of the goddesses responded in a low, polite murmur.

The empress continued, her confident voice carrying easily on the breeze. “I would like you all to demonstrate this power that the whole empire will rely on. Your very purpose as a Grace is to bring life and hope and prosperity. I have here six dead branches in the center basket. They have been scorched by fire and embedded with poison. I would like each of you to bring yours back to life. I understand it is hard to work under pressure, but as an empress, you would be under scrutiny every day of your life. Now, Charity, would you like to go first?”

I blew out a long breath. Ethen had seen these dead branches being prepared yesterday, their use clear. He had also said he would be close enough to give me an opening, which meant one of these goddesses wouldn’t pass today, to enable me to take her place. But there could be only one winner.

I could hear a smile in the empress’s voice. “Beautiful, Charity, excellent work. Patience, you’re next. Try not to influence other people’s branches, please.”

I chewed on my lip. My own powers of Blessing still affected everything around me in an even radius. I had no idea how to direct them, and what was even the point? Surely it was good for everything to be Blessed? Even so, I was glad my performance would be last— if everything went to plan, which meant I needed one of the weaker goddesses to be sixth today.

“Perfect, Patience. You may sit back down. Liberty, you are next, if you please.”

My heartbeat increased, and I shifted on my feet, hoping I wasn’t about to make even more of a fool of myself here than I had done in the past.

“Lovely. Hope. Ah, yes, you’ve already done it. Beautiful blossoms, but remember you must have the discipline to control your emotions and wait for your moment. However, I am glad being here brings you happiness. Constance? Oh, simply stunning. The speed with which you can work is truly impressive.” The empress’s voice always seemed to warm when she spoke to Constance. She was clearly her favorite.

I straightened and prepared myself to move quickly, glad it wasn’t Constance who had been last. It would have been too suspicious to exclude her today, so we would have picked second to last and that could have been messy. Also, the remaining Grace was loyal to Charity, and I feared her far more than I feared Constance.

“Prudence, you are last. Please transform your branch.” I hoped Ethen was watching closely.

The empress’s voice softened. “Take your time, Prudence. Concentrate on your emotions.”

Seconds ticked by without the empress’s praise, and I sighed in relief. Ethen’s powers of death were working as subtly as I’d hoped. Now I just had to take the opening.

“Prudence, stay calm. Would you like to keep trying?” A note of impatience had entered the empress’s voice.

“I…I’m sorry…I…I can’t…” I couldn’t let myself feel sorry for her.

I strode out from behind the rhododendron and thought of my most intense emotions. I pictured the way Ethen had looked at me when our fingers had entwined and removed every caution and barrier in my heart. I let myself feel without restriction.

For the first time, I could feel the power leaving me, a slight thrum in my fingertips and the tingling of goosebumps down my arms.

I stepped into full view of the pavilion and stopped as if in surprise, bowing to the empress. Prudence’s branch burst into life, leaves and blossoms scattering as she threw it away from her in surprise. All the other branches also bloomed more abundantly as Ethen removed the last traces of death from the pavilion.

It wasn't just the branches, either, the tree behind me gained so many apples, the branches creaked as they drooped. I tried not to smile as the feeling of victory and pride swelled in my chest.

“I’m sorry, forgive my interruption.”

The empress stood from her seat. Her face was incredulous. “Purity? What are you doing here?”

I swallowed, trying to moisten my throat enough to remove any tremble from my voice. “I was asked to accompany Priscilla to the capital. She is occupied with her friends today, and I found myself with nothing to do. I decided to come to the palace gardens. They are so beautiful and peaceful. I didn’t mean to intrude though. I hope I’ve not overstepped.”

The empress seemed to catch herself. “I must admit, I wasn’t sure I would see you again after the…shock you received last time.”

I bowed my head. “I have not dwelt on it, Your Majesty. Instead, I found the experience has helped me gain more control of my emotions.”

