Page 22 of Ties of Deception (Tethered Hearts)

Chapter

Twenty-Two

E verything appeared hazy around the edges, and my focus was slightly off. I stared down at my palm and the blood that was pooling in the middle. I wore a strange robe of black with silver embroidery. The strength of my emotions crashed into me as the picture sharpened. It was happiness. I felt so overwhelmingly happy.

Ethen’s hand appeared next to mine, his blood collecting in the center of his palm. We clasped our hands together, mixing our blood. His eyes met mine, his expression so earnest that my heart dipped in my chest. I heard a tremble in his voice. “In this life and the next, I promise I will always be yours.”

I beamed at him, swallowing down the lump building in my throat. “In this life and the next.”

He let go of my hand as if worried he had touched me for too long. “I can’t wait for you to be my wife. I still can’t believe…” His words trailed off as his voice became thick with emotion.

I couldn’t stop smiling. My joy made me want to dance. I might not be able to marry him in this life, but we were going to be married in my next life and that would make everything worth it.

I swayed, caught in a wave of dizziness, and Ethen’s expression fell. “Snow? Come, let’s wash my blood from your hand. It’s still touching you. It may—Snow?” He caught my arm. “You should sit. Come…”

New hands steadied my back, and I recognized Tamel’s voice. “Aidis, I’ve got her. You should let go. Step back from her. I’ll help her wash.” Then the memory grew dark and distant as if it were fleeing down a long tunnel.

I woke in the middle of the night, confused by the light filtering through the curtains. My mouth was parched, and a headache pounded behind my ears. Everything told me to go back to sleep. My body felt like it was being sucked under in a swamp, but something wasn’t right.

It was morning, not the middle of the night.

It was the morning I was to have breakfast with Prince Sebastian. Flavia was supposed to have woken me at the crack of dawn. With huge effort, I sat up. My eyes were gritty, and I fumbled around the low table for the pitcher of water. I drank the whole thing, but my throat was still parched. Was I ill? No, Graces didn’t get ill. And no matter how I felt, I couldn’t afford to be late.

I staggered out of my room and glanced at the cylinder on the water clock on the low table in the middle of my living quarters.

It was hours past dawn. Breakfast would have officially started ten minutes ago. Panic chased away my drowsiness, and I ran to Flavia’s door, pounding on it before flinging it open. Flavia lay asleep on her bed—even the noise hadn’t roused her. I tried to wake her, but she only moaned. Her pulse and breathing were fine. Her skin was cool with no sign of a fever. We had been drugged.

I hurried back into the main room and grabbed my silvery-green dress that had been laid out the previous evening. I had thought the scent pouch had been Charity’s main trick, but clearly she’d been up to something else more clever. I’d been too confident.

The sound of heavy boots made me turn around. Ethen pushed through the curtains from my balcony. “What’s going on? Where’s Flavia? The prince is waiting for you.” He looked me up and down. “Wow, you look a mess.”

I graced him with a sarcastic smile. “Thanks. Just what I wanted to hear.” I nodded to Flavia’s room. “I can’t wake her. I think we’ve both been drugged. Will she be all right? She has a good pulse and is breathing well.”

He frowned and sniffed the air. “That scent. It’s moon blossom. It’s not dangerous—it only makes you sleep.” He sniffed again and strode to the side table where our incense sticks burned almost constantly. He seized them and threw them into a pitcher of water. “Clever. I’ve only seen it used in drinks, never as an incense. They must have changed your incense sticks when a new batch was delivered to your room yesterday. I didn’t even think to check them. I’ve only been keeping an eye on the food and drink. It looks like the effects were less powerful in this form, but it served its purpose. You’re very late.”

I bared my teeth in frustration. “If you help me get ready, I can hurry there and apologize. Maybe he will overlook it.”

Ethen didn’t look convinced. “I mean, I didn’t even know that Graces could look like you do right now.”

I grabbed a cushion and threw it at him. “There isn’t time for your nonsense. Help me! Quickly!”

I started to pull off my chiffon nightgown, and the humor dropped from his face, replaced by alarm. “Purity…”

“Get my hairbrush and those earrings and necklace and put them there. Don’t worry, I won’t take my shift off. I know it’s thin but…just don’t look. I need you to help me with the clasps. Hurry!”

He spurred into action, grabbing my things and laying them over the couch. I tried to remember how Flavia had positioned my dress yesterday. It was complicated with drapes and layers of material, but I struggled into the first part with minimal elegance. The second part got stuck over my face, the material squishing my nose and pulling tight across my ears.

“Please pull it down!” I garbled through the silk stretched across my mouth, my arms stuck midair from the material around my elbows. I couldn’t open my eyes to see anything at all, but I heard a footfall nearby. “Pull it down.” I tried again in case he hadn’t heard.

