27
Walking through the prayer hall at breakfast, I braced for a scowl from Voran. Perhaps a narrowing of his eyes.
But when I finally let my own meet them, my steps faltered.
My heart shrank.
His eyes were luminous. An iced-blue I hadn’t seen since he’d been about to shift in the woods. He delivered a spoonful of oats to his mouth, bared his teeth, then closed it and chewed vigorously. Unnecessarily.
I slowed and tried to mouth, “I’ll explain later.”
He gave no sign that he’d understood me. Just continued to glower at me until I took a seat.
I felt his displeasure like a heavy old cloak, itchy at my back as I ate. A few mouthfuls were all I managed before the hall filled, and talk of Alixa, Meront, and Darcen began to circulate. I was glad Celestine had opted to stay in bed.
The reasons had yet to arrive.
I soon discovered they wouldn’t when High Priestess Nellassa made her way down to the prayer hall.
Her sky-blue robes slid over the stone behind her, gaping sleeves hiding her clasped hands. The sapphire dangling at her forehead caught the cloudy morning light as she stood between the glass doors. “I wish I could say good morning to you, wards. However, a good morning it is not.”
Absolute quiet descended.
“You are all important to Avyshla’s kingdoms, but here on this isle, that importance does not exempt you from reproach.” Her auburn eyes swept over the tables, though failed to move past mine to Voran’s. “Last night, three wards were caught disregarding more than one of our rules.”
Murmurs arose. As well as poorly muffled laughter from those who knew what had happened.
The high priestess lifted her chin, awaiting calm before she continued. “Those wards are now facing consequences for their actions. Unfortunately, so will the rest of you. Your freedoms will be heavily monitored until we believe you can be trusted.”
Silence cleaved like a blade.
“This isn’t merely a place of great history.
It’s a sanctuary for those who have dedicated their lives to serving the mother of our existence.
Avyshla may encourage creation and endings in all their varying forms, but our goddess does not tolerate disrespect.
” An intentional pause. “Neither will her devoted servants.” Nellassa pressed a finger to the sapphire at her forehead. “May the mother enjoy you.”
Everyone waited until the high priestess disappeared upstairs.
Then the rumors exploded.
The rest of the morning was spent attempting to snuff the younglings’ talk about Alixa, Meront, and Darcen.
A waste of time.
They were young, but they still understood. Trying to dissuade them only made Paphin roll his eyes and say, “Princess, we’ve all seen and heard what happens in alcoves and guest wings during events.”
After washing up in the kitchens, I went to check on Celestine.
Atop the stairs, murmurs drew my gaze down the hall to the sitting room in the west wing. It was somewhat astonishing—how easily word of the princes and Alixa had spread. All the while, heartbreaking news from home had been kept from reaching too many ears.
Celestine didn’t stir when I opened her door.
Closing it quietly behind me, I caught the eyes of Priestess Renisha as she left the west wing, and headed downstairs to await lunch. No priestesses were in the prayer hall. Only some younglings squabbling over a bowl of nuts at the table by the stairs.
And Voran.
Keeping an eye out for newcomers, I crossed to our tables at the far side of the hall.
The wolf prince leaned against the wall. Open on the table before him was the book of fables. But he wasn’t reading.
Relief warmed my limbs when I met his eyes, no longer brightened by the displeasure he’d felt this morning. Perhaps he’d heard the rumors, or he’d deduced enough from Celestine’s absence and the high priestess’s warning.
A charcoal brow arched when I didn’t take a seat at my table. I lingered beside it and nodded at the book. “Is this what you do in the mornings?” I asked softly. “Read and wait for lunch?”
“I wait for you,” he said.
A sharp breath feathered between my slack lips.
His gaze lowered to them. It then dropped to the book as he murmured, “Turn around, Princess.”
My heartbeat lurched.
I quickly slid onto the bench seat, giving Voran my back as Darcen trekked through the open glass doors, wet hair pushed over his head. A basket of fish swung from his hand. He didn’t notice me before vanishing into the back hall. Didn’t appear to notice anyone.
Voran scoffed. “Catching fish is not punishment.”
I smiled down at the table. “He hates fish.”
But I still agreed. Making him shift and catch fish after what he’d done to my friend seemed far too kind.
As Plim and one of the younglings delivered soup and bread for lunch, I pondered what Meront’s punishment might be. He was probably doing something mundane, too. Perhaps repairing broken bookshelves. I hoped whatever punishment they gave Alixa was just as merciful.
Annoyed, I ate little and went upstairs.
I couldn’t go to Voran’s room, but I could wander up to the east wing and look for a book for him to read.
Mere minutes later, he found me in the very last aisle.
I waited at the end, near the wall and away from the light spilling through the line of arched windows. Completely hidden should someone decide to roam these often-ignored aisles.
His steps were unhurried. Measured. Steel strands had escaped his loose braid to curtain his hewn cheeks. It failed to soften his features as he prowled toward me. Sunlight struck his midnight eyes, revealing the menace sparking within.
My heart began to pound.
Withholding a smile, I clutched the book at my chest and shrank deeper into the shadows until my back met the cobweb-dusted stone. Blistering anticipation swelled my chest, which rose higher and higher as he neared.
When he reached me, he clasped my chin between his giant fingers.
He tilted it, and I prepared for a reprimanding—perhaps even threats—for failing to honor our agreement.
But he searched my features and brushed his thumb across my lips before lowering his head. Nose nudging mine, he plucked the book from my hands and whispered, “I suppose this is where we must meet now.”
“I suppose.”
“Fine.” He tossed the book. Before it hit the floor, he kissed me.
And he didn’t stop until we’d been gone for so long that I feared a priestess might notice.