8. Raithe
Raithe
While the rest of the palace buzzed with excitement in preparation for tomorrow’s ceremonial trial, I took to the kitchens and armory to stock up on the supplies I’d need for my impending journey.
In a realm as vast as Gaianos, how could anyone find a singular flower? Let alone one that wasn’t even thought to be real, assuming Gregorios’s interpretation of his dream was correct. It was too ludicrous not to believe.
After Cyrene’s failed trial, the palace would be too overcome with mourning to notice my initial absence.
Because of its draining toll, Astrals only selected Chosens once a year; another princess wouldn’t be Chosen for at least ten months.
That was plenty of time to locate this black rose—and for Maryn to stew on her retribution.
“You’ll be somewhere in the kingdom of Gemini during the blue moon,” Gregorios had confirmed using Blood Sight. After everything he’d shared—about Gemini, about the curse extending to his Sight—I needed more direction than that.
Gregorios could only stomach a small amount of my blood before he’d grown ill though. It wasn’t enough for him to see my future beyond a few weeks, but I didn’t want him to overdo it. Even for seers, Blood Sight could be dangerous.
Gemini was five territories north of Scorpio. It would take weeks to get there on a skyship. By that time, the full moon would have passed. I would need to travel through an arch—a celestial door created by the Astrals—on my Pegasus. An arch would transport us directly into Gemini.
Arches existed everywhere, connecting to places both near and far.
There were several Scorpion arches known to lead to Gemini.
Only three were documented on Gaianos maps available to each court.
However, a total of six were solely known to the Scorpion court.
With such an expanse of skies, there were undoubtedly more to be discovered.
Fortunately, only Chosens in possession of a talisman were capable of seeing—let alone utilizing—arches.
Anything and anyone in contact with a Chosen in possession of a talisman were guaranteed passage through an arch as well.
Convenient, given most arches to Gemini existed in the middle of the sky.
Once I got to Gemini, stars only knew how I was going to find a black rose without making my presence known to King Zephyr. Our territories weren’t at odds with one another, but a Chosen entering another territory without that royal’s permission was a direct violation of the Treaty.
In all the history I’d read, every Chosen found in violation of it faced execution.
My mission—the future of our queendom—was worth the risk.
With most of the trip’s necessities ready, I went to one of the few places I found solace in: the stables.
Dozens of Pegasi peered over their stalls at me.
While they appeared similar in color to horses, their frames and build were significantly more powerful.
Pegasi wings spanned wide enough to conceal a small cottage, which was why it was important they received vigorous exercise weekly from the stablehands.
Thanks to my illicit trips to Antares, my Pegasus received far more than that when I forwent the palace’s arch.
Cobalt nickered restlessly as I packed panniers with grains, water, and other essentials for our flight.
“We’re going on an adventure.” I patted her thick neck to ease her excitement. Her black coat gleamed a sheen of blue undetectable to most eyes. She nibbled on some hay, content from my caresses. “An important one. Which means plenty of rest and no treats—”
Her triangular ears perked up.
“No treats.” I narrowed my eyes into her large brown ones. “We’ve got a long journey ahead of us. Can’t have you slowing us down with all those sugar cubes.”
Cobalt’s response was a sputtering exhale.
“Fine,” I relented, helpless to her pathetic addiction that I’d enabled. “But only a few, you spoiled beast.”
I fed her a few sugar cubes that sent her long, dark head bobbing with delight. Warmth tickled my chest. Animals were simple creatures—easier to trust and understand than humans. I pressed a tender kiss to her snout, grateful for my companion these past twelve years.
Heavy steps sounded from the front entrance of the stables. Alekko. He rounded the corner, coming into view with that ever-present, hopeful expression of his.
“Thought I’d find you in here,” he greeted with a wave. The latched door groaned from the weight of his massive body leaning against it. I disliked the idea that I was at all predictable. “Cyrene has invited us to dine with her for her final feast this evening.”
I looked beyond Cobalt to the slit in the wall, where the late afternoon light seeped in. “You know I heard Maryn’s objections. Guardians do not dine with their Chosens.”
“Her family insisted—”
“Cyrene doesn’t have much time left with them. Felaf and I would only serve as distractions.”
The term “final feast” referred to a Chosen and their family dining lavishly together the eve before the Chosen’s ceremony. It was an honorary farewell celebration of gratitude for the family’s impending sacrifice.
During a Chosen’s ceremony, their blood relatives were required to be given to the Astrals. It was the ultimate sacrifice that Chosens needed to make: to forfeit all ties to love and family. In return, the act of sacrifice fueled the Astrals’ divine power.
