Abel…
He was the one I had never been able to sense. But now I also knew that someone had tried to burn his sigil away. Someone had never wanted him to know what he was. Not just a guardian, but a shadow guardian.
Abel…? Please…
I felt a flicker of him. I had a vision of him sitting at a desk with his head in his hand. I felt him turn to look at me and then try to push me away. You don’t want me.
But I do, Abel…I swear to you, I do. I’m meant for you. I don’t even know what’s going on, but we’re meant to find the truth together!
Get out of my head, Phoebe!
And then the vision shut down like a slamming door.
Chapter Two
Phoebe
A day passed, and the guys hadn’t come for me.
Okay. I mean, of course they wouldn’t just coming busting into the Imperial Palace. It was heavily guarded, and there were only three of them, and I wouldn’t want them to die attempting to rescue me. They had to make a plan.
Another day passed. So, still planning then. Of course, sure. It was better if they took their time with the plan.
And another and another.
Whyyy haven’t you rescued me yet? WHYYY.
Imprisonment was very boring. And also, extremely stressful. Nothing bad had happened, but I was always waiting for it. Every time keys rattled the door open. Every time the Emperor checked in on us. What was the plan? Was he really going to leave us locked up here forever? Was this just my life now?
He kept asking me to sing for him and his friends, and I always said no. He kept asking Himika to share a meal with him, and she always said no.
I should have known the Emperor wasn’t much more patient than I was.
“Ladies…enough of this.” He had entered the room on this particular evening—I no longer was entirely sure what day it was—with an air of purpose. He wore a stunning jacket of dark green velvet with gold buttons, his mane of graying golden hair brushing the collar, and he seemed to fill the room with royal presence. I think we both sensed that he meant business. Himika was lifting her chin, ready to spar. “Phoebe, you will perform tonight. I know you are itching to leave this room. And Himika, you will share my table with me. I’ll show you there is nothing to fear.”
“You will have to drag me,” Himika said.
“Must I really?”
“Yes. You must.”
“I won’t have to drag you, Phoebe.”
“Oh, yes you will!” I wasn’t about to go willingly when Himika wouldn’t.
“I have a surprise for you. Something you have been looking for.”
“What?”
His face, handsome in a slightly craggy way, broke into a grin that only made me more nervous. “She has four paws and two wings…and she has some of the guards quite charmed. But you will only see her if you are willing to stop being so stubborn.”
“Wretch?” My jaw trembled. “How did you get her?”
“Abel caught her yesterday.”
“Where?”
“She flew in the open window of his office. You can imagine his surprise.”
My winged cat had been missing since the monsters attacked us back at the guard station. I’d been looking for her everywhere in despair. If Leonidas was telling the truth, I almost felt annoyed at her. Stupid cat. Flying right into Abel’s window? She should be smart enough to know that he couldn’t be trusted.
Still…that was proof of something that had been nagging at me from the beginning. Wretch wasn’t just my randomly acquired pet. She had saved us from the monsters, drawing them away from the walls of the guard station. And Niko used to have a winged cat he called Astria that I was starting to suspect more and more might have been Wretch herself. Wretch was trying to bring us all together. She was trying to show Abel the truth.
And he had turned her in to the Emperor. What a bastard!
Damn it. They had me now. I definitely needed to see Wretch.
“Fine…I’ll perform for you.”
He put his fingers to my chin, lifting my eyes to meet his. “Is is really so bad, Phoebe? I don’t ask much of you. You have performed for me before, haven’t you?”
“Not privately.”
“Well, it is an honor, though you may not think so. Some of the most prominent people in the city will be at my soiree tonight. I can’t let you leave my palace so at least let me give you an occupation. Himika, are you sure I can’t convince you?”
Himika looked at me, and I’m sure I looked nervous.
“I suppose I’ll go,” she said. “To support Phoebe.”
“Good, Princess.” He tried to touch her hair, and she flinched back, turning away from him. His hands gripped her shoulders. He was so tall, and she was so small, that his chin didn’t even reach the crown of her head as he spoke down to her. “I want to find a cure for you. I swear it.”
“Please…don’t. Don’t touch me. You destroyed my kingdom.”
“If I can’t cure you, surely I will give you more than your family ever did. Your brother fled to pursue his own whims. Your father kept you like a priceless vase, too scared to let you see or do anything. I would take you with me when I travel. You could see the world. You would be my empress.”
“Stop, I just want to support Phoebe tonight. Our families have been at odds for my entire life; why would I ever believe you? I watched you order a man’s execution.”
“If you have never seen your father order a man’s execution, then it’s no wonder my army defeated him, is it? This world is full of danger and I stand against that danger every day. If you consider it a little further, you might realize that I am not your enemy at all.” He released her. “I will see you tonight.”
Himika clutched her head. “Phoebe…”
“We’ll get out of here. We’ll just humor him for tonight,” I said firmly, despite my own nerves.
“What if he’s right?”
“He’s not right. You’ve been here too long.”
She nodded.
