Page 58 of The Scarlet Star

Heva’s cheek leaned against her fist again, but she was smiling to herself, looking off at the fields. It was like she was back home in exactly the atmosphere she belonged in.

“Heva,” Ryn whispered beneath the priestess’s prayers. She was ashamed of how her voice cracked, but Heva didn’t seem to mind as she dragged her gaze over to Ryn.

“You said you wanted to go to war,” Heva whispered back. “Doesn’t this feel like war to you?”

Ryn would have never guessed. The warmth spread from her stomach into her veins.

“You’re not fighting a battle of flesh and blood. It’s not people you’re after.”

She hadn’t understood El’s words in the temple that first day. But as the priestesses spoke out their prayers, Ryn looked around with her spirit eyes, and in the distance, she saw shadows shaking, flying off rooftops like they were being torn away. Some dug their claws in and managed to hold on, but it grew harder for them as the priestesses called upon the power of El. In a few places, glimmers of white appeared and overtook the darkness.

It had taken Ryn too long to understand, but it dawned on her as she watched, as she heard, as shefelt. As she realized the darkness and the light were at war, and the scene before her looked the same as the one Geovani taught from theIn The Beginningchapter of the old history books.

El never wanted Ryn to fight her way through the palace with fists or a sword. He never wanted Ryn to fight against the King at all or even the Weylins. No, El had said from the beginning that he wanted her to go to war against thegods.

Ryn looked up at the sky where the shadows moved the white dragon along. Invisible beings that had wound themselves around unsuspecting people all over the kingdom—including the King.

Nyx. Boreas. Iris.

The gods.

False gods.

It was war.

Ryn was still buzzing with energy when she got back into the palace, back into her room. She paced for nearly twenty minutes until Heva piped up from where she leaned against the wall, “You’re going to sprain both your ankles if you keep that up.”

“Heva,” Ryn said loudly as she tapped a finger against her chin, “if it’s a matter of breaking off the King’s shadows, then can’t I just bring the priestesses here, they can intercede, and his shadows will flee? That’s how it works, right?”

Heva sighed. “You’re too enthusiastic for me right now.” She stepped away from the wall and caught Ryn’s shoulder mid-pace. “Your eyes are very wide and you’re shouting. Let’s go get a snack to calm you down,” she suggested.

Ryn shook her head. “But listen—It would work, right? If I brought the priestesses here?”

Heva had been skeptical about the deal Ryn made with Xerxes ever since Ryn told her about it. Maybe this would change her mind.

“I mean, I’ve seen crazier things happen while hanging around those priestesses,” she admitted. “But you know Adriels aren’t allowed in the palace. Only Geovani is,” she said, and Ryn’s face fell. “And if the God Original wants you to help the King, then don’t dump it on somebody else. You do it, Ryn. The priestesses can support you from afar.”

Ryn sighed and folded her arms. She paced again. “I barely have two months left.”

“Geovani always says El’s timing is perfect. And Geovani has been doing the High Priestess thing for a lot of years. I trust her when she says stuff like that,” Heva said. “Just wait it out.”

A loud knock filled the room, and both girls hushed.

Heva placed her hand on the hilt of her sword as she crossed the living space and cracked the door open. She flung it all the way, revealing an organizer—the same one who’d helped Ryn pick her charity.

“Maiden,” the organizer greeted. “I’m happy to inform you that tonight you’ll be visiting the King for an evening alone with him in his chambers.” And then he added, “Overnight.”

Heva glanced back at Ryn with wide eyes that said,“What, by the Divinities, does that mean?”which only told Ryn, she knew exactly what it meant. Ryn cast her a small shake of her head for assurance. She already knew from eavesdropping that Xerxes wasn’t interested in evening visits with the maidens.

“He’ll turn me away once I get there,” Ryn told Heva as she went to her racks of clothing. “I suppose it doesn’t matter what I wear for the walk over if I’ll just be back—”

“Actually, he specifically requested that you come.” The organizer’s statement left a ringing sound in Ryn’s ears. She turned back to him.

“I’m sorry, I don’t think I understand.”

The organizer cast her a knowing smile. “Your artist should be here shortly to dress you up. Your guardswoman and I will escort you to the King’s chambers when you’re ready.” He gave her a small bow, and lo and behold, Marcan came in.

No… Ryn slid back a step—sure she wanted to stay far away from her artist.

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