Page 113 of A Queen's Game
A warm wind whipped across the yard, causing the goddess’s black waves to swirl around her, falling past her waist. A gauzy white gown surrounding her body blew taut against her,revealing her thin frame.“Share with me the thoughts that plague your mind, that cause you to suffer so. Talk about the things that bring you pain.”
Marietta hesitated, running her hand through her hair, but it passed through nothing, as if she weren’t really there. Was she supposed to air all of her grievances to an entity she didn’t know? It felt odd, yet Therypon had helped Amryth therefore she could help her. “As of late, everything brings me pain. My present life is that of a nightmare, forced to live with the man who killed my husband. My past life is riddled with holes, with lies of Tilan and the life we lived together. And my future….” Marietta laughed, though no humor sounded in its tone. “There isn’t one. Not if I continue in the palace.”
The warmth returned to her chest as Therypon extended her hand to Marietta.“Your truth, Marietta, has yet to show itself to you. Not knowing clouds your future, making it hard for you to continue.”
“You know my future?”
“I do not know the exact future, but I know your truth. The web of lies spun around you causes your pain, ensnaring your very soul. Only the truth will set you free.”The goddess’ voice was smooth, refreshing.
“I want to be free; I want to feel like myself, but how do I find the truth?”
A smile came to the goddess’ face, the warmth and love reaching Marietta.“Seek it.”Like a cat nestling in for a nap on her chest, so too did the warmth settle deep within Marietta as the goddess said,“Seek the truth, Marietta.”
From her chest, the warmth spread through her body, and for the first time since she arrived in Satiros, Marietta felt a sense of peace.
Her parents’ house and the goddess faded to black, leaving Marietta’s head empty and calm. No thoughts raced through hermind, no stress tensing her shoulders, just the simplicity of her breath, the basic feeling of being alive.
At one point, she must have nodded off for when she woke, people in prayer filled the benches, some in street clothes, others wearing the blue of Therypon. Marietta craned her head, looking for Amryth. She didn’t see her. Instead, at the hallway’s entrance stood Coryn, the half-elven man from before, who signaled for her to follow.
Confused, she stood, her legs prickling as blood returned to her limbs. Gods, how long was she sitting there?
His face was grave as she approached, but he said nothing, just turning towards the exit. The bickering came first, the voices carrying down the hall. Then she heard the crying of someone, the soft weeping and sniffle.
Coryn picked up his pace, Marietta close on his heels. At the temple’s entrance, Amryth stood an inch from a guard’s face, snarling. “She’s safe for now. Keyain isn’t going to demote you, Jyrad.”
In the corner of the antechamber, Deania held a human woman in her arms, her eyes red and swollen.
“What happened?” Marietta asked as she stepped around Coryn.
“Thank gods you’ve finished,” Amryth said, her words quick. “We have to get you back to the palace.”
“Tell me what happened.” Marietta looked past Amryth, finding the four guards who escorted them that morning, as well as another half dozen who lingered on the steps below. Wide-eyed, she turned to Amryth.
“They found one of the missing half-elves,” Deania spoke, her voice taut. “My friend, she—” Her breath heaved as she held onto the crying woman in her arms.
“We can confirm someone is targeting and murdering half-elves.” Coryn stood at her shoulder, his tone harsh, angerunderlining it. “They found her body behind the temple this morning.”
“So we need to get back,” Amryth said, beckoning her forward. “Keyain already had guards on the scene and sent more to escort you back.”
Unsteady legs carried her to Amryth’s side, the world jarring and off-kilter. Was it a coincidence? It had to be.
Therypon’s warmth flickered in her chest as she left the temple, Marietta desperate to hold on to it as she walked back to the palace.
Chapter Forty-Five
Valeriya
The guards had said the scene was gruesome, too terrible to disclose the details; yet they did anyway. Valeriya had listened as they described the body behind the Temple of Therypon: a female half-elf, the body mutilated with ‘clip’ carved into her forehead. Anger and guilt wove through her stomach, blanketing her in shame. Either the males she killed hadn’t been the murderers, or the one she left alive got away. Did they ever question him? Did they have any suspects at all?
Perhaps Wyltam had answers. If she were lucky, he’d feel like sharing them with her. However, he summoned her, and likely he had his own agenda that had nothing to do with the welfare of their people.
Mid-summer approached with the heat of the season upon them, and Valeriya walked into the shared living space to find Wyltam sitting before a fire. She suppressed her scoff as he lounged in the chair with one leg down, the other tucked to his chest and his chin propped up by his fist. It wasn’t enough that his posture was unkingly, but his black hair hung in his face, too.
“Husband,” she said, taking the seat across from Wyltam. As the heat of the fireplace rolled off, droplets of sweat formed on Valeriya underneath her long-sleeved and high-neck dress.Bruises covered her chest and ribcage from her fight in the alley. They grew too dark to be covered with makeup and maintaining the magic to cover them would grow tiring.
“Your taste in clothing has been interesting as of late,” Wyltam drawled, staring into the flames in the hearth. His air of disinterest, even when probing her with his suspicions, was immaculate. Though he asked her to join him, she was still not worth his time.
A sigh escaped her mouth as she crossed her arms, patience already wearing thin. “Was there anything specific you wanted, or are you just sharing your opinion on seasonal fashion?” Tiredness ebbed her mood, making her short when she should have bitten her tongue. By the subtle smirk that came to his face, he knew he’d gotten under her skin already.
