Page 29 of Sanctifier

Taking a deep breath to steady herself, Ru entered the dining room.

She was struck immediately by light, sound, and smell. The room was bright, almost blindingly so, despite it being night. Chandeliers hung from the ceiling, crystal and sparkling,reflecting the dozens of candles and lamps that graced the room. Crystal goblets with long stems were strewn along a lengthy table, at which sat lively, finely dressed courtiers. Bejeweled hair shimmered in the candlelight, and rings glistened on dainty fingers.

“Ah!” said someone, seeing Ru appear in the doorway. “Is that her?”

“Don’tstare,” said another voice, prim and thick with excitement.

“Itisher,” giggled a third.

The room erupted in chatter even louder than before. But before Ru could turn tail and flee, Lord D’Luc appeared at her elbow. Even in a room of beauty, he shone the brightest. Ru found herself disgusted by it.

“Don’t mind them,” he said, only loud enough for her to hear. “They’ve been told of your arrival, the great Ruellian Delara. The palace has been buzzing in anticipation of your return.”

“Lovely,” said Ru, meaning the opposite. “Where’s Regent Sigrun?” A cursory glance made it clear that the regent wasn’t there yet.

“Arriving at any moment,” replied Lord D’Luc. “Come, I’ll keep the gossip-mongers at bay.”

“How kind.” She placed a reluctant hand on the lord’s elbow.

“There’s no need for sarcasm,” he said airily, guiding them into the room. “You’ll be much happier here at the palace. More fulfilled. The regent, I’m told, has made every allowance for your comfort and progress with the artifact.”

Ru bristled but said nothing. The bright eyes of eager courtiers followed her across the room. One woman waved hesitantly, and when Ru raised her eyebrows in return, the woman flushed and pressed a hand to her breast as if she were ready to faint.

When they were seated near the head of the table, Lord D’Luc shot Ru a wicked smile. “Ignore the rabble. They’re beneath you.”

It was impossible. The courtiers were trying to be subtle, peering around fans or over glasses of wine, but Ru knew all eyes were on her. Whispers and soft giggles carried through the room.

“What’s wrong with them?” Ru muttered, her palms beginning to sweat. “What did you tell them? That I’m some evil sorceress?”

Lord D’Luc chuckled, gesturing with a finger at a passing footman, who filled Ru’s crystal glass with sparkling wine. “You are determined, as ever, to consider me your enemy. I’ve said nothing of the sort, nor would I jeopardize our studies in such a way.”

“So what did you tell them, then?” Ru asked, eyeing her wine. She wondered if she should drink it to calm her nerves, or leave it to stay in control of her faculties.

“I told them nothing,” Lord D’Luc said, lifting his glass. “It’s well known in the palace that you are Ruellian Delara, Festra’s chosen, and Keeper of his Heart. That with your help, we shall wash away the old and give birth to a new world. They’re ever so fond of Festra these days. He’s the latest fad amongst the courtiers.”

Ru stared. “Fad? Keeper ofwhoseheart?”

He smiled, conspiracy shining in his eyes. “Taryel’s heart, obviously. Or weren’t you aware?”

Ru sat frozen, a rabbit in the sights of a fox. “Aware…?”

“You needn’t play coy any longer,” he said, placing one finger on either side of her wine glass’s crystal stem, sliding it toward her. “The artifact’s nature is finally known to me, as well as every follower of Festra. It’s no longer your secret to keep. And they are ready for you, Delara. All that remains is for you to learn howto ignite the artifact, show its power to the world in cleansing fire. The Court of Navenie stands with us in this endeavor.”

“What you did to the professors…” Ru said, hiding the vague horror that had begun to throb in her gut.

The lord had the audacity to appear offended at her implication. “Don’t be silly. Everyone here is in full control of their own mind. It’s easier than you’d think to cultivate a new fad in the midst of a large group of bored aristocrats. All you need is a bit of charm, exciting tales of woe and romance, and so on. They eat it up.”

“So you’ve created a newreligion,” Ru said in disgust, pulling her wine glass away from the lord’s reach, clutching it like some kind of life raft.

“What you call it doesn’t matter,” he replied. “But it makes our work easier, doesn’t it?”

Ru snorted. “You brought me here to play the part in some religious pantomime? How is that supposed to get me to control the artifact?”

The lord’s lips curled in a slow smile. “You’ll come to understand, once you’ve met her.”

Ru shifted, heart in her throat, sweat clinging to her back where her corset pressed against her skin. “Met who?”

Just then, the surrounding laughter and voices faded, and in a moment, the room was silent. Ru leaned sideways for a clear view of the door as three figures entered the dining room. She watched in mute horror as they made quiet, polite greetings to the guests seated nearby.

---