Page 73 of Grave Situation

Well, shit.

I bow to the high priestess. Kelter can go fuck himself, but the last thing I need right now is to get on the wrong side of the temples. “Your grace.”

She looks at me like she’s weighing me up for dinner—and not in the good way. “Mage Silverbright. How fortuitous to meet you this evening. I was so hoping you’d be here.”

Not. Good. She shouldn’t even know who I am. The fact that she does means she’s one of the priests that knows about the stone and what I’m doing here.

“Oh? That’s not something people usually say to me.” I try to brush it off with a joke. “Usually they’re hoping I’ll be somewhere else.” I smile at her and then turn to the king. “YourMajesty, further to our earlier discussion, I’d like to request that Guardsman Kelter be assigned to me for the foreseeable future.”

The king doesn’t look too surprised, so I’m guessing Haftel filled him in. “Of?—”

“What’s this?” Duke Kelter breaks in sharply. I ignore him—the king can deal with him.

However, it’s Haftel who says serenely, “The King’s Own Guard is none of your concern, Duke.” There’s a smug little curve to her lips that broadcasts how much she enjoyed saying that.

The duke opens his mouth to retort, but the high priestess is already speaking.

“Perhaps we could step into a private room?” she asks me. “I’m sure the king has somewhere suitable.”

Coryn stirs slightly, and I’m grateful he’s there. I don’t know what his feelings are when it comes to religion, but I’m reasonably sure I can rely on him to defend me and the stone.

“I’m afraid not,” I reply, managing to sound regretful even as I reach out to Tia.“Might have to leave early. High priestess of Malna is here.”I muster another smile for Hierane. “I have so much to do before we depart.”

Her return smile is full of teeth and not a little frightening. “Surely not so much that you cannot spare a moment for spiritual guidance?”

“Has she said anything? Do you need me and Jaimin to come there?”Tia sounds ready to spring into action.

“The gods themselves have blessed my journey,” I intone, hoping none of them choose this moment to strike me down. Everyone knows they had a hand in the prophecies, anyway, so as long as I’m doing what the prophecy wants, I’m carrying out the will of the gods… right?“She’s trying to talk to me alone. Let’s not cause a scene yet—I’ll let you know if I need rescuing.”

Hierane’s eyes gleam. “What an astonishing thought. And yet, none of the temples have reported you consulting them.”

“The gods work in mysterious ways.” I want to shoot Haftel a “rescue me” look, but I’m scared to take my gaze off the high priestess.

“It’s the lot of man to never fully understand the gods,” the king says piously. “Guardsman Kelter, you’re assigned to Mage Silverbright until his task is complete. Talon, we won’t keep you from your duties.”

“Yes, sir,” Coryn says, saluting.

“Thank you, Your Majesty,” I add. “I’ll take my leave of you all now.”

“Hold on,” Duke Kelter interrupts imperiously. “What exactly is this task? I don’t know if I like the idea of my family name being associated with something so shady.”

My magic twitches with the urge to flip him upside down and shake him. He’s worried about his family name? What about hisson?

Lucky for me, the king stares him down. “I would never assign one of my guardsmen to anythingshady.”

Kelter’s eyes narrow, but he grudgingly nods. “Of course not, Your Majesty. I apologize.” Clearly he doesn’t want to lose favor with the king.

I wait for him to say something to Coryn, but he doesn’t. What a turd. Taking a careful step backward, I snag Coryn’s arm and tug him with me. Maybe we can sneak away while they’re distrac?—

“Mage Silverbright.” Hierane’s voice could slice through steel. “I was hoping to afford you some privacy, but since you refuse…”

Oh, no.

“I demand you relinquish to the protection of the temples the holy object in your possession. I order this in the name of our holy mother Malna and her divine siblings.”

Holy steaming gods’ turds.

“I don’t understand, your grace,” I bluff, reaching out to Tia.“Get here now.”“What holy object?” I send an urgent telepathic knock Haftel’s way, and another to my master.

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