Chapter 17 #4
Still, we all pressed our palms to our chest and slightly bowed our heads. She reciprocated the gesture. I didn’t miss how her polite smile never reached her dark-blue eyes—almost purple—leveled on Gavin.
“Mr. Aldriss, welcome to the Basilica. The Divine is ready to meet you and Lady Zharina Praghan.”
My back stiffened, and I barely managed to keep a neutral expression on my face.
Technically, she wasn’t wrong in addressing me as ‘Lady’ since my family was indeed nobility on Xelix Prime.
But we had abandoned all such titles when we moved to Veredia, even though people still used them when we visited our home world.
However, it was the Divine specifically wanting to see me as well that took me aback.
“Me, but not the Great General?” I challenged.
Her smile and nod failed to hide the contempt lurking beneath the surface. I had no idea who it was aimed at, my brother or me. But my gut said it was aimed at all of us. This female was raging inside, but I couldn’t understand why.
“Yes, just you because you are Mr. Aldriss’ mate,” she replied in an overly sweet and falsely apologetic fashion.
“Hmmm,” I replied.
“It’s okay, Zhara,” Vahl said, his gaze intense as he studied Gotia’s features. “We’ll wait until your audience has concluded before starting the discussions.”
“Indeed,” Coron interjected quickly, having clearly sensed the general unease. “I will take everyone else to our Great Hall for refreshments. If you would follow me this way.”
Coron swiftly started walking down the path to our right leading to the Parliament.
I exchanged a look with my two brothers as they walked past us.
We didn’t need words to silently communicate that we would be on our guard.
Beyond the fact that I didn’t want to challenge Vahl in front of the dignitaries, the fact that Gavin didn’t object led me to believe it was safe.
“This way,” Gotia said, gesturing with her fingertips for us to follow.
Some people might have found it almost sensual. But I only saw the sharp metallic tips covering them. They were richly adorned, matching the elaborate jewelry clasped around her wrists, upper arms, and her neck.
Just like the dignitaries closed the March behind the rest of our team on their way to the Great Hall, the Initiates and Hallowed Knights, quietly filed behind us.
To my shock, Gotia didn’t even try to make the usual small talk expected from a hostess.
No asking about our trip. No useless comment about how glad she was that we would visit under such clement weather.
She just walked three steps ahead of us, her head held up high, and her back stiff.
For all that, her gait was fluid, the sway of her hips almost hypnotic.
Once again, I couldn’t help thinking that most people would find the movement sensual.
But all I could think about was a snake.
Had I been less secure in my relationship with Gavin, I might have been uncomfortable by the sheerness of her outfit that gave a far too detailed glimpse of her behind. Clearly, she was either wearing a thong or no underwear at all.
Rumors about the Divine Court ran rampant. By all accounts, only the most beautiful diviners were allowed to serve as they basically joined the Divine’s harem. I didn’t know whether it was true. However, seeing how they were all so scantily clad seemed to support that theory.
My jaw dropped as we entered the hall of the Basilica.
Intricate carvings adorned the walls in abstract art pieces.
However, the tiny granite tiles covering the carvings turned them into three-dimensional mosaics.
Giant windows allowed a generous amount of natural light to reflect on them, creating the illusion of movement.
A few winged statues served as pillars framing the wide aisle to the throne at the end of the room.
Everything felt grandiose and luxurious without falling into vulgarity.
I couldn’t even call it ostentatious, despite the bigger-than-life statues and décor.
The large space on each side of the aisle remained vacant.
Filled with benches, it would have turned the place into a church.
But I suspected they used it for large gatherings where people milled about instead.
At the other end, a large throne towered over the space, sitting atop an oval dais that perfectly rested against the arched back-wall.
Framing it on both sides, two more platforms at a slightly lower height each offered a dozen seats for the Initiates.
The exquisite gondola stool next to the throne likely belonged to Gotia.
Made of the same ivory stone as the statues, it was covered with a plush cushion in a shimmering off-white fabric with matching tassels.
Slightly to its right, and about a foot behind, I spotted another far less intricate bench, although just as comfortable looking.
But the imposing man sitting on the throne held all my attention.
He commanded the place. At a glance, he appeared to be 6’4 and extremely fit.
Like Korletheans and Veredians, Dantorians tended to be on the lither side.
It undoubtedly helped with their flying abilities as a bulkier build might prove challenging to cut through air.