Page 52 of Requiem of Silence

“If you could manage it without harming anyone. If you could find the light of goodness within your nature. I believe it is still there. What would you do with your freedom, I wonder?”

Zeli’s jaw dropped in horror. She backed away instinctively and ran into a chair. How could the Goddess speak so to him? Of… freedom?

Zeli didn’t understand what magic this was. Certainly the TrueFather was not in the room with Her Excellency, though she didn’t dare move closer to check.

“When will you return?” the Goddess asked.

“When it is time. When I can reclaim what is mine.”

Her breath caught; she had heard enough. She left the room on quiet feet though she no longer really cared if she was discovered. Once she’d prayed the political deadlock between the Council and the Keepers on how to proceed with the True Father’s punishment would continue so no one would discover the king’s disappearance before the Goddess located him. But she didn’t even know who she’d been praying to.

Surely not this woman in there chuckling with Her beloved twin. Hoping for hisfreedom.That was not the Goddess the High Priestess had taught them was infallible. And ifthatwasn’t true, then what was the point of the Sisterhood that she’d planned to pledge her life to?

If the True Father was returning, then there was little point to anything at all.

Zeli’s rushing feet slowed as soon as she was three corridors away from the Goddess’s office. Her run turned into a shuffle, and a gauzy film dropped over her eyes. She had no idea where she was going. She managed not to bump into anyone but couldn’t say if any of the people she passed greeted her or not. Her mind was still in that room, ruminating on what she’d overheard—she couldn’t tear it away. Her hopes and future disintegrated in front of her blinded eyes.

Could she question Her Excellency? Reveal that she’d caught an earful of this traitorous conversation? And what then? Tomany, the GoddesswasElsira. The Elsirans worshipped Her. The Lagrimari were in awe of Her. Those who didn’t believe in Her were trying to eject the Lagrimari from the country.

Her people had nothing now but the favor of the Goddess and the charity of others. They needed more. They needed their Songs back.

She shook herself and turned, getting her bearings before slowly making her way to the old corridor near the vault entry. She had yet to see so much as a servant in this wing. Still, she used caution, peering at her surroundings carefully to ensure no one saw her sneak into the parlor they had claimed as their own.

Varten had arrived early. He sat at the table they’d uncovered, his back to her, broad shoulders hunched taking notes on a pad as he studied the journal. He turned at her entry and then did a double take. What must she look like? Concern furrowed his brow as he began to rise, but she held up a hand and crossed the room to sit beside him.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, searching her face.

Zeli took a deep breath. But nothing came out. Was it all really over? She closed her lips and pulled the wretched ribbon from her hair, letting it fall onto the ground.

Varten watched her with wide eyes.

“It’s all a lie.” She blinked but the tears fell anyway. Varten pulled her into his arms as she began to sob.

She’d come to this land for a new life, a new start away from the corruption and misery of Lagrimar, but what did she find here? More deception. The hope of her people placed in someone who didn’t deserve it.

Crying was a weakness that shouldn’t be tolerated, but she was empty, so empty and sad and tired of standing up alone. Of trying to be strong. Finally she pulled away, sniffing. She closedher eyes as Varten dabbed at her cheeks with a handkerchief, and then she sat back some more, out of his reach. Gathering the shreds of herself together as she’d always done.

There was good, even in this. And she would find it.

“You haven’t spoken to your sister yet, have you?” she asked, blinking. “About the Rumpus?”

Varten cleared his throat. “No, she’s been so busy. I don’t think she’s slept since Jack left. I can let Usher know that it’s an emergency though. She’ll make time.”

“No.” Zeli crossed her arms and took a long breath. “I don’t think we should tell her about the Gilmerian Archives. I don’t think we can trust anyone anymore.”

He frowned.

“Not that Queen Jasminda is untrustworthy,” she hurried to add, though at this point Zeli didn’t even trust herself. “It’s just that… the Goddess…”

Varten leaned forward, looking like he might touch her, but she jerked back. She couldn’t focus on his hurt expression; she just held herself tighter, keeping all the pieces of herself together when they wanted to float away, like little kites tired of being trapped in the form of a girl.

“I overheard the Goddess talking with someone. Someone who wasn’t there. Someone who hasn’t been here in a long time.”

Varten shook his head. “I don’t understand.”

She twisted her hands; she was mucking this all up. “I’ve been sworn to secrecy, and I don’t want you to get in trouble.”

“I’m a prince, remember? What kind of trouble can I get into?” His lips curled.

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