Page 2 of Ties of Deception (Tethered Hearts)

Chapter

Two

T he morning passed in a haze of fragrant bath steam and endless types of food, which the maids offered to me on small gold and silver dishes, eagerly waiting to hear which were my favorites. When I had chosen a dress and jewelry, almost at random, I let Flavia braid my hair and weave tiny delicate chains linked between gold coins across the crown of my head. Pris was right when she’d called her experienced. The hairstyle was a masterpiece, and her deft fingers never made a mistake. Silvia seemed as entranced by its creation as I was.

I reclined on the couch, watching the sun shine on the gardens through the pillars. This place was so beautiful, I struggled to take it in. It still seemed impossible that this could be my home.

Flavia curtsied. “Does my lady wish for any entertainment this morning?” Her face was neutral, soft, and professional. I had yet to see much emotion on her face—a stark contrast to Silvia’s eager grins.

I frowned into the middle distance, but I wasn’t sure what sort of entertainment I would like or what my options were. “Perhaps a walk around the gardens? Do I need to prepare anything for this afternoon? Pris said the family would give me a tour of Yienna.”

Flavia inclined her head. “There’s nothing you need to do. Everything is being arranged. Once you’ve had lunch, I’ll escort you to your litter. But for this morning, would you like me to call the gardener so you can ask him any questions about the grounds, and he can tell you about the flowers? You could also give him any requests for things you want altered.”

I shook my head as I stood up. “No, please don’t bother anyone. A gentle, peaceful walk will be enough.”

I would see enough people this afternoon, and I was still acclimatizing. If I had to talk to many more people, I would quickly be overwhelmed.

Flavia nodded, her face as expressionless as always. “Please allow me to escort you around then, my lady.”

She indicated for me to follow her, and again, I noticed the tattoos on the back of her left wrist, winding in thin lines and extending to her elbow.

I licked my lips. “I don’t mean to be rude, but do the tattoos mean anything? I noticed they are similar to Drusella’s.”

Flavia kept her eyes tilted downward. “A couple can ask the priests to give them tattoos when they get married. They signal your lifelong commitment to each other and can’t be removed.”

I stared more openly at the pattern. “It’s beautiful.”

A slight flush appeared on her cheeks. “Thank you. Mine is simple. Some people add to them every year, making them more complex. The richer families pay to have them done in gold.”

I smiled at her, though she still wouldn’t quite meet my eyes. “Well, I think yours is lovely. I like the simplicity of it, especially now I know what it means. I think love is best when it is simple and honest.”

A flicker of emotion passed over Flavia’s face, but I couldn’t decipher it. She turned toward the pillars facing the garden. “Please, follow me.”

My peaceful, aimless stroll around the immaculate grounds was a sharp contrast to the crowd of household members milling around the gate where my litter was waiting. Both my villa and the family’s villa were in the middle of large grounds surrounded on all sides by a high wall that separated the estate from the rest of the city. The wall only had one gate. Beside it were the long stables and a large shed where the litters and more robust carriages were kept.

The gate opened to the streets and a large, ornate litter was already strapped by long poles to two horses in front and two behind. Flavia and Silvia guided me to a box that allowed me to step inside, then positioned themselves to walk on either side so I could easily call on them. I was surprised when nobody joined me inside, and Hermon and Drusella only gave me a brief greeting before mounting their horses. Servants and guards surrounded us, creating quite the procession.

Hermon called an order, and the horses stepped forward as one. Inside the litter I felt a gentle sway. Within moments we were past the wall and inside the city. I tied back the curtains on both sides so I could see as much as possible.

Even from within my litter, Yienna was beautiful. The family must have spread the word that I was taking a tour because the streets were lined with people dressed in colorful tunics, long, grand wraps hanging over one shoulder and tightened around their waists. The women’s tunics brushed the floor, while the men’s ended at the knee. Many threw flowers at my large litter; some had good enough aim to land at my feet. Others lifted their children, trying to move them as close to me as possible. The streets were paved with white cobblestones and everywhere were baskets of flowers, some blooms noticeably brightening as we passed. Was that the power of my happiness? My Blessing?

