by Effie Calvin
“You can’t stop her.”
“We’ll see about that,” said Adale.
Esofi gave a little shudder and Adale stepped nearer, pulling her close. Esofi pressed her cheek to Adale’s chest. “I don’t want you to be hurt, either.”
“If she does, she will no longer be welcome in Ieflaria,” said Adale. “I know you don’t believe that, but my parents won’t tolerate her treating either of us badly. Or threatening to take Carinth.”
“Ieflaria cannot afford to make an enemy of Rhodia.”
“Why not? We barely trade with them, and the most valuable thing they’ve ever owned is already mine.” Adale let her fingers tangle in Esofi’s curls. “Or would you return home if she demanded it?”
“Of course not,” whispered Esofi.
“Then what are you afraid of?” There was far too much land and sea between their two nations to really go to war, unless their armies agreed to meet at some absurd midpoint in western Xytae.
“She can order the battlemages to go back with her,” said Esofi.
“Let them go, then!”
“And if the dragons begin attacking us again?”
“We know they won’t! Ivanedi has promised—”
“The dragons are without a leader. There is no telling what they’ll do, regardless of Ivanedi’s promises. I believe his intentions are good, but the dragons are wild creatures and we cannot predict how they’ll behave.”
“Let’s plan to go to the Silver Isles, then,” suggested Adale. “We can verify Ivanedi’s claims for ourselves. And Carinth will enjoy it too.”
“Maybe,” whispered Esofi. Adale rested her hand on Esofi’s back and pulled her close once again.
“I hate feeling like there’s distance between us,” said Adale. “And I hate not knowing how to fix it.”
Adale was afraid Esofi might try to deny anything was wrong. But she said, “It’s not your fault. This is my problem, and now I’ve made it your problem too.”
“Your problems are my problems whether you intend them to be or not. That’s what it means to be married.”
Esofi breathed in very, very deeply and then exhaled. “I know,” she whispered in a very small voice. Then, “I’m scared of her.”
Adale nodded.
“And telling me not to be won’t fix anything.”
“Then I won’t,” promised Adale. She brought one hand to Esofi’s face, brushing gently at her cheek with her thumb. “Just…let me help you. Even if I’m no use at all, I still want to know what you’re thinking.”
“If I told you everything, you’d only be upset,” said Esofi. “You’d be upset, and you’d pity me, and I wouldn’t be able to stand it.”
“But I can’t go on like this!” Adale’s voice broke on the last word.
“Don’t cry,” pleaded Esofi. “Please. If you cry, I’ll cry too and then—”
Adale tilted her head down and pressed her forehead to Esofi’s, shoulders shaking from the effort of holding back tears.
“I’m sorry,” Esofi said weakly. “I’ve been a terrible wife.”
“You don’t have to tell me everything. I know there’re things you don’t want to talk about, and things that are none of my business. I just need to feel like you trust me. Or at least, that I’m not a burden.”
“I’d never think of you as a burden, I promise. This is all my fault. I’ve handled everything so badly. There’s not a thing you could have done to make it come out differently. And I do trust you. I’m just not accustomed to relying on people, I think. At least, not for things like this. In Rhodia, it was…dangerous…to do so.”
Instinctively, Adale opened her mouth to say she was sorry. Then she realized her pity was not what Esofi wanted. So she didn’t say anything at all, only allowed her hand to trail down Esofi’s back.
They stood and watched the ocean roar until it became too cold to remain outside any longer.
CARRIAGES HAD NEVER been Adale’s favorite method of transportation. She preferred to ride outside, either up with the driver or on a horse of her own. But for the sake of being near to Esofi and Carinth, Adale decided she would endure it.
Svana and Mireille were both with them, though Brandt was riding outside with the guards. He had been tasked with informing them immediately if Gaelle’s carriage stopped or showed any signs of trouble. Adale was still not delighted that Esofi seemed to be acting like Svana’s new post was an official appointment instead of a silly ruse, but Svana had been uncharacteristically well behaved.
