Page 36 of Between Soul and Vessel
I held my breath, hoping someone would respond so I didn’t have to. I didn’t want to insert myself too much.
I waited a few seconds more.
Still, nothing.
They all appeared to be lost in their own private thoughts.
Damn it.
I looked at Oraina and asked in a light, conversational tone, “What do you mean by that?”
Oraina shrugged. “I don’t know. It just sort of feels like . . .”She trailed off.
“Bad karma?” Mercia asked.
“Yes, that’s exactly it,” Oraina answered with a nod.
My lips thinned—that was not the answer I was expecting. I decided to push a little more. “I get what you are saying, but I don’t think it’s karma, it’s somethingmorethan that.” My eyes flicked to Eirwen, handing the conversation to her.
But in typical Eirwen fashion, she said nothing.
So, I continued, “I think it’s because she’s Nockrythiam’s mate. If he were ever to return and find out her soul had been crushed, who knows what he would do.” I had zero knowledge when it came to fishing, but I knew enough about it to know that was the hook. Now I just needed one of them to take the bait I was about to dangle before them. “Besides that, therecouldbe people out there who are still loyal to Nockrythiam.”
Oraina disagreed, “Nockrythiam’s followers either died during the War of the Creators or they ended up wherever he did. I don’t think we have to fear retaliation from anyone.”
“That’s not true,” Eirwen cut in, lowering her goblet onto the table. It didn’t make nary a sound, her movement always so controlled and precise.
“Which part?” Oraina asked, raising a single brow.
“The vuleeries are still here,” Eirwen answered, tipping her chin up ever so slightly.
Mercia shivered. “I forgot about those dreadful creatures.”
“They are rather ruthless, definitely not something you want to cross paths with.” Eirwen paused, her eyes flicking back and forth, as if she were remembering something. Then, “In the past, there was only one person who they showed allegiance to . . . Nockrythiam.”
Finally, we’re getting somewhere, I thought to myself.
“So, by extension, do you think the vuleeries would be loyal to Nockrythiam’s mate?” Oraina inquired curiously.
I could have kissed her, but I kept my mask in place, acting nonchalant.
Eirwen gave a sophisticated shrug. “Hard to say, but it could be a possibility.”
“Wait . . . if it’s a possibility, why would the empress send Nockrythiam’s mate to the arena to have her soul publicly crushed? The vuleeries will show up there after the games, and they’ll surely discover her body. If they are loyal to Nockrythiam, wouldn’t that be bad?” Mercia asked.
“Again, it’s hard to say. Typically, it’s only the young vuleeries who go to pick the bones after the games. Most of them probably don’t even know who Nockrythiam is. Although, it is a risky move on the empress’s part.” Eirwen glared at us all. “Don’t you dare tell her I said that. You all know she’d have my head.”
“I won’t say anything,” Mercia promised.
Oraina and I chimed in with similar sentiments.
I spoke with them for a while longer before I excused myself.
Iknewwhat I had to do, but I had limited time to do it.
My skirts swished across the floor as I walked at a very quick pace up to Sage’s cell. As it was well past two o’clock in the morning, most of the prisoners were asleep. It wasn’t uncommon for priestesses to spend time in the dungeon, however, it was a bit odd for one of us to be coming at such a late hour. Which meant I had to get what I needed swiftly and get out. The last thing I wanted was to arouse suspicions.
Sage peeked at me from underneath her covers.