His chuckle was very close. “I’m sorry, I couldn’t quite hear you.”

Didn’t he understand how serious this situation was? “Pull. It. Down. Now.”

The backs of his fingers brushed against the soft skin of my upper arms as he pulled the material down. A shiver ran across my skin in response.

I wasn't prepared for his nearness as the material fell free from my face. My heart stumbled from the shock. His smirk was almost a grin—he would only have to lean forward a few inches to kiss me. My treacherous eyes flickered to his lips.

He broke the moment with a snort. “You look even worse now. Your hair is floating with static.”

“Ethen, you’re not helping.” I turned to the mirror to adjust the second layer of silk.

He folded his arms. “I think I’m being very helpful actually, since otherwise, you would still be held prisoner by your own dress.”

I ignored him and undid what little of my braid was left, yanking the brush through my tangled waves. Ethen was right—it really was a mess. Flavia often sprayed my hair with something before combing it, but I had no idea what she used.

Ethen came up behind me and rested a hand on one shoulder. My breath caught despite my stress. “Don’t panic. Let me help you. You put on your earrings and bracelets. I’ll brush your hair.”

I didn’t argue. He took the golden hairbrush as I reached for the jewelry on the sofa and fiddled with the clasps, struggling to pry them free.

Ethen’s voice was like a cool, calm stream. “Purity, calm down. It’s going to be all right. I already made an excuse for you.” He held the top of my hair and started to tug out the knots at the bottom with the brush. The gentle pressure on my scalp was strangely comforting. I noticed I was blushing in the mirror as his hand swept across the base of my neck to gather more hair. Goose bumps prickled my skin in response.

I cleared my throat and returned my attention to the clasp on my bracelet. “And what excuse is that?”

He moved the brush farther up my hair, continuing the gentle tugs. “A maid has already delivered a message she believes is from you giving the prince your deepest apologies and saying you will be there shortly. I said Flavia fell and hit her head, and so, you are putting her to bed and healing her with your Blessing.”

I bit my lip. “Is that excuse going to work?”

He shrugged. “It was the best I could come up with. The fact she happens to be unconscious helps us. I was expecting her to need to fake it.”

I snapped the bracelet into place. “Can’t I just tell him the truth and say I was drugged, presumably by another jealous Grace?”

Ethen’s face darkened. “I don’t think that is wise. Accusing people without solid evidence of who was behind it has a habit of coming back to bite you here. Others could say you fabricated the whole thing to gain sympathy after oversleeping to blame it on somebody else. Sometimes it is best to just let these things go and unnerve your opponent with how well you continue. Then we wait for them to make a worse mistake.”

I gritted my teeth. It was frustrating, but he was probably right. I finished my jewelry just as he pulled the hairbrush smoothly from roots to tips. “You have such beautiful hair,” he murmured, almost to himself. “There are so many shades of gold within it. The way it catches the light is mesmerizing.”

He paused, his hand suspended in midair, still holding the brush. I couldn’t help but focus on his palm in the mirror. My eye moved up from his wrist to the fleshy base where a faint and small white scar was visible. Exactly the same place he had cut his hand during the vows in my dream. My memory.

I had been so happy.

But now was not the time for me to reflect on that. I focused back on my hair as he set down the brush. I didn’t have the time or skill for a fancy style, so I merely let it fall loose around my shoulders and down my back. Constance often wore hers without adornment, so I shouldn’t stand out.

I quickly rubbed some rouge onto my lips and darkened my eyelids with kohl. Ethen stepped back with his arms folded, assessing me up and down. “I think you’re ready enough. You should go alone, but I won’t be far. Remember to smile a lot. He likes smiling.”

I raised an eyebrow at his tip, but he was already striding away to lower himself from my balcony. I drew in a deep breath and left the room, hurrying down to the inner courtyard. I hoped I could guess the way without Flavia’s instruction since I had never been there before.

Two Amazones stood guard and I sensed disapproval as I passed between them. I kept my head high, but even with my excuse, being late to see the prince was not good—not good at all.

A single table was laid out next to a wide pool of rainwater, covered in stunning mosaics. Sebastian sat with his back to me. In the chair opposite him was Charity, her eyes widening in shock and surprise at my arrival. How dare she take my place.

I stopped in my tracks, immediately suppressing my anger before I broke something expensive. I concentrated instead on the far more powerful emotions I had felt when Ethen kissed me. The feel of his hands on my neck when he had brushed my hair. The intimacy of his touch.

Beside me, a bird burst into song and two spiraling butterflies swirled around my hair. I resumed walking and ignored Charity completely.

Sebastian smiled and stood when I came into view. “Purity, are you all right?”

