Page 44 of Ties of Deception

Today was the day I was going to return to the palace and force myself onto the empress’s list whether she liked me or not. I had barely slept all night with today’s plan playing over and over in my mind.

Thankfully, Ethen had discovered at least some of what would occur today, so I was prepared.

For the first time, I went completely against Drusella’s advice. Instead of wearing a dress that was grand enough to be appropriate, yet subtle enough to not attract undue notice, I chose the most dramatic outfit I could. Gone were the pale pinks and blues. I chose a deep crimson silk with gold accents. Though I kept the simple gold band from Ethen around my wrist, all my other jewelry was extravagant and glittering. I asked my maids to weave tiny crystals with thin gold wire through my hair so each wave appeared to shimmer. Finally, I added a tiara of tiny gold flowers and crystal leaves, each immaculately crafted—one of the many, many exquisite gifts given by petitioners.

I looked at my reflection in the mirror and barely recognized the confident goddess staring back at me. Inside, nerves were winding thicker and thicker around my stomach.

There were a thousand different ways this could go wrong. But I wasn’t helpless or naive anymore. I was going to fight to beat the best of them. And somehow avoid becoming the worst of them.

Only Flavia accompanied me in the litter, and she had been quiet ever since our arrival in Fierro, clearly confused about why I wanted to go back to the palace when I’d been so grateful to leave it last time. I felt bad keeping such huge secrets from her, but it seemed like the right thing to do.

I smiled to reassure her as the litter swayed gently between the horses. “Don’t worry, Flavia, I have a plan for what I’m going to do at the palace. I’ve thought about this alot, though I will appreciate your help and support. If you notice or hear any information about the other goddesses, the prince, or the empress, please tell me. I need every advantage I can get. Maybe the other servants will talk to you with looser tongues.”

She looked uneasy but bowed her head in a submissive gesture. I frowned in response. “But don’t take any risks or do anything you’re uncomfortable with.”

“It’s not me I’m concerned about, my lady. I’m worried about you. I don’t know what happened here, but you were extremely distressed last time. I’m worried about what’s drawing you back and that it’s dangerous. Your life in Yienna is just starting to become successful and pleasant. You belong there.”

I hesitated a moment, pondering her words. It would be helpful to see exactly how she viewed the goings-on with the Graces. “The way you and Drusella speak sometimes makes me think you’ve seen bad things happen to other goddesses. You both get worried so easily. Is it because you fear I’ll leave Yienna for good?”

She chewed on her lip. “I’m not meant to say anything negative in case it impacts your happiness, but I’ll share this because you need to know, and I don’t think anyone else will share it with you.” She lowered her voice even though it was already impossible for us to be overheard. “Though some Graces stay in Atos for countless decades before being retired, many do not. It’s not that uncommon for goddesses to be retired after just four or five years. And the palace can be an unhelpful draw. The goddesses who stay with their families and live simple lives tend to be the ones that last the longest and bring the most Blessings to their district.

“But many get sucked into palace politics. They abandon their families and their districts to win powerful husbands. Then they either marry officials and remain in Fierro or they become laws unto themselves—completely self-absorbed, living frivolous lives as they drift from place to place. I…I don’t want to see that happen to you. Not when…you genuinely care about the people. That is rarer than you think among Graces.”

I nodded and patted Flavia’s arm. “I understand. But it is because I care that I am doing this. Many things aren’t right. I can’t change them unless I go to the palace.”

She didn’t seem reassured. “You’re so young, my lady. Please be careful.”

The litter shuddered to a halt and a guard drew back the curtain on the door. “We’ve arrived at the palace, my lady.”

I dismounted and entered before my arrival could be unduly noted. Rather than wait for anyone to question me in the atrium, I strode straight through the marble halls to the palace gardens. Ethen was waiting near the door with three Aida men, all similarly dressed in black. He looked my way briefly and gave a subtle wink while continuing to talk with his people. I walked around the first cluster of vibrant bushes and paused to peek at the empress’s pavilion where she sat with six goddesses. From what Ethen had told me, two were friends with Charity and the other two were loyal to Constance. This was really only a competition between those two Graces—unless one of their followers decided to betray their apparent loyalty.

My mouth dried as I realized my moment had come. I buried my hands in my skirts to stop their shaking, and my damp palms slipped slightly in the silk. I wouldn’t overthink this. I’d already made up my mind. I knew what I had to do.

I walked along the winding paths crowded by beautiful flowers and bushes. I let my happiest memories come to my mind. I didn’t concentrate on how they were all in some way linked to Ethen.

I thought of baskets of pomegranates and patients leaping out of hospital beds. I thought of Flavia’s tears of happiness and a note under a golden bracelet. I thought of our fingers entwined—such a simple gesture but full of so much meaning.

The flowers around me bloomed, and I was encouraged by the trail I was making in a garden where so many happy Graces had already trod. I was ready. There would be no second chance if I failed today.

“Wait here,” I whispered to Flavia. She hung back on a sheltered bench, looking worried.

I neared the pavilion—close enough to hear the empress’s words, yet hidden behind the thick rhododendron bushes so I couldn’t be seen.

“...have all impressed me with your qualities, from your abilities to Bless others to your calm and serene natures. Any of you would make a fine wife for my son and a fine empress to our countries. My wish is that whoever succeeds me will be able to Bless all our lands and see in an era of prosperity as well as bear children that would succeed my son after his death. Of course, you would remain to guide and Bless them also.”

One of the goddesses responded in a low, polite murmur.

The empress continued, her confident voice carrying easily on the breeze. “I would like you all to demonstrate this power that the whole empire will rely on. Your very purpose as a Grace is to bring life and hope and prosperity. I have here six dead branches in the center basket. They have been scorched by fire and embedded with poison. I would like each of you to bring yours back to life. I understand it is hard to work under pressure, but as an empress, you would be under scrutiny every day of your life. Now, Charity, would you like to go first?”

I blew out a long breath. Ethen had seen these dead branches being prepared yesterday, their use clear. He had also said he would be close enough to give me an opening, which meant one of these goddesses wouldn’t pass today, to enable me to take her place. But there could be only one winner.

I could hear a smile in the empress’s voice. “Beautiful, Charity, excellent work. Patience, you’re next. Try not to influence other people’s branches, please.”

I chewed on my lip. My own powers of Blessing still affected everything around me in an even radius. I had no idea how to direct them, and what was even the point? Surely it was good for everything to be Blessed? Even so, I was glad my performance would be last—ifeverything went to plan, which meant I needed one of the weaker goddesses to be sixth today.

“Perfect, Patience. You may sit back down. Liberty, you are next, if you please.”

My heartbeat increased, and I shifted on my feet, hoping I wasn’t about to make even more of a fool of myself here than I had done in the past.

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