Page 77 of A Reign of Embers

He dips his head low. “Your Imperial Highness, we’re honored to host you today. Is there anything I or my devouts can help you with?”

I smile at him, suppressing the anxious quiver in my nerves. I’ve tapped into my gift for this purpose before. Surely Prospira won’t turn me away?

“I’m hoping that with some meditation I can determine exactly what would help most,” I say.

The cleric motions to a nearby devout dressed in a similar yellow hue. “We can clear out the worship room for you. There are a few petitioners here today, but?—”

I hold up my hand to stop him. “I don’t want to displace any of my citizens. I hardly need the whole space. But thank you.”

My guards follow me into the room at the end of the hall that’s somehow both grand and homey. A hearth crackles with a lively fire at one end while beams of sunlight stream with a honeyed glow from the glazed windows above.

The statue of Prospira poised across from the hearth is sculpted from a living tree, the twigs of her hair dappled with budding leaves, her feet merging with the roots before they sink into the floor. As I’ve often seen, she’s depicted pregnant, one hand resting on the swell of her belly with a sheaf of wheat tucked under her arm.

Her other hand is extended as if in offering, balancing a few coins that glint bronze and silver. It’s common practice for those hoping to improve their financial situation to leave a small offering and pray to see the wealth come back to them many times over.

A carved rabbit nestles next to one of her legs. Flowers both etched and left as offerings decorate the space on the other side.

A couple and two solo petitioners are kneeling on the yellow cushions spread throughout the room, facing the statue. At my entrance, their gazes flicked toward me. They’ve frozen with widening eyes.

I don’t want to disturb their prayers any more than I can help. Silently, I take a cushion near the wall. My guards form a semi-circle around me, shielding me from view but leaving my line of sight toward the statue of the godlen unobstructed.

Marc’s curious gaze lingers on me, but I don’t have answers for him yet even if I wanted to share them.

I inhale slowly, tap my fingers down my front, and open myself to both the divine energies of the temple and my gift.

Oh great Prospira, so many people of the empire are struggling to make ends meet rather than enjoying the abundance you would offer. How can I best champion that cause for you? How can I heal this rift that’s cut through the realms?

I focus my gift on that last question. As with Estera, I need to convince Prospira of my commitment to following her principles and imbuing my rule with them. The opulence of my current living situation hardly matters if I can’t share some of that lavishness with the people who need it most.

An image wavers through my mind: rippling waters coursing in a steady current. I have the impression of coolness lapping at my limbs, of my body buoyed on subtle waves.

My pulse skips a beat. Perhaps the river reallywasbeckoning me, or this temple’s patron godlen was calling to me through it.

I can only imagine what my guards will make of this development, but if they could tolerate me climbing onto rooftops, they’ll have to accept this endeavor too.

Without a word, I slip out of the temple and go to thecarriage. As quickly as I can, I remove my jewelry, my belt with its pouch and knife, and my slippers.

“Your Imperial Highness?” Kassun asks.

I suppose my behavior is bizarre enough that he doesn’t feel he needs to put more of the question into words.

“Prospira has shown me how I must make my full appeal to her,” I tell him. “You needn’t worry. I learned how to swim when I was a little thing splashing around in Accasy’s lakes.”

“Swim?” he repeats with a note of consternation, but I’m already striding toward the riverbank.

The tall grass hisses against my skirt. If I were being completely practical about this task, I’d strip my gown off too, but I can only imagine how horrified my guards would be by that immodesty.

No, I’m meeting Prospira as empress, so I must maintain some imperial decorum. I’m not afraid that she’ll drown me.

Stepping into the water, I have to restrain a wince. Its chill nips at my skin, first up to my knees, then up my thighs to my waist.

By the time I’ve reached the center of the channel, the river flows around my chest. The cold water steals my breath, but I drag more air into my lungs, turn so my back is to the current, and tip over.

The river catches me, nudging me to the surface so I float as I pictured in my vision. The breeze dancing across my front amplifies the cold, but it’s as much exhilarating as uncomfortable now.

I give myself over to the loss of control even as my heart thumps harder.Lead me where you want me to go, Prospira. Let me witness what you want me to see.

The current tugs me faster, and water sloshes across my chin. I press my lips tight against it, blinking the moisture away.

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