Chapter 14 #3
She smiled despite herself at the blasphemy in his tone, half-expecting a thunderbolt to strike him where he stood. “Nehalennia is the goddess of Fate,” he added, glancing at her. “And prophecy.”
Alethea only shrugged. Religion had never been part of her world—it was difficult to imagine inviting it in now. “Did your parents follow any of the gods?”
They paused at a crowded crossing, and Nakir turned to face her fully. “Yes. My mother was devoted to Aeshma. My father came to be as well.” His voice softened. “They never lost faith, even when it seemed like he’d abandoned them.”
She bit her lip, stepping a little closer, drawn in by the intimacy of the moment. “Maybe he didn’t abandon them,” she said quietly. “Maybe he sent them a son. A beacon of hope, in a world that can feel... lacking in it.”
Nakir’s smile widened, something bright and unguarded breaking through. His fingers brushed against hers. “I thought you said you weren’t religious.”
She leaned in, lowering her voice as she hid a smile. “Maybe I’m just starting to believe in something.”
His laughter, rich and warm, rose around them as they rejoined the flow of the market, the moment lingering long after it had passed.
“Does that mean your children will be Aeshlien?” Alethea asked, turning back to their original topic of conversation.
“Yes, they will be.”
She tried to imagine what Nakir’s children would look like—would they have his dark hair? His piercing amber eyes?—but she was redirected from the conversation as he led her toward the door of a women’s dress shop. A tiny bell rang as they entered the colorful store.
“Welcome!” a tinny voice from across the room greeted. An older woman with a smile that didn’t quite reach her sharp eyes approached. “How can I help you?”
Alethea turned to Nakir at first before sheepishly realizing she was the one they were shopping for. She quickly rattled off a few needs: stockings, travel boots, a few comfortable dresses, and tights to wear on the road.
“And a winter cloak, as well as some gloves,” Nakir added before the woman disappeared to gather the requested items.
“I hadn’t even considered those. Thank you. For everything. I... don’t exactly have any money.”
Nakir placed a reassuring hand on her elbow, the touch forcing her to bury the thoughts of his hands elsewhere. “Of course.”
The shop was brightly lit with sconces and braziers, and Alethea allowed herself to sort through many of the clothes on display.
Most of them were finely made, and many items were quite luxurious.
She knew what a privilege it was that she’d grown up with fine things, and that fact was what had motivated her to give away those gems in the first place.
Meseira didn’t seem to have the great divide Hyelea did—she hadn’t seen anyone impoverished the way they were in the capital.
Then again, Meseira had more food than it did people to feed.
The afternoon passed too quickly. Before she knew it, Alethea had acquired several bags full of items she hadn’t realized she’d been missing.
Basic hygiene products, enough socks and gloves to keep her warm, and a new pair of boots were all she’d expected.
Nakir seemed eager to indulge her, to the point she’d had to turn him down for fear she wouldn’t be able to fit everything inside her saddlebags.
They met Balthasar just before dinner. He had cleaned up as well, having changed from his traveling clothes to more formal wear, though still in all black.
She expected him to stand out wherever he went with his massive form, but he seemed to go by unnoticed.
The ability to hide in plain sight was a special talent of his that never failed to amaze her.
“Are you doing that on purpose?” Alethea asked him as they walked toward the front gates of the Aegean keep.
He flashed her a wink and a knowing smile but otherwise pretended he didn’t know what she was talking about.
Alethea had never been to Aegea, let alone inside the keep. The massive structure had been constructed with large white stones, each one expertly placed, creating a sight that spoke of both elegance and power. Its towering walls seemed to touch the sky, leaving her feeling quite small.
As they stepped inside, Alethea was immediately engulfed in the hushed grandeur of the interior.
The air was scented with the subtle aroma of polished wood and aged parchment.
Ornate chandeliers hung from the ceilings, casting a warm, gentle glow over the marble floors.
Despite the opulence, she hardly saw castle guards patrolling the halls, but she knew they were there, lurking in the shadows, vigilant sentinels protecting the heart of Meseira.
An older, pale-skinned man in dark blue robes was waiting for them in the entrance hall to the keep, and he greeted them politely. “The Great Lord and Lady Imanras welcome you to their home. Dinner is nearly served. Please, follow me to the great hall.”
Alethea took one last look at her companions and straightened her posture, summoning what strength she could manage. The fate of Lenorea hung in the balance, dependent not only on her words, but also on the conviction behind them.