“Raio misses you so much,” I said. “He definitely regrets abandoning you. He would risk his life to save you and take you home. The guys will find me, and they’ll rescue you, and when I become priestess and seal the gate, you and your brother will take Gaermon back. Your people are counting on you.”
“You’re right… Thanks for knocking a little sense into me… I do believe being trapped here is doing things to my head.”
I was glad she felt better, but even as the words came out of my mouth, I thought it sounded far fetched. I didn’t know if I would even be rescued from this fortress. She was never going back to Gaermon, was she?
I felt very small and ordinary, like there was no way I wouldn’t let everyone down.
Some attendants came with clothes for the evening. I had a more mature version of a Strawberry Girl costume, a little white dress with a short skirt and flowing sleeves, and tall red boots. Himika was offered an elegant gown, pale cream and forest green with hand painted birds on the skirt. It covered her from neck to wrists and down to her feet with elegant, easy lines; no worries at least that the Emperor was going to objectify her. But she did look every bit like an Empress, especially when they put her hair up with silver ornaments.
“The Emperor won’t be able to take his eyes off you,” the attendant said.
“I have no wish to please him.”
“Of course,” the attendant said gently. “I hail from Estero. My mother remembers when my city was conquered by the emperor’s father. It was painful for her.”
“Why did you come to work for him, then?” I asked.
She shrugged. “The position is honorable, and he is not the demon I thought he was.”
“Oh no?”
“No. He has a generous side that, I imagine, would make for a pleasant husband. The wife of Leonidas would have everything she wanted.”
Himika shook her head. “Only a person with no honor would choose the life of everything they wanted over loyalt
y to their own kingdom.”
I didn’t have to wear any shackles now, not with so many guards around. They ushered us down into a intimate sort of lounge that reminded me of clubs. Candles flickered in colored glass shades, and long sofas lined the walls, with plenty of pillows. The walls were paneled with dark cloth that had a faint gold pattern of stars. The Emperor spread out on the center sofa, with a female servant pouring him a drink. Dozens of fancy people in gowns, military uniforms and elegant suits were mingling around the room. They glanced at us but no one looked very friendly. I’m sure they could tell I was not one of them. I didn’t even stand like one of them. They were all very willowy, somehow. The Emperor motioned for us to come over to him.
He had Wretch in a birdcage. I flew to her side. My poor girl! The cage was too small for her to move much. She meowed piteously when she saw me and reached a paw out between the wires.
My heart was in my throat. “Let her out, that's too small for her!”
Leonidas opened the door without protest. Wretch slipped out and immediately spread her wings, flying into my arms with a lot of meowing chatter.
“Where have you been?” I cried.
She wriggled in my arms, climbing onto my shoulders, and rubbed her cheek against mine, but offered no explanation. At this moment I only two things: one, that she was back and I was deeply relieved, and two, that having a mystery pet was the most aggravating thing ever. She squinted at me, just to drive me nuts.
“Stupid little sweet pea,” I said, nuzzling her face as a robust purr rumbled through her so strongly that her wings vibrated.
An old man was whispering something to Leonidas. He looked like an advisor in his long robes. But the Emperor stopped listening and looked up as a woman in a black gown swept through the doors. She was definitely middle-aged but still delicately pretty, with white-blond hair swept into a cascade of curls at the back of her head. Her gown was demure but ruffled all over, with a striped petticoat peeking out beneath. She had several young men in uniform with her; bodyguards, I think. (Hot bodyguards, who stuck quite close to her. Maybe I could ask her for tips on juggling my lifestyle.)
The Emperor watched her for a moment and then looked away.
“Who is that?” Himika asked.
“Miss du Barien, one of the lesser daughters of the banking family,” he said dismissively. “I didn’t invite her. But she shows up anyway, on occasion. She’s rude that way, although I don’t know why she wants to be here in the first place. We don’t exactly get along.”
She was across the room and picking up a tiny pink pastry from a small table stacked with sweets on silver trays, but I saw her smile. She glanced at me and whispered to one of her bodyguards. I really thought she was going to talk to me, but she didn’t move.
“Why don’t you get along?” I asked.
“I hate beautiful women who refuse to marry. What a waste.”
“Maybe she has other interests she wants to pursue,” I suggested. I’d read about the du Bariens in the society pages. She wasn’t the one who came up the most; that was strong-willed Emmaline du Barien, her grandfather’s darling and the one who was notorious for briefly unleashing a fashion designer named ‘Pizazz’ onto the city.
“She doesn’t,” the Emperor said. “She is not one of those ambitious types, if that’s what you’re thinking. Selfish woman, and too old now for anything else. Also terribly paranoid.”
I would bet money, by the sound of his voice, that he had tried to woo her once. I gave her a faint smile. Well, good for you and your hot bodyguards, Miss du Barien. Dodged a bullet, didn’t you.
She gave me a piercing stare with her blue eyes and then moved on for good, talking to some other woman. Weird.
“But enough about all that. Dear princess, sit beside me,” he said.
Himika seemed immobile.