She turned to Mireille, wondering if Gaelle’s appearance and the Rhodian mages had at all made her homesick.
“You weren’t planning to go back to Rhodia, were you?” asked Adale.
“No,” said Mireille. “That is…you don’t want me to, do you?”
“Of course not! But we should probably get on with finding you someone to marry if you’re going to stay here.”
“Oh, well…” Mireille looked embarrassed. “Maybe.”
“Did you have someone in mind?”
“Um. Not really.”
“Do you care if it’s a husband or—”
“I don’t think so,” said Mireille. “Maybe a husband would be better. But I’m not sure.”
Adale had always felt a little sorry for people who had strong preferences regarding the gender of their romantic partners. It sounded like an inconvenience. It reminded her of Lady Brigit, who simply refused to consider anyone who was taller than her. But then, Brigit’s restriction was self-imposed. People with strong preferences weren’t being silly or contrary; they could not help the way they’d been made. Still, Adale was glad she was not one of them.
Preferences or not, members of the nobility tended toward pairings that could have children easily, for the sake of heirs and bloodlines. The Temple of Dayluue always offered help to those couples who couldn’t have children together, but there was no guarantee they’d be successful. Some nobles seemed to feel it was not worth the risk. She wondered if that was why Mireille might want a husband over the alternatives. But it would be rude to ask.
Esofi had been betrothed to Albion with the expectation they’d be able to have children together without needing the priestesses to help them. Though their betrothal had been at such a young age, there’d been no guarantee one of them wouldn’t get permanently Changed long before the wedding.
Adale wondered what Gaelle would have done if Esofi had wanted to get Changed. Would she have tried to talk her out of it, or at least urge her to put it off until she’d had children with Albion? It struck Adale as the sort of thing Gaelle might do.
“Don’t worry, we’ll find you someone,” Adale promised Mireille.
“Who do you know who isn’t an embarrassment to the entire country?” asked Svana.
“Don’t make me put a shield up between you,” warned Esofi. “Anyone who starts a fight can get out and walk.”
“It’s all right,” said Mireille quickly. “I don’t want to get married right away. I like things how they are right now. And I’d hate to have to leave you or Carinth.”
Adale understood. She hadn’t wanted to marry, either. Or maybe Mireille didn’t feel that kind of attraction? Not everyone did.
Belatedly, she felt a little embarrassed for taking such an interest in Mireille’s preferences. None of it was really any of her business. Normally she wouldn’t really care, but there was nothing to do in the carriage, unless she decided to try her hand at Esofi’s embroidery, and she would never be that bored.
The trip to Birsgen was uneventful, even with Gaelle travelling with them. She remained in her carriage, with Lexandrie, for the majority of the journey. When they camped, Adale was on high alert, waiting for Gaelle to say something terrible to Esofi or maybe try to grab Carinth in the night and run, but nothing of the kind happened. In fact, Gaelle seemed determined to pretend that Adale and Esofi did not exist.
Brandt and Svana were behaving themselves too. Adale still did not trust either of them, but
she had to admit they were being more civil than she’d ever seen them in her life. It was probably just the fact that Esofi was around, or maybe the tight-laced Rhodian mages had finally managed to knock some manners into them. Whatever the reason, Adale had a feeling the change was not permanent.
When they came within sight of the castle, Adale felt her annoyance with her parents flare up again. They’d seen how distraught Esofi had been at the news that her mother was coming to Birsgen. Why had they not sent a courier to warn them Gaelle was on her way? It was uncharacteristically thoughtless of them.
Her mother was waiting for them when they stepped out of the carriage, along with a few of her ladies. Saski hugged Esofi in greeting, then leaned down to say hello to Carinth.
“Did you receive my letter?” asked Adale pointedly.
“Yes,” said Saski. She glanced over at the other carriage, where Gaelle was just stepping out and leaned in quickly to whisper in Adale’s ear. “We sent a courier the moment she announced she was going to Fenstell.”
