Carina nods. “They were sent only yesterday. But they’ll reach Perinya within two days, then send back a message. Four days.” She begins to pace. “So, we have four days to get the new Nactue ready for their duties and ready to protect the empress.” She stops, turns to face us. “Are you ready to meet that challenge, Nactue?”
“Yes!” we shout in unison.
“Good,” she says, then looks to me. “Kaliope. Join me for a walk.”
I take a quick glance around the room, meet Lilly’s curious eyes briefly, then follow Carina through the double doors and out into the courtyard.
The scent of jasmine and oleander rushes my senses, and I breathe in their calm. Blue-feathered finches with yellow bellies hop along the branches of Black Tulip trees, knocking their pink petals to the lush grass. Other birds I can’t name dive toward a fountain in the center of the yard. Its glittering water cascades down a stone carving of the goddess Monique. And the white stone walls of the palace surround us, engulfing us in peace and tranquility.
It’s such a sharp contrast to the dry, dust-covered Cavan I know that I stop walking a moment, allowing my eyes to take in the beauty.
Carina leads me to a bench where she props her foot up and rests her forearm over her knee. “They’re going to look to you,” she says, her eyes scanning the courtyard. “And you have to make it seem as if everything is all right. That everything is under control . . . even when it’s not.” She looks at me then.
I lay one hand on the pommel of my sword and roll back my shoulders. “I understand that.”
She quirks an eyebrow. “Do you?”
Annoyed, I clamp my back molars hard. Then I say more assuredly, “Yes. I do.”
“Because hanging back with your unit instead of standing before them as their leader will not earn you their trust.” She pauses. “Or their respect.”
I start to argue that I was just instructing them in sword fighting, but arguing with her will only make me seem childish. Though my father was a bastard, he at least taught me how to take criticism well. Instead, I ask the question that’s been plaguing me. “Are we to be co-leaders, then?”
Her eyebrows knit together. “What do you mean?”
“I mean, if I’m to lead them, shouldn’t I be the one setting the time for the meetings, training, and so forth. And”—I stare into her gray eyes—“shouldn’t I be privileged to the same information as you?”
She smiles, her lips curling up on one side. “You should.”
I wait. I’m ready for her to fill me in on all the happenings, but her silence is nearly as painful as a slap to my face. I have nothing but respect for the former Nactue leader, but I’m glad she will retire soon. Her sarcasm and blatant disrespect for my position is grating on my nerves.
As I wait for her response, I glance around the courtyard. Then from my peripheral, I catch the slightest movement of Carina’s hand reaching for her sword. I take a staggering step back as she draws it from her belt and points it at my chest. Delayed but on guard, I pull my own sword and meet hers before it slices into me. Our blades meet with a shrill clang.
Confused, I take another step backward as she advances. Her blade swipes the air before me, just grazing the cloth of my uniform over my stomach.
“What’s wrong with you?” I ask, blocking her next attack.
She laughs, but doesn’t respond, which is proof enough for me that she has lost her mind. No wonder the Council has retired her early.
“For some reason,” she grunts out as she thrusts her sword, “the empress has chosen you. But I can see something in your eyes—something you’re hiding, holding you back.”
Blocking her next swing, I lunge and meet her blade, rebounding against her force. Our eyes lock, and I feel as if she’s looking through me—can see the mercury swirling, the gears turning beneath my skin.
We hold our locked position, our arms trembling. “There’s fear in your eyes,” she says. “You cannot lead the Nactue harboring fear—”
I step into her space and push her backward, forcing her off balance, and extend my sword. My arm taut, I hold the tip of my blade inches from her chin. “It’s not you who I have to prove myself to.” I suck in a breath. “I serve my empress and my deities. It’s them I have to impress.”
Carina straightens, ignoring my outstretched blade, and sheaths her sword. “You’re right.” Her eyes meet mine once more. “You don’t serve me, nor do you have to impress me. But you’re wrong about proving yourself to them.” She turns her back to me and stalks toward the other side of the courtyard, the opposite side of the training facility. Before she pushes through the door, she turns and says, “You must prove it to yourself.” Then she’s gone.
The air in the courtyard no longer feels calm and safe. The stone walls that held me in an embrace of serenity now seem to press in, confining me. My head spins. And suddenly everywhere I look my father’s face appears.
Haunting me.
It taunts me, and anger burns my core. I glance down. Silver streaks the skin over my knuckles, swirling like fire-hot magma, and reaches its spidery web across the top of my hand.
Then, I’m right back in my musty apartment—my mother cooking over the stove, my father bursting through the front door in a panic . . .
My father raced over to me and grabbed my thin arms, then dragged me across the room.