Page 62 of Insolence
Goddess preserve me.I am surrounded by brats in this godsforsaken temple.
Shaking my head, I start across the atrium to meet Tiss at the ground floor landing. When I get there, Cordelia’s already waiting, hands on her hips.
Tiss’s head jerks back when she sees me. “I don’t feel much like talking anymore, Lady Elodie.” Hatred winds up our bond, seizing my guts with a wrenching twist.
“Thanks be to Eisha,” I sigh. “Me neither.”
“Lady Elodie,” Cordelia says, “will you please reason with her? I think she’s lost her mind.”
Tiss sneers. Vein throbbing in her neck, she looks past my shoulder. “Traitor,” she snaps as Sadrie walks up.
“I was trying to help! You have me worried sick.”
“Feel free to stop ‘helping’ at any time,” Tiss mutters.
“How about we go for a walk outside?” I venture, ignoring the other two staring at me like I’ve offered to toss her off the side of the mountain myself. “If you insist on leaving, I won’t try to stop you. I’ll even let you know the guardsmen aren’t at the arch anymore. But I do need to show you something first.”
Tiss isn’t expecting that. Her eyes bulge. “What’s the catch?”
“No catch.” I turn to the other two. “You ladies should come too.”
“I’m not getting into trouble becauseshe’shaving a crisis,” Cordelia says.
“Nobody’s getting in trouble for being outside and looking.”
Skepticism emanates from Sadrie. “Why? Looking at what?”
“It’s difficult to explain. Better to show you.”
“Eh, why not?” Cordelia shrugs. “Now I’m dying to know what’s so important.”
All three of us turn to Tiss. She bites a thumbnail that’s already been chewed ragged. “Fine. I’ll look at whatever nonsense you’re on about. Then I’m leaving.”
Sadrie’s posture slumps, her aura glowing a mournful blue. No surprises there.
“As you wish.” I start toward the cloakroom.
Chapter 18
Itissa
While we bundle up, I do my best impression of a woman who’s never been fucked in a cloakroom in her life.
Elodie helps me on with mine, and I generously resist the urge to wrap my hands around her neck and squeeze. Brittle silence stretches between us. But I’ll be damned if I’m going to say something first.
All the while, Cordelia and Sadrie glance between us, snorting laughter and hushing each other.
Once we’re outside, Elodie takes off as usual. “This way.” Looking skyward every so often, she heads to the front of the temple grounds.
The night is clear and cold. Our enormous moon, Luxelle, is nearly full and bright enough that her silver rays cast our shadows onto the cobblestones. Elodie’s pace is so brisk that we jog to keep up.
The priestess passes the Waymark, leading us toward the Entrance Arch. We’re soon in front of the slanted plaza leading to the imposing Gallery of the Goddess.
The plaza itself angles downward, extending partially below ground. Retaining walls on either side hold built-in benches and frame an impressive three-tiered fountain. Beyond the fountain, wide steps lead to the Gallery itself. A series of columns adorns its proud facade. The banners strung between them bear Eisha’s emblem.
Cordelia and Sadrie meander to the fountain while Elodie goes to the arch. Sure enough, it’s unmanned. In fact, no Temple Guardsmen areanywhereoutside for the first time since I’ve been here.
“Over here.” Elodie points to an area just above the filigree ironwork. “Look up.”
