Page 8 of Ties of Deception (Tethered Hearts)
Chapter
Eight
M y maids and I arrived at the palace gardens on the morning the invitation had stated and were told to follow a footman to where the empress waited in the garden. He took us past the manicured lawn until a pavilion came into sight on the far side. He told us the empress was waiting there, bowed, and headed back toward the atrium.
I resumed my walk down the winding path, careful not to tread on the hem of my dress since it was longer than I was used to. I was more grandly dressed than before. And this time, I was allowed to be accompanied by servants. It was good not to face this alone.
Three maids held the flowing pale pink chiffon trains behind me, one from my head dress, one from my sash, and one from my skirts. Flavia brought up the rear, keeping a sharp eye on everyone else. Drusella had taken painstaking effort for me to look beautiful and impressive, without being ‘particularly noteworthy.’ After she had left, I had asked Flavia to bolden my makeup and added a crystal necklace that scattered rainbows across my throat. It felt like putting on armor.
As I walked up the path to the empress’s pavilion, I wondered how my Drusella-approved outfit could be seen as anything but attention grabbing. Then I saw the others.
A goddess walked in front of me in scarlet silk that cascaded down the steps behind her like a river of shining blood. Her golden-brown hair was swept up in a hairstyle that was over a foot tall, woven across a golden frame, with rubies dancing from twisted braids. Her makeup was dark and sultry, and the top of her dress hung loose and sleeveless. It was all I could do not to stare.
Another goddess approaching the pavilion from a bridge seemed to be clothed in pure gold with pale hair that fell to her ankles. A crown adorned her head, its crystals sparkling even from this distance. My floating chiffon suddenly felt a lot more comfortable and discreet. Drusella was right; this was not a world I wanted any part in. Beauty was not an area in which one should compete.
I kept my eyes fixed on the pavilion before I could become any more unnerved and inhaled the heady scent of the surrounding chrysanthemums, their heavy heads drooping in the hot sun. The building was round with fluted white columns instead of walls and marble statues of dancing women between each one. Green and gold banners were strung from the pillars to a central point under the roof, giving the appearance of a tent, and their golden tassels draped to chest height between each pillar. It was beautiful and ostentatious and intimidating. But this was the empress entertaining goddesses after all.
The empress was reclining on gold and silver cushions. A large golden headdress shaped like the rays of the sun formed a halo around her tight black curls.
I smoothed the worry from my face and hoped I could get this over with as quickly as possible. Drusella had told me to be quiet and boring. Maybe I hadn’t given her advice as much credit as I should have.
As I stepped up to the pavilion floor, I noticed a goddess sitting straight and regal on the left-hand side of the empress. Charity. And she was watching me with a large self-satisfied smile. My stomach dropped. What was she planning? Whatever it was, I was suspicious I had just fallen straight into her plan for revenge. I noticed she wasn’t wearing any flower buds in her hair this time.
Before I became too distracted, I smiled at the empress and curtsied deeper than necessary. “Thank you for inviting me here today, Your Majesty. It is an honor.”
She gestured to a seat on the farthest side of the pavilion. “Take a seat, Purity. You have Charity to thank for your invitation. I must admit, I hadn’t thought to invite you to the palace again, but Charity thinks your company is valuable and recommended you, so I am giving you another chance.”
My eyes flicked back to Charity, who was dressed in red. She’d even painted her lips and eyelids a metallic gold. The feeling of dread grew in my belly. She would have invited me here only for revenge.
“I am honored,” I repeated.
The empress’s attention had already shifted from me as she greeted the two other goddesses, who arrived just a few paces behind me. They were both seated much closer to the empress.
The second one introduced herself as Sincerity and presented the empress with a beautiful lacquered vase covered in peacocks. She placed it on the central podium. I noticed she had golden marriage tattoos down her left arm.
“A gift from my family to yours, Your Majesty. It is unique and used to belong to the royal family in Vensala in Vekatna.”
The empress studied it from her seat, then nodded. “It is beautiful and thoughtful. Thank you, Sincerity. I shall place it in my bedchambers to enjoy every day.”
Another goddess arrived, and only one seat remained vacant—the seat at the right hand of the empress. A maid handed around glasses of sparkling wine. I was thirsty after our walk in the sun and took one eagerly. Thankfully, it was much cooler in the shade of the pavilion, and there was a breeze rustling the fabric of our dresses. A green and blue iridescent bird fluttered to the back of the empty chair. I’d never before seen one like it, but nobody paid it any attention.
