Chapter 19
XIX.
Kerasea
Dessert lingers on the table, the seven-course dinner complete as we approach our third hour in the banquet hall. The Praetorian’s chair is still empty, and something tells me he didn’t plan to return.
Curse his good fortune.
I hope that every dinner is not as long and drawn out as this, but dining is an event for the elites, so it follows that it will be.
Priests typically break bread in humble, quick repasts with our acolytes and servants.
We all sit together at tables in the dining hall and pass around simple yet hearty dishes—the opposite of this.
Julian glances at me and then leans closer. He carries a light scent of leather and citrus. “You look like you’re plotting a method of escape.”
I nod slightly. “Was it that obvious?”
He grins. “May I give you a piece of unsolicited advice?”
“Of course.”
“Don’t operate on their schedules. You aren’t a senator.”
I swallow a sip of dessert wine. That much is true.
“You are above them as leader of the Faith,” he whispers. “You can leave when you like—your father did.”
Julian’s hazel eyes sparkle with good nature. He’s so easily disarming.
“How are you friends with the Praetorian?” I ask, then close my mouth. I twist my napkin in my hands. “I’m so sorry, that was careless and rude. You needn’t answer.”
Warmth fires my cheeks. That was meant to be an internal comparison, and now I just insulted his friendship.
Julian and Torren served in the legions together and were friends before that.
Everyone knows they are close companions along with being two of the most sought-after bachelors in the capital.
“You aren’t the first to wonder,” Julian says with a laugh.
“He saved me when we were boys. This might come as a shock, but I wasn’t always the fine physical specimen you see before you.
I was small and scrawny until adulthood, really.
But as I turned thirteen, I was overconfident.
I believed I could explore the city without guards, tutors, or chaperones.
It didn’t take long for me to realize that was a mistake—less than a day, in fact.
Three older boys followed me as I left the markets.
They dragged me into an alley after they stole my coin purse.
They would’ve done worse than beat me, but Tor came in and fought them all off—thank the gods. ”
Shame and gratitude flash over his face as his hazel eyes take on a distant look, as if he can recall that moment of helplessness like it was yesterday. Elite men in Pryor are not supposed to need saving, which makes the memory that much more humiliating, I’m sure. And yet he’s shared it with me.
I don’t want anyone to become trapped in past shame, so I decide to slightly change the subject.
“Did you know him then?”
Julian shakes his head and releases the tension in his shoulders.
“I’d seen him before because of our fathers, but we didn’t piece that together until later.
He defended me because it was three against one, because I needed it.
” Julian pauses and looks me in the eyes.
“That is who he is, Kera. He believes in what is right and does it regardless of the consequences. Everyone else I’ve known has shown me favor because of my father, my position.
Tor saved me that day expecting nothing.
I’ve spent my life annoying him in return. ”
I shift in my seat, the sentiment uncomfortably familiar. Since I can remember, I’ve been the daughter of the High Priest, and now I am the High Priestess. There are many worse things to be, but I can never be certain of who has ulterior motives to their kindness.
“Was this before his father…” I begin.
I don’t know how to end the sentence. After being convicted, his father was given the opportunity to commit suicide to avoid a brutal public execution. He took his own life in Tullanium jail.
“No, it was around a year later.”
When someone is convicted by the Verity Guild, everything is stripped from their families. Torren defended Julian when he himself had nothing.
An unsettling feeling grips me. This is not the person I’ve known—the brutal investigator with hatred in his heart. A man who tortures and punishes and yet still sleeps at night. I can’t resolve it.
“Where did he disappear to?” I ask.
Julian scans the doorways. “I’m not sure. But if I had to guess, he’s going to get himself in trouble. I should look into it.” He sighs and pushes back his chair. “Would you like me to escort you to your chambers?”
He asks the last question in a louder tone, so it could be overheard. Bless him.
“Yes, please,” I say. “I’m quite exhausted.” That is the truth.
Julian offers me his arm, and I take it.
“I bid the Council a fair evening, and I will see you at breakfast tomorrow.” I bow slowly to the senators even though my limbs itch to flee.
They pause their conversations long enough to respond in kind, and then Julian and I leave the banquet room. Senator Eyo is well into his cups and doesn’t disguise that he is watching my every move, but I continue to walk gracefully.
I need to do something about him, but I have no idea what.
I take a deep breath when we are in the hall and notice Julian’s chest rising as well.
“That lot is suffocating,” he murmurs.
It’s a grave offense to insult the Senate, but Julian is too powerful and too connected to care.
“I offer no commentary,” I respond.
Julian laughs, but then his smile fades. “I am surprised they didn’t ask you to vote on a Senate Leader today. I suppose Terrance believes the position naturally falls to him—although why remains a mystery when Eyo is better liked. I expect that it will all come to a head by tomorrow. Be prepared.”
My full stomach twists at the thought. No wonder they were all trying to court me today. Terrance expecting the seat makes sense. Only, did he kill to get it?
“Fortune is on my side, I see,” I murmur.
Julian snorts, which causes me to laugh. We are both still laughing as we climb the grand staircase. As the distance grows between the Council and me, I feel safer. I can breathe again, and Julian relaxes as well.
All of a sudden, he stops, his back rigid. I follow his line of sight and find the Praetorian standing on the landing between the dual staircases. He’s watching us with sharp eyes.
“I see I’ve missed the end of supper.” His stance is stiff, his tone clipped as he looks from Julian to me.
“Was everything all right?” I ask.
He tilts his head, a crease appearing on his brow.
“When you were summoned away?” I add.
“Oh, yes. It was just a report on the road conditions as the snow continues.”
He’s lying…again.
“I see I’m interrupting,” he continues, looking pointedly at my right hand wrapped around Julian’s arm.
“I was just escorting the High Priestess back to her room, but now that you’re here, you can do the honors.” Julian pulls away, but I try to hold on to his arm until he takes another step farther. I drop my hand. The Praetorian continues to stare.
The tension is so thick, it’s suffocating, but this obviously has far more to do with them than me. It probably involves the reason for them not speaking earlier.
“No, I appear to be the one interrupting,” I say. “Julian wanted to find you, and he has. I will see you both tomorrow, as I require no escort.”
“Have a restful sleep, High Priestess,” Julian says with a short bow.
Torren’s jaw moves, but he says nothing. I see there will be no traditional pleasantries between us, not that there have ever been. I should accept that and walk away.
“A pleasant rest to you, Praetorian,” I say.
So much for walking away. Why can’t I just leave him alone? I grip my skirts tightly in my left hand.
“Bar your door, High Priestess,” he says.
His words send chills down my spine. He is serious in his warning, and his tone makes me want to scream and flee, but instead, I smile.
“I’ve heard that doesn’t work to keep everyone out.”
I meet his eyes and then turn.
I take the stairs, hoping to swallow my own tongue.