I smiled and waved between the parted curtains. Hermon and Drusella rode their grand horses on either side, their postures proud as if they enjoyed showing me off. They both wore long blue cloaks that completely obscured the back end of their steeds. The guards and servants surrounding us seemed constantly alert.

As we neared the end of yet another street lined with richly dressed people, I called to Drusella. “Are we planning on dismounting? I would love to visit some places on foot.”

Hermon threw a nervous glance at his wife. “I would advise against it today, my lady. The people are so excited by your arrival, you might get swamped. Maybe once the city is more used to your presence. Besides, you can see more of the city by litter. And we can travel quicker.”

I didn’t press the issue; my attention had been caught by a grand tower with statues in every window and a golden clock on its crown. A wide river ran along the other side of the road with bridge after bridge sweeping across it, each one unique. Flavia had told me we’d be mostly following the river to keep the temperature as cool for me as possible. I thought it would be more beneficial for the guards dressed in their metal breastplates and helmets. Under the strong sun, they had to feel like they were being cooked alive.

We slowed as we begun the climb up a winding hill and the crowds took advantage, pressing in on every side. The guards and servants waved them back, and some of their voices became sharp. A servant waving a golden wax seal above his head got Hermon’s attention. Hermon called for him to come closer, and the guards let him through to the feet of Hermon’s grand horse, though nobody slowed. They spoke in quiet voices, and I was too far away to understand any of it, though Drusella looked uneasy. She urged the men driving the horses to increase their pace.

The servant with the gold seal disappeared, and Hermon moved his horse up to Drusella’s with a serious expression.

I craned out of the litter, trying to hear the conversation over the voices of the crowd and the sharp click of horse’s hooves.

I barely caught Drusella’s reply. “I’m not sure she’s ready for this yet, Hermon. She’s been with us less than two days. The priest said not to rush her.”

Hermon’s voice increased in volume with urgency. “Their daughter might not have two days left. They’re our friends, Dru.”

Drusella gestured back to me without looking my way. “But Purity has to come first. What if this upsets or traumatizes her? The consequences could be far worse than if we do nothing.”

I frowned and cleared my throat. “Maybe I’m the best judge of what I’m ready to do?”

The couple startled in their saddles before turning to me with awkward expressions.

Hermon dabbed his forehead with his kerchief. “Er, well, you see…it’s a bit of a distressing situation, my lady. The Adamo family’s youngest daughter is ill. They wish your Blessing on her to bring her back to health.”

I licked my lips, indignation growing inside me. “And all that needs to happen for her to be Blessed is for her to be near me? Why are we even questioning this if she is sick? Of course, I must heal her.”

Drusella glanced at her husband, her eyes full of worry. She slipped from her horse and approached me quietly. She reached out to take my hands as she gazed up into my face. “Purity, it’s not quite that simple. You must be very happy while she is nearby for her to receive a Blessing. Can you look on a sick child and remain happy? If you become upset, you could make the child distressed by breaking things nearby. Additionally, all those around you might doubt your ability to Bless and fear for their safety. Even bridges and houses might be badly damaged. The stronger the emotion, the wider the distance you affect.” She squeezed my hands. “It’s very soon for you to try this. You are so young. You haven’t yet learned to control your emotions or become confident in your abilities. You have to see the joy of what is to come when you heal her, even when she appears broken and suffering before you.”

I closed my eyes, understanding the gravity of the situation. “Do I have to see her? If I am happy inside the litter and the girl is brought close, would that work?”

Drusella half nodded. “It depends on your innate power, the level of your happiness, and the seriousness of the illness. Whereas it is simpler for you to spread luck and happiness, healing a child from near death may require you to touch her.”

I looked away back into the litter and the richly embroidered cushions within. How could I control my happiness? How could I be so happy that I could heal people even from a distance? Was it even possible to control my emotions as tightly as that? I had no memories or experiences to dwell on. When I looked inside myself for strength, I felt like an empty amphora.

I frowned. Surely I had to try? A child would die otherwise. I looked straight at Hermon. “Bring the child to me. I will cover my eyes and think happy thoughts. If you need to, guide my arm to touch her.”

