Page 6 of Ties of Deception (Tethered Hearts)

Chapter

Six

A fter the morning’s petitions had concluded, Drusella asked if she could join me for lunch to share some news. My mind had been distracted by my nighttime visitor all morning as I battled to stay calm and happy enough to Bless my guests. I hoped she would tell me something positive. As I settled down to eat fresh fish fried in garlic butter with boiled potatoes and green vegetables mixed in a heavenly sauce, I waited for her to speak first.

She gave me one of those bright smiles I didn’t quite trust. “It’s coming toward the end of summer, Purity. On Atos, we’re blessed with mild weather all year long, but this time is significant because we have a festival just before harvest time to bless the crops. When the goddesses visit the fields, it increases their bounty several times over. As a Grace, it is your duty to attend the fertility festival. It’s also a lot of fun. Our whole family will come with you to the capital and join the parade.”

A feeling of unease at being back on show at a large gathering along with the other Graces twisted my stomach. After what had happened in the palace two weeks ago, I wasn’t sure how easily I would cope another time around. It was hard to stay happy when I was nervous.

Drusella seemed to read my expression and leaned forward, her smile becoming gentle. “You have nothing to worry about, Purity. There will be many, many Graces there. Including some very powerful and famous ones. You will all be traveling close together. Nobody will know who is giving out Blessings and who is not. There will be no pressure.”

I nodded, surprised by how genuinely reassuring her words were. “Do the Graces only bless the fields around Fierro? What about here? What about the fields around Yienna?”

“At the fertility festival, it is important to follow the traditional route in Fierro. In Yienna, the fields are in different districts. Some have their own Graces. As your province is the Riverside District, you would be expected to Bless the river whenever you leave the villa. However, I suppose if you happened to go riding around some fields, nobody would object.” She frowned to herself. “But Purity, I know you have a good heart and wish to Bless many, but right now you are still learning. Focus on your petitioners and just ride the traditional route with the other Graces. When you are more mature and can control your powers, then think about spreading your Blessing farther.”

I sighed and nodded. Though she tried to hide it, I was sure I heard an edge of frustration and even disappointment in Drusella’s voice. Was I different from most young goddesses? I had nobody to compare myself to. And it was true the family here had done everything to make me feel welcome and comfortable. Being happy should be such a small, easy thing for me; it was hard to suppress the guilt slowly building in the pit of my stomach.

I ate a bite of fish before my thoughts could spiral, and I broke something. Again. “When is the festival?”

“Next week. All the Graces wear traditional green and gold robes. I already have yours ready. I thought we could travel to Fierro the day before it starts so we would all be well rested for the festivities.”

I nodded and put on a brave face. This might be enjoyable after all. And it was another chance to learn about this world. “It sounds wonderful.”

It turned out that Hermon and Drusella owned a second villa on the outskirts of Fierro. It was smaller than back home, but I still had two rooms to myself.

We arrived late at night and retired too quickly for me to truly get a feel for the place, but come morning, the excitement in the air was palpable.

I was dressed in traditional green and gold robes made of beautiful, high-quality silk. Subtly stitched leaves glinted when they caught the light. Flavia wrapped the material around me in a complicated pattern I didn’t quite register, fastening it with small gold brooches shaped like leaves. The end result was surprisingly cool and freeing.

We traveled into the heart of Fierro in two litters, one for Hermon and Drusella, and the other for me and Pris. The young woman was practically bouncing up and down in excitement, talking about all her favorite stalls, foods, and the trinkets she had found at previous fertility festivals. I was happy to listen to her in silence and take in the beautiful pale architecture from a gap in the curtain.

This was the first time I had seen Fierro in daylight. It was similar to Yienna but grander and filled with far more trees and blooming vines. I guessed with such a high concentration of goddesses, it was easy to keep them flourishing. Green and gold flags were strung across the streets from inhabitants’ windows, and the general air of excitement was infectious.

We dismounted in the central square, and I had just bitten into an overwhelmingly sweet toffee apple that Pris had given me when an Amazone guard gestured for me to follow her to the procession of Graces. I found myself confronted by a large white mare, but I’d never ridden before in my short life.

“Don’t worry, lady, you’ll be fine. The horses have all done this hundreds of times before. She won’t go faster than a walk. Just hold onto the saddle horn. Don’t worry about the reins if you don’t want to.” The tall guard gave me a leg up as if I weighed nothing, and I was grateful for the extra swaths of silk on my gown that covered my legs on either side. The horse barely shifted beneath my weight and continued chewing on the bit as if bored. Around me, other white mares were being mounted, though the other Graces looked a lot more confident than me, chatting to those around them.

