Page 113 of A Tribute of Fire

The journey across the Acheron Sea took less than a week. There would only be so many times that my father could put the prince off before he grew suspicious. What would he do if he discovered what I had done? That I was sworn to the temple and the goddess’s service?

I’d known from the start that my actions might put Locris in danger, and now that day had arrived.

Everything had changed. I had to get a message to my parents.

I would have to sneak out of the temple tonight.

CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

“We should return to our room,” Io said in a low, urgent voice.

Everyone else got up and we all followed her out of the auditorium. We had chores, but I had the feeling the rules and standards were going to be a bit loose today. It seemed as if everyone needed the chance to regroup.

Outside there were scattered pockets of women standing around talking to one another in raised voices. The shift of power in Ilion wasn’t a predictable one and everybody was worried.

What would the prince do to claim his kingship? The pit in my stomach deepened and I focused on putting one foot in front of the other.

Eventually he would find out what I had done. Would he respect the vows that I had taken? Or would he insist that the signed, contracted betrothal that predated my entering the temple took precedence?

It didn’t matter. Contract or no, the law still granted me the right to refuse him and marriage. I wouldn’t even consider saying yes until I had healed the lands of Locris.

After we filed into our room, Suri shut the door behind us. There was a flapping of wings and Kunguru landed on the windowsill, as if he’d been following us. He flew across the room to perch on Ahyana’s shoulder.

Io came over to me and took my hands in hers. “Are you all right? What’s wrong?”

She looked so upset. She was the most empathetic out of all of us and I felt bad that my anxiety and worry were affecting her.

I had to send a message to my family. Now. No more delaying. No more waiting for opportunities, like I had with the statue. I was going to have to take fate into my own hands and make something happen. Change my circumstances, my situation, my relationships if necessary.

I needed to let my sisters know what I had planned.

Taking in a deep breath, I announced, “I need to sneak out of the temple tonight.”

There. Too late to take it back or undo it.

It was a relief to finally say the words aloud. To show them more of my true self.

“Why?” Zalira asked.

I couldn’t bring myself to tell them about my personal quest to find the eye, but I could share part of the reason why I had to find a way out.

“My parents don’t know that I’m still alive. I have to get word to them. I’m going to find a sailor down at the docks to carry a message for me.”

Ahyana nodded. “I can see how the king’s death would push you to send word. It also reminded me that life is very short.”

That wasn’t at all the reason, but if I said so, it would just create a lot of questions I wasn’t ready to answer. It was easier to go along with her assumption. I nodded.

“You’ve been planning this for a while, haven’t you? Is that why you’ve been asking us about the locations of specific buildings?” Zalira folded her arms. It didn’t surprise me that she would be the one to immediately connect those two things.

“Yes. I wasn’t sure how to get back to the docks.”

Io released my hands and an expression that looked like she felt betrayed flashed across her face briefly. “You could have told us. We would have understood.”

“She’s telling us now,” Ahyana said.

“I don’t want you to sneak out,” Io said, directing her words to me. “It’s not safe. It worries me.”

“You always worry,” I told her.

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