Page 42 of Queen of Serpents and Shadows

“Where now?” Vanth asked when we came to the base of the mountain.

Something shimmered, creating a rainbow suspended from nowhere. I reached for it, my fingers making the rainbow distort. There was something here, some kind of magic ward. I’d read about these but hadn’t seen any in use. We had no need to ward things in Konos.

Carefully, I pushed my hand forward and it vanishedbehind the ward, making it look like my hand was suddenly missing.

Vanth made a startled sound.

I pulled my hand back, showing him that it was intact. “There’s a shield here, but it’s letting me through. I think we’re supposed to go through it.”

“Why would she have a shield, but then allow visitors to just walk through it?” Vanth asked skeptically.

“She wouldn’t,” I replied. “Which means she’s expecting us.”

Pulling my sword from its sheath, I stepped through the shield before Vanth could object.

16

Lagina

The temple wasempty of visitors. Acolytes moved quietly around the space, some of them staring at us with suspicion.

We walked deeper into the temple, pausing at the large statue of the goddess in the center. I set a vat of olive oil at the statue’s feet. “We mean no disrespect with our visit, Athena. We want to save our home. Our people. If there’s any help you can offer?—"

“Your highness,” A female voice called.

I turned to see an acolyte lowering her head in a bow. “What an honor to have you here.”

“We don’t have time for ceremony,” Laera said sharply.

“It really is a necessary visit,” I insisted.

The acolyte lifted her head. “I’m afraid the Naos isreserved only for those who have dedicated their life to the goddess.”

“Athena will understand,” Laera said.

“What our friend means, is that this is an emergency,” Cora said, surprisingly diplomatic.

“I’m not sure any of you have the authority to speak for the goddess,” the acolyte replied.

“I’m trying really hard to be nice to you,” Laera said. “But it won’t last much longer.”

“And you are?” The acolyte asked.

“This is the Princess of Konos,” Sophia said.

The acolyte’s eyes widened slightly, but she quickly lifted her chin and relaxed her expression. “I’m happy that our visitor has an interest in the goddess, but I really must ask you all to leave.”

“Adina, please return to your duties,” a woman dressed in a deep blue peplos said. The acolyte bowed, then walked away without objection.

“I’m sorry, she’s very devout. I’m Daphne, the head priestess here. To what do we owe the great honor of so many royal women?”

“I don’t know how quickly news travels to you,” I began. “But we’re in serious danger and there may be something here that can help us.”

“The rumors are true then?” Daphne glanced at Laera. “Even the ones about working with the royals of Konos?”

“Not all the royals,” Laera clarified.

“I see,” Daphne said. “I must admit, you aren’t the first from Konos to come here.”

---