Hermon didn’t wait for Drusella to respond but bowed his head in relief and dismounted from his horse, quickly giving orders to a servant. I called to Flavia to join me in the litter, and she found a strip of material to cover my eyes. I held still while she tied it around my head, taking care not to catch any of my braids.

I caught her hand. “Stay in the litter with me, Flavia, and tell me what’s going on.”

“Yes, my lady.” I heard the soft rustle of the silk cushions as she settled. “I think we’re just waiting for the sick girl to be brought here.”

“Maybe we should go to their house, instead?”

Flavia’s voice was hesitant. “I think it might be safer this way, my lady.”

I puzzled over the meaning of her words—and who or what exactly might be ‘safer’—when Flavia announced the girl was being carried through the crowd.

A small stab of panic sharpened my senses. I needed happy thoughts. What happy thoughts could I dwell on? I had nothing but memories from the last two days. Still, there had to be something.

I closed my eyes and thought of the gentle ripple of the curtains blowing in my room. The sound of bird songs. The taste of fresh mangos. I clung to them fiercely, willing them to make me happy.

Another image bloomed in the back of my mind, and I couldn’t place it at all. A basket full of pomegranates. A note tied with a silver ribbon. A navy silk cushion, half covered by my hair. Only my hair wasn’t wavy and blonde but black and straight and long enough to form a cloak.

I snapped my eyes open but could only see hazy shadows through the material covering most of my face.

Flavia touched my shoulder, and I suppressed the urge to flinch. “She’s close now, my lady. Concentrate on your emotions. I will guide your hand if you need me to.”

I swallowed, reeling with shock and confusion. But when I thought of that basket…I’d felt joy…hope…excitement.

The feeble cry of an infant threatened to distract me further. I could almost feel the tension and expectation in the air.

I thought back to the basket, trying to bring it back to its previous vividness. The shining scarlet fruit flecked with yellow, begging to be sliced open and tasted. The silver ribbon. The feel of a promise. My expectation of something wonderful. Something I had only dreamed of. Excitement so deep, I couldn’t sit still. Happiness.

Slowly the intensity of the picture returned, and I couldn’t hold back a smile.

A gasp from Flavia broke the picture. “My lady! My lady, you just did it. She’s stopped crying. The lesions are gone! She even looks a normal, healthy weight now!”

The image of the basket vanished, and I couldn’t help a moment of sharp loss and the sensation of being bereft and alone. But before the emotion could take root, there were sounds of shouts from the crowd. I pulled the blindfold off and stared in wonder. A man was lifting his toddler daughter to the sky by the litter, tears of joy streaming down his face. Flowers had bloomed everywhere to enormous sizes. The crowd was rejoicing, some shouting about their own ailments that had been healed, pointing at hands or legs or stomachs. The world seemed brighter somehow.

Everywhere was…happiness.

I drank it all in, letting it feed my joy with something far more tangible than that strange memory I couldn’t explain. Thinking back and wondering about the basket made the feeling of loss return, so I smothered it and concentrated on my joy that the little girl was better.

The father handed his little girl to another and bowed before my litter. I hurriedly gestured for him to get up. Then the litter was turned around, and Drusella informed me we were returning to the villa.

The crowds didn’t stop their cheering, and nobody was beaming more than Drusella and Hermon, who sat proudly atop their horses.

Flavia settled down on the other side of the litter, the excitement even making her smile. “You did so well, my lady. Everyone will be so grateful for what you did today.”

I pulled the ribbons loose so the litter curtains fell shut on either side, suddenly tired. “Hopefully, I will be able to do even more soon.”

I barely spoke to anyone when we reached the villa, still thinking back to the father’s joy and gratitude as he stared at his daughter. I sat on the laden cushions and asked for a bowl of sliced orange from one of the maids. Somehow, I knew that if I asked for a pomegranate, I would only compare it to that strange flash of emotions and be disappointed.

If my happiness could bring about so much goodness and change so many lives, surely it was my duty to be as happy as I possibly could be. This was something I could do. I would be the best goddess I could be. I would Bless my people and heal all their sorrows.