Page 63 of A Reign of Embers

I cling and strain and heft myself by knees and elbows as well as hand and feet where necessary. When I reach the edge of the roof, a wave of relief washes through me that’s almost as dangerous as my nerves. My legs relax slightly, and my feet wobble on their current ledge.

Just in time, I tense up to press myself rigidly in place.

The roof has a clever lip for diverting rain, stabilized by arches of stone beneath the protrusion. I set the book on the tiles just beyond the channel and wrench myself up after it in not at all graceful fashion.

Thank the gods Estera cares much more about intentions and insight than appearances.

On the roof, I stay low, crawling more than walking to the peak between two of the towers. There’s no way I could ascend those delicate spires. But as the waning sun streams over me, the golden glow sinks into my skin with a comforting warmth that feels like a welcome.

I’ve arrived.

At the peak, I plant my feet on either side and straighten up. I tip my face toward the sun that can symbolize both Prospira’s generous bounty and Estera’s keen mind. Then I lift my arms, giving myself over to faith in my stance and the shifting wind, holding the book as high as I can.

I aim my thoughts after it, willing them to reach the godlen who’s one of the three said to be most at home in the sky.

Oh great Estera, bestower of so much wisdom and spreader of knowledge, please recognize my offering. The imperial family has hidden away texts treasured by the other countries of the empire for too long. In your name, I will return these books to their rightful homes so that understanding can be regained and spread. I will raise the minds of the empire to new heights as I’veascended to this height myself to prove my resolve. Please bless my purpose and let all the royals of the continent trust in the plans I’ve crafted.

Let them not throw their lot in with Valerisse and toss me to the wolves, as they very easily could with the ammunition I’m offering them.

My heart thumps faster. No voice comes to me from on high. No divine touch whispers across my skin as I’ve sometimes felt from Elox.

Was it not enough? Or did I not understand what my gift seemed to be telling me?

I stretch my arms a little higher, restraining a wince at the pain in my shoulders—and a greenish glow flares around me. For an instant, the sprawl of the city buildings and the sliver of landscape I can make out beyond Vivencia’s walls are tinted like sunlight passing through the leaves of a tree.

My heart leaps, and then it’s over. As I blink, a smile lingers on my lips.

Estera wants to see the enlightenment I promised spread. Now I only have to make good on my promise.

And make it down from this temple without breaking my neck. That would be an excellent first step.

I retrace my climb in reverse as well as I can, with only a few wobbles. By the time I place my feet on the ground, my guards’ expressions are so fraught that guilt squeezes my gut.

The words spill out of me. “I’m all right. And Estera—she showed her approval. It was worth it.”

The cleric studies me with more curiosity than before. “You’ve shown yourself to be quite industrious in your pursuit of her favor, Your Imperial Highness. Estera values those who are willing to work toward their goals rather than taking the easy route.”

I find myself smiling at her. “I’ve always preferred thoroughness over ease.”

A few devouts and several civilians who ended up gathering to watch my climb move apart for my guards as they usher me back to the carriage. My audience gapes in silence.

I turn to them at the doorway and hold up the book. “Let us always remember the value of knowledge and see that it’s shared freely, not hoarded.”

With that, I sink onto the bench inside. I can hope my efforts today will bring favor not just to me but to the men I love on their hazardous quests.

Back at the palace, I descend from the carriage among my guards to discover that Marc is rejoining them. He took a leave for most of the afternoon to take care of some of that unspecified business that somehow involves the princes.

I bite back the questions I want to ask him, resisting the urge to return his dark gaze when it settles on me. I can’t afford to look any more attached to a man who’s supposedly just my guard than I already do either.

We’re just in time for dinner. In the dining hall, I push my concerns as far to the back of my mind as I can so I can greet all the nobles around me.Theystill care more about how genial their empress is than how she’s handling the war efforts beyond their view.

It’s a relief when I can finally take my seat with Bianca at one side and Baronissa Hivette at the other. Neither of them are going to expect a performance.

But I have to give one anyway, because after a few exchanged pleasantries, Bianca glances toward the table where the princes are sitting with a sly curve of her lips. “So, you’re sending off the foreign royals. I suppose that might solve certain problems.”

My pulse wobbles. “What do you mean?”

She implied once that I might have an intimate interest in Lorenzo, but that was nearly a year ago and I dismissedthe suggestion emphatically. She hasn’t given any indication since then that she’s noticed anything unusual about my interactions with my husband’s foster brothers.

---