An Amazone mounted on a huge black destrier blew a long, ornately shaped trumpet, startling me. The horses trudged into a line of their own accord and followed the Amazone in an orderly fashion. The sway of the horse was unnerving. I gripped the saddle horn.

A voice behind me hissed, “Just relax and sway with the horse, and it will be easier. Sit slightly back. Push your heels down in the stirrups.”

I followed the instructions and looked back at the Grace in thanks. She winked at me, then returned her attention to riding, pushing back her long, chestnut hair. She was stunningly beautiful and rode straight-backed with elegance. I tried to copy her as much as I could, but was sure I must have looked awkward.

We rode through the center of the square, and I waved farewell to my family as they remained with the dancers and food stalls. Pris waved back, giving a quick excited squeal. My horse followed the one in front without direction, and we wove in a single line of green and gold robes out of the city, long hair streaming down each Grace’s back. The sun beat hot. It had been a long time since I’d been without shade in the sun. It was still only midmorning, but the temperature was already rising rapidly; my robes were starting to stick around my neck and down my back. The unfamiliar motion of the horse chaffed my thighs, and I shifted to ease the soreness. I wondered how far we would need to travel, then instantly felt bad that I wanted to keep this short when the food supply of thousands of people was counting on us.

As we rounded a corner out of sight from the city, goddesses started to ride together in clumps, talking and laughing. An urgent, lowered voice pricked my ears from behind. “Constance, where is Harmony?”

There was a pause, and I resisted the temptation to look over my shoulder.

The voice of the chestnut-haired Grace who’d helped me earlier replied in a low, firm voice. “Serene, careful. We’re in a public place.”

Serene’s voice was far less authoritative and more demanding. “No, if you know, tell me. It’s an innocent question. Where is she? She’s ridden behind me at the fertility festival every year for the last eight years. She’s a Grace, it’s not like she can be ill. You’re spending so much time in the palace and with the prince. Everyone talks there. Haven’t you heard anything?”

Again, there was a long awkward pause before I overheard Constance reply. “Serene, keep your voice down. I hear she was retired.”

“Retired!”

“Serene, please! Shh!”

Serene barely dropped her voice. “But she was only eight.”

Constance’s voice became firmer with a strained edge. “That’s all I know. Please don’t ask me any more questions. I wish to ride in peace.”

I frowned. My impression was that Graces were immortal and could only be killed by severe physical injury. I assumed I would be living this life forever. What did a Grace do when they retired?

I remembered Serene from the summer party as the Grace with dark hair. The one who had said she favored the Aida prince over Prince Sebastian. Surely she’d been joking for effect? The two princes couldn’t be more different from each other. One affable and charming, the other intimidating and rude.

We rounded another corner and were now heading back toward the city. Beside us, the crops were visibly thickening, the wheat glistening gold, their heads fat with grain. On the other side, apples and oranges swelled in an orchard, and the air became thick with the smell of blossoms. I didn’t ever think I would get used to the beauty of this power.

I wondered which of the Graces were also from Yienna. It would be nice to make some friends, but so far none of the others had been particularly friendly. The only other Grace I recognized was one I had overheard at the summer party. Charity, I think she had been called. She rode at the front of the party, her back straight and her golden head held high and proud. Anyone could have mistaken her for the empress because of the way she carried herself. I supposed whichever Grace married Prince Sebastian probably would become empress. Now that was a strange thought.

As we approached Yienna, I noticed we were heading toward a different street than one we’d taken when leaving the city. A stables ran down one side, and stable boys and girls in smart uniforms waited to receive the horses. The Graces in front of me dismounted, and I followed suit, grateful to be out of the saddle. As I handed the reins over to a servant, the chestnut-haired Grace who had ridden behind me smiled and nodded in greeting. She had soft, freckled features with large eyes the color of rich, dark honey. “Hello, is this your first year?”

I nodded and tried to look friendly. “Yes. I’m Purity. I’m from the Riverside District in Yienna. Thank you for the riding tips. I’ve never ridden before.”

“You’re welcome.” Her smile deepened. “I’m Constance. I live here in Fierro. The size of the city can be overwhelming at first, but you soon get used to it as you find your favorite places. And it’s full of charm.” She gestured down the street. “It’s traditional for us to finish our procession on foot. It’s not far, so don’t worry. We’ll be back at the main celebrations soon. Be sure to enjoy some of the food at the stalls. It’s delicious, and you get to try so many different cuisines. The chocolate rolls are my favorite.”