“Well, they never found us,” Adale said. She knew her mother was telling the truth, which was frustrating because now she had nobody to blame. Adale reached out and rested her hands on Esofi’s shoulders, hoping to steer her away before Gaelle could get out of her carriage.
But it seemed Esofi wasn’t in a hurry. “Has anything happened in Birsgen since our departure?” she asked.
“Your mother’s arrival was the most excitement we had, but she left so quickly,” said Saski, a hint of disapproval in her face. “I told her you would be returning soon, but she insisted.”
“I’m sure she did,” sighed Esofi.
“But your meeting with the dragon went well?”
Esofi nodded. “I will deliver a full report tomorrow. But I do not think we need to worry about any more attacks, at least for now.”
Saski looked back to the carriage, where Svana and Mireille were still disembarking. Her lips pressed together at the sight of Svana, and even more so when Brandt stepped around the carriage, leading his horse behind him.
“Oh, I forgot,” said Esofi. “Brandt and Svana were stationed at Fenstell with the Rhodian mages. I thought Lady Svana might make a good waiting lady.”
“You what?”
“And of course, it seemed cruel to separate her and Brandt. They’re both so close to each other, you know. You don’t mind, do you?”
“Well…” Saski appeared to be at a loss for words. “I…”
“It’s a complicated story,” said Adale, raising her eyebrows meaningfully.
“I should like to hear it, I think. But after you have rested.” Saski paused and glanced over at Gaelle. For a moment, Adale wondered if she would address Esofi’s mother. But instead, she said, “Lady Catrin has had her baby. She is taking visitors now. I am sure she would be pleased if you went to see her.”
Lady Catrin was only a few years older than Adale and Esofi, but they had never really spoken to one another beyond basic pleasantries. She had never run in any of the same circles as Adale and her friends. Still, if Saski was mentioning it, it meant they were expected to be polite and bring a gift.
“We will visit her as soon as we are able,” promised Esofi.
Adale risked a glance back at Gaelle, but she was now being swarmed by servants eager to take her parasol and her gloves and her cloak.
“Is Lady Lisette here?” asked Esofi. “She separated from our party on the journey to Fenstell, and we’ve not seen or heard from her since.”
“I do not know,” said Saski. “I have not noticed her about. Shall I ask the guards?”
“No, no, that’s all right,” Esofi reassured her. “I’m sure she is fine.”
Chapter Six
ESOFI
The next morning, Esofi awoke to Adale’s body pressed tightly against her, as usual. It would have been nice to stay there all day and just enjoy the warmth of the blankets and the fire and Adale’s unfaltering affection. But they both had matters to attend to, and so Esofi forced herself to get up and dress.
Though her day would be busy, there were no formal or ceremonial events on her schedule. Nevertheless, she selected a Rhodian gown for the first time in what felt like a month, feeling a little bit like a bird trying to fluff up his feathers to drive away predators. Adale did not comment when she pulled the dress from her wardrobe, and even got up to help her with the complicated lacing in the back, even as Esofi protested that she could call Mireille for the task. Even with the continued presence of her mother, it was a relief to be back in Birsgen. Gaelle had certainly managed to take her by surprise in Fenstell, but Esofi liked to think that she had the advantage now, if not simply in the sheer number of people loyal to her—even with Lisette’s absence.
For Lisette had never made it back to Birsgen, or if she had, she hadn’t reported in to their majesties or anyone else at the castle. Esofi forced herself to be rational. Lisette had warned about this exact possibility the morning she’d left their camp and specifically told Esofi not to send people to search for her if she disappeared.
Esofi would respect Lisette’s wishes for now. But if she did not reemerge soon…
She would much rather see Lisette angry with her than see her dead.
Esofi pushed those thoughts away. They had only been gone for a little over a week, but there was a great deal to catch up on. Foremost among them was the priestess of Talcia. Last night, shortly before sundown, Archmage Eads had sent her a short note suggesting she might visit the temple and try to quell a dispute brewing between two of the priestesses before their majesties were forced to step in themselves. Esofi had sighed at the words, for even without any further details she knew precisely which two priestesses the court mage spoke of. Without a doubt, it was Asta and Eydis, the two most prominent candidates for archpriestess.