Charity angled her body toward the empress. “Your Majesty, while we wait, would you like me to smooth out your skin? It’s been a while.”
The empress flopped backward in her chair into a more relaxed posture. “That would be kind of you. Thank you, Charity.”
Charity stood behind the empress and started to massage the empress’s hands and then forearms, before moving to her cheeks. I could see no visible difference, but when Charity finished, she presented the empress with a mirror. The empress held it close to her face and examined the corners of her eyes and mouth.
“You know, Charity, I don’t think I’ve ever met a goddess with such exquisite control as you. To even target the tiniest of blemishes…it’s a real skill.”
Charity smirked and sat back down. Was this what this gathering was? Goddesses competing to impress the empress in return for favor? In that case, Drusella had nothing to worry about. I had very little to offer, and I was not after any favor. I doubted I would be invited again. I just had to avoid a confrontation with Charity.
The empress looked over my shoulder. “Ah, here comes Constance.”
I looked around. The gardens had clearly been Blessed many times over by the constant presence of goddesses. But the trail that Constance left in her wake was something else entirely. Every flower seemed to burst open—growing impossibly large and vibrant—and butterflies followed her in a hazy cloud. Even the birds seemed drawn by her presence. She had no maids with her and wore silvery metallic silk in different shades that gave an impression of translucent dragonfly wings dragging behind her.
I looked back and saw the empress was beaming at her. Charity’s eyes gleamed with jealousy, her upper lip slightly curled. Then her expression quickly smoothed into neutrality once more. I guessed Constance was her main competition for the hand of Prince Sebastian. I looked at the other goddesses. They were all watching Constance, apart from Sincerity whose eyes were on me. She looked away as soon as our eyes met. I suppressed a shiver as my unease grew. I folded my hands and watched Constance approach with the same serene expression as those around me. She stepped into the pavilion. And the vase smashed.
For a second, everyone stared in shock at the shards of the priceless artifact. Constance’s hands didn’t leave her mouth.
The empress’s voice was icy. “Who did that?”
Most eyes turned to me. My heart sank. So this was Charity’s plan, was it?
The empress spoke again. “I said, who did that? Who dared to lose control of their emotions in front of me?”
Sincerity’s face looked truly dismayed at her smashed gift. She looked at me and narrowed her eyes. “Purity? Aren’t you the one who struggles to control her emotions?”
I needed to be careful. If I seemed too distressed or outraged at the accusation, I would only seem more emotionally unstable, and who knew what the consequences would be. I needed to stay calm and play their game.
I raised my eyebrows and slightly cocked my head. “Not at all. I was glad to see Constance approach. She has been very kind to me. I’m concerned, however, that she was quite close to the vase when it smashed. The pieces are sharp.” I stood up and stepped closer to the newcomer. “Constance, are you hurt at all?”
She shook her head and smiled, her face brightening. “No, just surprised. Thank you for your concern, Purity.” She took a small step toward me. I had no idea why she was giving me a silent show of support, but I was grateful for it.
The empress didn’t look amused. She sat up straight and gripped the single armrest. “All of you have shown exquisite control over the years apart from Purity. If it wasn’t her, then who was it?”
Charity leaned back, perfectly calm. “Purity has a reason to be jealous of Constance. I saw Purity speaking alone with Prince Sebastian at the fertility festival. Could it be that she desires to pry him from Constance’s grasp?”
I opened my mouth, but Constance spoke first. “The prince is not in my ‘grasp.’ Everyone knows he is not currently betrothed. We merely walk together some days. Purity is from Yienna, she’s probably unaware of who spends what time with him.”
I nodded and lowered my eyes in what I hoped was a meek, innocent gesture. “I have only spoken to him once and that was by chance. I didn’t mean any disrespect in doing so. I’m not seeking to spend further time with him.”
“Enough!” the empress interrupted. “I will not tolerate petty arguments in my presence, especially involving my son. Purity, tell me truthfully. Did you smash the vase?”
I shook my head. “No, Your Majesty. I was only happy to see a friend. If I may be so bold, the other goddesses have much more control than me, true. But I suspect that means they can also destroy things on a whim, just as easily as they can give life and luck.”
