Of Darkness and Crowns (Goddess Wars 2)

But unlike the Reckoning where I was forced from her side, I can’t focus on Caben and Bale and what I must do if she’s still my sole priority. Even thinking this, the guilt is consuming. But she’s safer, everyone’s safer, if I can ensure Bale’s capture.

Still, I need my empress’s guidance. And I need her to release me.

Pushing those thoughts aside, I focus on why I’m here. Bax. My palms slick with sweat and I run them across my black uniform shirt. Building myself up mentally and physically before I reach the door, I inhale a couple deep breaths.

Murmured voices sound from inside the chamber. I stand in the hallway, bothered that I didn’t find him alone. I didn’t want an audience for this, but then, maybe it’s best. That way Julian Paynebridge can’t accuse me of anything before I leave. I wouldn’t put it past him. So I roll my shoulders back just as the voices hush, and knock on the door.

“Enter,” Julian calls out. His voice sounds strained.

A Nactue guard—Whip—opens the door and steps aside so I can enter. I nod to her, confused as to why she’s here, until I’m greeted by not only Julian, but Empress Iana, also.

I bow quickly. “I apologize for the intrusion,” I say, lifting my head. “I was hoping to have a private audience with Julian, Empress.” But, as I’ve already decided, a witness might be needed. And my own empress is probably the right choice. Not even Julian is weasel enough to try to turn her word against me. He’s not completely lacking in common sense.

Empress Iana is draped in sheer white, flowing robes. Her long blond hair pinned into a loose bun atop her head, her thin silver crown lining it. When she steps forward, away from Julian’s side, I glimpse swirled henna peaking from beneath her sleeves. She must have cut her prayer ritual short to be here.

An added dash of guilt pulls my lips into a frown. I gave instruction to Lilly to oversee the Nactue in my absence, and she’s already taken to the role. Although I’m curious why Whip was appointed the empress’s sole guard today instead of Kia—a more experienced Nactue. Regardless, I had no idea that Empress Iana was well enough to tackle her usual, daily schedule.

Which means she’s already aware that I’ve shirked my responsibilities.

“Protector Kaliope, I was just about to summon you,” Empress Iana says. “Please.” She waves her hand toward the couches.

It feels odd having the empress invite me to a meeting with Julian here—this being his chambers. But I do as instructed, my stomach in tight knots. Wondering why they should need to speak to me together.

Julian follows Empress Iana’s lead and settles down on the rose-colored couch opposite me. Whatever they’ve just been discussing put a sour expression on his usually smug face. “As you were clearly on your way to address something with me, Protector, why don’t you start?”

I want to demand the whereabouts of Bax. Beat out of him what he’s had done with him—but I temper my irritation. Julian could well be innocent, even if he’s always resented Bax’s presence here.

Nodding once, as much as a bow he’ll receive from me, I say, “I’m seeking Bax. I haven’t seen him since before the palace was attacked, and I need to talk to him.”

Empress Iana and Julian share a look, and my unease grows. “Kaliope, this is why we were soon to bring you into the discussion.” She pulls a beige letter from the inside pocket of her robe. “We haven’t confirmed its truth, but I believe this message will answer your questions concerning our dear Bax.”

Immediately, my being fills with dread. I unfold the letter with sure hands despite the trembling ready to overtake me. I recognize the handwriting. I’ve read enough of Bax’s quick-jotted notes, messages sent to me in the field when communication was lost. It could be a forgery, but the mercury cooling my blood senses the truth.

Bax has been taken.

By Caben.

I shake thoughts of retaliation from my head with a sharp jerk. Bale is the responsible party. It’s already too late for Caben if I allow myself to feel anger toward him.

“There’s nothing else, then.” I hold up the letter. “We must go after him. It’s what we need to do anyway—track the Otherworlders. Capture Prince Caben and—”

“And what?” Julian interrupts. He raises his hand toward the empress. “Keep him locked in a dungeon, the goddess within him like she’s a prisoner?” He shakes his head. “Surely, Empress, you can talk some sense into your protector.”

Empress Iana casts her eyes on me, and the unmoving look in them chills me. She’s been supportive of this plan since she was restored to her full authority. But now I sense something has changed.

“You agreed, Julian,” I say, trying to alleviate the empress of the responsibility of disappointing me, “that quarantining the moon goddess was the only, reasonable course of action. Giving us time to discover a way to save Prince Caben.”

“Well, our newest discovery has changed my initial outlook,” he replies. Now I look to Empress Iana for clarity. I don’t want Julian to be the one to deliver this disappointment.

Her amethyst eyes cloud over. “Kaliope, it’s been a very long time since anyone practiced or even witnessed the rituals of Bale. Being the estranged deity, they were banished. Since the Otherworlders’ uprising, the leaders of the Three Realms have been secretly conducting research in order to be a step ahead of the Otherworlders, and to anticipate their next move.”

She folds her hands on her lap, ignoring Julian’s impatient foot tapping. I love my empress, but I admit, I’m with Julian here. I’d rather her rip the bandage off quickly; tell me everything at once.

“The hasty and unprepared attack on Perinya and then Cavan left us little time to conduct this inquiry,” she continues. “By the time we uncovered any information on the Reckoning, it was already the day of the eclipse, and we still hadn’t discovered the location of the Otherworld. But”—she slowly rises and walks toward me—“we now know, at least, why the Otherworlders were targeting the rulers. Why Perinya, King Marcus, was the first to be attacked, despite Cavan being the source of mercury.”

Julian sighs, and I make the connection before he can interrupt again. “They wanted anyone with any possible knowledge of Bale eliminated,” I say.

She nods. “I’m too young to remember, of course. And there was never any need to teach me of Bale’s religion…until now. So only my goddess relic was of use to Bale.”