Page 1 of Ties of Deception

Chapter

One

The air that flooded my lungs was thick with the choking scent of heavy pollen, causing my back to arch. My ribs ached as they expanded, and the thudding of my pulse sounded loud and overwhelming in my ears where there had only been silence a moment before.

My first consciousness of my surroundings was the sensation of heavy softness cushioning me from all directions. Bird song, bright and cheerful, sharpened into recognition as the ringing in my ears slowly subsided. I waited to recognize more, but my mind stayed blank. I knew…nothing. But I wasn’t afraid. Was that odd?

I forced my heavy eyelids open and blinked in the dazzling flames of a large circular oil lamp dangling from the ceiling. Three heads peered down at me with wide eyes. The closest was an aging lady with her hand to her throat and heavy makeup on her narrow face.

She hit the man beside her in the chest without her eyes leaving mine. “By the gods, Hermon, she’s awake.”

The greying man tried to tug her back from hanging over me. “Give her space, Drusella. Give her space.” He wore a smart dark blue tunic with thick gold patterns around the neckline and hem.

“Iamgiving her space.” Drusella didn’t move an inch. Her loose dress was the dark purple of ripe grapes. Gold clasps cinched the shoulders, leaving her arms bare. Subtle gold artwork glistened on the slightly sagging skin of her left arm, traveling from her middle finger in a widening pattern up to the elbow. “Should I say something to her? What should I say? Am I meant to do something?”

I frowned, waiting for things to start making sense, but I didn’t recognize any of the people or the ornate white and gold ceiling above us. It was hard to move my head; my whole body was heavy as though encased in lead. The thought returned that I should be afraid in this situation, but my emotions were woolen and sluggish.

A younger girl leaned over me from the other side of the bed. Her gold hair was in ringlets, and a fan of feathers attached to a long wooden handle hid her lower face. “She’s very pretty, Mama. I think she’s going to be a good one.”

The older lady swatted the girl back like a fly. “Don’t lean over her, Pris.”

The man took a step back from the bed. “Maybe I should bring the priest back.”

The older lady shook her head. “To do what? She’s already awake. He’s done his bit.”

I tried to focus on the rest of the room, but the lights were too bright. I dragged my heavy hand to my forehead and pinched the bridge of my nose. A niggling sensation of panic was forming in my belly, still strangely distant. But surely, if I was patient enough, this would all begin to make sense.

“I think the lights are too bright.” It was the girl’s voice.

“Quick, Hermon, quick. Get the maid to blow some of the oil lamps out.” The older lady’s voice was stern, but gentle fingers caressed my shoulder. “It’s all right, my dear. I’ve heard this stage can be confusing, but we’ll make sure you're settled in no time. You’ll be completely happy here. Would you like to sit up?”

I pulled my hand from my face; already, the lights had dimmed. I wet my lips and tried to speak. My throat was parched, so my newfound voice made a rattling sound. “Where am I?” The words caused me to cough.

The older woman, Drusella, smiled with encouragement and helped me sit. “You’re in your new home. In the city of Yienna. Riverside District. It is so beautiful here. You’re going to love it.”

My new home?

The man stepped up and cleared his throat. “And we have the honor of being your patrons.”

The girl grinned. “You’re our family’s goddess.”

I blinked. None of their words registered with anything familiar in my mind. Drusella handed me a cup of water, and I drank it gratefully. The water felt cold and fresh in my throat. I handed back the empty cup and gestured for more.

Drusella hurried to refill it. “The priest brought you to life an hour ago. Our family has finally qualified for your Blessing, you see.”

“My…Blessing?”

Pris sat down beside me and patted my leg. “It’s all very simple, really. You are a Grace—a goddess of prosperity and life. If you are happy, good things happen to those around you. They are Blessed.”

Drusella patted my other knee, bringing my attention back to her. “So you will be happy for us, won’t you my dear? We will be devoted to you and do everything we can to fulfill your every need. Good food and drink, music, art, beautiful gardens. You will have everything, and we will serve you like the goddess you are.”

My mind felt stuck somewhere between calm fuzziness and complete inundation. “Thank you.” It was the only response I could think of.

Hermon cleared his throat, laying a thick-fingered hand on Drusella’s shoulder. “I think we should leave Lady Purity to rest.”

Purity?

Drusella straightened but seemed reluctant, her eyes still on mine. “You have two maids in the room, Flavia and Silvia. Just ask them for whatever you need. We’ll come back to show you around your quarters when you are feeling stronger and able to walk. But feel free to call for us whenever you wish.”

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