Page 118 of Insolence
“Divination.”
“That’s the one. And she does it all in Eisha’s name.” He gives a scornful huff. “The Five, of course, eat it up. But it’s blasphemy of the highest degree. I’ve studied the oldest of the codices—Eisha’s ancient texts. At least the ones we keep down there, at the bottom. Safe from Deirdre’s sacrilege. And Eisha, above all else, isbalanced.
“There’s no balance in the twisted things that go on at this temple, Tiss.” He regards the looming statue as tears seep onto the rims of his eyes. “Eisha created mages with one hand and demuns with the other. There is no good or evil in that creation. As far as I’m concerned, both are living beings. Both beings simply are.”
He thumbs away his unshed tears, tipping back his head to admire the monolith goddess. “This sanctum was hollowed out in her honor over the course of centuries. High priestesses come here in secret to remember the truth. To pass it on beneath the prioress’s nose.” He sighs and looks at me, seeming to shake himself into a different mood.
“Suffice it to say,” he rises to his feet, “you won’t hear any of that from Deirdre or the sisters. Technically, I’m not supposed to know about it. Neither are you.” He extends both hands to help me up. “So. Do me a favor and keep it to yourself.”
Face-to-face with him now, I incline my head, flashing my most captivating smile. “Keep what to myself?”
“Mm.” His gaze flicks over me, brimming with approval and something else—something with a sharper, hungrier edge. “Good answer.”
My body flushes. After the dark things he just imparted, his praise is far more exciting than it has any right to be.
“Come on. It’s getting late. Let’s get you back.”
Chapter 35
Itissa
I’ve barely been back in my rooms for ten minutes before a knock lands on my door.
I open it to find Sadrie pressing her lips together and digging her toe into the floor.
“Are you lost? Cordelia’s room is over there,” I say, pointing two doors down. “Same place as it always is.”
“Tiss,” her face crumbles, her eyebrows pinching together, “I was hoping we could talk about what happened.”
I cross my arms, as good as a slab of stone blocking my doorway. “Oh, you mean when you ignored my ‘stop’ and blamed me for it?”
“I— Yes.” She glances down the walkway in both directions. “Do you think I could come in?”
“I thought you didn’t want to be near me.”
“I was scared before. I needed time to sort through it all. What happened that night… it wasbizarre,” she whispers. “You said things to me, you know. When you, um, finished.”
For gods’ sakes. I stand aside, avoiding her gaze as she brushes past me.
“I didn’t say anything, Sadrie.” I follow her in and shut the door. “Not at that particular moment.”
“You did, though.” Her eyes dart around my sitting room before landing on me. “You told me I was yours. You said Ibelongedto you, but your lips weren’t moving. I heard your words just the same, inside my head. It was confusing, to say the least.”
Confusing. Right. Terrific.I fall back against the door, my breath coming in short bursts. I blink like an idiot, blindsided and remembering the fervent urges that came over me.
The yearning to claim her and mark her.Mine, I thought as my teeth clamped down on the crook of her neck.Mine.
Ice slithering down my spine, I wonder if that ugly bruise I gave her has faded yet. Likely not, seeing as she still wears high collars or kerchiefs around her neck every day. The same way I wear long sleeves to hide my miraculously healed arm.
“Tiss?” She’s standing too close when my head snaps up.
“All this time you’ve been avoiding me like I’mcontagious,” I snap. “And now, all of a sudden, you want to talk again like nothing happened. And I suppose I’m meant to play along. Pretend everything’s going to be fine because you’re paying me attention again, is that it?” I clutch my chest, feeling likesomething’s shattered inside of me. “Gods, I barely know you. Why does it feel like youbrokemy heart?”
Mouth trembling, she murmurs, “I’m so sorry, Tiss.”
“It doesn’t work like that. I can’ttrustyou anymore, and it feels like I’ve lost a lover and my very best friend.” I push past her, tears lancing behind my eyes. “It’s more than you giving me the silent treatment. You violated me, Sadrie,” I say, whirling on her. “I don’t care howirresistibleyou thought I was. You ignored my no and took what you wanted anyway.”
“Gods.” She clamps her fingers over her mouth, tears breaking free.