The empress’s eyes narrowed on me, and I realized I had taken my words too far. Her words were daggers of ice. “What are you suggesting? That somebody smashed that priceless vase on purpose ? One shouldn’t make serious accusations without substantial proof. Our words have far too great a consequence.”
I lowered my eyes. “I’m sorry, Your Majesty. I am so new to all of this and know little. I still speak my mind freely, but I will be more careful from now on. I will learn to guard my words like I guard my emotions.”
Constance tilted her head. “I heard that there was a disturbance that an Amazone had to attend to at the fertility festival. One of the goddesses broke some paving slabs over a ruined hairstyle. That wasn’t you, Purity, was it?”
How did she know about that? “No, it wasn't. I had a lovely time.” I turned to look at Charity. Her cheeks had deepened to red, and I glimpsed a flash of hidden fury in her eyes.
The empress followed my stare and frowned, opening her mouth to speak to Charity.
Sincerity suddenly leapt to her feet. “It was me. I broke the vase.”
All eyes turned to her. Everyone seemed surprised apart from Constance and Charity, but I was learning to distrust the visible emotions on the faces around me.
Sincerity was stuttering. “I…I was jealous. I was jealous of Constance’s power and beauty. I lost control and broke my gift. Forgive me.” She fell to her knees and pressed her forehead to the floor before the empress, the broken shards were thin and sharp as glass all around her. I blinked in surprise at her extreme gesture of submission.
The empress’s eyes narrowed at the goddess. “Leave now, Sincerity. You’re ruining my day.”
She stood up and left with quick steps, her head lowered. Constance glided to her seat as if nothing had happened. I sat back calmly in mine, though my heart still thudded in my chest. If Constance hadn’t supported me by pointing a finger at Charity, Sincerity’s shame—or something worse—could have been mine.
Servants passed around the tea, an inviting floral scent trailing behind them. I had barely drunk my wine. The empress spoke about some trivial things I didn’t fully understand. I waited until I felt calm once more before studying the people around me. Nobody seemed ruffled or surprised by what had just happened.
One of the goddesses—who I thought was called Liberty—gestured behind me with her wine glass. “Oh look, isn’t that the Aida prince? Who is he talking to?”
I turned with more interest than I should have. Sure enough, the dark looming figure of the god stood out like a sore thumb in the colorful gardens. Beside him was a Grace with dark brown hair. The only one I’d met with that coloring was Serene.
Somebody beside me scoffed. “Do you think she’s begging him to spirit her away?”
Another voice I recognized as Charity’s joined in. “Serene really doesn’t know how to act with decorum.”
I glanced back at Charity as she stared across the gardens, her chin tilted up. Why did she care who was with the Aida prince? She was after Prince Sebastian.
I took a sip of my tea and tried to keep my posture calm and composed. When would we be excused? Maybe there was an allure to being spirited away to the lands of the dead…away from all of this.
Lunch was brought out on lacquered trays and set before us. Sourdough bread cut into thin slices and toasted. Bowls of oil and vinegar for dipping. Stuffed olives and peppers, feta cheese, goat cheese, and tiny crackers. Everything was perfectly seasoned, but before the gaze of the empress and Charity, it was hard to taste any of it.
At the end, the empress rose. We hurried to follow. “I wish to see you all again for lunch tomorrow at the same time.” She looked at the smashed vase that still hadn’t been swept away. “If there are any more incidents, I will be most upset.”
We all curtsied as she left, two maids following with their heads bowed behind her.
I let out a long breath but tensed as Constance approached me. “Would you take a stroll with me, Purity? Not for very long. I just wish to have a chat.”
I nodded and stood, glad at least to get away from Charity. My maids shaded me with a parasol as I left the pavilion into the hot midday sun.
Constance gestured for us to take a narrower path between a carp pond and blushing rhododendron bushes.
“Thank you for standing up for me there, even though you can’t have known whether I had smashed the vase or not. Though I didn’t,” I added quickly.
She gave me a sideways look with her large, brown doe eyes—full of knowing and more than a little scrutiny. She waved our maids back; they retreated several paces with their parasols. “Purity, do you understand what happened there? All of what happened?”
I rolled my lip between my teeth. “I upset Charity at the fertility festival. I think she asked the empress to invite me here for revenge. I thought it was Charity who smashed the vase until Serene admitted it was actually her. I thought Charity did it because everyone would then assume it was me, and I would get in trouble. Especially since she had already shown immaculate control, smoothing out the empress’s wrinkles.”
