Page 4 of Ties of Deception

The morning passed in a haze of fragrant bath steam and endless types of food, which the maids offered to me on small gold and silver dishes, eagerly waiting to hear which were my favorites. When I had chosen a dress and jewelry, almost at random, I let Flavia braid my hair and weave tiny delicate chains linked between gold coins across the crown of my head. Pris was right when she’d called her experienced. The hairstyle was a masterpiece, and her deft fingers never made a mistake. Silvia seemed as entranced by its creation as I was.

I reclined on the couch, watching the sun shine on the gardens through the pillars. This place was so beautiful, I struggled to take it in. It still seemed impossible that this could be my home.

Flavia curtsied. “Does my lady wish for any entertainment this morning?” Her face was neutral, soft, and professional. I had yet to see much emotion on her face—a stark contrast to Silvia’s eager grins.

I frowned into the middle distance, but I wasn’t sure what sort of entertainment I would like or what my options were. “Perhaps a walk around the gardens? Do I need to prepare anything for this afternoon? Pris said the family would give me a tour of Yienna.”

Flavia inclined her head. “There’s nothing you need to do. Everything is being arranged. Once you’ve had lunch, I’ll escort you to your litter. But for this morning, would you like me to call the gardener so you can ask him any questions about the grounds, and he can tell you about the flowers? You could also give him any requests for things you want altered.”

I shook my head as I stood up. “No, please don’t bother anyone. A gentle, peaceful walk will be enough.”

I would see enough people this afternoon, and I was still acclimatizing. If I had to talk to many more people, I would quickly be overwhelmed.

Flavia nodded, her face as expressionless as always. “Please allow me to escort you around then, my lady.”

She indicated for me to follow her, and again, I noticed the tattoos on the back of her left wrist, winding in thin lines and extending to her elbow.

I licked my lips. “I don’t mean to be rude, but do the tattoos mean anything? I noticed they are similar to Drusella’s.”

Flavia kept her eyes tilted downward. “A couple can ask the priests to give them tattoos when they get married. They signal your lifelong commitment to each other and can’t be removed.”

I stared more openly at the pattern. “It’s beautiful.”

A slight flush appeared on her cheeks. “Thank you. Mine is simple. Some people add to them every year, making them more complex. The richer families pay to have them done in gold.”

I smiled at her, though she still wouldn’t quite meet my eyes. “Well, I think yours is lovely. I like the simplicity of it, especially now I know what it means. I think love is best when it is simple and honest.”

A flicker of emotion passed over Flavia’s face, but I couldn’t decipher it. She turned toward the pillars facing the garden. “Please, follow me.”

My peaceful,aimless stroll around the immaculate grounds was a sharp contrast to the crowd of household members milling around the gate where my litter was waiting. Both my villa and the family’s villa were in the middle of large grounds surrounded on all sides by a high wall that separated the estate from the rest of the city. The wall only had one gate. Beside it were the long stables and a large shed where the litters and more robust carriages were kept.

The gate opened to the streets and a large, ornate litter was already strapped by long poles to two horses in front and two behind. Flavia and Silvia guided me to a box that allowed me to step inside, then positioned themselves to walk on either side so I could easily call on them. I was surprised when nobody joined me inside, and Hermon and Drusella only gave me a brief greeting before mounting their horses. Servants and guards surrounded us, creating quite the procession.

Hermon called an order, and the horses stepped forward as one. Inside the litter I felt a gentle sway. Within moments we were past the wall and inside the city. I tied back the curtains on both sides so I could see as much as possible.

Even from within my litter, Yienna was beautiful. The family must have spread the word that I was taking a tour because the streets were lined with people dressed in colorful tunics, long, grand wraps hanging over one shoulder and tightened around their waists. The women’s tunics brushed the floor, while the men’s ended at the knee. Many threw flowers at my large litter; some had good enough aim to land at my feet. Others lifted their children, trying to move them as close to me as possible. The streets were paved with white cobblestones and everywhere were baskets of flowers, some blooms noticeably brightening as we passed. Was that the power of my happiness? My Blessing?

I smiled and waved between the parted curtains. Hermon and Drusella rode their grand horses on either side, their postures proud as if they enjoyed showing me off. They both wore long blue cloaks that completely obscured the back end of their steeds. The guards and servants surrounding us seemed constantly alert.

As we neared the end of yet another street lined with richly dressed people, I called to Drusella. “Are we planning on dismounting? I would love to visit some places on foot.”

Hermon threw a nervous glance at his wife. “I would advise against it today, my lady. The people are so excited by your arrival, you might get swamped. Maybe once the city is more used to your presence. Besides, you can see more of the city by litter. And we can travel quicker.”

I didn’t press the issue; my attention had been caught by a grand tower with statues in every window and a golden clock on its crown. A wide river ran along the other side of the road with bridge after bridge sweeping across it, each one unique. Flavia had told me we’d be mostly following the river to keep the temperature as cool for me as possible. I thought it would be more beneficial for the guards dressed in their metal breastplates and helmets. Under the strong sun, they had to feel like they were being cooked alive.

We slowed as we begun the climb up a winding hill and the crowds took advantage, pressing in on every side. The guards and servants waved them back, and some of their voices became sharp. A servant waving a golden wax seal above his head got Hermon’s attention. Hermon called for him to come closer, and the guards let him through to the feet of Hermon’s grand horse, though nobody slowed. They spoke in quiet voices, and I was too far away to understand any of it, though Drusella looked uneasy. She urged the men driving the horses to increase their pace.

The servant with the gold seal disappeared, and Hermon moved his horse up to Drusella’s with a serious expression.

I craned out of the litter, trying to hear the conversation over the voices of the crowd and the sharp click of horse’s hooves.

I barely caught Drusella’s reply. “I’m not sure she’s ready for this yet, Hermon. She’s been with us less than two days. The priest said not to rush her.”

Hermon’s voice increased in volume with urgency. “Their daughter might not have two days left. They’re our friends, Dru.”

Drusella gestured back to me without looking my way. “But Purity has to come first. What if this upsets or traumatizes her? The consequences could be far worse than if we do nothing.”

I frowned and cleared my throat. “Maybe I’m the best judge of what I’m ready to do?”

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