Asta was an experienced senior priestess, popular among both her colleagues and the university’s students. Some of the priestesses were openly disdainful of the newly blessed, viewing them as lesser due to the fact they had only been granted their magic in adulthood, rather than at birth. Asta had been the loudest opponent of this philosophy, and Esofi appreciated her for that.
Eydis was younger—too young to be named archpriestess, or so Asta claimed. Esofi was not so certain of that, though perhaps she was biased due to her own youth. Unlike Asta, Eydis was soft-spoken and had a reputation for settling disputes the old archpriestess did not have the energy to deal with. From her sweet nature, one might not guess she had one of the most powerful blessings in Birsgen. If it came to a duel, Esofi expected that Eydis would win over Asta through sheer brute force.
But then, Ieflarians were not as inclined to duel as Rhodians were.
Esofi tried to imagine how the most recent dispute between them had gone. Perhaps Asta had criticized Eydis loudly, and Eydis had responded by making some vague comment about women who claimed to understand Talcia’s serenity but bellowed like a street vendor, and the only reason it hadn’t come to a duel was the fact Asta knew that she would lose…
Esofi sighed and mentally prepared the lecture she’d already delivered several variations of. The Temple of Talcia had gone neglected for so many decades, it seemed the priestesses sometimes forgot they were once again in the public eye. And even with all that had happened in the last two years, not everyone trusted them the way they trusted the other temples, mostly due to Talcia’s association with dragons.
She wondered if threatening to cast them both out of the city and appoint herself archpriestess would carry any weight. Probably not, since the Temple of Talcia mandated that anyone seeking a rank beyond acolyte was required to renounce any titles they might hold, nor could they acquire any afterward. Most temples had similar policies, though not all did.
But before she could see to that, she had to meet with Queen Saski and King Dietrich. Ostensibly, it was to report on her time at Fenstell and her interactions with Ivanedi, and Esofi had dutifully composed a formal report that they could pass
along to their own advisors. But she knew they were equally curious about the reappearance of Brandt and Svana. Esofi was still debating how exactly she would describe her mother’s actions in a way that would not offend their Ieflarian sensibilities.
Esofi had not given much thought to the twins after they’d been sent away from Birsgen in disgrace. She’d assumed they were still back at home. To learn that their parents had been angry enough to banish them to a defense camp was…surprising. Esofi had always had the impression that Ieflarians were exceptionally permissive parents.
She’d known from the very start that Adale didn’t like her cousins much. But until the kidnapping, it had seemed more like a petty rivalry than a cause for concern. As far as she could tell, there had been no single inciting event to cause the schism between them. If that had been the case, Esofi might have been more inclined to take a side. But at the time, she’d just viewed it as a silly grudge that ought to have been left behind in childhood.
To an extent, she still did.
She could not help it! Adale swore Brandt and Svana were awful, but Esofi had seen far worse behavior in Rhodia. They had only crossed the line when they had kidnapped Adale. And even then, they had not injured her or starved her or demanded a ransom. Life at the Rhodian court was not nearly so idyllic.
Perhaps she ought to resent them for attempting to steal Adale away from her. If they had been successful, if Mireille and Lisette had not uncovered their plot and corroborated Adale’s story, her life might be very different right now. But it was difficult for Esofi to get angry about something that had not happened. When she thought about what the twins had done to Adale, all she felt was annoyance and a little bit of disgust. That they would do something so childish, so foolish!
But the fact of the matter was, they were members of the royal family. Someday, one or both of them would control Valenleht, arguably Ieflaria’s most important port city. Esofi did not want them to be her adversaries.
Nor did she believe she or Adale was in any danger from them. If they’d wanted to murder Adale, they would have done so at the betrothal. If anything happened to Adale or Esofi now, they would be the first suspects. Even if Brandt and Svana were completely innocent, there was a fair chance they would still take the blame for anything that befell the princesses.