“Don’t be frightened,” he said. “This is where I relax, I’m not going to execute anyone here.” Like that was something to joke about. “We’re just going to enjoy Phoebe’s performance.”
I have never seen anyone sit as slowly as Himika did. It was almost performance art in itself. Her leg muscles must have been stronger than one would think, just to manage that.
“They’re setting up the stage,” he said. “At least, they should be. Roa, find out what happened to them, would you? I hope you remember all the songs, Phoebe. But if you don’t, we’re all working on getting drunk. Would you like something yourself?”
“Sure.”
The attendant poured me a drink, offering me the cup with an elegant hand. She was the same attendant who helped Himika into her gown earlier, I realized, just more dressed up now, so I smiled at her. After a few days of captivity, even seeing a familiar servant was comforting.
I glanced around. I knew Abel wasn’t here. I would have felt it. But something inside me still collapsed with disappointment. I couldn’t help wanting to see him, even if he hated me. Once I awoke a guardian’s sigil, I was helpless to resist.
I took another drink. I was already on edge, and weird looks from strangers didn’t help.
“Why don’t you sit too, Phoebe, since they’re running late?” the emperor offered the spot on the other side of him.
“It actually helps me to stand before the show. You know, to warm up.”
“Mmhm.” He looked like he found me funny, which drove me nuts. “Have you considered at all what I told you about the Elders? Abel thinks the Elders might be the ones killing the priestesses, even from inside my palace. If that’s true, you would be in danger even here.”
This again. “Is that supposed to make me feel better, Your Majesty? In the end, it doesn’t matter who my enemy is. I’ll be dead either way.”
“No, it isn’t supposed to make you feel better. But Abel’s a smart man. I wonder if there is any way to prevent your death…”
“Um.” I swallowed. “How did the other priestesses die?”
“Poison, by the look of it.”
I put the drink down.
He laughed. “This wine has already been tasted first. All of your food is tasted. Although I don’t really like this wine, do you?” He tried to take my glass. “Bring something better,” he told the attendant. “This tastes like peasant wine.”
“It was from the House of d’Averro,” she said apologetically.
“Well, give it to the servants and tell my wine steward that he should been aware this was an unacceptable vintage to serve to a princess.”
Although Leonidas was old and composed, he must have been spoiled rotten as a kid…like most heirs to thrones, I guess. It made him seem a little more human. He had weaknesses, I thought. Some servants were now assembling a stage right in the room with interlocking planks, and musicians were filing in. My stomach twitched with anxiety. I loved performing, but maybe not like this.
“Do you need to warm up your voice?” Leonidas asked.
“Um…sure.”
“Show her to a private room.” I saw him leaning closer to Himika as a footman led me out.
I didn’t warm up. I was shivering and nervous. I had never performed for a private crowd that included the emperor before. I yearned for the secure feeling of having my guardians around me. And someone might try to poison me at any second.
It seemed like only a second passed before someone told me it was time, and I had to wobble back out there on shaky knees and walk on stage. Himika was now sitting between the Emperor and a woman in white healer’s robes. They were both focused on her intently as they spoke, and she was listening just as closely. The healer gestured with her hands along Himika’s arms and rib cage. The old man advisor was nodding. They all looked concerned.
Clearly, the Emperor was trying to woo Himika with the promise of healing her. She was wavering. What would Rin say if he tried to save her and she refused to be saved?
The whole time I kept trying to watch them, the guitar player was trying to show me lyric sheets and ask me if I remembered all the songs and telling me
about the set.
Twin violins struck a note behind me.
“Are you ready, Strawberry Girl?” Emperor Leonidas called. “Before the party has ended, please.”
Ugh. He was so overbearing. I mean, obviously, he was the emperor.
But when I heard the music kick in, I couldn’t help enjoying it, even if I was rusty. They started with April Hearts, and while I assumed the Empire sponsored the dance troupes just for the sake of morale, Leonidas actually seemed like a genuine fan. He was clapping along, and so were a lot of the other guests. This made me want to work it even harder, and soon I was bounding around the stage belting the music with my cat flying around my head.
And this crowd was actually enjoying it. I saw an old lady who looked like she was worth a million gilden, in a trailing evening gown and diamonds, clapping her hands over her head to Taffy Girl. It was easy to forget that Strawberry Girls had been singing the same songs for decades, so old ladies were young when they first heard them. A snotty looking blonde guy started tearing up during Once Beneath the Ocean of Stars. The music was like a uniting force between rich and poor, old and young.
During the break, they cheered like they were trying hard to maintain dignity and failing, and offered me more to drink. Himika looked happy. I was having a good time. Wretch was back in my arms. I almost forgot how hopeless everything was. When the entire set was done, and I had sung every classic number of the Strawberry Girls (plus the Sunflower Girls favorite, Why Are You Sad, Boy?), I got showered with attention and compliments and people telling me memories of going to Strawberry Girls concerts and which season was their first. “The one with Tamra as the lead singer…must’ve been thirty years ago…”
“You look like you’re having a good time.” Leonidas approached me, leaving Himika on the sofa.
Priestess Bound Page 2