Constance nodded. “I also suspect Charity did it, but Sincerity took the blame to stop suspicion or shame from being brought near Charity when the empress was present.”
I blinked. “But…why would she do that for her?”
Constance shrugged and brushed her hand over an acer bush, smiling as its leaves brightened from russet to scarlet. “They probably had a prearranged deal. Sincerity was the one who brought the vase for Charity’s little stunt after all. They’re working as a team.” She spun to face me, stopping our walk. My maids hung back out of earshot. “Purity, I wish to be plain with you. I barely know you. However, I saw an opportunity today to stop Charity, and I took it. As a result, she lost one of her most devoted allies.” Constance gave me a small, victorious smile. “And she also failed to deal with her most recent nuisance.” Her face became more serious. “But she is incredibly powerful, resourceful, and influential. When she targeted you directly at the festival and today, you responded directly. That was foolish. You’re not powerful enough to face her. If you continue doing this, you will end up retired before the week’s over. Your role as a goddess will be taken away.”
I frowned. “So how should I respond in a situation like today when she is targeting me?”
Constance stepped closer to me, lowering her voice, although nobody was in earshot. “Charity always uses her underlings to do the footwork. She hides behind them, like she hid behind Sincerity today. Go for the underlings. She barely defends them. Remove them one by one. That is how she will become weak enough for you to eventually face her.”
I shifted and looked away. “But I don’t want to get so many people in trouble.”
Constance tilted her head with tender eyes. “You may have no choice when it’s you or them. Purity, there are two main contenders for Prince Sebastian’s hand. Me and Charity. One of us will likely become empress. The Graces who don’t hide away in their family homes have mostly picked a side. If you help me, I will defend you when I can, like I did today. But I will not always be there.”
Constance turned and started walking again. I followed her quickly to not fall behind. “How would I help you?”
“Oh, it would just be little things when they come up. When I become empress, I will reward your loyalty.”
I kept my eyes on the floor, puzzling over the consequences of me both agreeing and declining to help her when Constance suddenly stopped. I looked up to see Prince Sebastian approaching with a large smile.
He stopped and bowed to both of us. “If it isn’t two of the most beautiful Graces that ever existed. Constance, Purity, it is my pleasure.”
We both curtsied in response, though Constance’s was barely a dip. “Ever the charmer, Sebastian.”
He grinned at me. “It’s nice to finally see you with a friend, Purity.”
I smiled politely, not meeting his eyes in case Constance misinterpreted my intentions. “Constance has been very kind and helpful today.”
“I’m sure she has.” He was smiling at her now, fondness clear in his eyes. He held out his arm to the older Grace. “If Purity will excuse us, shall we take our normal afternoon walk?”
I curtsied again. “Of course. I hope both of you have a pleasant afternoon.”
I turned and was surprised to see one of the empress’s servants waiting behind me. He bowed. “Lady Purity. Her Majesty has requested you attend an etiquette lesson this afternoon. She is known to sometimes generously offer these to new Graces. If you would follow me.”
I couldn’t think of anything more boring. I tried not to show my displeasure. The deep exhaustion of walking on eggshells and remaining constantly alert was starting to wear me down. But I nodded and followed the servant.
Constance spoke from behind me. “I look forward to seeing you tomorrow, Purity.” I turned to give her a smile and incline my head before following the servant to the lesson.
We weaved through the gardens at a gentle pace, and I wondered what fresh torture awaited me.
As we crossed over one of the arching bridges, I saw the Aida prince still talking with Serene, his Aida retinue of stoic men not too far behind. His posture was straight, his arms folded, and he seemed menacing even from that distance. Serene didn’t seem to mind however, and he responded to her with a slightly amused smile on his face. Did he visit other Graces in the middle of the night and throw rocks across their floors? Well, if he took Serene as his bride to the undying lands, at least then he would leave me alone. It didn’t seem like she would mind. Still, something inside me was uncomfortable with that thought. The emotion was gone before I could decipher what it was.
His dark eyes glanced at me as I passed, but they held no flicker of recognition. In fact, apart from the brief look, he completely ignored my presence. Was it because he preferred Serene? Or because I’d told him to stay away? Or because he was worried I would humiliate him in public? I tucked the thought away to mull over later.