I had no family to sacrifice for my trial, which wasn’t uncommon, especially in a world where natal dates could divide a family and distant relatives remained unknown. Witnessing the sacrifices each year—no matter how willing they were—unsettled me more than I’d imagined.
“Figured I’d try.” Alekko shrugged. “I forget you dislike anyone who doesn’t have wings or hooves.”
Even on the Martial Isles, Alekko had encouraged me to engage more with our peers. I never understood his motive. Friendships didn’t come naturally to those who preferred the company of their own mind, and they served no purpose in this exploitative world.
I tapped my boot. “That can’t be the only reason you’re here.”
“Always to the point.” His brows lowered. “I wanted to fill you in on my debrief today.”
I crossed my arms over my chest. “I heard everything.”
“We are to execute the apostate the day after next,” he said, ignoring me. “His body will then be dropped to the Barrier like the others.”
“The mark needs to be studied,” I said. “If it’s related to the apostai, it could be our key to finally infiltrating them.”
“I know.” Alekko scratched his neck. “I insisted on its potential significance. She doesn’t believe it’s credible yet.”
“Let me guess, because I suggested it?”
Alekko gave me a knowing look. “I’m willing to take it seriously, even if she’s not. Felaf confirmed she saw it too. If it is only visible to guardians, we’ll ensure one of you has eyes on every prisoner going forward to see if you’re right. Maryn will have no choice but to be on board.”
“But we’ll need to study them, not interrogate them and throw their decapitated bodies to the Barrier.”
“One step at a time, Raithe. She’ll come around.”
He was always so damn hopeful. “And the ceremony tomorrow?”
“We’ve secured the perimeters. Vesperah’s guards are posted within the specified radius of the temple. The apostai would be stupid to try anything.”
“Just because you all believe Cyrene will break the curse tomorrow, it’s unwise to make such assumptions.
They want us to presume that all they care about is chaos and destruction.
” I returned my attention to Cobalt, listening to the soothing noises she made as she grazed.
Whatever mystery kept the apostai a secret from all twelve courts and their seers, I was determined to unravel it.
“They’re a mass collection of unhappy, disgruntled people who blame the Astrals for their bad luck and misfortunes,” Alekko said. “Violence is the only way they know how to express their frustrations. Sometimes, it is as simple as that.”
“Then how do you explain their ability to evade Blood Sight?” I asked pointedly. “In all our records, not even the toughest warriors of Aries have been able to break them. And the realm seems resigned to accept this.”
Alekko raised his hands. “I can’t explain any of it. That’s just the way it is.”
“It doesn’t have to be. This mark could be some sort of weapon they’ve developed. There are many things still unknown to us.” Such as a flower.
“You haven’t changed a bit,” Alekko said, shaking his head. “I bet you still believe you can read every book and learn every facet of history before you die.”
I didn’t bother to deny it.
Alekko chuckled. “Look, we are blessed to live in a time when war is nearly impossible thanks to the Treaty. My role as commander isn’t to lead armies; it’s to protect our queendom from these bastards as best I can. They have always existed, and they always will. Such is the way of our world.”
“Just because war hasn’t happened since the first Age doesn’t mean war can’t ever happen again. The Treaty can only keep power-hungry people like the King of Aries in check for so long.”
Alekko whistled lowly. “Still the same idealistic pessimist.”
“And you’re still the same hopeless optimist.”
He clasped my shoulder. “A miracle our friendship’s lasted this long, hm?”
“Friendship?”
“It’s been nice talking to you again,” he said, completely disregarding my scowl. “Even though it’s like talking to a brick wall most of the time. I’ve been meaning to say that I know it’s been hard on you, since Hector died last year—”
“No harder for me than anyone else,” I interjected, rubbing at my chest.
“You’ve withdrawn.”
“I’m always withdrawn.” I was too self-aware for my own good.
“Fair. But you’re spending all your time in the city, sparking Maryn’s rage, or burying your head in books. Get back into the training yard with me and the guards. Or better yet, with Felaf. Stars knows she's still got a lot to learn. Teach her what Hector taught—”
“Enough, Alekko.” I glared at him in warning. “There’s no point in speaking of the dead.”
“It’s been a year, Raithe,” he said quietly.
“And?”
“We’ve all mourned, the queendom included. You should—”
“There’s nothing to mourn,” I said stiffly, despising the twinge in my gut.
Alekko sighed. “Someday, someone’s going to break through that wall of yours. I’ve been trying for years, but I’ll be thrilled just to see it happen.”
I scoffed. “I’m Chosen, remember? It’s too late for me.”
It had always been too late for me.