I bobbed a curtsy. “I’m so sorry for keeping you waiting. I hope you will forgive me. My maid fell and hit her head. It was really quite nasty—it knocked her unconscious. I couldn’t leave her with a physician when I could heal her with my Blessing. But it took me a while to get her comfortable and stabilize her, and then I had to finish dressing without her aid.” I lowered my head then peeped up through my eyelashes, hoping I looked contrite yet innocent. “Please forgive me.” Charity glared at me over the prince’s shoulder.

Sebastian frowned. “It sounds like you’ve had quite a morning. Of course you should have attended to your maid, but you could have called on others to help you.”

I smiled a shy smile. “I didn’t want to bother anyone when I could simply heal her myself. But I will ask a physician to check on her later.”

Sebastian laid a hand on my arm, leaning close so I would look him full in the eyes. “It was kind and compassionate of you, Purity. It’s good of you to care about your servants.”

He turned to Charity. “Thank you for your concern and for keeping me company, Charity, but I will use the remainder of this time to get to know Purity.”

Charity stood and beamed at the prince. “Of course, Your Highness. It’s always nice to have a chat, however short. I will see you later.” She walked back the way I had come—when she glanced back, her eyes were on the prince alone.

Prince Sebastian pulled out Charity’s seat for me. I hoped she hadn’t hidden anything on it.

He sat down opposite me and poured me a glass of juice before pouring his own. Since he drank from the same pitcher, I presumed Charity couldn’t have risked placing anything in it. She hadn’t expected me to come, after all. “I’m afraid our conversation will be shorter than normal due to your stressful morning, but I’m sure we’ll have other chances to converse in the future.” He raised a hand to signal for a servant to bring us food. The smell of eggs and toast wafted from under covered dishes along with platters of cold meats and fruit. My mouth watered, and my stomach clenched in anticipation. Moon blossom must have heightened my appetite.

I helped myself to the food, trying to be dainty and not overly eager, despite how my stomach was eating itself alive. “I do hope so. I enjoy your company.”

He grinned at me, his whole face lighting with pleasure, and pushed back the unruly black curls of his fringe. “You joining Mother’s list was a most unexpected surprise. But it is much easier for me to get to know somebody when I’m able to invite them to a public breakfast.”

I thought of his private meetings with the goddess in the garden and how she had been so eager to kiss him. He seemed to manage well enough.

I met his dark eyes. “Please tell me more about yourself. I would love to get to know you better.”

He huffed a laugh and scooped some scrambled egg onto a spoon. Every mannerism of his was smooth and precise. Attractive. “Hmm. I like good food and wine. I’m active. I like dancing and horseback riding. Swimming in the river. And I’m good at the short sprint. I like to study politics and economics, but I need frequent breaks. I feel like distractions are good for me.” He grinned at me as if I were one such distraction. “What about you?”

I took a bite of cooked tomato and egg as I thought. “It’s a hard question since I’ve been alive for such a short time. I haven’t had long to experience new things and discover what I like. I’ve spent most of that time in my family’s villa in Yienna. But so far, I enjoy watching dancers and walking in the gardens. Feeding fish calms me.” I leaned forward and raised my eyebrows. “Maybe you could teach me some of the other things to see whether I like them or not. For example, in the Fertility Festival, I didn’t even know how to direct my horse!”

He waved his fork at me. “That is an excellent idea. After whatever task Mother sets is over, I’ll arrange for us to go riding and swimming together.” He winked at me. “I don’t want to be an unhelpful distraction before then. I suspect whatever it is, it will be hard work.”

I smiled. “Thank you for being so considerate.”

He grinned. “You know, I love your hair loose like that. It catches the light better than when it’s hidden in coils and braids and whatever. I don’t think gold chains or crystal or jewels can add to its beauty, only subtract when they would be inferior to its glorious color.”

A servant strode over with efficient strides and bowed to the prince. “Your Highness, I’m afraid breakfast time is finished. The envoy is due in the meeting room any minute.”

Sebastian sighed and looked down at his half-eaten plate. I winced. “I’m so sorry. My tardiness has kept you from eating.”

“Some things are worth waiting for.” He scooped up one last, large mouthful and stood, swallowing it quickly. “I’ll see you soon, Purity. I look forward to our swim.” He flashed his characteristic charming grin before following the servant from the courtyard.

Nobody came to escort me, so I took my time finishing my own breakfast, even helping myself to a second serving. What would the empress’s task be? Whatever it was, I had to do well. Whether the prince forgave me or not, I had been late today, and I was already the empress’s least favorite. I needed to excel.

I finished my meal and headed back to my rooms to see if Flavia had slept off the drug yet. She would likely be hungry too.