Page 70 of Blood Sanctuary, Part Two

Cassia stood at the entrance in the highest gallery, holding Zoe’s hand.

Lio stared at his Grace. She was here. And she was so beautiful. Her uncovered, unbound hair trailed down over a formal robe of night-black silk. In wide bands of blood-red embroidery, their roses twined around her. Zoe stood with perfect poise in her purple formal robe and favorite mantle, a small, silken heir to vast and ancient power. Knight was their honor guard.

Cassia led Zoe through the crowd, and Knight proceeded with them in his parade gait. As they passed by the Imperial section, Cassia smiled at someone. Lio saw Kassandra had taken her seat. She nodded to Cassia.

As Cassia and Zoe approached Blood Komnena’s seats, Mother pressed a hand to her mouth, and Father held Zoe’s gaze, beaming. Cassia showed Zoe to her place behind them. Lio watched his sister step into her role as Secondgift Komnena for the first time, with Cassia as her guide.

Then Cassia’s eyes met Lio’s. She moved to stand before the rightful seat of Firstgrace Komnena.

Lio gripped the podium for support. Was he looking at their future? Or her farewell gift?

“Second Princess Konstantina, I want to speak,” Cassia announced in simple, but clear Divine.

“I will give her my place,” Lio said.

There was a warning in Konstantina’s aura. “I will not see Argyros’s third-hand time on the schedule made into a mockery of the Circle.”

Cassia faced Konstantina. “Second Princess, everyone is allowed to speak before the Firstblood Circle. Is that not true?”

The challenge now evident on her regal countenance, Konstantina fixed her gaze on Cassia. “Everyone of Orthros. Not members of the Tenebran embassy, except during negotiations. This is a session of the Firstblood Circle, not a Summit event.”

“Am I not of Orthros?”

“Are you?”

“You gave me a Sanctuary rose from your own hand at House Annassa. What did that mean?”

That stirred indicative murmurs among the firstbloods.

“It means what you choose,” the princess told her.

“I have chosen.” Cassia’s voice—hervoice—echoed across the Firstblood Rose.

For the first time. For the last time. She had chosen.

Cassia found Lio’s gaze again and did not look away from him. “I am mortal now, but I await my Gifting. When the Tenebrans leave, I will stay here with my people, the Hesperines. I invoke my right to speak.”

With those words, she put his world back together again. Lio hardly heard the applause and exclamations of welcome. His heart began to race, and he wondered if it had been beating at all before this moment. The power of her declaration shone out of her, the brightest light in his sky. He could bask in that light forever.

She was going to stay.

When the crowd quieted, there was a faint smile on Konstantina’s face and an unmistakable note of triumph in her aura. “No one here can deny that seat is yours by right. From there, you will achieve much and learn much. Take it now, while I take the podium.”

Zoe extended her hand in the circle petition.

Lio looked at her little, powerful hand reaching out. He thought his chest wouldn’t hold all his pride and affection, and he let it overflow into his Union with his little sister. He felt her smile back at him, but she looked at the Second Princess.

Konstantina’s expression softened. The entire crowd went quiet, listening, giving Zoe room to speak.

“Yes, Secondgift Komnena?” Konstantina invited.

Zoe made a beautiful heart bow. “Second Princess, may Cassia and I show our partisanship for my brother?”

Konstantina rested her hands on the railing in front of her, where for centuries, her blood had decided votes and the course of Orthros. Where a scroll now rested, unfurled, on which she had written her version of their immediate future—her proposal for the Departure. “The Goddess hears all of us, from the mightiest firstblood to the smallest child.” To those ritual words, she added, “Secondgift Komnena, you are Orthros’s future, and so your opinion about our future is most important. By showing your partisanship tonight, you are showing great love for your people and loyalty to your bloodline. We will be proud to see your token on the podium.”

Now Zoe’s smile showed on her face. “Thank you, Second Princess.”

To Lio’s astonishment, Zoe did not hand something of hers to Cassia for placement on the podium. She did not let go of Cassia’s hand. Together, they went to the nearest stair leading down from the stands and ventured out onto the floor of the amphitheater.

---