I inclined my head. “I will, thank you.”

She gestured for me to follow her, and I walked a few steps behind, taking in the grand houses with walled gardens as we passed. The streets here were deserted—apart from the occasional guards, who were mostly mortal. I assumed the streets must have been cleared of pedestrians for our safety.

As we neared the noisy crowds, I noticed a smaller alleyway to my left. At the far end, a skinny girl stared at me with wide eyes. Instead of wearing the normal robes I had grown accustomed to, she was dressed in simple, shapeless cotton, and she was far from clean. I guessed she was seven or eight. The plea in her eyes made me stop, my breath stuck in my throat.

The sudden urge to Bless her pulled me from the main street and away from the other Graces into the alley. I smiled at her and approached slowly. The girl seemed nervous but held her ground, tipping her chin up. “Are you…are you a Grace?”

I nodded and slowed down as I approached her, my grand silk robes suddenly feeling tasteless and excessive. “Have you snuck close to the parade because you would like a Blessing?”

She shook her head, then frowned and nodded. “Can you…can you heal my papa? He’s too sick to leave the house. Can you come with me?”

I hesitated and looked around for somebody else who could help, but there was only me; I didn’t want to get the girl in trouble.

“Is your house far?”

Her eyes were round with grief and hope. My heart squeezed. “It’s in the Smokestacks. Graces never go there, so you’re his only chance. Please come. Please. I don’t want him to die.”

“I—”

“Purity!” A male voice behind me called my name.

I startled and turned to see none other than Prince Sebastian following me down the alley. What was he doing here?

I turned back to the girl. But she was gone. Shock and despair pushed a sudden pressure behind my eyes as I looked down the alley frantically for where she might have gone. “Wait!”

If I was happy enough, I would only have to walk past her house, but now there was no way for me to know where it was, and her father would die.

I turned back to find Prince Sebastian had already caught up with me.

He sketched a bow. “Lady Purity, it’s nice to see you again.”

I recovered, dragging my emotions back under control, and subtly checking to ensure nothing around me had broken. I bobbed a curtsy. “Likewise.” A trickle of panic resurfaced, catching me off balance. That girl… But I knew how important my manners would be today after what had happened at the palace. I pushed down my emotion, swallowing it down and down as I was becoming practiced at doing. I desperately hid my sorrow and frustration before it took control and I broke something. All that was left was the prince.

He raised his eyebrows in an earnest, interested expression that was undeniably attractive. “I hope you’re enjoying the festival?”

I forced a smile and nodded. “I am. I…was just thinking it would be nice to cover more of the town. That girl…” I couldn’t help but look back over my shoulder, hoping she would reappear.

The prince moved to my side, following my gaze, then stood between me and the unknown labyrinth of the city as if hoping to regain my attention. He nodded with a thoughtful expression. “It would, wouldn’t it? Though I suppose the current thinking is that Blessing the fields benefits everyone, since everyone needs to eat. And besides, we have to keep you Graces as happy as possible, otherwise all this would be for nothing, hey? We can’t work you too hard and you’ve already been riding under the hot sun. Let us councilmen deal with the stress and the problems of the city.” He chuckled, and I found myself responding with an automatic smile, even as my instincts remained uneasy with his answer.

He stepped closer, bringing my attention back to his disarming face. “I hope you don’t mind, but I was a little worried about you.”

I blinked in surprise. “You were?”

He nodded. “You’re always on your own. I never see you talking with the other goddesses or courtiers. I saw you wander down here, and I thought I would check on you.”

I swallowed, wondering what was behind his comment. “I haven’t been introduced to anyone yet. I’m still very new here. I did talk to Constance earlier, though.”

The prince nodded, his face all empathy and understanding. “It must be tricky. And you have to watch yourself in court. Not everyone is as nice as they appear, though I’ll admit Constance is a fine example of a Grace. But others would take advantage of you if you let them.”

I nodded. “I’m being careful.”

He smiled. “Well done. There’s nothing wrong with keeping your distance from the others. If you need anything, just let me know. I’ll keep an eye out for you.”

I curtsied again, feeling both flattered and uncomfortable. “Thank you, Your Highness.”

He grinned, and his gaze moved over my shoulder back toward the main street. “Ah, Charity. I didn’t see you approach.”