Constance looked between me and Charity and took a small step forward. I had hoped she would speak up on my behalf. If she replaced one of Charity’s followers with her own, it would be a big advantage for her. “Your Majesty, it appears that Purity has made Prudence’s stick bloom. I believe she has also made your complexion glow. Maybe fortune is smiling on us.”

The empress seemed a little taken aback, and I took note that this form of flattery could affect her. Constance beckoned to me, and I took a few hesitant steps up to the pavilion.

I blinked innocently at the sticks. “What was wrong with Prudence’s stick?”

The empress folded her arms and sat back down. “We are discussing which Grace would be most appropriate to wed my son. This is a private affair among more mature Graces.”

A male voice sounded behind me. “But Purity appears today to be the strongest of them all. Or did I misunderstand what my eyes just saw?”

I whirled around to see Prince Sebastian striding down the path toward us. His presence and support were not something I had anticipated. Maybe it was my own time to be Blessed.

The empress’s face softened. “Sebastian, you know you weren’t needed for this part.”

He grinned, full of charm, and spread out his arms. “But how could I resist coming to see the results of such beautiful Graces?” He winked at me. “Maybe you could make an exception, Mother, and accept a younger Grace since she has such promise.”

The empress hesitated only a moment longer, but the edges of her mouth tilted in displeasure. “Fine. Purity will replace Prudence.”

Constance grinned at me, her chestnut hair seeming to shine brighter. Charity glared at her from across the pavilion, then glared at Prudence instead. I felt sorry for Prudence. It looked like Charity would give her an earful for failing today.

“But!” The empress raised a finger. “I will have no tolerance for mistakes. Purity, you will be under the greatest scrutiny. You are only a few months old after all. Are you sure you wish to take part in this selection process for Prince Sebastian’s hand?”

I widened my eyes and looked down to the floor. “I am greatly honored, Your Majesty and Your Highness. I’d never dreamed of being considered. Though I’m fully aware I have little to offer compared to the older Graces here, I would still welcome the opportunity to grow.”

Sebastian beamed at me in a way that made his whole face irresistibly attractive. I quickly looked away.

The empress stood. “That’s settled then. In three days, you’ll be given instructions for your next challenge which will take place in a week—on a different day for each of you. Until then, my son will wish to talk with all of you. Please do your best to accommodate his busy schedule.” She turned to me with a resigned look in her eyes. “Purity, I will see that you are given accommodation within the palace. You must seek my permission if you intend to leave the palace before this assessment is over.”

I bowed again, my chest constricting. I had committed to another cage. I didn’t raise my head until the empress had left, her silk skirts whispering behind her. Prudence was the second to leave, hurrying down the steps so fast she almost tripped on her robe.

Smiling sweetly, Constance glided toward me and took both my hands. Her dress had an unusual crisscross pattern of twisted linen that left a triangle around each hip bare. “It is good to have you here, Purity. I was worried after you left the palace so quickly last time. Please let me know if you need anything.”

I nodded and returned her smile. “Thank you. This is all quite sudden. I’ll be glad to have somebody I can talk to. I didn’t expect to be moving into the palace today.”

Constance squeezed my hands. “You should enjoy it. Make the most of it. There’s nowhere else quite as exciting.”

Behind her, Charity scoffed as she pushed past and walked down the steps, her head held high, though she did slow long enough to give Sebastian a seductive smile with slightly pursed lips as she passed him on the path. Liberty kept close in step behind her, her only remaining supporter. She didn’t even glance at the prince.

Prince Sebastian climbed the last of the steps and congratulated each of us, before indicating with a tilt of his head for me to follow him. I felt the remaining goddesses' eyes boring into my back as he took me back to the path and off to one side.

His voice was low and soft, forcing me to take a small step closer so I could hear. “I was intending to talk to you in secret moments these next few weeks, Purity, but it seems you have now caught everyone’s attention.” He smiled at me and lightly brushed my cheek. The action felt strangely intrusive after Ethen’s restraint. “I’m glad people are starting to see your worth, and it will be easier for us to get to know each other now that you’re on Mother’s list. We can meet in full view as often as we like.” He leaned in closer. “Good luck. My money is on you.”