Page 46 of Of Skulls Of Shackles

“King Raise,’ I said, “from the perspective of a queen, I have watched this marital issue drag you from purpose time and again. Ancients will not have it. This disagreement in your unionmustfind resolution, so that you might return full attention to your purpose.”

He growled, “These mediations drag me from purpose too.”

I nodded. “Which leads me to my solution. While we resolve union matters, I propose that we counter the time you are away from your purpose. Princess Raise will work toward your purpose and in your kingdom for the same length of time as these meetings. Furthermore, I suggest that she also work in your kingdom for any length of time where you dwell on the futility of your lovers’ quarrel. In this way, ancients may not seek to punish you for neglecting purpose,andyou will have the pleasure of knowing that your princess dwells in your kingdom for a time.”

Princess Raise had stilled. The princess wished to be free in her husband’s kingdom, not locked away. She also had to go about his purpose to make up for his tendency to spurn it in favor of loving her. This solution would “punish” her for not signing the amendment, and more importantly, would punish him for dwelling on his love for her. She would have ample reason to work on his purpose, and in freedom.

I could not see the way to heal their warping yet, but they might find easier ground to walk upon with this.

And a princess might not keep watching me with distrust.

King Raise tilted his head. “My princess should work at my purpose for the same amount of time as we engage in marital dispute.”

“’Tis only fair that there should be consequence for her,” I murmured. “Once she feels the heavy burden of your purpose, she may be otherwise convinced to amendments.”

“Purpose is no burden,” he said too quickly.

His purpose had become a burden from the moment Raise loved his wife. Apparently union was seam, and if unions were seams, then this one was frayed indeed.

I sat straighter.Five powers to grasp the world’s fraying seams,

And if golden fate deems fit, to mend.

But could it be? Surely there was more to my purpose than mere heart healer. Yet I was golden fate, and unionswereseams—though seams of what I could not say. How stumping to feel that this marital mediation was crucial to the fate of the world.

Ancient scheme was afoot.

I said, “King Raise, please consider this before next time. Now, my pawns await.”

The Raises scampered for the double doors, though King Raise glared over his shoulder at my audacity of kicking him out.

Soft laughter squeezed from the walls. I blinked as skeletal fingers appeared out of the stone before sucking away again.

“Hello to you,” I called.

Whispering, then silence fell. She was not ready to meet me.

“Mother,” I said, peering out the double doors to the pawns gathered beyond. “This is a very complex affair.”

Beyond pawns, a glittering hellebore appeared atop Mother’s grave in answer to my comment.

“Another mother arrived?” I asked. “I shall be there again soon.” I had visited my mothers after the meeting with King Bring too. Their arrival was swift and steady.

As pawns filed into the throne room, I observed Princess Change walking over to inspect the glittering bloom. Her face was set in determined lines, but a softness washed over her features as she assessed the lush hellebores.

Such potential of monsterdom. Such warping in union. I almost felt sorry that she would never find her bouquet.

Pawns awaited me. “Good dusk to you, and what news have you tonight?”

This was the first dusk in some time where I did not wish for them to answer. So many strings pulled at me, and I wished not to be a puppet for a night.

No pawn was forthcoming.

“Anything from King Take?” I asked.

Gangrel, Sanguine, and Vassal shook their heads. They appeared exhausted. More wrinkled and gray than ever.

“King Bring?” I inquired.

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