Page 16 of Ties of Deception

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 probablywouldbecome 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.”

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