I turned and saw the goddess dressed in a fresh bronze robe draped over the traditional clothes. The layers of chiffon were nearly sheer but heavily embroidered with leaves and flowers. Her blonde hair was piled on top of her head, a few loose curls framing her perfect features. Her frown was quickly smoothed over as she smiled at the prince. “Sebastian, I thought I saw you come this way, and I thought it was odd to see you moving away from the festivities. I also wanted to ask if we were still going to have our tea later.”

Prince Sebastian laughed. “Of course, Charity. There is no need to follow me around to guarantee that. It will be the highlight of my day. Third bell, if I remember correctly?”

She beamed and one of the flower buds nestled in the piled curls of her hair suddenly burst into bloom: a vibrant pink rose.

I hid a twinge of jealousy. How could she be so in control to achieve a trick like that, when I couldn’t even be trusted to sit at a table?

The prince bowed to Charity, turned, and nodded to me, before taking his leave. As Charity turned to face me, the prince mouthed from behind her, “ One to avoid .” Then he was gone.

Charity’s posture was tense, though her expression remained carefully neutral. The alleyway suddenly felt much narrower. “Who are you? What did he say to you? And why are you down here going away from the guards?”

I shifted my feet. This was definitely a conversation I didn’t want to have. The last thing I wanted was to appear to be a competitor for the hand of the prince.

I tried to seem innocent. “I’m Purity. I have only been here a month. The prince was remarking that I’m friendless and always alone. I think he…pitied me. I will try to be more amicable.”

Charity raised an eyebrow with a hint of a smirk. “Ah, so you’re the one who cracked the palace wall.”

I sighed inwardly. “Yes.”

Charity nodded, then something seemed to snap inside her. She strode to me, and I gasped as the paving stones started to crack on the ground around me. That wasn’t me, was it? No. Charity was the one who was angry.

She stopped inches from my face, though her expression was still calm. “Let me give you some advice, my new friend . If I ever find you talking to the prince alone again, I will destroy you, your house, and your family.”

I stumbled as the stones directly below my feet cracked. The whole ground seemed to shake. A shiver of alarm made me step back and put distance between us.

The cracking stopped and Charity smiled sweetly. “Whoops, it looks like you lost control again.” She tutted and shook her head.

I frowned. “That was you. I know it was.”

She raised her eyebrows and placed her hand over her heart, all fake innocence. “Me? But everyone knows I have perfect control. I haven’t broken anything in more than ten years.”

I could almost taste my dislike of her, thick and cloying in the back of my mouth. I couldn’t keep back my retort. “Oh, clever you. Has picking on me made all your obvious insecurities disappear?”

She snorted. Another rose bloomed in her hair as she smiled. I really hated this woman. At my feet, another slab cracked; this time, I was pretty sure it was me.

“Careful, or you’ll be banned from the whole city. The empress already dislikes you. Who knows, maybe you’ll even be retired before the year is out. Now why don’t you run along back to your carers and have your temper tantrum elsewhere.”

I grimaced at her words. What was I doing, playing along with this goddess’s games? I just needed to leave. I turned to walk past her when a strange energy pulsed through the air, making me pause. The roses in Charity’s hair shriveled into brown stumps, black blotches corrupted the stems and leaves, and dead petals drifted down over her shocked face.

Her shock turned to horror. “What was that?”

I was as confused as she was, but I couldn’t stop my smile as she started angrily pulling the flowers free from her hair and hurling them to the floor. Her intricate hairstyle collapsed as pins were tugged loose. She grabbed at me as I tried to escape. “What did you do?”

I placed my hand to my heart with the innocent expression she had mocked me with earlier. “Me? Nothing.” I pushed past her as she removed the last of her hair pins, attempting to tidy her hair.

That power had been death, had it not? No Grace could have made a plant wither and die. Which meant a god of death had done it. I looked up and down the street, but I couldn’t see the Aida prince. Why would he get involved? Pity for me? Or trying to make amends for his previous behavior? If that was the case, I still didn’t forgive him.

I left the narrow street back to the main road and found the closest Amazone standing guard. “Excuse me. There’s a Grace down that narrow street. I think she’s struggling with her hair. She cracked the pavement in frustration. I think she might need help, maybe a mirror or something before she brings down a whole building.”

The Amazone sighed. “Graces! It’s almost the end of my shift too.” She strode off down the street to Charity, and I hurried to join the milling crowd not far away at the end of the street. I smiled again, though I wasn’t sure if my comment to the Amazone had made things a whole lot worse.

As I found Pris in the crowds of people, thoughts of the disheveled girl and her haunted eyes came back to me. Guilt sat thick in my stomach. But there was nothing I could do. And that was what I hated most of all.